Preface: This post contains three (separate, but equal) parts. Try not to get confused. Also, if anyone has Mayor Bell’s email address handy, please forward the latter note. Many thanks.
***Part One***
There’s a big white tent going up in downtown Birmingham and I’m inviting all of you to come on down and be a witness. The choir’s rejoicing and the newly-annointed minister is preparing his sermon. It’s time for that day of reckoning, folks, and it starts in Five Points South.
But, before we hear the testimony, let’s briefly examine the obvious:
1 - Birmingham has great potential to be a thriving destination for cultural and business development.
2 - Birmingham has a multitude of renowned amenities that make the city a viable candidate for acclaimed national exposure.
3 - Birmingham must capitalize on its existing resources and infrastructure in order to accomplish such exposure.
4 – Birmingham has some problems with motivating its people to work together for the common good.
5- Birmingham desperately needs committed, focused, empowered leadership to bring the community together for the purpose of positive growth.
In unison: Hallelujah! Amen.
***Part Two***
This Sunday’s Birmingham News included a write-up profiling Mayor William Bell’s platform on urban revitalization, specifically in the Five Points South area. (In case you missed it, here’s the link.) To sum up, the article reports that Mayor Bell won’t “abandon” Five Points “because it means so much to the city”. This, of course, comes just a few days after the said publication reported on nationally renowned Chef Frank Stitt’s resistance to a fast food drive thru in that very area. (Here’s the story and here’s an even better recount of what’s going on, via BhamArchitect. I recommend reading the surface-skimmed Birmingham News article, then humor yourself with the comments that follow, then treat yourself to an intelligent perspective from someone who’s had a true, vested interest in this (broader) subject and can offer a much different disposition from that of our beloved local newspaper.)
The mayor says he’s committed to finding financing to pay for improvements in Five Points South and has also vocalized his intent to create a group to evaluate the area’s needs. This “authority” would be compromised of area property and business owners.
The News went on to quote urban planning expert, Harvard professor, and co-editor of “The Tourist City” Susan Fainstein on several important points regarding the need for a coordinated ”authority”.
This new focus will “hopefully become a model for other districts in the city”. (Okay, would Main Street Birmingham, then, not be a natural contender for Bell’s support and focus?)
No real plans have been laid out yet by the mayor, but focus on new developments/investments such as a domed stadium and an entertainment district near the civic center have taken a (distant) back seat as it’s becoming increasingly clear that the city’s financial state is in major crisis. It appears that city leadership is taking a look “inward” to find ways in which it can boost economic development with ongoing budget cuts. And, my, what a concept – to utilize and organize the city’s existing amenities in order to build community interest/support/commerce. Kudos, Mayor Bell! Kudos! Or, shall I say, amen!
So, in celebration of this urban “revival”, here are Five Points that support the mayor’s new revitalization “effort”:
1 - According to Fainstein, business improvement districts, on a whole, are considered to be very successful.
2 – Also cited by Fainstein, cities are better served by bolstering existing attractions than by spending millions to create new tourist centers. Cultural destinations such as Five Points South attract both urban and suburban customers, while newly designed centers (like a domed stadium or civic center entertainment district) draw only a select crowd of people, in town for a limited amount of time and with a sporadic calendar/frequency.
3 – With an increased commitment to crime enforcement, well-lit parking, and authentic local business development, Five Points South could become the city’s prized entertainment hub, which would in turn generate revenue, would foster economic energy and may even attract young professionals to not only work, but also live and play in that area.
4 – The infrastructure exists.
5 – Birmingham needs a positive example to spur new energy and enthusiasm in other areas that have equal potential…combine those revitalized areas and you have a vibrant, thriving destination that warrants corporate and cultural exposure beyond city limits.
***Part Three***
Dear Mayor Bell,
I recently moved to your city and I really like it here. (To give you an exact timeframe of my arrival, it was somewhere between Smitherman and Royal, post-Langford and prior to your runoff victory.) I’m inspired by the rich history, the vibrant culture(s), the lovely landscape, and the warm people. My husband, son and I are planning to plant roots here. We have faith in The Magic City and believe wholeheartedly in the promise of its future. I started writing this blog because I have been so moved by the things I see and the people I meet in your great city every day.
