Seeking to End a ‘Launching Pad for Criminal Activity,’ City of Birmingham Sues Third Ave. West Businesses

The Birmingham Times The City of Birmingham said late Monday it is suing the owners and operators of properties located at 800 and 814 3rd Avenue West due to the continued high amount of illegal activity including violence. Third Avenue Ventures, LLC and Express Mart of Alabama, LLC have been named as the owners in the complaint. The city said the properties have been “essentially used as a launching pad for criminal activity” including drugs and violence. According to the city, in the past two years, Birmingham Police have responded to hundreds of calls at or near the properties. In the last year alone, police have responded to cases related in theft, kidnapping, assault, drugs, dangerous exhibition driving, and more. On May 4, 2024, a shooting occurred resulting in at least seven injuries, and one death on the premises, the city said in a press release. The city contends: More than 50 calls were received by the Birmingham Police concerning the properties in the past month. In January 2024, a woman was beaten inside the doorway of the property known as 3rd Avenue Shell, abducted and eventually murdered. The complaint states “neighboring residents are in serious risk of suffering immediate...