More than a dozen Birmingham police officers helped coordinate the evacuation of dozens of remaining residents Thursday after the Sept. 26 condemnation of Bankhead Towers, a privately owned building that has provided federally subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled.
“They’re trying to find everybody a place to stay,” said Ronald Little, 75, who has lived at Bankhead for 23 years and was sitting on the sidewalk waiting to hear where he would sleep tonight.
“They told us to get a few pair of pants, a couple shoes and a jacket. They’re going to put us up for about 15 to 20 days. They’re moving us everywhere. I don’t know where I’m going.”
Residents gathered on the sidewalk in front of the historic building, waiting for rides to hotels or other accommodations.
“The building has previously been condemned and determined to be unsafe and unfit for human habitation,” said Rick Journey, spokesman for the City of Birmingham.
“It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure residents vacate the premises. While the vast majority of residents have been relocated, a small number of residents have not departed. The city is exercising its process in the condemnation procedure to ensure the safety of the remaining residents. Social services have been engaged to assist residents at the scene.”
Darlene Houston, 75, who has lived at Bankhead for 10 years, was calling her granddaughter, trying to get her to come pick her up. “They told us we were going to have to leave here today,” she said.
She said her family found her an apartment in Fairfield. She had a pushcart with a few belongings but was hoping to get the rest of her clothing that was left up in her apartment.
“All my clothes are on the bed,” she said. “They are putting people out of this building.”
Sherry Bray, a social worker and executive director of First Light women’s shelter, was helping organize people, get them in taxis and to hotels.
“There’s a lot of questions about where they go next,” Bray said. “It can be unnerving, a lot of anxiety. But they are very cooperative.”
There is no room at First Light, though, she said.
“No, Lord,” she said. “We’re a homeless shelter. We’re full.”
But Bankhead residents will be taken care of, she said. “People are getting what they need,” she said.
Efforts to reach building owner Nuveen for comment were unsuccessful.
Bankhead Towers, at 2300 Fifth Ave. North, was built in 1923 and can house up to 251 residents.
Bankhead Towers is 15-story former hotel where baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson once lived as a minor leaguer and where legendary Coach Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide football team used to stay on weekends when the team played games at Legion Field.