“Affordable” DeTonti Housing Approved

The Mobile Board of Zoning Adjustment has approved key variances for a new mixed-use development planned for the corner of Congress and Claiborne streets in the DeTonti Square Historic District, clearing the way for a four-story residential and commercial project aimed at serving teachers, firefighters and police officers, Downtown Mobile Today reports. The project was submitted by Maurin Architecture on behalf of Figures Construction and Development and falls within the T-4 Subdistrict of the Downtown Development District, an area normally limited to three-story structures and parking lots no larger than 20 spaces under the city’s Unified Development Code. Developers requested variances to allow a four-story building and 55-space parking lot. The project includes a ground-floor restaurant and 40 residential units on the upper floors. The apartments will be “affordable” but not Section 8. The building is part of the La Maison at DeTonti Place project, which will run along the west side of Claiborne Street and north side of Adams Street near Calloway-Smith Middle School.