Birmingham Development News - Page 51

| BRAVO | · #**1001** Posted **Aug 23, 2008, 2:45 AM**

You got me? Seems like everybody across the state is waiting for announcements. Everything is stalled

The Concert Hall renovation is supposed to be complete now.

I hope it all happens.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1002** Posted **Aug 23, 2008, 3:42 AM**

yea, it's been a long time since I have heard anything about any of this stuff. Hopefully the location for the dome will be announced soon.

| BRAVO | · #**1003** Posted **Aug 29, 2008, 8:08 PM**

Duh! Of course it is the best site.

Quote:

Birmingham business group's study shows BJCC best site for dome
Posted by Joseph D. Bryant -- Birmingham News August 29, 2008 12:00 PM
Categories: Business
A site next to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex downtown remains the best location to build a domed stadium, an independent study of several sites concluded. The report, sponsored by the Birmingham Business Leadership Group was delivered today to Mayor Larry Langford.

Langford in January asked the group to lead a study to determine the best of several possible sites for a dome. Locations under evaluation are the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the Birmingham Race Course and Legion Field.

Langford had favored land near the Birmingham Race Course as the best location for the project, but said he would abide by the independent study. Business leaders have favored the location near the BJCC. An evaluation separate from the city or the BJCC board would ensure an independent finding, the mayor said.

The business group paid for the study. The study considered the merits of the three sites only from a business perspective.

Heery International Inc, an Atlanta-based engineering and construction management firm led the study along with Texas-based Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, a company specializing in site analysis for sports and event centers.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1004** Posted **Aug 30, 2008, 12:14 AM**

I think we all knew it was going to be the best site. Now, if we can just get the project started. If this all goes through, downtown could be in for a huge shock.

| BRAVO | · #**1005** Posted **Sep 1, 2008, 2:32 PM**

Glad to hear 29seven is still a go... Apparantly Barber Companies is possibly planning a development? Lakeview is already an awesome area. I'm looking forward to see it takeoff.

Quote:

In Lakeview, setbacks prompt look to future
Sunday, August 31, 2008
MICHAEL TOMBERLIN
News staff writer

Despite misfortune at two of its most familiar establishments, those with ties to Birmingham's Lakeview entertainment district believe its best days are ahead as new developments are plotted.

The restaurant and entertainment corridor east of UAB along the 700 block of 29th Street South this month lost one of its most popular characters with the death of Lou Zaden, owner of Lou's Pub, a pioneer and icon of the district for the past 21 years.

Two weeks later, a development at an unrelated business delivered another blow to the district: O.T.'s Neighborhood Sports Grill closed and its owners filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Its future is uncertain.

But Lou's Pub will continue to pour drinks well into the future the way Zaden would want, according to bartender Frankie Juliano. Juliano, who has watched Lakeview grow from behind the bar for the last 17 years, is among those who feel the district's will continue to thrive.

"I like to think it's just going to keep getting better," he said.

Jeremy Phillips, manager of Lakeview Oyster House, has watched changes in the district from the restaurant's patio deck. He said business remains strong in the district, especially on lunch and at nights on weekends.

"I would like to see more foot traffic," Phillips said. "But we're doing well."

Phillips said restaurants and bars are gearing up for fall, which, along with spring, are the busiest seasons of the year in Lakeview.

Michael Calvert, president of Operation New Birmingham, said Lakeview doesn't get the notoriety its sister district Five Points South enjoys, but it stands on its own as an energetic locale.

"It is close to the business community and close to residential communities, so it really is in an ideal spot," Calvert said.

He said restaurants like On Tap Sports Cafe and Golden Rule Bar-B-Que help draw in the hungry from UAB, the downtown lofts and nearby neighborhoods like Forest Park and Redmont.

But what will prevent Lakeview from becoming stagnant is new development, Calvert said, and there are enough new projects in the works to help with that vitality.

"I think this is an area with a future," he said. "It is going to be an increasingly attractive area."

Among the new projects in the works is 29 Seven, a $20 million mixed-use development on northwest corner block of Seventh Avenue South and 29th Street. The project is slated to have more than 70 condos or apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Robert Jolly, principal with Retail Specialists Inc., which is handling leasing of 29 Seven, said he hopes for a groundbreaking on the project later this year, after more than a year in delays.

"I think the Lakeview market and entertainment district are still very vibrant and very viable," he said. "We are going to have 20,000 square feet of retail that will be predominately restaurant and entertainment. We have quite a bit of interest and we're very close to signing leases and being able to announce new restaurants to the market."

The interest the area is getting from other businesses looking at 29 Seven is only bolstering Jolly's optimism about Lakeview.

"We are as encouraged as ever," he said.

