By David Sher
I’ve been publishing ComebackTown for 13 years and I’ve never asked you to do anything.
But this time is different.
It’s time for all of us to take action. Continue reading UAB and Birmingham are in trouble! Get off your fanny and do something!
Today’s guest columnist is Jay Taylor.
In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about which Alabama city is the largest in our state.
Population wise, that debate’s laughable. The truth is, more than 21 percent of Alabama’s 5.1 million residents live in metro Birmingham. Continue reading A new skyline for Birmingham
Today’s guest columnist is Blake Patterson.
As an Ole Miss alum and avid football fan living in Birmingham, I kept hearing then-Alabama football Head Coach Nick Saban lament a recurring problem: fans, especially students, weren’t staying in the stadium for the full game. As Saban pled to students, “We play for four, so stay for four,” I just couldn’t shake the idea that there had to be a way to get fans more engaged at the games. Continue reading Nick Saban’s dilemma creates million dollar idea for Birmingham entrepreneur
By David Sher
You probably won’t appreciate what I’m going to say unless you lived in Birmingham before 2010.
Prior to 2010, Birmingham had literally given up.
Nothing seemed to work and we were wrapped in a never-ending downward spiral. Continue reading Let’s make Birmingham great again
Today’s guest columnist is Tom Luckie.
When people ask me what Birmingham’s brand should be, I often remind them that a brand isn’t just a logo or a tagline – it’s all the memories and associations people have with our city. Continue reading Birmingham in line to be South’s next major success story: What’s our brand?
By James L. Baggett
The story of the 1963 Birmingham civil rights demonstrations, and the brutal response from Birmingham officials has been told many times and often told well.
But missing from these accounts is an explanation for why and how Birmingham acquired police dogs, armored cars, and firefighters trained in riot control. Continue reading Birmingham prepared for battle
Today’s guest columnist is Maury Shevin.
The City Council of Birmingham appears to be wrestling with the issue of permitting Short Term Rentals (think VRBO and Airbnb) within residential neighborhoods of the City zoned for single families. Why this “no brainer” issue has so tied up the Council in knots is beyond reason. Continue reading Birmingham throwing its homeowners under the bus?
Today’s columnist is Michael Sznajderman.
It’s a new year, a time when folks reflect on the past and ponder what’s ahead.
2025 marks 25 years I’ve lived in the Birmingham area. So much has happened in our region over the past quarter-century – some good, some not so much.
With this in mind, I present – in no particular order – 25 thoughts for 2025 about our greater Birmingham community, and beyond. Let the constructive criticism and commentary begin! Continue reading The future of Highlands Bar and Grill and 24 other things for Birmingham to ponder in 2025
By Ted Smith
Imagine a high-speed rail service that whisked us from Birmingham and dropped us off in downtown Atlanta near stadiums and arenas and/or the airport in about 90 minutes.
If we had this capability at our doorstep, it would bring growth to the Birmingham area and eventually connect us to places like Charlotte, New Orleans and Dallas at speeds much faster than a car or shuttle bus. Continue reading Birmingham moving towards high-speed rail to Atlanta
Today’s guest columnist is Jay Taylor.
Do lower airfares out of Atlanta really save you money?
Recently, al.com published an article about the cost of flying out of Birmingham and Huntsville, citing a study that claims Birmingham is one of the most expensive airports in the nation for travelers. Continue reading Birmingham: Does it make sense to fly out of Atlanta?