Colonnade adds electric car chargers

Drivers of electric vehicles now have a new place to charge up on U.S. 280. A charging station is in place at the Colonnade, at the intersection of 280 and I-459, through a joint project by Alabama Power and CBRE.

The station, which has two chargers, is located close to the Taziki’s and is free to the public. It's the first public charger to be installed in a major Birmingham area retail or office development.

CBRE Real Estate Manager Rhoda Kattus said the idea to install a charging station came from a trip to CBRE offices in Atlanta, where stations and electric cars were more frequent.

“We thought it would be nice, and important going forward, for Birmingham to have the same amenities available for our office tenants and visitors,” Kattus said. 

Alabama Power originally installed stations at the Colonnade in 2000, but the relatively new technology didn’t take off at the time. The infrastructure was still in place, however, making the new installation project easier.

Kattus believes the stations will be popular among hotel guests, retail customers and office workers that frequent the Colonnade.

“Rather than having to charge at a dealership, anyone with an electric vehicle can now charge with us for free, and be entertained while they wait, whether that is with a workout at Gold’s Gym, grabbing a meal, visiting retail or working,” Kattus said. 

She noted that tenants of other CBRE buildings had expressed interest in having the same amenity. Based on the Colonnade station’s use, she said CBRE will consider adding these stations in other locations.

“We are proud to contribute to the sustainability efforts here in Birmingham,” Kattus said. “This is a turning point for the city in forward thinking sustainable efforts.”