Comeback Town: Why Downtown Birmingham is Flourishing
In the heart of Alabama lies the comeback city of the South — Birmingham. Over the past few decades, the downtown area of this city has evolved from deserted streets and abandoned buildings to a lively, vibrant community filled with restaurants, bars, and bustling activity. However, this remarkable transformation did not happen overnight, and it is worth examining the efforts of key individuals who played pivotal roles in this metamorphosis.
The Visionaries and Their Transformative Projects
John Lauriello and Bob Moody, seasoned commercial real estate brokers, are among the central figures attributed to Birmingham’s downtown revival. Their passion for restoring old buildings and ability to envision the potential of forsaken structures were key in the transformation.
One notable endeavor was the restoration of the Clark Building, an edifice verging on condemnation until Lauriello and Moody convinced law firm managing partners to finance a massive restoration project in 1995. The formerly grand structure, which had been abandoned for years, became a showpiece two years later and continues to serve as the law firm’s headquarters.
Nurturing City Center Through Operation New Birmingham
Beyond individual projects, efforts have been launched to transform the downtown area as a whole. Operation New Birmingham (ONB), a public-private partnership, played an instrumental role in the area’s renewal. C-suite banker Fox DeFuniak and businessman David Sher established a reassuring presence with the launch of a uniformed, unarmed security force called the City Action Partnership (CAPS). The group not only helped combat the perception of criminal activity in the area, but also provided assistance to workers and residents.
Railroad Park and Regions Field: Rejuvenating Spaces
Conversations around a stalemated project dubbed Railroad Park animated monthly ONB Board meetings. Michael Calvert, ONB’s long-term CEO, recognized the need for a renowned urban park architect who could highlight the potential of the spot to City Hall, leading to what is now a major attraction in the city.
Calvert also spearheaded a report outlining success stories of minor league baseball teams returning to city centers. The report caught the attention of the Birmingham Barons owner, the Don Logan family — leading to the birth of Regions Field. Both Railroad Park and Regions Field have now become significant contributors to the ongoing revitalization of Birmingham.
Fostering Public-Private Partnerships
Dr. Neal Berte, Birmingham-Southern President, was instrumental in ensuring harmonious relationships between the public and private sectors. His leadership fostered candid discussions of pressing issues, enhancing trust and communication — an essential key to the progress of downtown Birmingham.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the resurgence of downtown Birmingham is a testament to the power of vision, leadership, and collaboration. The renovation of old buildings, creation of new sporting and recreational facilities, formation of security outfits, and fostering of public-private dialogues have all been instrumental in this revival. With more growth still to come, who knows what the future holds for Birmingham? But one thing is clear — Birmingham’s downtown is once again a lively, bustling city center — a true comeback town.