Mayor, I’ve seen you in person a number of times and even had the opportunity shake your hand one evening on the rooftop of the historic Redmont Hotel. I offered my “special hand jive” and you accepted with a smile. I told you then that I’d just moved here and you asked where I’d come from. I told you we moved from Charleston, South Carolina and you commented on how great a man the city’s mayor is, as you had just entertained his visit to Birmingham. I agree. Mayor Joe Riley has a blatant, unwavering devotion to The Holy City and its people and he is well-respected. Charleston is a world-renowned destination for art, history, cuisine and shopping and the integrity of its leadership has a lot to do with its success as a city.
Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask you something in regards to that visit by Mayor Riley. I’m aware that he spoke to some local leaders about his experience and successes with city revitalization projects. No doubt he’s a qualified voice on the subject. I also understand that you left this meeting before hearing what he had to say. May I ask why? Perhaps you would have learned something. Perhaps you would have been inspired even more to make The Magic City a place I can be proud to call home.
And, Mayor, while I have your attention, may I be honest with you? As I’ve become more familiar with the city and its issues, I’ve grown increasingly paranoid about our leadership’s focus on making Birmingham “united for the good of the city”. I don’t think it necessary to list the reasons why, just know that I’m finding it difficult to trust what’s being done at City Hall. I’d be more than happy to discuss these fears with you in person and would even treat you to a cup of coffee or a cupcake. I’ll be respectful to your time, of course, and promise to approach the conversation with an open mind.
Having said that, I am excited to hear your recent announcement about future plans for urban renewal projects and Mayor, however you decide to crack away at this concept, know that I’ll be on board. You say let’s start with Five Points South. I agree, this area is an obvious “first step”, so let’s do it. Let’s address the crime, the upgrades to existing structures, and the incentives for new business. If this is what it takes to get The Magic City back on the right track and moving forward, then I’m more than happy to funnel my energies in to promoting and uplifting that area. As an indicator of my devotion to your “effort”, I will dedicate one post per week (until directed otherwise) to the Five Points South Revival Project (my own term, but feel free to call it your own, as that is how most politicians create their legacy…I think it has a nice ring to it and I’d be honored by your plagiarism.)
You’ve been in city politics a long time, Mayor. Certainly you know how to get things done. I’m counting on you and, with promise, you can count on me.
Truly Yours,
LKW
14 Comments
Great letter LKW! I guess a lot comes down to the character and quality of the “effort”. The previous administration had an abhorrence of planning and, in many cases, logic; therefore the attention given Five Points was the Mayor ordering the circle painted red (!). And the Mayor ordering that, for the first time in years, rainbow flags not fly from lampposts for Gay Pride. In other words, random whims of an individual, not plans.
Now the other extreme is planning, and appointing commissions, but never doing anything (perhaps the hallmark of the administration before Langford). We need something in-between–a reliance on intelligent plans, based on progressive urban principles, and implementation of the plans in a thoughtful, leveraged way. Not based on what wins votes for the next election, or what pays back campaign donations, but what’s best for the city.
The verdict is still out. But thanks for bird-dogging this until you uncover a verdict!
I’m interested in hearing more about the mayor’s plans for this authority. Will it act as a mini redevelopment authority for Five Points? Or will it try to be a neighborhood-specific ONB/Main Street Birmingham, like you mentioned? From what I read in the B’ham News article, it sounds like some of its tasks might duplicate those of the Five Points South Merchants Group (promotion, marketing, etc.). Also, will it cover all of the Five Points neighborhood (which is quite large, stretching nearly to I-65 and up to the railroad tracks next to downtown)? I just hope that this new authority will be something useful–a coordination of efforts rather than a duplication of efforts.
Charles, I’m anticipating hearing more of these past efforts… Not sure what the Mayor will propose as he’s just merely vocalized his “support”…details to come, we’re told. I’m interested to know what’s already been tried, if it worked, why it may not have, etc…
The best thing Larry did was to have the rainbow flags taken down.
A Five Points revitalization would be good for the entire city.
First and foremost, it will entice people to move back to Birmingham if there was a large and safe entertainment/shopping district. This would result in a larger tax base for the city. As a result, the neighborhoods around Five Points (Glen Iris, Highland Park, Forest Park, downtown core) would all probably see increased property values (again, meaning higher taxes paid to the city).
Second, such a revitalization would be great for UAB. Students, faculty, and professionals that work at UAB would definitely frequent the Five Points area much more, meaning that more money would be spent in the city than in over-the-mountain neighborhoods like Homewood and Mountain Brook. A seamless integration between UAB and a robust and thriving Five Points would also probably make more people consider coming to UAB in the first place. This would mean more occupancy for all the neighborhoods listed above. I would hope that UAB would become very proactive in working with the city to aid the revitalization of Five Points.
