Birmingham, Alabama, has initiated a legal battle to address ongoing safety concerns linked to Norwood Plaza Apartments, a property that city officials have described as a site of persistent drug-related criminal activity. The city filed a lawsuit on Friday in the Jefferson County Circuit Court seeking to classify the apartment complex and its management as both a drug-related nuisance and a public nuisance under Alabama law.
The suit follows numerous documented instances of illegal behavior at the Norwood neighborhood complex, which is located at 1717 32nd Place North. City officials claim that years of drug offenses and threats to public safety have created an urgent need for judicial intervention, aiming to provide security for residents and restore stability to the surrounding community.
City Attorney Nicole E. King emphasized the ongoing issues at the property, stating, “This property has been a consistent source of danger, criminal activity, and community disruption.” Despite previous warnings and law enforcement actions, King remarked that the property owners and managers have been unresponsive in addressing the illegal activities occurring on the site. “Today’s legal action is necessary to protect the safety, health, and peace of the neighborhood,” she added.
The petition details a troubling history of illicit incidents, including multiple drug seizures and arrests between December 2023 and April 2025. These operations resulted in the confiscation of significant quantities of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, as well as illegal firearms. The Birmingham Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants that led to these recoveries.
Moreover, city officials have noted an extensive drain on municipal resources due to frequent calls for police assistance at the apartment complex, posing ongoing risks to families and local businesses. The lawsuit outlines the city’s attempts to communicate with property owners about potential legal ramifications, but these efforts have reportedly been met with inaction.
The Birmingham administration is seeking comprehensive injunctive relief from the court. This relief would include banning all further illegal activities at the property, mandating around-the-clock certified security and updated surveillance systems, and enforcing fencing and security plans. Additionally, the city aims to implement technology for monitoring license plates in collaboration with the police department.
The proposed legal remedy also suggests placing rental income under a court-appointed trustee and potentially appointing a receiver to manage the property. Should the property owners fail to comply with the court’s orders to mitigate nuisances, the lawsuit could pave the way for the sale of the apartment complex. The city is also pushing for a $50,000 fine and the covering of its legal fees by the defendants.
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin voiced the city’s commitment to ensuring a safe living environment for residents. “The residents of Norwood and the families in surrounding neighborhoods deserve a safe, healthy place to live and thrive,” Woodfin expressed. “We will not allow lawlessness and neglect to endanger our people. This legal action demonstrates our unwavering commitment to public safety and neighborhood revitalization.”
An emergency hearing and oral argument have been sought, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the situation at Norwood Plaza Apartments.
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