Design Review Committee disapproves replacement "Sign"
Preserve Jazz Festival announces sabbatical for 2015
Editor’s note: Originally posted on Dre’s Ramblings on March 23, I felt that it was pertinent to post again, especially with the recent talk about the entertainment district and the BJCC expansion. Let us know what you think by posting a comment at the end of this posting.
The numerous online forums here in town are always interesting to click through, especially when there is a hot button issue dominating the boards. In recent weeks, the issue in question is the expansion of the BJCC and the development of an entertainment district for the convention center district by Performa Entertainment Real Estate, Inc.
The development of the entertainment district is a no-brainer; locating such an attraction near Malfunction Junction provides visibility near one of the busiest intersections for interstate traffic in the Southeastern United States. The area’s redevelopment will most likely generate additional revenue for the city and the county through encouraging passersby to stop and take a moment to find out just what’s happening around town.
The more interesting debate among those that take place in the forums is the one about the expansion of the BJCC. Everyone points to all of these reasons why the expansion must include a 70,000 seat “dome” and not a 40,000 seat “arena”. In a city that is quick to point out how quickly something is out of date and needs to be replaced, maybe the real issue is whether or not the current situation is really broken. Maybe it’s also a case of deciding whether political grandstanding in an election year will keep us from exploring the possibility of doing what is truly best for the city and the region. Continue reading
Lead, Birmingham
People are waiting for a savior in Birmingham. This savior must be able to pick up every piece of trash off of the streets, keep grass along the streets cut and in pristine condition and be able to renovate every building in town that needs it. They’ve also got to be able to stop the bickering in City Hall. Completely.
People are waiting for someone to lead the city to its position of prominence that many feel it deserves. The people are waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
I learned a quote during my first month of college that remains extremely important to me today:
“Leadership is action, not position.”
I’ve been thinking about this quote recently as things seem to be in flux around me. Part of this upcoming election will determine the type of leader we want. A leader that talks a good game is fine, but the real question should be “What will they be able to deliver?”
That leader must also be able to engage the population in able to deliver. This is whether you’re the leader of our city, a leader in an organization or church or just “someone” that wants to see something happen. While a leader may be able to help cheer the people on and use the bully pulpit, nothing will happen until the people that she or he represents take a larger role in the redevelopment of our city.
At issue is whether or not we are willing to take the action necessary to move our city forward or do we continue to wait for the knight in shining armor.
We as a city cannot continue to wait for it to happen. If it’s going to happen, we need to do it. It’s as simple as picking up a piece of garbage, not throwing a cup out of your window when you’re driving down the street and maybe becoming the real eyes and ears of the city again.
There are times when the village that is supposed to raise a child should be able to raise a phoenix from the ashes of discontent and perpetual promise. It’s time for this village to fully undertake their role.
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Posted in Birmingham, Commentary