Across 29th Street from the planned 29 Seven is almost an entire block owned by the Barber Companies, the real estate firm owned by former dairy king-turned racetrack owner George Barber.

The real estate company has toyed with several development ideas for that property in recent years but has yet to move forward with any of them.

"We are exploring possibilities for our property in the Lakeview area, but we are not ready to announce anything at this time," said Don Erwin, vice president of corporate development for Barber.

E-mail: mtomberlin@bhamnews.com LAKEVIEWXX -- LAKEVIEW:

In the shadow of Five Points South

dfwtiger · #**1006** Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 12:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by | BRAVO |

Glad to hear 29seven is still a go... Apparantly Barber Companies is possibly planning a development? Lakeview is alread an awesome area. I'm looking forward to see it takeoff.

That is such a great little area...one of the best in the City. I am shocked that more residential has not been built in Lakeview....lots of vacant property...good ...flat building sites....activity already built in.

LSyd · #**1007** Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 8:16 AM**

RIP Lou. I have a fuzzy memory of him giving me a beer one night when i stopped by there to pre-game shorly before law school graduation.

-

B'ham Bound · #**1008** Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 3:19 PM**

Nice to hear that Lakeview is still showing signs of life and a promising future. I absolutely hate that I wasn't able to ever make it to Lou's Pub before Lou passed away.

And to shift gears for a little bit, what's the latest on getting some kind of redevelopment agency for Birmingham? The fact that we still don't have one is an economic embarrassment.

| BRAVO | · #**1009** Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by B'ham Bound

And to shift gears for a little bit, what's the latest on getting some kind of redevelopment agency for Birmingham? The fact that we still don't have one is an economic embarrassment.

I thought you were gone?

What is Mainstreet Birmingham? Are they a redevelopment agency?

B'ham Bound · #**1010** Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 11:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by | BRAVO |

I thought you were gone?

What is Mainstreet Birmingham? Are they a redevelopment agency?

Haha... yeah, I'm still around. Doing a little lurking here and there. I got bogged down with some things so a few of my extra curriculars had to take a back seat.

And no, Mainstreet Birmingham isn't a redevelopment agency in the general meaning of the term. Basically, you can think of an RDA as something like ONB with legislative and/or legal authority to act on behalf of the municipality.

For example, they can assemble land to be offered as whole parcels if need be, cutting down the need to jump through endless hoops bureaucratic red tape.

The ULI recommended on for us some years back. They found the absence of one for a city Birmingham's size puzzling to say the least.

http://www.bhamweekly.com/archive_ar...e_id=53&vol=10

| BRAVO | · #**1011** Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:25 PM**

I had no idea. Hopefully our leadership will make it happen... hopefully.

| BRAVO | · #**1012** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 12:55 PM**

Birmingham looks into possibilities of roundabouts and fountains.
Thanks Montgomery

Quote:

Birmingham Mayor Langford says downtown needs fountains, plaza
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
JOSEPH D. BRYANT
News staff writer

It's not London, Paris or Rome, but downtown Birmingham could look a little more like those European cities if Mayor Larry Langford's latest idea is realized.

Langford said downtown needs a central plaza, featuring a fountain, in the middle of a traffic roundabout at one of the city's most visible intersections.

There should be a second downtown plaza with a fountain, he said, along with fountains in North Birmingham and Five Points West.

There's already a fountain in Five Points South.

The plaza and fountains are part of Langford's downtown improvement package, which includes spending $19 million a year for five years to begin architectural work for a domed stadium, install downtown streetcars and pave miles of downtown streets.

Langford points to images of London's Trafalgar Square as an example of what he envisions. Major cities have a focal point for downtown, and it's time Birmingham did the same, he said.

"Boston has one. Even Montgomery has a plaza, a fountain where people can say, `I'll meet you at the plaza,'" Langford said, sitting in front of his computer looking at pictures of fountains in other cities and asking his staff to bring him more.

The mayor is scheduled to meet today with the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex board to discuss early funding for the dome's architect work. He'll then ask the City Council to approve his plans as early as next week.

The mayor called the plaza another major element in downtown rejuvenation, all of which should begin simultaneously. The city already is studying ways it can change some one-way streets downtown into two-way corridors.

"We'll take the most highly traveled intersection and put in this beautiful plaza," he said. "Since we're going to have to redo the streets anyway, let's look at creating a plaza, a central point downtown," he said.

While his idea is in its early stages, the mayor estimated the fountains would cost about $300,000 each, bringing the total to more than $1.2 million.

Michael Calvert, president of Operation New Birmingham, said fountains would bring an added amenity to downtown.

"We certainly would welcome opportunities to develop more fountains and attractive landscaping," he said. "Those sort of things are very much appreciated by everyone."

