News Post #10

This morning, a story about downtown Birmingham caught my attention. Just having recently visited the new Railroad Park, I was excited to hear the news regarding possible renovations being done in the area.

I actually had the opportunity to practice my photography on my sister and one of my best friends in the area just a week before. While the park itself is surprisingly nice and gives Birmingham almost a "Central Park" kind of feel, the area around it is deteriorating and resembles some what of a ghost town.

City leaders are now planning to renovate the old Nabisco building, which is located directly across from the park. The project will cost the Shannon Developing Company $3.8 million, and it will convert two buildings into retail, office, and loft space. Hillary Golston reported the story.

"Some people say that the park is creating a bridge between different groups of people, " she stated. And I can't help but to agree with this statement.  From first hand experience, I have seen many different people groups gathered at the park, which I find fascinating considering Alabama's history of racial discrimination.

Goldston explained that the project will consist of two phases. Phase one will be to move the developer's office to the bottom of the building. Phase two will be building rooms for the retail and office spaces. 

Goldston also interviewed a UAB student, who is studying downtown redevelopment. Danielle Rand stated, "Maybe if we had a more vibrant downtown, even people who didn't live downtown could be drawn towards it and support it. That could just be kind of a gateway into a better Birmingham."

I agree that the city has the potential to be a "better Birmingham." Birmingham already has so much to offer, but this addition will really be a step in the right direction. I am also glad to know that the city is so supportive of this endeavor and is loaning Shannon $1 million to cover expenses.