Charles Barkley, basketball legend, TV Personality, & philanthropist born in Leeds, Alabama (al.com)
By David Sher
Walk down 3rd Avenue North outside the Alabama Theatre.
Look down.
See those stars embedded in rose-colored marble?
Birmingham residents have walked past them a thousand times without a second glance.
That’s the Alabama Walk of Fame—and it’s been mostly gathering dust since 1989.
We Had the Vision
Thirty-six years ago, Birmingham did something audacious. We created the Alabama Walk of Fame to honor our state’s icons, modeling it after Hollywood’s legendary boulevard.
On September 9, 1989, sixteen honorees gathered at the Alabama Theatre for the inaugural induction ceremony. Many came in person. Cameras flashed. The city buzzed with excitement.
Hollywood’s Walk of Fame now draws 10 million visitors annually and anchors a billion-dollar tourism ecosystem.
We had a 3 year head start on Palm Springs, a 17-year head start on Nashville and the NOLA Walk of Fame was just dedicated in New Orleans last year.
We just forgot to keep going.
An absolute factory of legendary talent
Let’s talk about what we’re sitting on here. Alabama is an absolute factory of legendary talent:
Sports Royalty: Bo Jackson (Bessemer), Charles Barkley (Leeds), Willie Mays (Westfield), Carl Lewis (Birmingham), Jesse Owens (Oakville), Joe Louis (Lafayette), Satchel Paige (Mobile), Hank Aaron (Mobile), Mia Hamm (Selma), and Bart Starr (Montgomery). That’s not a walk of fame—that’s a Hall of Fame starter pack.
Entertainment Powerhouses: Courteney Cox (Mountain Brook), Octavia Spencer (Montgomery), Channing Tatum (Cullman), Laverne Cox (Mobile), Emmylou Harris (Birmingham), Lionel Richie (Tuskegee), Nat King Cole (Montgomery), and the comedy genius of Roy Wood Jr. (Birmingham) and Rickey Smiley (Birmingham).
Music Legends: W.C. Handy (Florence), Hank Williams Sr. (Mount Olive), Wilson Pickett (Prattville), and the Muscle Shoals sound that changed American music forever.
Visionaries and Icons: Condoleezza Rice (Birmingham), Helen Keller (Tuscumbia), Harper Lee (Monroeville), Tim Cook (Robertsdale), and Rosa Parks (Tuskegee).
This isn’t just impressive—it’s absurd. We should be shouting it from every rooftop.
The Business Case Is Obvious
A dynamic Alabama Walk of Fame wouldn’t be just a tourist attraction—it could be an economic engine. It could draw visitors who eat at our restaurants, stay in our hotels, shop in our stores, and Instagram their photos with their favorite star.
Hollywood’s Walk of Fame generates hundreds of millions in economic impact. Palm Springs turned their celebrity connection into a destination identity.
What are we doing? Letting our stars fade into the pavement while other cities build tourism gold mines.
The Clock Is Ticking
Here’s what should terrify every Birmingham business owner and city leader:
These cities are watching our inaction. They see the same tourism playbook we’re ignoring. And unlike us, they might actually follow through.
We had the vision in 1989. We laid the groundwork. We created something special. Then we walked away and left it to languish.
It’s Time to Wake Up
Imagine 3rd Avenue North transformed into a destination—stars stretching blocks, induction ceremonies that draw national media, tourists planning trips around Alabama’s celebrity heritage.
Picture Charles Barkley wooing fans at his induction ceremony or Lionel’s Richie’s induction ceremony bringing thousands downtown. Annual inductions that become can’t-miss Birmingham events.
This isn’t fantasy. It’s what other cities are already doing with our playbook.
We need to expand the Walk of Fame. Add new honorees regularly. Create buzz. Market it regionally and nationally. Make induction ceremonies major events. Partner with the Alabama Theatre, local hotels, and restaurants to create packages.
Most importantly: We Need to Act before Someone Else Does.
Birmingham, we’ve been sitting on a golden opportunity for 36 years. Other Alabama cities are sharpening their shovels.
The stars are already in the ground. We just need to make them shine.
David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
12 thoughts on “The Idea that Could Bring Excitement Back to Downtown Birmingham”
This is a great idea, David. Who should be responsible for taking the lead on this? The Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau? Birmingham Business Alliance? Leadership Birmingham? Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions? City Hall?
And while we’re at it, I want to share another idea. I recently returned from a spring training baseball trip to South Florida, where I encountered countless people from Michigan and Illinois and Wisconsin who drive down to South Florida and pass straight through Birmingham. When I engaged these people about Birmingham, I was not surprised to hear that they didn’t know of any reason to stop and take in all that our city has to offer. Which led me to this: why doesn’t one of our fine organizations sponsor a series of billboards on I 65 south to sell why travelers should stop to see what we have to offer! I may be old-school, and this sounds like the Burma-Shave and See Rock City ads of the old days. But, there are a lot of travelers who would see such billboards and perhaps give us a visit.
Actually, privately funded billboards might not be the best way to inform and direct travelers to places of interest in Birmingham. They would have to fight for attention from the hundreds for Alexander Shunnurah and other lawyers, they are often installed for short duration, and who would pay for them anyway? Travelers on interstate highways, such your Florida-bound travelers from the Midwest, are accustomed to looking for those brown informational signs that signal something of significance. The City should actively petition ALDOT to install them for BMA, Sloss, BCRI, the theatre district, and other historical and cultural attractions—as well as an expanded Alabama Walk of Fame (assuming Montgomery doesn’t lay claim to it as the Capital). Of course, the City would then need to install directional signs along city streets for folks who don’t rely on GPS. A quick visit to Huntsville would show the powers-that-be how street-level signs are done.
