Category Archives: Alabama

Birmingham metro #4 on most polluted cities list

Posted on May 1, 2007 | 3 comments

Unfortunately all of that grilling this summer could help lead the city towards the top of another, albeit dubious list. The American Lung Association recently released its list of the cities with the nation’s worst air pollution. The Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman metro area came in at #4 (Los Angeles led the pack, followed by Pittsburgh & Bakersfield, California in their annual State of the Air report based on analyzing long term particle pollution. The metro area ranks sixth when the focus shifts to short term particle pollution.

The results were calculated by studying particle pollution levels. The association states that such levels of pollution can contribute to asthma attacks, heart disease and lung cancer. Despite the ranking, air levels have improved in the area in recent years. Sounds like a potential election year issue (at least after its brought up by the voters).

3 Comments

Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, News

We’re in the top 100… for grilling

Posted on May 1, 2007 | 1 comment

Apparently that’s the word from Blue Rhino, the propane gas company, who has chosen the Magic City as one of the top 100 Ideal Cities to Grill for 2007, its first ever such list. Birmingham comes in at number 87, with Sacramento, CA coming in at #1. The Winston-Salem, N.C. based company defined ideal grilling days as “days May-August that are sunny, under 90 degrees and rain-free.” According to the press release a final total of ideal summer grilling days were calculated by using the average sunshine rate, the estimated total number of rain days and the estimated total number of days above 90 degrees using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sounds a little over the top, don’t you think? But it just gives us another reason to go out and grill this summer.

1 Comment

Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Quirky

Another luxury hotel enters the fray

Posted on April 30, 2007 | 8 comments

Rendering of renovated facade of Regions Tower building

If you thought that the hotel building boom was slowing down anytime soon, it’s not, at least not yet. Birmingham-based Harbert Realty Services and Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co. of Raleigh, N.C. announced a partnership and plans to spend $52 million to renovate the old Regions Plaza building with a “4-diamond quality hotel” this afternoon at a 2 p.m. press conference at Regions Center.

When completed the as of yet unnamed hotel will house 255-rooms and include several features including a full-service restaurant and bar, a coffee shop. It will also add an estimated 12,000 square feet of additional meeting space to the city’s central business district. The project will not be started until the relocation of some 400 Regions Bank employees is complete, most into the larger Regions Center. Continue reading →

8 Comments

Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, Business, News

The Tutwiler, reborn

Posted on April 27, 2007 | 1 comment

Tutwiler Hotel ribbon cutting

The Tutwiler Hotel celebrated the completion of the majority of its $9 million renovation with the citizens of Birmingham during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday evening. The event marked the completion of upgrades to the interior and exterior public areas and the guest room.s and served as the beginning of a weekend aimed at introducing longtime visitors and the curious to the changes to the former Ridgely Apartments building. The Birmingham Heritage Band will be performing on the Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. side of the property this morning beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the property will hold an open house on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (convenient for those attending the Magic City Art Connection in nearby Linn Park). Continue reading →

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Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, Business, News

DRC member apologizes for News building vote

Posted on April 25, 2007 | 17 comments

During this morning’s Design Review Committee meeting, committee member Cheryl Morgan read a statement into the record of the minutes voicing her regret and concerns about the vote that allows for the demolition of the Birmingham News building. Morgan serves as the director of the Auburn University’s Urban Studio in Birmingham.

The statement asks for all to take part in protecting the assets of the city and suggests that there is some irony with regard to the News’ reporting and its actions with regard to the 1917 structure.

Click through to view a copy of Morgan’s statement in its entirety: Continue reading →

17 Comments

Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham News, Business, Design Review Committee, News

Metro Bistro goes WiFi (free WiFi)

Posted on April 24, 2007 | 2 comments

Those who visit Metro Bistro beginning this afternoon will notice a”free wifi access” sign in the window. The popular downtown bar/hang out spot has become #333 on Bhamwifi.com‘s ever-growing list of free wireless access points in the metro Birmingham area. The list began in late 2004 with less than 50 locations documented ; it now contains 97 listings for the City of Birmingham alone. The website is a partnership between Internet Professionals Society of Alabama (IPSA)and TechBirmingham.

2 Comments

Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, Business, Restaurants/Bars

Mayor, Council agree on new bond deal

Posted on April 24, 2007 | Leave a comment

The mayor and city council (or most of them) appear to have agreed on a new bond deal to pay for several city projects, including fund for the Railroad Reservation Park and the new Wal-Mart on the former Eastwood Mall site. The Birmingham News reports that after more than three hours of negotiations, a proposed $143 million bond deal has been agreed upon, including $79 million in new borrowing. A Digital50.com report states that Fitch Ratings gives the city a AA bond rating, providing a stable outlook. The deal now gets read to the public at this morning’s weekly meeting (probably even as this is being posted). There are still concerns, most notably from Councilor Steven Hoyt, about… minority participation in the deal. Time will tell how the public reacts to the latest list, which includes several items fought for by Councilor Maxine Parker (great news for residents of District 4) that several councilors said must be included in order for the deal to move forward.