Cool News (Birmingham, Homewood, Valley: barber, golf course, teaching)

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Didn't they have a first and second round men's regional there sometime in the early 2000s? I seem to remember that my team was upset by a Butler team ....

I'd like to see B'ham pull the women's tournament from Greenville. For one thing, it would get it out of ACC country (South Carolina notwithstanding for whom it's basically a home game), but another, it would be more centrally located for most.

Birmingham was pretty much a regular hosting the NCAA tourneys through the 80s and 90s. But the BJCC got long in the tooth. These idiots who are griping about the cost of the upgrades have no idea how much revenue it has cost this metro to not update. Thank God we're shaking off this penny wise, pound foolish mentality.

[mcalumni01]

https://twitter.com/BHMAirport/statu...31738830233600

Vegas is back...!!!

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by mcalumni01

https://twitter.com/BHMAirport/statu...31738830233600

Vegas is back...!!!

That was a great flight. So glad it's back.

[TimCity2000]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Didn't they have a first and second round men's regional there sometime in the early 2000s? I seem to remember that my team was upset by a Butler team ....

I'd like to see B'ham pull the women's tournament from Greenville. For one thing, it would get it out of ACC country (South Carolina notwithstanding for whom it's basically a home game), but another, it would be more centrally located for most.

Yep. I think we were the dreaded 5/12 matchup

[magiccity3]

New brand has been unveiled for the Innovation district:

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh..._news_headline

"A new brand has been unveiled for Birmingham's innovation district.

The district, which organizers envision as the epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship, will now be known as The Switch – a name that draws on the area's history as a railroad switchyard, but also gives a nod to the evolution of the local economy.

“Entrepreneurs and startups are building a new economy in Birmingham,” said University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray L. Watts, who chairs Innovation Depot’s board of directors. “This city’s educational institutions, corporations, governmental organizations and others in the ecosystem are committed to helping them succeed. The Switch will provide a place for people, ideas and resources to come together and create a destination for innovation in our community.”

The Switch includes several blocks around Innovation Depot and also connects to the Civil Rights District and the Fourth Avenue Business District, two other areas that are being targeted for redevelopment activity.

REV Birmingham, UAB and Birmingham Business Alliance are leading The Switch initiative. Many more partners have been involved in the planning and launch, including Alabama Capital Network, Alabama Power Co., Birmingham Bound, Central Six, AlabamaWorks!, City of Birmingham, Innovate Birmingham, Innovation Depot, Shipt, Tech Birmingham, Urban Impact and Venture for America."

[JesseRohr]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

Birmingham was pretty much a regular hosting the NCAA tourneys through the 80s and 90s. But the BJCC got long in the tooth. These idiots who are griping about the cost of the upgrades have no idea how much revenue it has cost this metro to not update. Thank God we're shaking off this penny wise, pound foolish mentality.

I have never understood why anyone would resist any tourism revenue as a politician. Blows my mind!

[magiccity3]

Originally Posted by JesseRohr

I have never understood why anyone would resist any tourism revenue as a politician. Blows my mind!

Agreed. I also think tourism revenue has a lot of additional benefits that people don't talk about as much, like people having a much different opinion of the city, one they may not have visited previously. Things like that change the conversation and growth begets growth. Someone might visit for _____ conference, but then realize it's actually a nice community to live / work in. Or they had a good experience and told their friends about it. Lots and lots of positive things related to it.

[JesseRohr]

Originally Posted by magiccity3

Agreed. I also think tourism revenue has a lot of additional benefits that people don't talk about as much, like people having a much different opinion of the city, one they may not have visited previously. Things like that change the conversation and growth begets growth. Someone might visit for _____ conference, but then realize it's actually a nice community to live / work in. Or they had a good experience and told their friends about it. Lots and lots of positive things related to it.

Precisely! We are 100% aligned here. If only we could get everyone on board.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by JesseRohr

I have never understood why anyone would resist any tourism revenue as a politician. Blows my mind!

The history of Birmingham from 1920-1995 was that of short-term thinking. The collective brain trust that was the Birmingham metro's leadership could never think more than five minutes ahead of time. The most obvious manifestation was the Civil Rights Era, but it cropped up time and again with the scrapping of the trolley system, the metastasizing suburbs, the complete ruination of downtown due to ill-revitalization efforts, the ongoing toadying to United States Steel, and dozens of other things both large and small.

[magiccity3]

Grading process of Protective Stadium is complete, gonna start seeing a lot of progress as we go:

https://twitter.com/ProtectiveStdm/s...87059356413953

Let's make bets - will this stadium be finished before or after August 15th, 2021.

I say before, but just barely.