As an example, Calvert said the fountain at Linn Park, between City Hall and the Jefferson County Courthouse, is a popular gathering place. More water features would multiply that appeal, he said.

Councilman William Bell, whose district includes much of downtown, said Langford's plaza concept follows the master plan for downtown that called for more beautification and green spaces.

"It's time for Birmingham to get a true overhaul," he said. "The only criticism is there should be a greater public/private partnership to make these things happen. It would be a stronger message if we could build a public/private partnership to develop these centers of culture, centers of beauty."

Councilman Steven Hoyt, said he also liked the idea, but wanted more details.

"I'd like to see the layout and see the cost," he said. "We would definitely need to see the cost."

E-mail: jbryant@bhamnews.com

Sulley · #**1013** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 2:30 PM**

Birmingham, with its defined grid system downtown, was clearly designed for roundabouts.

B'ham Bound · #**1014** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 2:53 PM**

Great news about the fountains. Those and outdoor plazas are something that are, unfortunately, noticeable absent from downtown. I like Bell's approach to this. We need to look at ways to develop more public/private partnerships. One of Langford's biggest criticisms is that he seems to propose plans that are only funded by the public. The private sector needs to take a great share of responsibility in the continued development of Birmingham.

B'ham Bound · #**1015** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 3:08 PM**

And not surprisingly, 63.5% of respondents in AL.com's poll voted "no" when asked if Birmingham should build fountains and plazas.

Bogue · #**1016** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 4:25 PM**

I don't find those poll results that surprising. Everyone knows how corrupt Langford is. They may spend $300,000 per fountain, but how much of that will just go to line his buddies' pockets? As long as Langford and his corrupt ilk are in office people are rightfully going to be deeply mistrusting of elected officials in the area.

There is a definite need for greenspace in downtown Birmingham, and the streets ARE ridiculously poorly maintained, so any movement there is probably a net positive. I just think the Trafalgar Square-style plaza idea is a waste of space, though. It's the greenery that is of more benefit to the workers in downtown. Bulldozing blighted neighborhoods and expanding the railroad park would be more useful.

As to the fountain in 5 Points West. That is a complete waste of money that would be infinitely better spent on police services in that particular area.

| BRAVO | · #**1017** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 5:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogue

I don't find those poll results that surprising. Everyone knows how corrupt Langford is. They may spend $300,000 per fountain, but how much of that will just go to line his buddies' pockets? As long as Langford and his corrupt ilk are in office people are rightfully going to be deeply mistrusting of elected officials in the area.

The poll has nothing to do with Langford... it's all about keeping the city in its place. Those dingdongs on al.com would vote against anything progressive - regardless of the mayor.

I expected the poll to be worse. We should skew the results.

neilson · #**1018** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 3:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by | BRAVO |

The poll has nothing to do with Langford... it's all about keeping the city in its place. Those dingdongs on al.com would vote against anything progressive - regardless of the mayor.

I expected the poll to be worse. We should skew the results.

A city is only as good as the residents that stand up and give a damn. Birmingham is the way it is because ppl have come to accept the status quo as normal. Killing apathy is gonna take a lot.

| BRAVO | · #**1019** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 4:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilson

A city is only as good as the residents that stand up and give a damn. Birmingham is the way it is because ppl have come to accept the status quo as normal. Killing apathy is gonna take a lot.

That applies to the state as a whole. None of our large cities have anything to jump and down about.

| BRAVO | · #**1020** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 4:21 AM**

I for one say it is long overdue and is needed for Central Alabama. I hope it is a smashing success and the naysayers enjoy their football games and monster truck rallies in Birmingham's Dome.

Quote:

BJCC approves a plan to start dome design
Posted by Toraine Norris -- Birmingham News September 09, 2008 5:15 PM
Categories: Breaking News
The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Board today approved a plan to use more than $14 million from the city of Birmingham to start designing a new "multi-purpose" facility downtown.

Mayor Larry Langford had proposed directing a total of $14.7 million over 22 months to the BJCC beginning in January 2009 for architectural designs and engineering fees for the facility projected to cost a half billion dollars.

The plan, discussed during a meeting of Langford and the BJCC board, also calls for the BJCC to direct the $14 million a year it collects in taxes to construction of the dome.

A time line included in the plan calls for the design of the facility to begin in January 2009, with the bid process beginning in August 2010, and bonds being issued in November 2010. The facility would be completed by January 2013.

The mayor has also planned to renovate streets downtown, develop a trolly system and build plazas that include fountains.

"If it's one thing Birmingham needs, it's a face-lift," Langford said. "This will be the initiation of that face-lift."