Category Archives: What’s great about Birmingham

New partnership marks stunning victory for our parks

Thomas Spencer
Thomas Spencer

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

A one-of-a-kind world-class asset could change the face of Birmingham

Bryson Stephens
Bryson Stephens

Today’s guest columnist is Bryson Stephens.

(Illustrations below show what is possible for our Red Mountain Cut)

On a chilly winter day in 2015, my 11-year-old daughter and I climbed the eastern wall of the Cut in Red Mountain.

A few months prior, a businessperson had told me that the Cut “looked like crap.” The last time I had physically been there was on an elementary school field trip in the early ‘80s, so I wanted to see it for myself. And it seemed like a good father-daughter excursion. Continue reading A one-of-a-kind world-class asset could change the face of Birmingham

French gal’s love affair with Birmingham

Claire Le Clech
Claire Le Clech

Today’s guest columnist is Claire Le Clech.

Bonjour!

I am Claire Le Clech, a French law student from Paris who spent two months in Birmingham for an internship with a Judge-Judge Patricia Stephens at the Domestic Relations Court-and I want to share with you a little bit about my experience. Continue reading French gal’s love affair with Birmingham

You won’t believe what kind of games are coming to Birmingham

Bill Ryan
Bill Ryan

Today’s guest columnist is Bill Ryan.

Birmingham, you convinced me and my team!

Our group evaluated sites for our national games and Birmingham, in an 11th hour pitch, catapulted to the top of our list and joined renowned event cities like Houston, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis and Cleveland. Continue reading You won’t believe what kind of games are coming to Birmingham

We must not overlook Birmingham’s biggest blessing

Angel
Many angels in Birmingham

By David Sher

A couple of weeks ago my wife went on a long walk starting and ending in Crestline Village.

She and a friend walk every Sunday and have done so for years.

Unfortunately, on that particular day the temperature was 95º with 80% humidity. Continue reading We must not overlook Birmingham’s biggest blessing

Mr. Rogers would be proud of wonderful downtown Birmingham neighborhood

Michael Calvert
Michael Calvert

Today’s guest columnist is Michael Calvert.

A few years ago, there was no neighborhood other than public housing in downtown Birmingham.

Pioneering loft residents created a vibrant, social life to make “wonderful days” and wonderful nights, too, in Birmingham’s downtown neighborhood.

Like Mister Rogers, they said to each other, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Continue reading Mr. Rogers would be proud of wonderful downtown Birmingham neighborhood

Birmingham, My dream for my hometown

Maury Shevin
Maury Shevin

Today’s guest columnist is Maury Shevin.

If there is any dream that I have for my hometown it is this:

Birmingham, Alabama is a metropolitan area where its young people do not leave home for other cities; rather young people move to Birmingham for its world class job opportunities and vibrancy. Continue reading Birmingham, My dream for my hometown

A downtown Birmingham residential project so big it may require its own zip code

Barry Copeland
Barry Copeland

Today’s guest columnist is Barry Copeland.

Back in 2005, the former Birmingham Chamber of Commerce hosted one of its annual BIG Trips (Birmingham Innovation Group) to a competitor city to help our leaders learn lessons from their leaders.

That year in Nashville, guess what we saw under construction?  A 50-story residential building in the heart of downtown.  It was going up a block or two from the Ryman Theater, and within an easy stroll of their “Broadway” entertainment district. Continue reading A downtown Birmingham residential project so big it may require its own zip code

I can’t believe I’m hunting $1 billion companies in Birmingham, Alabama

Malcolm McDonald
Malcolm McDonald

Today’s guest columnist is Malcolm McDonald.

“If you want a career in tech, you really need to move to the coast.”

The words rang in my head. “He would know.” I thought. Nestled in the sunny hills of San Francisco, my childhood friend was a product leader at Netflix. Continue reading I can’t believe I’m hunting $1 billion companies in Birmingham, Alabama

Two major projects among the largest in Birmingham history

Robert Simon
Robert Simon

Today’s guest columnist is Robert Simon.

It’s remarkable how a single trip changed my life and likely the future of the city I love.

In 2004, I traveled with a cohort of about 100 business, community, and political leaders to Charlotte, North Carolina sponsored by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Continue reading Two major projects among the largest in Birmingham history