Survey shows mixed opinions on proposals for Patriot Park lot

An online survey of 144 people on thehomewoodstar.com showed that about 61 percent of respondents think the vacant lot at 165 Oxmoor Road should be the home of a two-story cafe, retail and event space building known as the Grove.

The food truck park proposal was favored by about 29 percent of those who took the survey, and about 10 percent said neither should be approved by the city council. By comparison, Mike Higginbotham surveyed attendees of a Nov. 4 community meeting he organized on the subject, and he found that 69 percent of those present were in favor of the Grove, 14 percent favored the food truck park and 14 percent did not support either.

The online survey respondents were given the opportunity to express other ideas for what should be done with the lot. Some of the responses included keeping the property for future continuity of Patriot Park or a one-story building for business offices. Other ideas included a water fountain or splash pad, a gazebo and landscaping, extra parking for the park, restaurants with lofts on the second story or a single restaurant location.

Some respondents used this space to express criticisms of the two proposals being considered by the council. For the Grove, these criticisms included a need for more details and clarity about the developers' building plans, concern about their low offer price for the lot, competition with existing food businesses nearby and the possibility that the two-story building would block views of the park.

For the food truck park, these included doubts about the long-term sustainability of the concept, concerns about having a beer garden near a park for children and the overall lack of a permanent structure.

Those in favor of the Grove felt that it would fit with the community feeling and bring permanent space for more Homewood retailers. Respondents who favored the food truck park said that since there is no other food truck park in Birmingham, the concept has the potential to bring diners from across the Birmingham area. A few felt that the city should put a sale sign on the lot or otherwise advertise for more proposals.

Nineteen of the survey respondents said they were at the Nov. 4 community meeting, and the remaining 125 were not present. The respondents are 95 percent Homewood residents and 9 percent Homewood business owners (respondents were allowed to choose multiple options). Only 3 percent neither live nor work in Homewood.

Council president Bruce Limbaugh said the council will make a decision on the proposals within the next 30 days.