Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue might be getting a serious glow-up.
City planners are working on something called a “Historic Avenue Overlay,” which could breathe new life into this part of town.
It stretches across MLK Ave and touches Spring Hill Ave, N. Broad Street, St. Stephens Road, and even up to Three Mile Creek.
So what’s the plan? Bring back the charm.
This area was originally filled with shotgun houses and small lots—classic Mobile style from the early 1900s.
Now, the city wants to bring that back, but in a way that works for today’s families and future growth.
Old Style, Fresh Start
Shayla Beaco with Build Mobile says this whole overlay idea is about letting people rebuild in a way that respects the neighborhood’s original feel.
That means smaller houses, tighter-knit communities, and a footprint that fits what was historically there.
The cool part? It opens the door for more types of homes—think duplexes, triplexes, and cottage courts.
These are perfect for families who want to live near downtown, young couples ready for their first home, or even older residents looking to downsize but stay close to everything.
The “Missing Middle” Is Making a Comeback
In planning terms, this “missing middle” housing is a big deal. It’s that sweet spot between single-family homes and big apartment complexes.
These homes blend in with older neighborhoods, offer more affordability, and still feel like part of the community.
Beaco says the city is looking closely at how zoning rules have made it harder to build these types of homes—and now, they’re trying to fix that.
That means more options for people looking to live affordably without leaving the neighborhoods they love.
One Thousand Homes…Turned Into 1,900+
This isn’t a brand-new idea—it’s part of a bigger effort the city launched back in 2020.
The goal? Build or preserve 1,000 homes by 2026. But they’ve already passed that number. Over 1,900 homes have been touched so far.
From fixing up older houses to preventing homelessness to building completely new homes—this program is making waves.
And this MLK Avenue project is part of the next wave. It shows the city’s serious about getting more folks into quality housing.
Coming Up Next: Speak Up and Weigh In
The next step in the process is getting the public involved. City council will officially open up a public hearing on the proposal, and then they’ll vote on it June 10.
For people who care about walkable streets, character-filled homes, and neighborhoods with soul, this could be a major win.
The vision isn’t to reinvent the area—it’s to give it back its heart, in a way that works for the present and future.
This kind of forward-thinking can ripple out in ways that go beyond one street or one neighborhood.
It opens doors for creative development, smarter housing options, and a city that welcomes growth while keeping its roots.
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