Whetting park appetite

Monday, April 07, 2008

THE ISSUE: The Railroad Park teaser gives a peek into downtown Birmingham's future.

The featured photo on the front page of The Birmingham News last Wednesday no doubt whets the appetite of those who want so badly to see this city prosper. In it, project manager HB Brantley is shown in front of a banner image, attached to the construction site fence, of the soon-to-be Railroad Park, with Birmingham's downtown skyline in the background.

Could it really be that Birmingham's long-awaited downtown park - with its lake, trails, open-air-market emporium, amphitheater and restaurants - is just around the corner? Finally?

Yes. And it's about time.

Birmingham desperately needs this park. For it isn't just a park. It's also an economic development project, a major one. The Railroad Park has been called "Birmingham's Central Park," and for good reason

The 21-acre park, at the former Railroad Reservation land separating downtown from Southside and the sprawling UAB campus, is already a catalyst for development in the area. Many condominium, apartment and commercial projects bordering the park are in the works.

The greenspace promises to attract walkers, joggers and families with children to downtown, and increase the number of people who not only work but also live and play in the city's urban center.

Consider what's also in the works or possibly on the horizon: a downtown streetcar system; a "transit mall" linking the park, UAB and Five Points South to downtown Birmingham and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex; an entertainment district at the BJCC; and, yes, a domed stadium or arena at the BJCC.

Each will feed off each other. The Railroad Park may be the most important - and the most doable.

Already, more than $22 million has been raised for the park, with money coming from both government and private givers. Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford raised the stakes in December when he pledged an additional $5 million in city money for the amphitheater if the Railroad Park Foundation raised $5 million.

Last week, work crews began taking up and saving century-old cobblestones from the site. The stones will be reused in the park. Brantley says actual construction should start in June and will take about a year to complete.

But the 21 acres are just the first phase of the project. Eventually, the park could extend east all the way to Sloss Furnaces, creating a linear park making that historic landmark more accessible. That would spur even more residential and commercial development. Completing all the phases envisioned for the park could cost $50 million.

It's hard not to be excited about the Railroad Park. When work starts, it will be a significant milestone. But we need to remember it's only the start. Much more work, and fundraising, lie ahead.



Whetting park appetite Monday, April 07, 2008 THE ISSUE: The Railroad Park teaser gives a peek into downtown Birmingham's future. The featured photo on the front page of The Birmingham News last Wednesday no doubt whets the appetite of those who want so badly to see this city prosper. In it, project manager HB Brantley is shown in front of a banner image, attached to the construction site fence, of the soon-to-be Railroad Park, with Birmingham's downtown skyline in the background. Could it really be that Birmingham's long-awaited downtown park - with its lake, trails, open-air-market emporium, amphitheater and restaurants - is just around the corner? Finally? Yes. And it's about time. Birmingham desperately needs this park. For it isn't just a park. It's also an economic development project, a major one. The Railroad Park has been called "Birmingham's Central Park," and for good reason The 21-acre park, at the former Railroad Reservation land separating downtown from Southside and the sprawling UAB campus, is already a catalyst for development in the area. Many condominium, apartment and commercial projects bordering the park are in the works. The greenspace promises to attract walkers, joggers and families with children to downtown, and increase the number of people who not only work but also live and play in the city's urban center. Consider what's also in the works or possibly on the horizon: a downtown streetcar system; a "transit mall" linking the park, UAB and Five Points South to downtown Birmingham and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex; an entertainment district at the BJCC; and, yes, a domed stadium or arena at the BJCC. Each will feed off each other. The Railroad Park may be the most important - and the most doable. Already, more than $22 million has been raised for the park, with money coming from both government and private givers. Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford raised the stakes in December when he pledged an additional $5 million in city money for the amphitheater if the Railroad Park Foundation raised $5 million. Last week, work crews began taking up and saving century-old cobblestones from the site. The stones will be reused in the park. Brantley says actual construction should start in June and will take about a year to complete. But the 21 acres are just the first phase of the project. Eventually, the park could extend east all the way to Sloss Furnaces, creating a linear park making that historic landmark more accessible. That would spur even more residential and commercial development. Completing all the phases envisioned for the park could cost $50 million. It's hard not to be excited about the Railroad Park. When work starts, it will be a significant milestone. But we need to remember it's only the start. Much more work, and fundraising, lie ahead. © 2008 The Birmingham News © 2008 al.com All Rights Reserved.