🌱 Tijuana Flats Eyes Birmingham + Southtown Court Public Housing

Morning, Birmingham! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Birmingham Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening locally.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Birmingham Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Birmingham long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with brief showers. High: 72 Low: 67.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. Orlando-based Tex-Mex chain Tijuana Flats has set its sights on Birmingham as part of its plan to open 50 locations in the Southeast by 2025. The company is currently searching for franchise partners for three or more locations and is offering an expanded franchise development program with growth incentives for those who sign on before Dec. 1. Founded in 1995, Tijuana Flats currently has 104 company-owned and 20 franchised restaurants in several states. (AL.com)
2. This week, the City of Birmingham allocated over $3 million for affordable senior housing as part of the Southtown Court public housing redevelopment project, which will include up to 560 housing units divided between federally subsidized housing and market-rate rentals. The project will occupy the 26-acre tract between UAB and Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham, with 143 affordable senior housing apartments being built first. The city has agreed to provide funds for sitework, infrastructure improvements, and rental subsidies to ensure the new development is affordable. (AL.com)
3. A man, identified as 65-year-old Joe Cleveland Scott, was discovered dead on Tuesday morning in the McDonalds Chapel Community. The autopsy conducted by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office revealed that Scott was attacked by multiple dogs and died from injuries sustained during the incident. The six dogs responsible for the attack were successfully captured and caged by authorities at the scene, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding Scott's death continue to be conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson County Animal Control. (Alabama's News Leader)

Today in Birmingham:

• Free Tax Preparation, At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (All Day; By Appointment)
• Library Love Tiny Art Show, At Birmingham Public Library (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Native Plant Conference will be headed to Birmingham Botanical Gardens from Mar. 10-11. Tickets can be purchased here. (Bham Now)
• According to a recent study, the average cost of groceries is higher in Alabama than in other states — with Alabamians typically spending just over seventeen percent of their income on groceries. (WBRC)
• Are you in the market for a new home? Here are some upcoming open houses taking place in the Birmingham area soon. (Birmingham Patch)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.