Return City: The next big idea of ​​Birmingham – Al.com

This is a column of opinion

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You probably won’t appreciate what I will say unless you lived in Birmingham before 2010

Before 2010, Birmingham literally gave up.

It seems that nothing works and we were wrapped in an endless descending spiral.

Then Poof – Railroad Park.

In 2010, after 25 years of agonization of paralysis and fake starts, Rail Road Park Open in the center of Birmingham.

Now instead of four poor, destroyed, empty blocks in the city center, we now have a railway park, regions of region, Rotary Trail, Red Mountain Theater and blocks and blocks of apartments, bars and restaurants.

Railroad Park was a crazy idea and a huge risk.

Many people thought the city park was stupid and would never happen.

Some people warned it would be dangerous– “Who in your right mind would bring their children to a city park?”

Others thought it was ridiculous to build a lake in the middle of the city.

Then there were controversial, endless negotiations with the railways.

No, it was an unrealistic, non -working project.

Well, surprise! Surprise!

The railway park grabbed us by the neck, woke us up and put us in unexplored waters.

Railroad Park has proven that with a bold leadership ready to take a calculated risk, we can make a giant jump forward.

Time for the next big idea in Birmingham – greater

The railway park is 15 years old.

It’s time for our next life -changing event.

I strongly feel that our next seed attraction should be a major tourist attraction, but one that can also serve our community.

We are unlikely to attract the theme park scale of six flags or build an aquarium capable of competing with a $ 250 million aquarium in Georgia.

We need to find a unique attraction unique to Birmingham that no other city can repeat.

One of the possibilities is the idea of ​​Bryson Stevens to build a lavish along the red mountain section.

Another attraction of the gangbaster may be to ride the cabin along the mountain from a volcano.

How about a unique contemporary civil rights attraction that could attract visitors from all over the world? Tourists flock to Montgomery for their civil rights attractionsS The combination of existing Birmingham and Montgomery sites would be a powerful towing.

Birmingham-Hover is the 47th most populated metropolitan area in the United States and yet we are one of Just a few basic subways that have no basic sports franchiseS Main sports will give us a huge impetus and increase their visibility.

Some people are against spending money on any type of tourist attraction

When Colebacktown publishes a column for follow -up Promoting the abbreviation of the Red Mountain, I was shocked that some people thought it was a waste of money to spend money on a tourist attraction at the expense of what they see as a shortcomings of Birmingham.

The commentators wrote, “Cities should not spend on tourists. Invest in improving the lives of residents. “

“Another shiny thing that Birmingham can’t afford.”

“We need to make our schools better, reduce crime and expand public transport.”

But if we wait to invest in those things that make Birmingham attractive and lively until we solve all our problems, we will not want to live here and certainly no one will want to visit.

Tourists pay taxes

In the city’s return column, What do we give up by living in Alabama, ask Nick SabanI caught that we at Alabama were required to pay state taxes on income and taxes on grocery sales while Florida residents were exempt.

Commentators replied that Florida has a huge tourism industry and outside the state pay a lot of taxes, thus reducing taxes for locals.

“You can only tax your own people to some extent, but displaying your best assets to stimulate revenue from visitors is a great supplement and residents also earn, with new relaxation, education, entertainment or natural spaces.”

“Tourist dollars civil investments are a great way to increase local tax dollars for the more benefit of locals.”

To quote Larry Page, former Google CEO, “Good ideas are always crazy until they are.“

What big idea do you have?

David Cher is the founder and publisher of CoybacktownS He is the previous chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (Rev Birmingham) and City Action Partnership (CAP).

Invite David to talk free of charge to your group about how we can have a more prosperous Birmingham subway. [email protected]