Skip the stars. Instead install QR codes in the sidewalks, which would take you to brief audio biographies of famous Alabamians. QR codes installed in sidewalks around Nashville’s Centennial Park provide links to informative audio information to guide you around the park. (As a volunteer docent at the Parthenon, I’m pleased to know they’re there, while the museum is closed for a few months for a major HVAC upgrade.)
One thing Birmingham has plenty of is ideas. I remeber ideas of an aquarium with beluga whales, an artificial riverwalk, and aerial gondolas from Vulcan to downtown. What Bham lacks is follow thru. As Birminghamians we often soynd like parents telling children they can anything they want to be but then provide not guidance.
One thing Birmingham has plenty of is ideas. I remeber ideas of an aquarium with beluga whales, an artificial riverwalk, and aerial gondolas from Vulcan to downtown. What Bham lacks is follow thru. As Birminghamians we often sound like parents telling children they can be anything they want to be but then provide no guidance.
Great idea David. I am very familiar with walk of fames as I grew up around Hollywood and attended many ceremonies to see new people honored. I am sure their are many more leaders in and around Birminghm who need to be honored. So full speed ahead and if I can help, please advise.
I love this idea and also liked the DNA Helix Tower(2020). The Hall of Fame Walk, I imagine would be less costly than the tower and could be done quicker. We’re already 6 years past the Tower idea and nothing has happened ( at least that I am aware of). How can we get some movement on the Walk of Fame? I’m all in!
I love this idea and also liked the DNA Helix Tower(2020). The Hall of Fame Walk, I imagine would be less costly than the tower and could be done quicker. We’re already 6 years past the Tower idea and nothing has happened ( at least that I am aware of). How can we get some movement on the Walk of Fame? I’m all in!
This is a great idea, David. Who should be responsible for taking the lead on this? The Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau? Birmingham Business Alliance? Leadership Birmingham? Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions? City Hall?
And while we’re at it, I want to share another idea. I recently returned from a spring training baseball trip to South Florida, where I encountered countless people from Michigan and Illinois and Wisconsin who drive down to South Florida and pass straight through Birmingham. When I engaged these people about Birmingham, I was not surprised to hear that they didn’t know of any reason to stop and take in all that our city has to offer. Which led me to this: why doesn’t one of our fine organizations sponsor a series of billboards on I 65 south to sell why travelers should stop to see what we have to offer! I may be old-school, and this sounds like the Burma-Shave and See Rock City ads of the old days. But, there are a lot of travelers who would see such billboards and perhaps give us a visit.
Actually, privately funded billboards might not be the best way to inform and direct travelers to places of interest in Birmingham. They would have to fight for attention from the hundreds for Alexander Shunnurah and other lawyers, they are often installed for short duration, and who would pay for them anyway? Travelers on interstate highways, such your Florida-bound travelers from the Midwest, are accustomed to looking for those brown informational signs that signal something of significance. The City should actively petition ALDOT to install them for BMA, Sloss, BCRI, the theatre district, and other historical and cultural attractions—as well as an expanded Alabama Walk of Fame (assuming Montgomery doesn’t lay claim to it as the Capital). Of course, the City would then need to install directional signs along city streets for folks who don’t rely on GPS. A quick visit to Huntsville would show the powers-that-be how street-level signs are done.
Love this Maury. Maybe Alexander Shunnarah will partner on this. 🙂
https://www.conservancyonline.com/walking-audio-tour
Skip the stars. Instead install QR codes in the sidewalks, which would take you to brief audio biographies of famous Alabamians. QR codes installed in sidewalks around Nashville’s Centennial Park provide links to informative audio information to guide you around the park. (As a volunteer docent at the Parthenon, I’m pleased to know they’re there, while the museum is closed for a few months for a major HVAC upgrade.)
One thing Birmingham has plenty of is ideas. I remeber ideas of an aquarium with beluga whales, an artificial riverwalk, and aerial gondolas from Vulcan to downtown. What Bham lacks is follow thru. As Birminghamians we often soynd like parents telling children they can anything they want to be but then provide not guidance.
One thing Birmingham has plenty of is ideas. I remeber ideas of an aquarium with beluga whales, an artificial riverwalk, and aerial gondolas from Vulcan to downtown. What Bham lacks is follow thru. As Birminghamians we often sound like parents telling children they can be anything they want to be but then provide no guidance.
Wayne Rogers of M*A*S*H* is from Birmingham.
Fannie Flagg is from Birmingham.
David, I know you aren’t involved with the Alabama Walk of Fame, however, these people should certainly be on the list.
Susan, received many other suggestions including the Temptations. Too many to list is a good thing!
Great idea David. I am very familiar with walk of fames as I grew up around Hollywood and attended many ceremonies to see new people honored. I am sure their are many more leaders in and around Birminghm who need to be honored. So full speed ahead and if I can help, please advise.
That’s a great idea, David, and here’s one you published in 2020 that’s even better.
https://comebacktown.com/2020/02/19/the-ingenious-idea-that-could-change-the-perception-of-bham-forever/
I love this idea and also liked the DNA Helix Tower(2020). The Hall of Fame Walk, I imagine would be less costly than the tower and could be done quicker. We’re already 6 years past the Tower idea and nothing has happened ( at least that I am aware of). How can we get some movement on the Walk of Fame? I’m all in!
I love this idea and also liked the DNA Helix Tower(2020). The Hall of Fame Walk, I imagine would be less costly than the tower and could be done quicker. We’re already 6 years past the Tower idea and nothing has happened ( at least that I am aware of). How can we get some movement on the Walk of Fame? I’m all in!