Mobile Historic Development Commission (MHDC) MHDC Web Page Location: 205 Government Street, 2nd Floor, South Tower Mobile, AL 36633 Contacts: Devereaux Bemis Director Cart Blackwell ARB Coordinator Contact E-mail Address: bemis@cityofmobile.org arb@cityofmobile.org Contact Telephone Number: 251-208-7281 Staff Telephone Number: 251-208-7281 Department/Section/Unit Fax Number: 251-208-7966 Office Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday Staff Hours For Telephone Contact Purposes: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday Description of Department/Section/Unit’s Responsibilities in the construction process in the City Of Mobile: The Mobile Historic Development Commission (MHDC) is the staff for the Architectural Review Board. This Board, appointed by the City Council, reviews repairs, alterations, new construction, and demolition requests within seven of the City’s eight historic districts. Following a finding that the proposed work does not impair the architectural integrity of the building or the district, a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued for the work. This must be obtained prior to the purchase of any building permits. Within the historic districts a painting permit is required. Fence permits are required everywhere in the City. Ordinary in-kind repairs, roofing and painting may receive staff approval. Most other requests are placed on the Review Board agenda. For major projects, MHDC performs three inspections—foundation, framing and a final inspection—in order to insure that projects conform to approved plans.