Cool News (Birmingham, Pelham: spring break, closing costs, safety)

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...rridor-to.html

Street and streetscape improvements are coming to Ensley Avenue as well.

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...und-major.html

Vestavia Hills also trying to make improvements to their City Center.

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...-ahead-of.html

This is interesting because just heard that the nearby former Montclair Medical Center site is being scouted by multiple entities for a large office and mixed use development.

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...and-river.html

A project involving U.S. Steel, the city of Birmingham, the Southern Museum of Flight, Jefferson County and the City of Leeds received preliminary approval to receive $6 million in grant funding.
As we have previously reported, the groups are working on a project to establish a new high-tech industrial park on land located south of the Barber Motorsports Park, as well as a new home for the Southern Museum of Flight. The project would also involve a residential phase called Grand River Homes at the Grand River Technology Park.

Proposed Birmingham industrial park, residential community to receive $6 million grant | AL.com

The proposed high tech industrial park is directly tied to the 24-acres that was announced back in November 2017 to be site of the Southern Museum of Flight. According to the Alabama Department of Labor, the 105-acre high tech industrial park project called Grand River Technology Park could potentially yield about 1,200 new jobs to the region. Also there will be a residential component that will add to the Grand River area.

Also the same grant that aides in the technology park will assist in the creation of a 3,600 acre mixed use development in Helena and a renovation and expansion of the existing Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex to include a more greenspace, pavillion, public wifi, and an additional athletic field.

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...nger-rail.html

Could more passenger rail service on the horizon in Birmingham? According to the funding mechanisms placed in the recently passed federal infrastructure bill there could be a possibly for such. The Amtrak Gulf Coast route could be restored which could result in a the long proposed Birmingham-Montgomery-Mobile passenger rail service to become a reality. The push is for the state to provide a $3M match to the federal allocation to get the funding to reinstate the New Orleans to Mobile to Jacksonville (to Orlando and Tampa) rail service.

Eventually, a connection to Huntsville will be tied to the implementation of this intrastate passenger service. The hub of this intrastate rail service would likely be the newly opened Birmingham Intermodal Terminal.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by jero23

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...and-river.html

Proposed Birmingham industrial park, residential community to receive $6 million grant | AL.com

The proposed high tech industrial park is directly tied to the 24-acres that was announced back in November 2017 to be site of the Southern Museum of Flight. According to the Alabama Department of Labor, the 105-acre high tech industrial park project called Grand River Technology Park could potentially yield about 1,200 new jobs to the region. Also there will be a residential component that will add to the Grand River area.

Also the same grant that aides in the technology park will assist in the creation of a 3,600 acre mixed use development in Helena and a renovation and expansion of the existing Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex to include a more greenspace, pavillion, public wifi, and an additional athletic field.

You are obviously someone in the know, so riddle me this: Are you seeing greater collaboration among local mayors in terms of economic development and cooperating on select city services?

I noticed that a number of mayors were on stage earlier this month at the behest of the BBJ. I can't remember that ever happening before. Hope it bodes well for the future.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

You are obviously someone in the know, so riddle me this: Are you seeing greater collaboration among local mayors in terms of economic development and cooperating on select city services?

I noticed that a number of mayors were on stage earlier this month at the behest of the BBJ. I can't remember that ever happening before. Hope it bodes well for the future.

I've seen some of the regional cooperation between leadership particularly involving Birmingham (Woodfin), Hoover, and Homewood. Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, and Jefferson County partnered up with the (Complete Streets) improvements and extension of Liberty Parkway to allow more development around Liberty Park. Much of this is tied to the new HealthSouth/Encompass Health HQ and recruitment to more regional offices to the soon-to-be-extended (likely classified as a regional collector) corridor to US 280.

I've been told a couple of times that Brocato is pushing the regional cooperation front so that the others municipalities like Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook will get on board with the regional transit system. Also I'm starting to see momentum on the very least law enforcement cooperation. I am starting to see momentum gaining speed at least with that, but it very inspiring.

[jero23]

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...die-tynes.html

Local real estate experts have said the re-use of the historic property could serve as an important component of continued revitalization in the city, especially in the area east of the Red Mountain Expressway. U-Haul said the project is a part of its effort to support urban infill development and adaptive re-use as a more sustainable way of doing business.
"The whole downtown area is being revitalized," Fall said. "Old office buildings are being turned into housing and the Central City neighborhood is booming. We are excited to be a part of this beautification effort."

The push for an adaptative reuse of a local, historic industrial landmark just east of the City Center in a huge, underutilized industrial area could spark the movement of redevelopment. I'm assuming we might see more redevelopment of this part of the Central City neighborhood in the next few years.

[jero23]

UAB could build 2 parking decks, ban freshman parking | AL.com

UAB is studying the feasibility of building two parking decks: one for students and one in the medical district, Fowler said.

UAB is implementing a three-year plan to convert all decks to LED lighting, which is brighter, more environmentally sound and offers greater security, Parking and Transportation Services Director Andre Davis.
Bicycle lockers have been installed to provide protection from theft, vandalism and inclement weather.
Three electric car-charging stations were installed in 2017 and more will open this spring in select employee lots.
UAB has promoted employee participation in CommuteSmart, which rewards those who carpool, walk, bike or travel by bus.
Car-sharing program ZipCar launched
BlazeRide, a van service for employees with limited mobility, has also launched
UAB updated its policy last year to permit employees or students who work in non-patient care buildings to park their bicycles in private offices.

I'm happy to see UAB and the City of Birmingham are pushing for shared parking, carpool/vanpool usage, alternative modes of transportation, bicycle infrastructure, and pedestrian-oriented/transit-oriented development intown. This is one step closer for a more sustainable city of Birmingham.

[_OT]

Nice.

I kinda grew tired of giving up finding a parking space, and just parking in front of someone's house nearby.