Should Birmingham heavily invest in "South Birmingham" for major new growth? (Montgomery: insurance, neighborhoods)

[bhamguy]

We all know(or may not know) if the area that is located within the city of Birmingham around Hwy 280(The Summit, Target,etc). I have always thought about Birmingham investing hear for new growth, focusing on residential, educational, and job growth? This will give new residents to be in a hot area, that's within the city, and will give the city a larger population. Focus should be maintained in the inner city, but South Birmingham could be a viable option. Lake Purdy could be a great location for retirees as well. Thoughts?

[Tourian]

It is already maxed out, and like you say it is just the 280 corridor. They are already reaping the benefits of all the commercial development down through there. Plus, traffic is horrible. There's no need to really pack more sprawl that way. IF they finally get the hospital there, that should just about cap it off IMO.

[jamalc]

Birmingham should have had the same potential as Atlanta. Birmingham was slow to develop. Divided by racism and crooked politics, Birmingham was slow to recover from it's image as "Bombingham". Atlanta took off in the mid 1960's as Birmingham was in stagnation.

By the time Birmingham officials "woke up", a number of cities in the south had caught up and pass Birmingham in population and regional importance. Look at today's Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.

In order for B'ham to stay competitive , then it must take steps to develop, all areas of the metro area. The greatest potential is Birmingham south side and south and east metro area. This area could do for Birmingham what Atlanta's north side and north metro did for that city. If not, Birmingham could be overtaken by Huntsville, and Mobile, in Alabama as it could fall behnd those cities.

[lem1985]

Originally Posted by jamalc

Birmingham should have had the same potential as Atlanta. Birmingham was slow to develop. Divided by racism and crooked politics, Birmingham was slow to recover from it's image as "Bombingham". Atlanta took off in the mid 1960's as Birmingham was in stagnation.

By the time Birmingham officials "woke up", a number of cities in the south had caught up and pass Birmingham in population and regional importance. Look at today's Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.

In order for B'ham to stay competitive , then it must take steps to develop, all areas of the metro area. The greatest potential is Birmingham south side and south and east metro area. This area could do for Birmingham what Atlanta's north side and north metro did for that city. If not, Birmingham could be overtaken by Huntsville, and Mobile, in Alabama as it could fall behnd those cities.

I could see Huntsville but not Mobile

[bhamguy]

Originally Posted by jamalc

Birmingham should have had the same potential as Atlanta. Birmingham was slow to develop. Divided by racism and crooked politics, Birmingham was slow to recover from it's image as "Bombingham". Atlanta took off in the mid 1960's as Birmingham was in stagnation.

By the time Birmingham officials "woke up", a number of cities in the south had caught up and pass Birmingham in population and regional importance. Look at today's Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.

In order for B'ham to stay competitive , then it must take steps to develop, all areas of the metro area. The greatest potential is Birmingham south side and south and east metro area. This area could do for Birmingham what Atlanta's north side and north metro did for that city. If not, Birmingham could be overtaken by Huntsville, and Mobile, in Alabama as it could fall behnd those cities.

I can agree with this, since I did create this topic of conversation years ago. As I have stated before, we need to continue to develop the old city, buy also the prize that we have in southeast Birmingham. Walkable densely populated neighborhoods ( with a neighborhood school) down there, are what I would expect--for young families, retirees, and some hospital workers. There is already enough retail down there, so now that we are enjoying the tax revenue from retail, let's get some permanent residents there. I believe some neighborhoods in area could possibly add about 3-4000 new residents.

We will probably always be the largest and most important metro area in the state, but to lose our title as the largest city, could hurt the morale and the integrity, of Birmingham.

[raj kapoor]

What foolish drivel from all that buy into the whole, 'if only' mentality. Birmingham is doing wonderfully and the numbers show that the corner has been turned. We are headed in the right direction. Job growth is the only area of significant need and that also is a state issue. The automotive industry here has been a beacon, new announcement of another supplier this week. And bioresearch, banking, wealth management, medicine, pharmceuticals, insurance and software development are just a few of the strong points. People that think this is the city it was sixty years ago are revealing they don't know the city at all. Which makes the rest of their post irrelevant. But of course they will keep it up. It is what it is. Foolish.

Our friend fromTampa shares his insane thoughts on the city often and always mentions his neighborhood connections. Obviously he lost his dignity here since he can't move on mentally and emotionally. Or he might be old and foolish and obsessed. At any rate we don't need his repetitive zeal. And he needs to check the numbers for Tampa and drive around and look at the vacancies at the dying commercial down there. It does not rate with Charlotte by the wildest of imaginations. Tampa is the Des Moines of Florida. (no offense to Des Moines intended)

[bhamoutlook]

Neither Huntsville nor Mobile are poised to ever surpass Birmingham in terms of influence... Both are great cities and they have their strengths, but it would be foolish to imagine that a city with the reach of Birmingjam could be passed up so easily. It didn't happen during Birmingham's worst days... It would take a heck of a lot to do it now. Birmingham may be passed in population but that number is hardly relevant compared to the bones already in place in Birmingham. Despite the city's many flaws, there is still much of a blank slate for a new generation to continue the progress that was missed so long ago.

As far as growth in the southeast area, I don't think it's a bad idea but it needs to be done in a different way. A plan would need to be in place for a decent transit system, more density, and a focus on walkability. The 280 corridor lacks a lot charm and could benefit from a bit of "urbanization."

[FT897]

I drove through Birmingham yesterday on I20/59. Traffic was not bad even with the Birmingham Bowl in town. Actually I passed through going to Locust Fork about 7am but came back through around 2pm. I miss the Liberty National statue that was on top of their building for many years.

Come to think of it I passed through Birmingham on January 1st on my way to Carrollton, GA too. Of course you don't interact too much with the city just passing through. But even with some construction going on the interstate through there seems in pretty good shape.

I do wonder why the gas prices are so much higher in Alabama than in Mississippi though. I bought gas for $1.91 along the interstate in Mississippi and the highest I saw was $1.95. In Alabama it's $2.09 and up to $2.19. I have always heard that Mississippi had higher state taxes on gas than any state surrounding it. Perhaps that has changed.

[White Wine]

Originally Posted by bhamoutlook

We can talk about the appeal of Huntsville all you want... I'm sure it's appealing to some. But all I see are a lot of strip malls and a very small urban center.

Birmingham has more than its fair share of problems, but I couldn't agree with you more about this. The only thing Huntsville is probably good for is raising kids. If you're young and trying to have fun, that is really not the place to be in spite of the presence of lots of young people, thanks to three different colleges / universities and the military population.

Birmingham has a lot more urban, walkable, interesting neighborhoods. Huntsville has about 3 blocks downtown that are urban and walkable, and the rest is chain restaurants and car dealerships.

[lem1985]

I think however Birmingham moves is how this state will move. I dont know much about huntsville but i know people that live there some like it some dont. Mobile will not be the forefront of progressiveness for itself or the state. People can brag about the Port of Mobile/Alabama all day and it still doesnt make a difference that Mobile is moving forward. Mobile and Baldwin are neighbors that barely speak to each other. Montgomery well....thats the capitol so thats about it. Birmingham has a past but it has a bright present and future as long as it makes the right moves which all moves wont be right but hopefully most will