A former Family Dollar location in Birmingham, Alabama, that was sitting empty for several years took on new life last year when it was reborn as an event space for the community.
The Epic Center, launched by Valencia "Mrs. V" Johnson and her husband Edward Johnson, leased the 11,914-square-foot building at 1301 Third Ave. West in Birmingham. They are working to transform the retail space into one expected to host live events, comedy shows, community gatherings, motivational speakers and educational and business forums.
The Epic Center, located near the Rockwood Field — the oldest professional baseball park in the United States — is scheduled to open this spring. The new use will revive a closed retail shop and will provide the local community with an important gathering spot that is expected to lead to further growth and innovation in the area. The Epic Center's five-year deal at 1301 Third Ave. West earned the 2023 CoStar Impact Award for the best lease in the Birmingham market, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
The Johnsons have faced and overcome several challenges while converting the Family Dollar store that closed four years ago into The Epic Center. The first contractor walked away from the job before any substantial work was completed.
Then, the property was vandalized twice during the build-out. During the incidents, perpetrators gutted and stole the valuable portions of the HVAC system. The owners had to replace the HVAC system twice because of thefts. Also, people entered the property, lived inside and caused damage during construction.
Despite the issues, The Epic Center is set to open this spring.
About the project: The Epic Center will replace a shuttered Family Dollar store and is set to provide an outlet for members of the community to gather.
What the judges said: "The impact of taking a 'dark' building in a neglected part of the city and restoring it to a vibrant and innovative use despite the many challenges puts this project at the top of the list for 'Lease of the Year,' " Alan Tidwell, associate professor of finance at the University of Alabama and chair of real estate of the Alabama Association of Realtors, said.
"The Project repurposed a blighted building in the community and turned it into a facility that has a positive impact in the community, City and County," Janice James Douthard, industrial parks and real estate manager for the city of Birmingham, said. "The project is creating jobs for citizens that live in and around the area."
They made it happen: Sid Knight and Scott Plummer of Retail Specialists represented the landlord, Realty Income Corp.