Series
Birmingham Revitalization: Some Neighborhoods Feel Ignored by City Hall
When David VanWilliams moved to Birmingham, he was looking for a fixer-upper and fell in love with the neighborhood of Inglenook. Inglenook sits just north of the airport. Like its southern neighbors, Crestwood and Avondale, Inglenook has turn of the century brick bungalows and wide streets with sidewalks. But unlike those other neighborhoods, potholes mark the road and many houses are in disrepair. Residents don’t have the money to fix them.
Birmingham Revitalization: While Downtown Grows, Frustrated Citizens Feel Left Behind
By certain indicators, Birmingham is having a moment. Boosted by the openings of Railroad Park and Regions Field, downtown’s seen almost 40 percent residential growth since 2000. Construction cranes dot the skyline, historic buildings are being restored, and the city was recently named a top destination by Lonely Planet and the Travel Channel. Despite this, Birmingham’s revitalization has only touched part of the city, leaving many longtime residents feeling ignored.
Businesses Worry Birmingham’s Political Spat Could Hurt City’s Revival
Birmingham's city center has seen project after project pop up over the last five years or so. While the business community would love to see that continue, there's concern the acrimony right now between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the city council could cut into the momentum. We talk about that in this week's Magic City Marketplace. Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West explains to WBHM's Andrew Yeager what has business leaders worried.
Birmingham and “The Metropolitan Revolution”
Downtown Birmingham and some nearby neighborhoods are seeing an influx of new residents, mainly young professionals and retired baby boomers. It’s a national trend -- the Census Bureau reports millions of Americans have migrated from the suburbs to the cities since 2010. Experts like Bruce Katz,a Vice President of the Brookings Institution and co-author of “The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy," think this is a good thing. Katz believes cities like Birmingham are the new economic engines in post-recession America. Katz spoke with WBHM's Greg Bass about his visit to Birmingham last year, and the central idea behind what he calls “The Metropolitan Revolution.”
Deconstructing REV, Birmingham’s Economic Development Organization
What does REV Birmingham, the city's economic development organization, do? They describe themselves as a group "that stimulates business growth and improves quality of life in Birmingham." But WELD says that mission isn't clearly visible to Birmingham residents. Reporters from WELD took to Facebook to ask what their readers thought.
Governor Asks Staff to Sign Confidentiality Agreement
Two years ago something simple but significant happened in Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's office. Bentley asked his staff to sign non-disclosure agreements. More than 80 staffers did, but one who didn't was Rebekah Mason. She's the former political aide Bentley's accused of having an affair with. They're the latest details in the scandal surrounding the governor. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about it along with the continued political spats at Birmingham City Hall.
Commentary: Berucha Cintron “I Will.”
With area high school graduations this month, some students can find themselves at a crossroads as they determine what's next in their life. For commentator, and high school senior Berucha Cintron, this crossroads took place in the form of a short, emotional conversation she had with her mother several years before.
Small Banks Continue Move to Birmingham
Birmingham’s banking sector has seen smaller banks entering the market hoping to latch onto growth in the state’s biggest metro area. So far in 2016, that trend is not slowing. We start there in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. The Birmingham Business Journal's Ty West also explains how the healthcare community is reacting to a General Fund budget Alabama's Medicaid commissioner says is below what's needed to maintain services.
New Mayor Council Act Leaves Pronounced Rift Among Birmingham City Leaders
Earlier this week, the Birmingham City Council narrowly reelected Johnathan Austin as council president. Steven Hoyt was elected the new president pro-tem. This shuffle was the result of changes to […]
More of the Same as Birmingham City Council Reelects President
There's the adage, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." That could apply to the Birmingham City Council this week as they were forced to elect new leaders because of a new law requiring them to do so every two years. It was high political drama, but in the end, Council President Johnathan Austin retained his post by a five to four vote. Although there was a change at the number two spot. We talk about this and the potential ouster of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Chief Justice Roy Moore Blaming Drag Queen for his Recent Troubles
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore faces removal from office for the second time in this career, a rumored plea deal involving House Speaker Mike Hubbard lights up social media and […]
Congestion Not Likely to Improve Around Birmingham
Anyone who commutes along I-65 or U.S. 280 around Birmingham, knows those highways can get congested. But those are far from the only roadways feeling pressure. Backups are annoying and have real costs.Birmingham Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West talks about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. He also explains why retail has been lagging in downtown Birmingham's revival.
Help Choose The Logo for The Junction!
The teen graphic design students of Ku'umba Community Arts created logo options for The Junction. Get to know the designers behind the logos, and help choose the official logo for The Junction!
MAP: Where Are Birmingham’s Vacant School Buildings?
WBHM's Mary Scott Hodgin recently reported on surplus property owned by Birmingham City Schools. Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. As Birmingham's city center and interest in historic properties grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized. We've created a map showing where these empty schools are located. Take a look.
