Cool News (Birmingham, Memphis: climate, applications, close to)

[TimCity2000]

agreed. would love to see this eventually further south down 20th. just the initial 2 block test area they did feels so much better in my opinion. it slows traffic and reduces it to one lane each way. that section from 1st N to 3rd N is so much more lively these days with the outdoor seating and pedestrian traffic from nearby hotels (the Kelly Hotel should add to this as well). yes, the nice weather has played a part as well.

just need The Frank and Brown-Marx to hurry up... two major contributors to the urban fabric on 20th. hopefully they'll have some ground floor restaurants or retail.

[TimCity2000]

it's been happening somewhat organically, but i think the City should focus on this rectangle along 1st and 2nd Ave North as the Downtown Restaurant and Bar district. would love to see more infill here. also just some unified sidewalk improvements, landscaping, seating, etc. and change 2nd Ave North back to two way (and even decrease the number of lanes here as well).

[mcalumni01]

Is it a done deal..?? Waiting on the sponsorship dollars before the city pick up the remaining tap.

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/us...irmingham.html

[TimCity2000]

would definitely be a good logistical test before the World Games

[wardamnbham]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

it's been happening somewhat organically, but i think the City should focus on this rectangle along 1st and 2nd Ave North as the Downtown Restaurant and Bar district. would love to see more infill here. also just some unified sidewalk improvements, landscaping, seating, etc. and change 2nd Ave North back to two way (and even decrease the number of lanes here as well).

Agreed!

[mcalumni01]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

it's been happening somewhat organically, but i think the City should focus on this rectangle along 1st and 2nd Ave North as the Downtown Restaurant and Bar district. would love to see more infill here. also just some unified sidewalk improvements, landscaping, seating, etc. and change 2nd Ave North back to two way (and even decrease the number of lanes here as well).

Slide that box a block over to 3rd ave and Morris. Those two streets has a lot on them. Two theatres, McWane, some restaurants and shops, nightclub/bars, the old American Red Cross building being redeveloped. On Morris, you have retail, restaurants, residential, and the intramodal facility. Basically from Morris to 3rd Ave.

[TimCity2000]

yeah, i was trying to keep it simple so that it would be easier to manage. 3rd doesn't have a ton of food/drink options. Morris does, but you can get to most of it directly from 1st Ave N.

[OldBankhead]

Originally Posted by mcalumni01

Is it a done deal..?? Waiting on the sponsorship dollars before the city pick up the remaining tap.

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/us...irmingham.html

That last article you posted sure seemed to make it appear that it was. It would be great to have the Stallions back... and every game will be a home game for them. Already a lock for the 'ship.

[TimCity2000]

some interesting tidbits from the article:

In other provisions, the NSFL will “work in good faith to accommodate the opening ceremonies of the World Games,” scheduled for July 7, 2022.

BJCC will retain all revenues from stadium concession and parking and some revenues related to advertising and premium seating.

Each game broadcast will include one 30-second spot to “promote the positive characteristics of Birmingham and Jefferson County,” with the NSFL making a “good faith effort” to provide two spots per broadcast.

The agreement also includes a tentative schedule for the 2022 season, which excludes dates for an unspecified concert between May 30-June 5 and nine dates for the Birmingham Legion, although “dates have not yet been finally approved by the [team],” according to the agreement.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

would definitely be a good logistical test before the World Games

Which leads me to point out another thing: Between Fox Sports' heavy promotion of this league for three months in the Spring and NBC Sports covering the World Games for an additional two weeks in the summer, that puts the city in the spotlight for a sustained period of time.



All I have to say is that I hope the venue organizers, the Mayor, city services, and everybody else on the planet understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give the city a leg up in terms of image.