Ensley Building

A 10-story building in downtown Ensley west of Birmingham, Alabama known as the Ramsay-McCormack building on the corner of Avenue E and 19th Street was completed in 1929. (Frank Couch/fcouch@al.com)

(Frank Couch)

Proposed public safety municipal complex in Ensley. (City of Birmingham)

A Jefferson County judge will let the city of Birmingham go forward with a proposed plan to renovate the historic Ramsay McCormack building in Ensley as part of a $40 million public safety complex.

Judge Michael Graffeo's new order, filed on Dec. 8, allows the city to proceed with Birmingham Mayor William Bell's proposed plan to renovate the 10-story, 87-year-old Ramsay McCormack building for municipal court.

The mayor's plan also calls for a new Birmingham Police Department and Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service headquarters to be constructed adjacent to the art deco tower in downtown Ensley. A parking garage, green space and mixed-use residential and commercial development are also proposed.

"We are excited to continue moving this project forward," April Odom, spokesperson for the mayor's office, said in response to the judge's order.

According to the judge's new order, the city must commence with the renovation by Feb. 10, 2017. This means by that date the city must have, at least, announced a request for bids on the project.

Graffeo, on Dec. 1, ordered the city to start the demolition of the Ramsay McCormack building by Feb. 10, 2017.

The judge's order was in response to a 2012 lawsuit filed against the city of Birmingham by the Ensley Revitalization Committee, Hope International LLC and Playover Games & Movies. The groups were demanding the city demolish the deteriorating Ramsay McCormack building after officials failed at promised action to redevelop it.

After hearing of the mayor's plan for the Ramsay McCormack building, the plaintiffs, however, changed their mind. Their attorney, Antonio Spurling, as well as the city of Birmingham, on Dec. 2 filed a joint motion asking the judge to reconsider the demolition order.

A hearing to discuss the matter was initially set for Dec. 14, but was moved up to a Dec. 8 teleconference after the parties involved requested an expedited hearing.

Despite the judge's order, the mayor's plan is far from a done deal. The Birmingham City Council must approve the plan as well as the funding.

At the time of Bell's public announcement on Nov. 30, City Council President Johnathan Austin said the council hadn't been notified of the public safety complex plan.

Austin nor City Council President Pro Tem immediately returned messages from AL.com seeking comment for this article.

The Ramsay McCormack building was completed in 1929 and served as a business center for doctors, dentists and other professionals in the once-thriving district.

The city of Birmingham purchased the building for $1 in 1983, following the end of major industrial and commercial bustle in the area. It has stood empty since 1986.