The 2016 Legislative Session in Review
Alabama’s 2016 Legislative Session is one for the books. Lawmakers wrapped up at midnight on Wednesday. Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, join’s WBHM’s Rachel Lindley to recap what bills passed, and what bills fell short, ike a hike in the gas tax and an agreement about what to do with BP oil spill settlement money. Perhaps the largest upset was the death of Governor Bentley’s prison bill in the session’s la
What to Do With Birmingham’s Surplus Schools?
Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. Now, as the city center grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized.
Federal Lawsuit Highlights Conflict Between State and Local Government
Alabama doesn’t have a minimum wage law. The state uses the federal rate of $7.25. Earlier this year, the Birmingham City Council tried to increase the city’s minimum wage, but we overridden by a bill Governor Robert Bentley signed into law inFebruary. The bill, originally flied by Mountain Brook Republican state Rep. David Faulkner, said only the state can set the minimum wage.
Bentley Scandal: In Pursuit of Wanda’s Desk
This week, Rep. Ed Henry and Red Bay Democratic Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, tried to get inside the governor's office and find the infamous Wanda's Desk. John Archibald, columnist for al.com and the Birmingham News, was there, and he tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley what happened.
Recycling realities…
UAB recycling coordinator Jon Paolone…
“First thing I did, was bought me a horse.”
Pediatric nurse and horse lover Sandra Bryant of Pinson…
Before the historic Lyric theatre…
Outreach coordinator Glenny Brock, of Birmingham…
This Week in the Legislature: Prisons, BP Oil Funds and Lane Cake
The sun is setting on Alabama's 2016 Legislative session. With only two more meetings left this year, the Alabama Senate and House discussed and passed a flurry of bills this week on everything from approving Governor Robert Bentley's $800 million prison construction bond proposal to how to spend BP oil settlement funds to naming the lane cake Alabama's official dessert.
Group Looks to Bring “Bible-Based” Classes to Public School Students
School Ministries of Birmingham's goal is to establish Christian-oriented released time education (RTE) programs in high schools in the greater Birmingham area. The group's first program started at Spain Park High School in Hoover in January. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about SMB's plans and the legality of RTE programs. Patterson also discusses the third annual Cahaba Riverkeeper water quality and bacteriological testing program.
“I Want My South Back”
"I want my South back." That's the rallying cry from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. In a recent column he lays out a Southern identity that he admits may be a fictional memory, but one he'd like see more of. He also reflects on the fifth anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people in Alabama.
Remembering April 27: Not all Losses were Human
Thousands of Alabamians have spent the last five years rebuilding their lives after tornados tore through the state on April 27, 2011. The storms killed more than 250 people. But the loss from the tornados wasn’t just about humans.
Lawmakers Pass Budget, Ask Questions Later
Lawmakers approve a General Fund budget that left an $85 million hole in the state’s Medicaid program and the head of the Alabama GOP feels compelled to defend the party. […]
Remembering April 27: From Devastation Comes New Purpose
One Alabama woman dove head first into the relief effort after the tornado outbreak in April 2011. Her group, Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa, took off overnight, organizing aid for displaced residents and other emergency responders. But while helping others pick up the pieces to their lives, her personal life was crumbling.
Remembering April 27: Pratt City Sees Progress, Setbacks
Walk around Pratt City, a northern Birmingham neighborhood, and you’ll see rolling hills and meet proud residents. But you’ll also see many vacant lots, reminders of a tornado that struck five years ago this week. It was part of a tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people statewide. The community has rebuilt, but there’s still a lot of be done. Five years later, some residents think the recovery is taking far too long.
Remembering April 27: Cordova Recovery Means Unease
This week marks the fifth anniversary of a massive tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people across Alabama. Since those storms on April 27, 2011, communities have been slowly rebuilding. Two tornados tore through the town of Cordova, northwest of Birmingham. Five years later, some residents feel uneasy about the change.
Birmingham Housing Market Tilts to Sellers
The housing market is cyclical as are so many things in business. After a housing-led recession and recovery, the Birmingham housing market is becoming a sellers market with far more demand than homes to go around. But the adage "location, location, location" still applies. Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West explains in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Key Issues Linger as 2016 Legislative Session Winds Down
Only five days remain in Alabama’s 2016 legislative session, and big issues are still on the table, from a lottery bill to a possible $800 million dollar bond for building new prisons. However, in recent weeks, these important issues have been overshadowed by scandal in the wake of accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair with a former top advisor. This week, a lawmaker introduced a resolution that could impeachment proceedings against Bentley forward. For more on this, we talk with Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama public television. To start, Dailey tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Bentley’s recent comments to the media.
Raising Poultry Increasingly a “Raw Deal” for Alabama Farmers
Poultry production has risen in the past several decades. It's now a more than $45 billion industry in the U.S. Alabama is located in the heart of what’s considered the agricultural “chicken belt” of America. In 2013, Alabama farms produced roughly 1 billion chickens. While that may make it sound like the state's poultry farming economy is healthy, farmers tell a different story. Every one of Alabama’s chickens is produced by contract famers, and some of these farmers tell the weekly newspaper WELD that they’re getting a raw deal.
