In April 2001, the City Commission acquired a computer generated Virtual Reality Model of the entire downtown central business district as part of a contract agreement with VantagePoint Technologies (formerly known as Citigraphix). At that time, the Commission adopted a Virtual Reality Model policy, which involved changes to the Appendix A fee structure of the city code. The policy created a pass through fee structure that provided for regular updates to the Virtual Reality Model, which included new construction buildings, façade design changes, and sign design changes.
In 2002, VantagePoint evolved into a software marketing company and the City of Birmingham purchased the VantagePoint Perspective software in December 2002 and the contract was modified as a result. The VantagePoint Perspective software package includes the following: authoring viewer, CAD data exporter plug-ins, and a "Culture Library" with common cityscape interior and exterior objects that can be placed interactively in the model.
The Virtual Reality Model continues to be updated annually with respect to façade design and sign design changes. The Planning Division believes that the Virtual Reality Model is a valuable planning tool in terms of site plan and contextual design review, as well as scale and massing studies. This venture is cutting edge technology and will provide our review boards with information during their deliberations that is not available elsewhere today.
For more information on this project, please contact the Planning Division.