Tag Archives: update

The State of the Railroad Park is good

Posted on February 19, 2009 | 3 comments

The current news surrounding Railroad Park is good with Birmingham City Council committees moving forward a proposal that would allowMayor Langford to pledge $5 million for construction of the 3,000 seat amphitheater. While unforseen circumstances have called for some changes from the master plan developed by Tom Leader Studio, it will still be a significant addition to Birmingham’s city center. There may be some that still think that the conversation about the park is premature.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/wZx1UUY4hss" width="400" height="329" wmode="transparent" /]

One quick drive by the site in recent weeks though would lead you to have a different feeling about it – like progress since work began on the site December 23. It’s currently on schedule to be a Christmas/New Year’s gift to the city.

3 Comments

Posted in Parks

Tagged AL, Alabama, amphitheater, Birmingham, construction, designs, downtown, images, Railroad Park, status, update, video

Langford to suggest support for zoo expansion

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

This morning during Mayor Langford‘s comments to the Birmingham City Council, he announced plans to present a proposed redevelopment agreement to councilors next week that would allow the Birmingham Zoo to begin work on its long planned expansion called Trails of Africa.

The mayor reported that the zoo, which is currently the state of Alabama’s #1 tourist attraction, has already raised more than $6 million for the 14-acre expansion but needs additional financial support to make it a reality. A report in The Birmingham News from September 2007 had zoo officials estimating the overall cost of the project at $15 million.

The City of Birmingham owns the zoo, but the property is operated by an independent 501©3 organization.

Image: Courtesy of Birmingham Zoo website

Nope, we’re still going digital on Feb. 17

Posted on January 28, 2009 | 2 comments

… at least for now. A bill that would have delayed the switch from analog to digital television until June 12 did not get the votes necessary for passage in the House of Representatives earlier today. This is after the Senate had unanimously approved it on Monday evening. So for the time being, we’ve only got 20 days left to enjoy Fox 6’s FM simulcast on 87.7 FM.

2 Comments

Posted in Media, politics

Tagged defeated, Digital, status, television, update, vote

Jimmie Hale Mission Expands

Posted on January 19, 2009 | 4 comments

Birmingham's Jimmie Hale Mission new construction It wasn’t big news, but this past spring the Jimmie Hale Mission,one of Birmingham’s most respected men’s missions and shelters, moved to a new location on the former Thomas School grounds on 3420 2^nd Avenue North. The building was donated by the city of Birmingham and went through extensive renovation. It now houses 175 beds on 3 floors.

According to Bhamwiki, the mission received a $245,00 federal grant to construct a new chapel and administrative facilities and it looks like they’ve wasted no time getting started. Construction began last week on the new wing of the Shepura Men’s Center as well as a basketball court.

4 Comments

Posted in Take a moment

Tagged Alabama, Birmingham, charity, Jimmie Hale Mission, new building, shelter, update

Larry’s been busy too

Posted on December 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

Today’s been a busy day insofar as Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s legal issues are concerned. This afternoon the legal team representing the mayor against federal charges brought against him recently asked that his right to a speedy trial be waived due to the amount of information that must be sorted through. The team will be hoping that the ruling in response to this motion is in their favor, unlike the ruling that was handed down earlier in the day involving the case brought against him by Central Alabama Pride, Inc. in late August.

Let Odetta hear from us here in Birmingham

Posted on November 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

Last week we let you know about the current health crisis of legendary singer/songwriter (and Birmingham, AL native) Odetta Gordon.

The Daily Kos picks up the story on Saturday with a new address and word that she’s expected to remain at Lenox Hill Hospital through the end of the week. The address for those interested in sending her well wishes (or dropping by if you’re in New York for the holidays) is after the jump:

Continue reading →

An update for skateboarding fans

Posted on September 29, 2008 | 6 comments

We wanted to share a comment that was posted over on Magic City Question by Peter at Faith Skate Supply that gives as good an update as any on the current grassroots push for a local skate park:

“Here is an update on what is going on with our quest. There is an Andy MacDonald skateboard Demo going on at Belk Dept store on Oct. 11? They are building a big ramp for him to skate and have nothing to do with it afterwards. Faith is working with the city to purchase the ramp and donate to the city of Birmingham for a public halfpipe for kids to skate. It will be 5 feet high and 20 feet wide. As of right now, sounds like its going to happen….but we all know how things happen and get messed up. Faith will service the ramp and patrol the area daily too. What ever it takes to show the “higher ups” in Birmingham that there is a huge need for a skatepark.

This is the first step of many. Please cross your fingers and know we need support with this and in the future. Thank you to everyone who has left nice informative comments!”

You can still add your thoughts to the original question over on MCQ.

6 Comments

Posted in Sports

Tagged 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, downtown, skate park, update