1890:
Photo credit: André Natta
Alabama Penny Savings Bank was founded. The image above shows the building that the first African-American owned and operated bank in Alabama constructed to be its second home, 310 18th Street North.
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Category Archives: Alabama
UPDATED A look back: October 15
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Posted in A look back, Alabama, Birmingham, history
It’s time to get transit rolling
Photo credit: André Natta
Wouldn’t it be great if we had some sort of rapid transit connecting the BJCC/downtown with UAB/Five Points South? It’s actually in the works, and you have a chance to be part of the planning process this coming week.
According to this article by Eddie Lard on al.com, the In-Town Transit Partnership Project has been planning this since 2005. Buses have been brought in for demonstration purposes, including the one pictured above that visited the city last November.
Currently the idea is to have free buses (larger ones than usual) running up and down a dedicated lane on 18th Street, with 10 bus stations along the way at spots including the Railroad Reservation Park and Central Station. The concept here is that transit attracts people, which means foot traffic, which means development–stores, restaurants, condos, offices, etc.
Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, Transit, Uncategorized
A look back: October 13 & 14
October 13:
Edward M. Tutwiler was born at Palmyra in Fluvanna County, Virginia.
October 14:
Hollywood was annexed into Homewood.
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Posted in A look back, Alabama, Birmingham, history, Homewood
From none to two professional teams?
One of the many arguments against the construction of a new facility (or dome) that could host football games is the fact that while metro Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Barons, it does not currently field a professional major league team. It appears that there’s a chance for that to be rectified that as early as this spring as two startup professional football leagues consider making the Magic City one of their first homes.
We’ve already written about the All-American Football League and the tryouts held at Legion Field this summer. Well now the city has recently been mentioned as a possible franchise site for the new United Football League being founded by Bill Hambrecht, a former minority partner in the Oakland Invaders of the USFL, and Tim Armstrong, a senior executive at Google. The league would begin play in August 2008 with eight teams holding games on Friday nights. And you can help decide if we get the team.
Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Magic City Question, Sports
It’s here: The readers choice polls are out today
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It’s that time of year where people decide what the best of the best are here in Birmingham. We have the pleasure of having two readers choice polls come out at the same time this year. Birmingham Weekly has released its Menu of Menus (this year on a Wednesday – check out this story previewing the complete list), while The Birmingham News has published the results of its 2007 Readers Choice Awards.
Check them out and let us know what you think about them. You might also want to check out this recent post about opinions on the News’ poll.
Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Magic City Question
Hoover investigation report released
The full report (in PDF format) on the investigation into the Hoover City Schools system has been posted online to be downloaded and reviewed. Copies are also available at the city’s libraries.
We decided to take a look at one of the nuances of the case over on my Birmingham – the use of the bully pulpit by Hoover mayor Tony Petelos to get the report released and just how it may be used by mayor-elect Larry Langford as he prepares to assume the office here in the Magic City next month.
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Posted in Alabama, Commentary, Education, Hoover, My Birmingham