Today’s guest columnist is Ron Blatman.
I know cities.
I write about cities.
I produce documented series about making cities better places.
I’ve always been fascinated with Birmingham, Alabama and… Continue reading What a fragmented Birmingham can learn from the most fragmented city in the U.S.
This week’s guest columnist is Tom Spencer.
This month, the Jefferson County Greenways Commission is launching a national search for a superintendent to lead the development of a system of large-acreage public parks, bringing together Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Continue reading New partnership marks stunning victory for our parks
By David Sher
I don’t get the logic.
I read the headlines and excuses, but they make no sense.
Read this recent headline.
“Pelham raises sales tax for the first time since 2013” Continue reading Pelham, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook flimsy excuse to raise taxes
By David Sher
I’m going to talk about Alabama’s license plate codes to belly-ache about our Birmingham regions lack of growth.
When I was a child traveling out of state and I saw an Alabama license plate beginning with the number 1, I would proudly proclaim to my family that the folks in that car were from Birmingham, and I would think to myself: Birmingham, the #1 city in Alabama.
Continue reading Is Jefferson County about to lose #1 license plate?
Today’s guest columnist is Dick Pizitz.
In 1969, a future mayor of Birmingham, David Vann, recruited a few people to initiate a quiet campaign to consolidate all of the municipalities and unincorporated areas of Jefferson County into a single combined metropolitan government. Continue reading How Birmingham came within one vote of becoming a major U.S. city
Today’s guest columnist is Jacob Rogers.
Born and raised in the Birmingham metro area, I attended elementary school in Midfield, middle school in Warrior, and high school in Blount County.
After graduating from Samford University in 2009, it took me several months to find an entry-level position. Continue reading The missing secret sauce for Birmingham’s future
Today’s guest columnist is Christopher Tyler Burks.
It seems to me that David Sher has done us all a great service by publishing ComebackTown.com.
While there is excellent coverage of regional issues across our media, this site has become the de facto beat reporter for discussions of regional cooperation in Greater Birmingham. Continue reading Is metro Birmingham ready for regional governance?
By David Sher
I didn’t expect to be writing a column about the new $50 million amphitheater proposed for downtown Birmingham.
I’m not a politician or business person involved in the project and the only information I have is what I’ve read on-line. Continue reading Did Birmingham backstab Pelham?
Today’s guest columnist is Jim Coker.
Birmingham hosted the World Games from July 7th to July 17th, 2022.
Was it worth the time and expense?
Many folks are celebrating a big victory for Birmingham.
Others are not quite so sure.
What might the impact ultimately be for Birmingham?
Continue reading World Games impact much greater than 11 day event
By David Sher
This is the article I always wished to write, but didn’t know if it would ever be possible.
ComebackTown began publishing in February, 2012 with the sole purpose to begin a discussion about how to revitalize a struggling Birmingham. That’s why it was titled ‘ComebackTown.’ Continue reading All bets are off on Birmingham