Tag Archives: Operation New Birmingham

ONB announcement means Main Street Birmingham changes

Fleming and TaskerThe news became official this morning as Operation New Birmingham (ONB) announced they’d named a new president and CEO. David Fleming, the founding executive director of Main Street Birmingham (MSB), will take the reigns of the downtown revitalization organization effective November 1.

It can be viewed as a homecoming of sorts for Fleming, who left ONB as its vice president for planning and urban development in 2004 to launch MSB. He was one of four candidates considered for the position which has been vacant since the departure of Michael Calvert earlier this year.

MSB released its own statement later in the day naming Elizabeth Barbaree-Tasker as the organization’s interim executive director. The seven year-old neighborhood revitalization organization has been enjoying success recently, including an arts incubator in Woodlawn that hosted an open house this past weekend as part of the WOODLAWNx after-party for TEDxBirmingham.

Incidentally, I’ve got some thoughts on Fleming, his new job and what it means for The Magic City over on Dear Birmingham.

Photo: left, David Fleming; right, Elizabeth Barbaree Tasker.

Operation New Birmingham changes food truck stance

Spoonfed Grill. Courtesy of Operation New BirminghamEarlier today Operation New Birmingham sent out a tweet that referred followers to the front page of its website. There, it posted the following statement about the issue of food trucks in the city, most recently represented by the situation involving the Spoonfed Grill:

“ONB President Michael Calvert has advised Mr. Jason Parkman, the owner of the Spoonfed Grill, that ONB no longer opposes food trucks in downtown. Comments from Mr. Parkman’s customers and supporters and subsequent conversations with several downtown restaurant owners indicate that food trucks do indeed contribute to the choices available to people working downtown and add to the urban experience for visitors. Calvert has apologized to Mr. Parkman and acknowledged that he made a mistake.

Current City ordinances do not permit food trucks or other private vendors to do business in a public right of way such as the loading zone in front of the Wachovia Building. ONB has pledged to be supportive of Mr. Parkman in his efforts to have ordinances modified to allow properly licensed food trucks to operate in the public right of way.”

Photo: Spoonfed Grill. Courtesy of Operation New Birmingham

A new circulator for downtown Birmingham?

breeze-busThat’s what the topic will be at tomorrow’s Operation New Birmingham breakfast briefing, particularly why it would make sense to get on these new buses, the Breeze circulators. Charles Ball, executive director of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham plans to be available to answer questions about the current status of the three year old In Town Transit Partnership and about how the downtown circulator would serve as the basis of a rethinking of the region’s transit system. You’ll be able to see portions of the presentation on the ITP website beginning late tomorrow morning.

It was also the last topic of conversation during last night’s first #bhamchat; the recap’s up over on my Birmingham.

Looking both ways in downtown Birmingham

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Tonight those in the Birmingham Public Library‘s Arrington Auditorium beginning at 5:30 p.m. will hear the results of a study conducted by Operation New Birmingham, the Regional Planning Commission, the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City of Birmingham to look at turning some of our one-way streets back to two-way streets. They’ve been looking at 2nd, 3rd and 4th Avenues North and 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th Streets. Here’s some more info.

On the agenda: Langford reccommends cutting ONB budget

ONB 50th anniversary logo - yourcitycenter.comMost of the time when Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford makes an announcement, you’re never quite sure of what he means exactly. Take this morning for example when he casually spoke of cutting funding for Operation New Birmingham and moved on the next subject.

Needless to say this was a bit of an eyebrow raiser, but recognizing the potential for a conversation we sent out this tweet:

Mayor Langford suggests that ONB be included in new Chamber/MDB/Region 20202 reorganization.”

Yes, we did notice the typo. Aside from that the local media had been pretty quite until now… This article posted by The Birmingham News  removes any doubt about whether the mayor meant what he said. No official comments have been made by ONB, but considering that they received $450,000 in city funds last year, this could be a serious blow.

Image: ONB 50th anniversary logo.

Signature projects downtown take shape

Model of Railroad Park structures. Special to bhamterminal.com

Special to bhamterminal.com

Today’s ONB Breakfast Briefing focused on the current status of three projects considered by many to be signature statements for Birmingham, including the Railroad Park and the Marriott Renaissance Hotel to be located in the former Regions Bank headquarters. Click on the image above to view more images from the presentation.

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ONB Magic City Art Connection, Linn Park

The ONB Magic City Art Connection (MCAC) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. This free, outdoor art exhibition festival will take place in Linn Park in downtown Birmingham.

Recognized as one of the 12 best art shows in the country, MCAC features artists from all over the country exhibiting and selling their work. A special element to the event is the Imagination Festival for Kids, featuring over 30 interactive art workshops for children. Regular attendees will also be looking forward to the annual Corks and Chefs tasting event. We’ll add additional information about it as it becomes available.

Cost: Free

Location:
Linn Park, downtown Birmingham

Check out Charles Buchanan’s In Love With column about the Connection.