roebuck/centerpoint area

[harry chickpea]

While Centerpoint Parkway looks like a disaster, many of the neighborhoods have survived relatively unscathed. This may sound weird, but I think the steep undulations of the land and roads in a lot of the developments are actually a deterrent to crime and cars racing through them. I guess crooks aren't keen on puffing up and down hills with their booty (no, not THAT booty... well, maybe that too...).

[Tourian]

75 is a bit of a disaster, but not near as depressing as 79. All they need is a moratorium on check cashing places to clean it up I think and maybe a police substation. Center Point should never have incorporated, the really need to be annexed. I read somewhere that they expect that section of the northern beltline to be completed first from 59 to 65 - so if new jobs and development keep moving to that area, it has a brighter future now than the slow, steady downward spiral it has been on turning into pawn shop/check cashing/buy here pay here car lot hell.

[bhamguy]

I agree with you, Tourian, about reducing the amount of check cashing places around. A police substation would be great out there as well! I know that LaShunda Scales would love to turn the area into Trussville (again), but she is going to have to push for a moratorium on some things (check cashing/pay day loans, used car dealerships) for it to be desirable again. She is right about the demographics in the area, being able to make some nicer restaurants and retailers, successful.

I happen to like this area, and I think that there is so much potential out there! The far northeastern area of the city, should be a focal point next.

[Tourian]

Yeah when I lived out there it seemed like things were stabilizing. The typical chain restaurants were okay, they had a starbucks, etc. Then a lot of that closed and it was a bit of a head scratcher because it seemed like they had enough people to support it. But then again O'Charleys and Starbucks closed a lot of locations everywhere.

I keep hearing about a Costco anchored center coming to Roebuck Heights - just a few holdouts that won't sell that would put the center right where 59 and 459 meet. Roebuck just needs to bridge the gap between it and nicer Trussville along hwy 11 and things will turn around. They've still got St Vincent's East as a good anchor, and the all the new car dealers could put on a fresh face to help bring up the appearance of 75 and it should be okay.

[bhamguy]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Yeah when I lived out there it seemed like things were stabilizing. The typical chain restaurants were okay, they had a starbucks, etc. Then a lot of that closed and it was a bit of a head scratcher because it seemed like they had enough people to support it. But then again O'Charleys and Starbucks closed a lot of locations everywhere.

I keep hearing about a Costco anchored center coming to Roebuck Heights - just a few holdouts that won't sell that would put the center right where 59 and 459 meet. Roebuck just needs to bridge the gap between it and nicer Trussville along hwy 11 and things will turn around. They've still got St Vincent's East as a good anchor, and the all the new car dealers could put on a fresh face to help bring up the appearance of 75 and it should be okay.

I agree. I haven't been out that way in a long time, but I think that it's suburban nature could help lure the right developments. Costco would be a nice shot in the arm! From Roebuck down to the Alton (dogtrack) area, could develop into something desirable. The city needs to truly realize what it has with the various areas of eastern Birmingham.

[WJSim]

I haven't been there for many years but in my opinion just the mention of a dog track in the area sadly speaks volumes.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by bhamguy

I agree. I haven't been out that way in a long time, but I think that it's suburban nature could help lure the right developments. Costco would be a nice shot in the arm! From Roebuck down to the Alton (dogtrack) area, could develop into something desirable. The city needs to truly realize what it has with the various areas of eastern Birmingham.

Lots could change if they approve the gambling bill and they turn the dogtrack into a casino, but there's also plenty of land for a planned community which the Mayor mentioned I think in his so who knows what direction it will take. There are still some nice, clean middle class neighborhoods over there and it should be top priority to keep them up and then make ready for some new homes in the city limits.