Birmingham Development News

[shades valley]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

Would have been nice if it was retail...such a cool area. Wish there was more dining/shopping options around there.

yeah i def agree...i wish there were more retail and dining n that area...im always hoping for much more right there...that area has so much potential to be more

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by shades valley

sorry for being a little rusty on the updates....but what is Fair Park please

Next to Five Points West. I couldn't give you the street if I tried, I'm not to familiar with the area.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Good news for Birmingham, well Jefferson County. Anyways, the county has stopped it's population skid. As of July 1, 2009, Jefferson County has more people than it did in the 2000 census. The estimates of 2008 showed the first population gain for JeffCo in a long time, and the 2009 estimates place it at 665,027, higher than the 2000 census of 662,047.

[moveon]

Hey Guys i heard the daniel payne town center project proposed
by Genesis Development Corp. is not going to happen it was just
some big hype that will never happen. So sad for the residents
in that area to be let down, yet their city council person told
them it wouldn't happen and i never voted for it....

[Dyingyak]

Originally Posted by moveon

Hey Guys i heard the daniel payne town center project proposed
by Genesis Development Corp. is not going to happen it was just
some big hype that will never happen. So sad for the residents
in that area to be let down, yet their city council person told
them it wouldn't happen and i never voted for it....

I never thought it stood a chance from the first time Langford brought the idea up. Matter of fact, I think he started selling idea for redevelopment even before the discussions with Genesis started.

[sabre0link]

Kindda old, but I don't remember anyone posting about it...

http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2010/03/state_puts_brakes_on_us_280_express_lanes.html

State puts brakes on U.S. 280 express lanes
By Ginny MacDonald -- The Birmingham News
March 17, 2010, 5:30AM

Alabama transportation officials have halted work indefinitely on express lanes for U.S. 280, saying they won’t go forward unless local governments with jurisdictions along the highway agree on the project.

As of last Thursday, consultant Linda Figg was told to stop work on planned express lanes for 280.

“Unless we get a consensus from local governments, we are not spending any more money on this project,” ALDOT chief engineer Don Vaughn told The Birmingham News on Tuesday.

“It’s a shame. We had a way to pay for it, a good plan and had negotiated a significant engineering contract,” Vaughn said. “We were trying to address what Horizon 280 told us they wanted.”

Horizon 280 is a group of business, private and political people that focuses on relieving congestion on U.S. 280.

The ALDOT plan was for five miles of elevated toll lanes in Shelby County from Double Oak Mountain to Interstate 459, and for four express lanes served by a series of interchanges from the interstate to the Elton B. Stephens Expressway.

Discussion still open

Though work on the express lanes has stopped, Vaughn and state Transportation Director Joe McInnes say they are open to discussing the plans.

“We will meet with anybody, anytime,” Vaughn said.

McInnes said he wants meetings to “overcome the rumors and misinformation that is evident.

“We are continuing to meet with municipalities, individuals, advocacy groups and other interested parties to answer questions and provide additional information about the proposals for 280,” McInnes said. “This will continue through the end of March as scheduled.”

This is the fourth time the state has walked away from a plan to alleviate traffic congestion on U.S. 280:

--In 1986, the Douglas study proposed a series of interchanges along the urban part of U.S. 280, but the plan was abandoned because of cost and the lack of public support.

--In 1994, ALDOT proposed a double-decked 280 from the Elton B. Stephens Expressway to Alabama 119. The plan was abandoned because of public opposition.

--In 2002, a series of interchanges was proposed along 280. ALDOT abandoned those plans because of opposition from nearby businesses.

Since Gov. Bob Riley announced plans for the elevated lanes and interchanges in December, ALDOT has contracted with Figg Engineering to design the tolled express lanes.

Figg’s $37.5 million contract with ALDOT runs through February 2012. Officials have said that is the amount Figg will be paid if the project gets the go-ahead and work is completed as planned.

ALDOT officials have met with city councils and civic clubs to explain plans for the express lanes.

Several members of the Birmingham City Council have publicly opposed the express lanes. The Homewood City Council and mayor rejected the plan in a Feb. 8 letter to ALDOT.

Homewood City Council President Jeff Underwood said Tuesday he is glad ALDOT stopped work on the project. “There is a wide range of options that I hope they will continue to study before spending millions of dollars,” he said.

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Trammell said she hopes the project will continue to move forward because the chamber is in favor of it. “I have heard nothing official about work stopping, and I do hope that is not the case.”

Alternative proposal

Two groups opposed to the plan for express lanes. Business for a Viable 280 and Citizens to Save 280, hired traffic consultant Walter Kulash of Florida to write an alternative proposal for the highway.

Kulash’s plan calls for 15 interchanges, four express lanes sunken at intersections and two or more side streets connecting to existing highway exits. Kulash said his plan would cost $287 million, while ALDOT estimates its plan would cost $800 million.

ALDOT officials say that even if Kulash’s plan would work it couldn’t be done because the state can’t afford it. Transportation officials say the only way to build the 280 express lanes is to charge tolls on them.

