Birmingham Seeks Members for Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Committee

Birmingham city officials are looking for citizens that want to shape and preserve Greenwood Cemetery's future. 

At Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner's suggestion, Birmingham City Commissioners recently approved the formation of the Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Committee to help direct city leadership on how to resolve some long-standing questions about the historic site.

The cemetery on Oak is the final resting place for Martha Baldwin and other city leaders over the past 200 years. It became city property in 1946, and is under the discretion and authority of the city manager.

"I'm looking forward to working with the community to ensure Greenwood
Cemetery remains the treasure that is is today and never falls into
disrepair again," Bruner said.

Primarily, the committee will study and make recommendations on the following:

• Whether to pursue reclamation of abandoned burial spaces,
• Plan for the development of new grave sites within the current space
• Consider expansion and an endowment fund for cemetery care

The 7-member panel will make recommendations to the City Commission by June 30, 2014.

Who's on the committee?

Four members of the general public will join a Historic District Commissioner, a Birmingham Museum Board member, and a member of the Friends of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park.

The resolution adopted by city commissioners also requires at least one member to be a surviving relative of someone buried at Greenwood Cemetery. City officials will attend and participate in meetings, but will not have a vote. 

There is no budget for the commission and participation is strictly voluntary.

What to Do?

Submit an application, available on the city website and at City Hall, by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 20. All applications will be reviewed, and interviews will take place with the Birmingham City Commission at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25.