Birmingham Transplant Revolution (Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Daphne: 2013, hotels, to live)

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by TN2HSV

I've never seen a sign or anything proclaiming "Welcome to Birmingham....home of the Talladega Super Speedway!"

That's because it isn't in Birmingham.

I see I'm dealing with some other-worldy logic here, so let me slow it down for you.

The event takes place in the Birmingham metro area. There are lots of events that take place in a lot of major cities' suburbs that are claimed by the hub city. You can find evidence of this all across the country. That's just the way things are done in major cities. Ooooo, I said it. Birmingham is a major city.

The airport has more then just a sign for a person like you. It has the Talladega Grille, a NASCAR themed restaurant.

[steveklein]

I think both sides of the Talladega argument are right. Is Talladega part of the Birmingham metro area in the broadest definition? Yes. Does the city of Birmingham and its surrounding suburbs that most people would consider the "real" metro area get a huge economic boost from the event? Of course. (and this is probably the most important thing, really).

However, the reason some people feel it isn't really part of the metro area is because of how detached it is from the city. There are tens of miles of very little going on between Talladega and Birmingham. If, say, Hoover were picked up and dropped off in between Moody and Pell City, then Talladega would feel much more connected to the metro area than it does.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

I think both sides of the Talladega argument are right. Is Talladega part of the Birmingham metro area in the broadest definition? Yes. Does the city of Birmingham and its surrounding suburbs that most people would consider the "real" metro area get a huge economic boost from the event? Of course. (and this is probably the most important thing, really).

However, the reason some people feel it isn't really part of the metro area is because of how detached it is from the city. There are tens of miles of very little going on between Talladega and Birmingham. If, say, Hoover were picked up and dropped off in between Moody and Pell City, then Talladega would feel much more connected to the metro area than it does.

Lol. Look at the difference. Your first paragraph uses the words "IS and DOES and YES" a lot, as in fact. Definite. Absolute.

The second part uses the term "feel" and "some people"

Yet you conclude they are both "right." Unbelievable.

You guys can feel all you want. I made a statement based in fact and I get criticized by a bunch of think they know-it-alls who want to discuss their feelings and people they may or may not have heard say certain things. Have at it.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Lol. Look at the difference. Your first paragraph uses the words "IS and DOES and YES" a lot, as in fact. Definite. Absolute.

The second part uses the term "feel" and "some people"

Yet you conclude they are both "right." Unbelievable.

You guys can feel all you want. I made a statement based in fact and I get criticized by a bunch of think they know-it-alls who want to discuss their feelings and people they may or may not have heard say certain things. Have at it.

"However, the reason some people feel it isn't really part of the metro area is because of how detached it is from the city. There are tens of miles of very little going on between Talladega and Birmingham."

Your "facts" include using a definition which adds an entire county to a metropolitan area in one day. So you are telling me that one day, it is not part of the metro area and the next day it is. Sorry, but in this case, "feels" actually makes more sense than "is".

[TN2HSV]

Tourian must be a chef or something b/c he minces words like no other!

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

"However, the reason some people feel it isn't really part of the metro area is because of how detached it is from the city. There are tens of miles of very little going on between Talladega and Birmingham."

Your "facts" include using a definition which adds an entire county to a metropolitan area in one day. So you are telling me that one day, it is not part of the metro area and the next day it is. Sorry, but in this case, "feels" actually makes more sense than "is".

Your opinion of "detached" feel means nothing to me.

Our CSA is definied by the same rules that define every other CSA in this country. Yet of course, you only have criticism and derision for this one. In every corner of this board, city nerds and sunshine pumpers who love to get off on pop numbers, density figures and the like compare city against city using CSA figures all the time, but here you are only having an issue with Birmingham which gets no special treatment from the OMB.

[bigstick]

[quote=Tourian;38877667]But that "difference" or whatever you think it is, is not what is being discussed here. The Talladega race brings dollars to Birmingham. That's it.

LOL, Talladega is 50, fifty miles EAST of BHAM. It brings dollars to Talladega and Anniston.

[Tourian]

[quote=bigstick;38877842]

Originally Posted by Tourian

But that "difference" or whatever you think it is, is not what is being discussed here. The Talladega race brings dollars to Birmingham. That's it.

LOL, Talladega is 50, fifty miles EAST of BHAM. It brings dollars to Talladega and Anniston.

We know where it is, Copernicus. And the economic impat it brings is to Birmingham. Should we believe you or the BBJ?

Where Birmingham stands with five of its big sporting events - Birmingham Business Journal

Here's a look at several of them, their impact and the outlook for keeping them in Birmingham (economic impact figures are for metro Birmingham, not overall):

Talladega

The event: NASCAR's two annual races at Talladega – just a short drive from Birmingham on I-20 – draw hundreds of thousands each year.
Venue: Talladega Superspeedway
Tenure: Two races annually since 1970.
Committed through: 2015 (NASCAR approves its schedule each year)
Average economic impact: $14M (spring race), $10M (fall race)

[bigstick]

[quote=Tourian;38877929]

Originally Posted by bigstick

We know where it is, Copernicus. And the economic impat it brings is to Birmingham. Should we believe you or the BBJ?

Where Birmingham stands with five of its big sporting events - Birmingham Business Journal

The BBJ is just as sensationalistic as you and your brethren are.

[Tourian]

New Talladega Superspeedway Themed

“We are thrilled about the opening of the Talladega Grille at the newly renovated wing of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport,” said Grant Lynch, Chairman of Talladega Superspeedway. “Many of our race fans fly into Birmingham before they make the short trip to NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track, and we are excited about having our brand greet them upon their arrival.
“The city of Birmingham has always been one of our greatest partners and it will be a pleasure serving the masses who utilize the airport. While fans are here at Talladega Superspeedway during race weekend, we always remind them of the many things to do and places to see while in Birmingham. With the new Talladega Grille, we are glad to join other businesses as a part of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport.”

Gee whiz, so the chairman of the track sures seems on board with Birmingham. He even endorses it by reminding fans of what they can see and do WHILE IN BIRMINGHAM. I wonder why he didn't just say Talladega exclusively?

Moderator cut: snip