By David Sher
Editor’s note: This column is based on the podcast, Talking Headways: A Streetsblog Podcast. Episode 552: Under a Highway in Birmingham, Alabama.
If you look at an aerial photograph of downtown Birmingham, you’ll notice something peculiar: Interstate 59 and Interstate 20 make a sharp, inexplicable bend as they pass through the city center. That bend tells a story—one of the darkest chapters in American urban planning. Continue reading Birmingham: Ingenious idea in peril
By David Sher
I never met anyone like Sam Tenenbaum.
You likely haven’t either.
Sam passed away on December 5th at age 81.
He was four months younger than me, and we went through elementary school together. In fact, we graduated in the last eighth-grade class at Crestline Elementary. Continue reading My Regret After Death of Mountain Brook Wrestling Legend and Opera Singer
By David Sher
I just finished listening to a podcast on how Chip and Joanna Gaines built a business empire and the extraordinary impact it had on Waco, Texas, their hometown.
We can do the same for Birmingham. Continue reading Let’s harness the power of Birmingham as Chip and Joanna did in Waco
By David Sher
What’s it about Birmingham with food and drink?
Birmingham knows how to create culinary and beverage success stories. Continue reading Birmingham’s hidden restaurant empire
By David Sher
I still remember the thrill of Brookwood Mall’s opening in the early 1970s.
My fondest memories include celebrating birthdays at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour with its famous drum roll and free ice cream, enjoying crepes at The Magic Pan, and sitting joyfully as the singing Santa performed during the holidays. Brookwood was where we lived, laughed, and created lasting memories. Continue reading Brookwood Mall vs. Riverchase Galleria—And the loser is…
By David Sher
Nick Saban likely never met Frank Stitt on a field or in a kitchen together, but they share something profound: both men fundamentally transformed their domains and elevated Birmingham and Alabama in the eyes of the nation. Continue reading Stitt and Saban fundamentally transformed Alabama
By David Sher
Sometimes you have to take a chance. Do the unexpected. Be different.
Birmingham has always been risk-averse. But there comes a time when we have to say enough is enough. Continue reading Downtown Birmingham Needs Free Parking Now
By David Sher
I got up this morning, grabbed my gym bag, and headed to my workout.
I ran into a friend in the gym I hadn’t seen in a while and asked him about his two adult daughters. Continue reading Inexcusable we lose our children to other cities
By David Sher.
Who says there’s no such thing as a ‘sure thing’?
I’m not a risk taker.
It’s just not my nature.
I never liked to gamble or take big chances.
Through the years I’ve missed lots of opportunities. Continue reading The surefire way to build your wealth in Birmingham
By David Sher
On August 12, IKEA announced its first Alabama store—in Huntsville, opening in early 2026.
That means one of the worlds most respected and disciplined retailers evaluated Birmingham and Huntsville and chose Huntsville—even though Birmingham’s metro population is roughly twice as large. Continue reading Birmingham punched in gut by IKEA, but exotic dancers are happy