ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Faye Oates.  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

The news media consistently reports the west side of Birmingham as a haven of crime and mayhem.

The news media very rarely reports on the west side residents who go to work every day, maintain their homes impeccably, and are committed to having a great neighborhood.

The news media rarely reports all the great things happening on the west side like the resurgence of downtown Ensley, the $7 million expansion of Limbaugh Toyota, and the Birmingham Crossplex – the crown jewel of 5 Points West.

Crossplex is jumping and growing

The Birmingham Crossplex was completed in 2011 and is 750,000 square foot, multipurpose athletic competition and meeting facility located in the heart of 5 Points West.

The world class facility boasts a 6 lane Mondo hydraulic track which is one of only 8 tracks of this type in the World and one of 6 in the Country.

The athletic facility also features a 50 meter indoor, Olympic size swimming pool, and the 5,000 seat Bill Harris Arena.

With over 170 events and 175,000 spectators, coaches and athletes annually, the place is jumping to say the least.

The Birmingham Crossplex plays host to a variety of events:

• AHSAA Super Regional High School Wrestling
• 16 NCAA National Championships including the 2016 Division I Track and Field National Championship
• Emory University Swim Invitational
• Birmingham Southern Swim Invitational
• 7 College Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship
• AHSAA State Volleyball Championship

The 2015 – 16 indoor track seasons will be the busiest in the history of the facility.

The success story of Westside is being written

Sure, we have some work to do on this side of town, but the entire region still has work to do.  The success story of Woodlawn, Parkside, Lakeview and the resurgence of the City’s Center is being told.

The success of the Westside and its story is still being written.

According to the CVB, the Birmingham CrossPlex has an annual economic impact of $100 million dollars.

Great things are happening on the Westside and better things are still to come.  As the Director of this beautiful facility, I ask you to learn and support the revitalization of this west side.

I also invite you to visit, tour, and attend any of the hundreds of events hosted here each year!

Faye Oates has over 15 years of event experience managing major events including the SEC Baseball Tournament, the Magic City Classic, NCAA Championships, Davis & Fed Cups, AHSAA High School Championship Sports, and more.  Mrs. Oates was named the Birmingham CrossPlex Director in July of 2014.  Married with two children, Mrs. Oates is a native and current resident of Birmingham. 

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David Sher is co-CEO of AmSher Compassionate Collections.  He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).