By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Officials with Georgia-based Synergy Realty Services say they want to buy the City Federal Building in downtown Birmingham and turn it into shops, apartments and offices. The 27-story building went up in 1913 and, at that time, was the largest skyscraper in the Southeast. It has been empty for more than a decade and is viewed as a public safety hazard. Synergy spokesperson Randy Herron says the company has a contract with the building's owners to purchase it, but he would not say for how much. Herron also confirmed that Synergy has been meeting with city and downtown redevelopment officials.