“That’s why we have pushed so hard,” Vaughn said. “It has to be opened and operating before we make money. And we would spend an awful lot of money in a short period of time.”

State officials have said the express lanes could have been open within three years.

Birmingham ALDOT Division Engineer Brian Davis has worked on the 280 congestion problem since 1994.

“The ideas for the express lanes originated locally, but we don’t have local support. Over the past few months, we have not seen a consensus from the community,” Davis said.

“Maybe people are satisfied with the congestion that’s on 280 today, and the congestion that will be on 280 next month and further down the road,” he said. “Maybe it’s time to pull the plug; maybe it’s time to walk away.”

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I drove into downtown yesterday on my way home for the weekend and took a look at a few things. The RRPark is coming along nicely and looks like it is nearing completion. Though, I'm sure that is far from the truth, you can see parts of the park where you can tell the creek will be flowing, and there is a lot of landscaping already in the ground.

Cityville doesn't look much different than the last time I was there really.

Does anyone know what's being buliding at the SW corner of 2nd Ave/18th St South?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

What's happened to all our Birmingham folk? I miss talking about the Magic City!


City/BJCC to work on downtown hotel project

Plans call for a 300 room Westin Hotel next to the BJCC, most of which would be funded by the city. If everything goes as planned, construction would begin in November of this year, and the thing would open in 2012. Officials are hopeful that this would provide some momentum for the entertainment district along Richard Arrington.


I was in downtown yesterday for an appointment at UAB and saw some progress on the RR Park. It looks very nice. They cleverly constructed some berms along the perimeter of the park, to obstruct the view of the park. So, instead of being able to see the entire thing when you drive by, you get you interested and curious and it will cause many to actually stop and get out of their car.

[Tourian]

@sabre0link quoted article

In other words, Brookies don't want loud construction or speeding cars zooming down 280.

@tredici

It seems a lot of hotels have been going up lately. I think events like the Indy race showed them we need more beds if we are going to host national events like that - particularly nice ones for the well heeled types.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Good news for Birmingham. Per the latest census estimate, the city lost less than 100 residents between 2008 and 2009. Most cities wouldn't be happy about this news, but considering that the city lost 15,000 people in the past 9 years this is a big deal. Both Birmingham and Jefferson County have been slowing their population slide. JeffCo posted a larger population in 2009 than in 2000 for the first time this decade, and it appears that MAYBE Birmingham will at least have more people in 2010 than it did in 2009.

[LUV4BHAM]

Been hearing alot of positives for 2nd Ave N the last couple of months

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by tredici

Good news for Birmingham...and it appears that MAYBE Birmingham will at least have more people in 2010 than it did in 2009.

That is good. It would have been embarrassing for Montgomery to catch up and pass Birmingham as the largest city not counting metro area.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by Tourian

That is good. It would have been embarrassing for Montgomery to catch up and pass Birmingham as the largest city not counting metro area.

...why...?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by bystander1

...why...?

Being labeled the most populated city in the state carries more weight than most people think.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by tredici

Being labeled the most populated city in the state carries more weight than most people think.

Embarrassing huh?

Makes sense to me...how about you?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by bystander1

Embarrassing huh?

Makes sense to me...how about you?

Yea, it would be pretty embarrassing to Birmingham. I frankly wouldn't care, economic activity is a bigger indicator IMO. Unfortunately, many people do look at the city population. Of course, you also have to consider that more populous cities are able to do more because obviously they have more tax dollars that they can spend without having to deal with numerous different municipalities (as Birmingham does).

If you're grabbing that quote from Tim James, I'm incline to say that no, it does not.

[Dyingyak]

From the Birmingham News:

Mountain Brook City Council approves Lane Parke at Mountain Brook Village rezoning

The Mountain Brook City Council tonight by a 4-1 vote approved rezoning the Mountain Brook Shopping Center, clearing the way for the proposed Lane Parke at Mountain Brook Village development.

Councilman Bob Moody was the lone vote against the development, saying that the development proposed by Evson Inc. is too big.

Council President Virginia Smith said she felt the planning and public comment process had made the development more suitable. Councilmen Billy Pritchard and Jesse Vogtle expressed gratitude to residents for their input.

Evson originally proposed the development last year but withdrew its rezoning request after opposition from the community.

The redesigned $200 million development plan covers 14 acres, though the rezoning request encompasses 27 acres. The new design calls for 206,000 square feet of retail space, 20 town homes and enclosed parking decks. Developers plan a two-phase construction over three years, which could begin next spring.

Evson requested a planned unit development zoning, which would allow for a mix of uses including retail, office and residential.

Members of the Friends of Mountain Brook Village, a group opposing the rezoning, said they were disappointed in the decision.

Cornelia LaRussa, who presented the council with a petition of 450 signatures against the project, said council members voted for it because they were tired of hearing about the issue.

"You can't run from a decision because you're tired," she said. "You should not be in that seat if you're tired."

