Here are those ‘hellish’ numbers: 37, 53, and 24.
But you will have to see the list at the end of this piece to understand the magnitude of the problem.
Let’s start with a question: Would you know where to drive if I invited you to lunch in North Johns?
How about Maytown?
Or Sylvan Springs?
Don’t know where these cities are located?
Well you should. Continue reading 3 hellish numbers wrecking Birmingham
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Andrea Taylor.. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Wish me happy anniversary. I’m celebrating my first year in Birmingham this month.
I’ve lived, worked, and traveled the U.S. and visited more than 70 countries on seven continents.
I see Birmingham through a unique lens and have been made to feel very welcome here.
If asked about the history of Birmingham, you might tell me about Bull Connor, dogs and hoses, or the 1963 church bombing.
You might feel embarrassed about Birmingham and prefer the world forgets.
However, Birmingham’s tortuous history may be our biggest strength. Continue reading Birmingham: We can change the world
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Mimi Shannon. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
At this second, writing this article, I am sitting right next door to my apartment building on the brand new Rotary Trail.
The sun is setting, the “Magic City” sign is changing from red to white, there is a black family with their kids that are playing on an abstract cement seat, a preppy looking young white father and his two toddler children walking by, a young hippie couple admiring the trail, Zyp bikes flying above me on 1st Avenue South, and runners galore.
Continue reading Mountain Brook gal: Achieving my dreams in downtown Birmingham
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is David Dionne. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
I’m frustrated.
That’s why I’m willing to go out on a limb and disclose what’s going on at Red Mountain Park.
I see so much potential for Birmingham, for Red Mountain Park, and for our regional park system.
But the public, our potential donors, and government officials don’t seem to understand what we’re up against. Continue reading Red Mountain Park faces a difficult future
Okay, we were embarrassed again…
…actually twice within two weeks by the same publication.
But I keep having this unsettling thought.
What if we live in one of the most livable cities in America, but these preposterous loony rankings convince us and people elsewhere that we’re a bunch of losers? Continue reading Birmingham slammed twice by national publication
Vulcan has a problem–a serious problem!
I find this distressing since I have a soft spot in my heart for this not so lovable Roman God.
I can’t imagine a Birmingham without Vulcan…and no other city in the U.S. or abroad has anything like him.
This 50-ton cast iron statue (the largest in the world) was a meaningful part of my childhood.
When I was a boy, I remember the slow/squeaky elevator ride up to the viewing platform where I was rewarded with a stunning view of Birmingham. Continue reading Does anyone give a damn about Vulcan?
I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965.
If you are a college football fan you may remember that between 1961 and 1965 UA won three NCAA College National Championships.
Joe Namath was our quarterback, but more importantly, our coach was the legendary Paul Bear Bryant.
No need to give a history lesson on Coach Bryant, but unless you’re of a certain age, you may not know one important fact about the Bear. Continue reading Birmingham: Bear Bryant may be turning over in his grave
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Douglas Stewart. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
The story you are about to hear is truly remarkable.
If an author had written it as a plot in a book, you wouldn’t have thought it possible.
For many years downtown Birmingham had the reputation of being unsafe.
Many people had given up on our downtown. There were vacant buildings everywhere and businesses were rushing to the suburbs never to return. Continue reading How we slashed crime by 70% in downtown Birmingham
We in Birmingham should be growing weary.
Another national publication has punished Birmingham with a low ranking.
Our self-esteem drops and our reputation is damaged.
But this is ironic, because the ranking, like many others, is neither accurate nor fair.
Continue reading Birmingham embarrassed by another key national ranking
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Brad Toland. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
It’s no secret that Birmingham has radically undergone a change of identity over the last several years. New developments are happening so quickly that it can be hard to keep up with them all.
However, just like the fifteen year old that decides to attempt personal reinvention over the summer, sometimes the changes aren’t necessarily for the best in the long run, and need to be carefully considered with a focus on long term impacts. Continue reading How Birmingham can become a major player on the world stage