News Summary
The Birmingham City Council has approved the installation of a locked gate on 20th Avenue South to restrict traffic from the new Tidal Wave Auto Spa. This measure aims to alleviate residents’ concerns about congestion and safety as they oppose the car wash’s potential impact on local traffic. The gate will primarily be accessible to emergency vehicles while addressing the community’s worries regarding traffic flow at a busy intersection.
Birmingham – The Birmingham City Council voted on Tuesday to approve the installation of a locked gate on 20th Avenue South designed to block traffic from the new Tidal Wave Auto Spa from flowing into residential neighborhoods. This decision aims to mitigate concerns about congestion and safety in the area, where local residents have voiced their opposition to the car wash due to anticipated increases in traffic.
The gate will only be accessible to emergency vehicles, allowing them continued access while restricting incoming and outgoing traffic flows from the car wash, which is currently under construction at the northeast corner of Valley Avenue and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard. The construction site, previously occupied by a McDonald’s and a convenience store, has sparked significant discussions within the community.
This particular property holds historical significance, as the former McDonald’s played a crucial role in the capture of Eric Robert Rudolph, the perpetrator of the 1998 bombing of the New Woman All Women Clinic. Witnesses at the restaurant provided pivotal information that helped law enforcement apprehend Rudolph. The site was sold in 2023 for $2.1 million by Vulcan Storage, LLC, to TWAS Properties, LLC, which operates Tidal Wave Auto Spa.
Despite the property’s commercial potential, local residents have expressed ongoing concerns regarding traffic congestion and safety in the area due to the car wash’s projected traffic volume of approximately 300 vehicles per day. During a Redmont Neighborhood Association meeting held in September 2023, residents voiced their opposition to the car wash, fearing that it would exacerbate existing traffic issues, especially at the already busy intersection of 20th Avenue South.
In the face of opposition, Tidal Wave Auto Spa asserted that its project complied with current zoning regulations and moved forward with development plans. A court ruling confirmed that Tidal Wave could proceed despite a city-imposed moratorium on new car washes. Nevertheless, residents have reported heavy construction-related traffic on 20th Avenue South, with cement and dump trucks making access to the area more challenging.
Local resident Susan Barnacastle noted that the intersection is already known for its difficult access and has had issues with accidents, highlighting the community’s worries about the impact of the car wash on local traffic flow. Neighbors have expressed skepticism about the car wash’s success in that location due to perceived challenges for commercial vehicles entering and exiting the premises.
In efforts to block the car wash, some residents proposed changes to the Southern Area Rezoning Plan, which would have prevented the establishment of new car washes in the region. However, delays in the approval process have hindered these initiatives, leading to frustration among community members who were unable to stop the project.
The installation of the gate on 20th Avenue South has been identified as a necessary compromise for residents who cannot prevent the Tidal Wave Auto Spa from being built. By controlling access to the residential neighborhood while still allowing emergency vehicles through, the city aims to alleviate some of the traffic concerns arising from the new car wash.
As Birmingham continues to grapple with issues surrounding urban commercial development, the approval of this traffic mitigation measure reflects efforts to balance growth with the needs of local residents. The Tidal Wave Auto Spa project is representative of broader trends in retail and service industries, highlighting both the potential economic benefits and community challenges associated with new developments.
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Additional Resources
- Al.com: Birmingham Gating Off Street
- Wikipedia: Birmingham, Alabama
- ABC 3340: Birmingham Extends Moratorium
- Google Search: Birmingham car wash moratorium
- Bham Now: Car Wash Company Gives Back
- Google Scholar: Birmingham car wash traffic
- DBusiness: Jax Kar Wash Expansion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- Shelby County Reporter: New Day Car Wash
- Google News: Birmingham traffic issues
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