James White, another member, left open the possibility of legal action against the decision.

Mayor Terry Oden, who does not cast votes, spoke briefly afterward about the dangers of legal action. He recounted a three-year legal battle he waged against the U.S. 280 "dirtpile," which he said cost both sides about $500,000 in legal fees. He told the opposition to be proud of what it had already accomplished.

"The world didn't come to an end then because we lost," he said. "You have won many battles, and everybody's appreciated what you've done."

This has been a high-profile rezoning case within Mountain Brook over the past year. I for one am glad to see it pass so that they can redevelop the suburban shopping center in the middle of Mtn. Brook Village with something that is much more contextual and higher quality.

It is also interesting to hear Mayor Oden admit he was wrong in the past...hardly ever see a politician do that!

[LUV4BHAM]

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport authority hears update on terminal expansion

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Birmingham News

Once a planned $193.3 million terminal overhaul project is completed, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport will be a strong catalyst for economic growth, its board chairwoman said Monday.

"It's going to open up new opportunities for the entire Birmingham region," said Gaynell Hendricks, Jefferson County's tax assessor and co-owner of Wee Care Academy in downtown Birmingham. "This expansion will be state of the art, making the airport more beautiful, safe and efficient."

On Monday, the Birmingham Airport Authority heard an extensive update from Gray Plosser of the KPS Group, tapped last year as lead designer of the terminal modernization project that has been in the planning stages for more than a decade.

Hendricks said the project is the largest capital expansion since the existing airport terminal was built 37 years ago, and most of the cost will be covered by federal dollars.

Plosser said KPS Group and its design team of 16 firms are 65 percent complete with their plans, which include a major overhaul of the terminal, expansion of the concession area and improved safety features.

Plosser is hopeful the design phase will be complete by January, with construction beginning early next year. It will take between three and five years to complete construction, and the airport would remain open throughout the process.

Brasfield & Gorrie and Formation Methods are serving as construction managers, while A.G. Gaston Construction, Saber Construction and Heery are program managers of the project.

Brian Hamilton of Saber Construction/A.G. Gaston Construction, a part of the program manager team representing the airport, said the expansion will help improve the image of Birmingham.

"The airport is the first exposure to Birmingham that most people visiting the area see," he said. "It's important for us to put our best face forward."

Among the planned upgrades at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport:

>> The baggage checkpoint machine areas in the front sections of the terminals will move behind the scenes, joining a trend taking place at major airports across the country since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

>> Instead of having to check in baggage at individual airlines, a consolidated system will be put in place allowing baggage to be checked in at a central location, Plosser said.

>> A large glass portion of the curbside entrance of the Birmingham airport will be replaced with solid walls for security protection. The airport's name will be placed in a visible location on the wall.

>> The Birmingham airport's concessions area will be expanded, adding a greater variety of food and retail tenants.

>> The addition of a Federal Inspection Services area in Concourse A, handling customs and immigration services for international passengers.

>> Construction of walkways making it easier for disabled passengers and those in wheelchairs to enter the airport concourse areas.

>> The addition of a new passenger waiting area with seating and concessions, within view of planes awaiting boarding.

>> The addition of a new area for greeting and sending off passengers on the lower level near the baggage claim area.

>> Improved lighting allowing the airport to use sunlight more in daytime hours and cut costs.

"The design will allow the airport's operating costs to remain about the same despite the fact the terminal will be twice as big," Plosser said.

Since the airport will face challenges of maintaining daily flights while shutting down portions of the terminal during the construction phase, Hendricks said officials will use signage to help direct passengers and the media to help inform the public.

Hendricks said the project has the support of many organizations, including the Birmingham Business Alliance, the city of Birmingham, state and federal governments.

With Mercedes, Honda and other firms with an international presence based in or near the city, Hendricks said the addition of customs and immigration services for international flights "will be huge for Birmingham." She said the expansion will allow the airport to truly live up to its name, with passengers flying overseas finally able to avoid having to book connecting flights to Atlanta.

"We are not a true international airport now, but that will change," Hendricks said.

Though it would be up to airlines to decide whether to add overseas flights from Birmingham, Hendricks said the airport is stepping out on faith.

"They say if you build it, they will come," she said. "We're moving forward with expectation."

[SpawnOfVulcan]

WOW... there's actually an entity in Birmingham that doesn't look at the city as some small town blip on a map of the Atlanta region!

I have to say, it's very refreshing to read about people who see the city for what it is, a major player. Maybe after this goes through, the entire metro population will get the idea.

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by tredici

WOW... there's actually an entity in Birmingham that doesn't look at the city as some small town blip on a map of the Atlanta region!

I have to say, it's very refreshing to read about people who see the city for what it is, a major player. Maybe after this goes through, the entire metro population will get the idea.

It is. I have to say, it's been truly agitating having to make a connection to Atlanta in order to fly just about anywhere from Birmingham. Haha, don't get me wrong, nothing against Atlanta here....just HATE flying. The smaller amount of time I have to spend in a plane, the better