The City of Birmingham has issued a request for proposals seeking development teams to design, finance and operate a hospitality-focused project at the former Trinity Church site, city officials announced during the Oct. 7 city council meeting.

The RFP calls for “a branded mid to mid to upscale hotel, with at least 100 rooms and potentially a mixed use development,” and covers two city-owned parcels at 1129 Caraway Boulevard and 2615 Twelfth Avenue North. A mayor’s office representative told the council the RFP was released on Sept. 17; a first site visit was held Oct. 2 and the city added a second site visit for Oct. 20 from 2 to 3 p.m. Proposals are due Oct. 31, 2025, at 4 p.m. The mayor’s office directed interested parties to the city’s procurement portal (ieo.birminghamal.gov) for the full RFP.

Councilor Clark raised objections to the timing and process for marketing the parcels. “I have an issue with us doing RFPs without first declaring property surplus,” Clark said during remarks to the council, adding that marketing a hotel site could conflict with an existing convention-center master plan in which the city is a stakeholder.

Clark also said recent changes elsewhere—including a raised bridge she said has increased noise at nearby hotels—make the current timing questionable for offering an additional hotel site adjacent to an interstate. She urged that a surplus-declaration policy would be appropriate before property is marketed for development, saying bidders invest time and money and the council has limited options after proposals are submitted.

City staff did not present a formal motion or vote on the RFP during the meeting; the announcement came as part of the mayor’s communications. No developer teams were named at the meeting.

The RFP text available on the city procurement site lists objectives including high-quality architecture, guest amenities to enhance the city’s appeal and sustainable design practices. The city described the site as being near the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Protective Stadium and Topgolf, and said it seeks a collaborative approach “to deliver lasting public value.”

Council members did not vote on any development agreement at the Oct. 7 session; next steps would come if the city proceeds to select a developer and present any disposition or development agreement for council consideration.

Proposals and RFP questions are being handled through the city’s procurement portal; the submission deadline is Oct. 31, 2025.