Finally, revitalizing Five Points would give the city its soul back. Although the downtown core is up-and-coming in terms of restaurants, loft apartments, and bars, the Five Points area already has much of that in place. The Lakeview area has plenty of bars, but a much smaller population is within walking distance. Five Points is centrally located, eclectic, and interesting enough to be the place that people seek out when they come to Birmingham.
Great points, Bhamnewcomer! Yes, it seems the surrounding population and existing structures are fitting for an expedited revitalization. The energy is there…we just need the city to make good on their supposed “efforts”.
Bhamarchitect, as always, insightful thoughts.
Langford’s appeal, welcome back to the discussion and I’m happy to see you are still tuning in to The Manifesto.
Thanks LK. I have only been in Birmingham for about a year, but I have really enjoyed living and working here. Like you, I can see myself planting roots here. My experience may be contrary to what others see, but I see a lot worth saving in Birmingham.
As far as revitalization goes, I see UAB as the lifeblood of this effort, not through administration, but as a people machine. As long as UAB is successful and growing, there will always be a source of new doctors, nurses, students, graduate students, medical professionals, etc moving into the city. These people will tend to be young and, not being from Birmingham originally, will not have the same defeatist attitude that leads most natives to move out to Greystone or Hoover. They will be tied to downtown in a way that others aren’t, and will tend to be the type of people that want to live in a thriving urban community. All of the planning and committees and associations are meaningless unless there are people that want to live in and near Birmingham. I think at UAB you will find those people.
Again, excellent point. It’s no secret that UAB is a key lifeline to this community. How, do you propose, the city and its “authority” tap in to this force?
Good question LK. I don’t know how much the city governance and UAB administration really interact right now. But, I think the best the city can do is make things more conducive for UAB growth wherever possible. They need to treat UAB like the economic engine that it is. For instance, the city just approved $500,000 in tax incentives for the Gus Mayer department store to move to the Summit. Perhaps they should try the same thing for UAB expansion.
One idea would be for UAB to build mixed-use graduate/resident housing in the Five Points area (such as at the location of the proposed Chic-fil-A site). They could have stores and restaurants on the lower floors of a 5-10 floor unit and apartments above. The city might be able to help them out on this with tax incentives. In the future, more of the student activities buildings may be located closer to Five Points or closer to the downtown core.
Unfortunately, in the past decade, UAB has built most of its newer buildings on the west side of campus instead of extending towards Five Points. Most of the dorms at UAB are a long walk from Five Points, and only people in the medical district can really walk over to Five Points for lunch or dinner.
Building student-focused housing in Five Points is an intriguing idea, though we probably shouldn’t look to UAB to do it. Their newest residence halls are actually operated by external companies. It would be better to entice someone like the developers of University House (new apartment complex between UAB and Railroad Park) to build something in the area.
I think the opening of the Cityville apartments will have a major impact on both Five Points and downtown. There’s the potential for hundreds of new people to be living just a few blocks from both destinations.
You are right, there are other avenues for redevelopment that could tighten the bond between Five Points and UAB. The real only advantage to having UAB build and run housing in Five Points would be that the occupants could be exclusively UAB students/employees, and would come with tertiary support from UAB in the form of maintenance and security (UAB police). Even if an external company managed the apartments, UAB could get a foot into Five Points. In the future, perhaps they would consider moving some offices or other organizations there as well.
What’s the population of UAB residents living in that area or can you report? Is there currently a need for more student housing? How many are driving in from other areas?
I’ll have to investigate further re: the City’s support (or lack of) for UAB, agreeing whole-heartedly that it is indeed a strong economic engine. As many people have stated, downtown would be nothing without UAB. (A dramatic statement, but with some truth…each time I pass through the campus I say a little “thank you” out loud. Even as a newcomer, I can easily see its significance in the community.)
I don’t know the exact population that live in that area. I would guess that many undergrads live in dorms or apartments in Southside/Glen Iris. I would also guess that some live in areas like Homewood or Hoover.
The main population that I think this would serve are medical/dental residents, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. I am not sure if there is grad student housing at UAB, but I bet it is pretty sparse if there is. I know a bunch of grad students and postdocs that live in the southside area, and several residents that live in Homewood. I think this is the population you would be targeting… people with some money (but not enough to afford a large house).
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