Random Bytes of Reality

I’m sure that anyone that reads this that’s from the greater Birmingham, AL area will agree that we have some of the best meteorologists around. Since the storms began to converge on Alabama late last night, these fine people tirelessly kept us informed, updated and warned of the impending danger.

The meteorologists from ABC33/40, CBS42, Fox6* and NBC13 have my gratitude and deep appreciation for a job well done. No matter who you prefer to watch or what station you like better…these folks all do a fine job!

*Due to several popups on the Fox6 website I chose not to link to them.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the recent decision by the UA Board of Trustees to shoot down the planned football stadium plans for UAB here in Birmingham. I won’t go into the politics of it here as there are more qualified people out there for that.

However, if you feel strongly enough that UAB should have a say in their own destiny, you’ll find a link below to an online petition. Feel free to voice your opinion in this matter if it concerns or affects you.

For more on this matter, click this link to visit BlazerTV.com’s take on things: BlazerTV and follow more links there for further information.

Petition: UA System Board of Trustees: UAB Blazers in favor of an On-Campus Stadium | Change.org.

Today was the first time I’ve been able to visit this special place I’d been hearing about since it was opened recently. The Railroad Park is “19 acres of green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.” (from their website)

My wife and I visited there today after a nice breakfast at Urban Standard where we were joined by Andre Natta of the Terminal. After a good discussion about several different topics (mostly beer), my wife and I headed off in the direction of the park to see this incredible creation for all Birmingham’s residents. We were duly impressed.

Those of you that have been there for movie-night or to run the paths on this 19 acre wonderland or to just take in the scenery, I can’t say much more other than this is a fantastic place to bring the family. I saw mothers strolling with their small children, groups of people of all ages walking the paths and more hanging out under the huge pavilion. My wife found several herbs growing around the pathways too like rosemary for example.

I took some pictures that really do it no justice but they’ll have to do until you visit it for yourself and see what everyone is raving about. We plan to go back one evening soon to catch it at sunset. More photos can be found here on my Picasa album: B’ham’s Railroad Park

Read in the paper the other day about how fans trying to attend the Alabama-Auburn baseball game at Regions Park in Hoover had pure bloody hell trying to get in the park period. Some got in in time to see the 4th inning, others gave up and left without seeing so much as a baseball get smacked out of the park. Admittedly, many did get to see the game from the first pitch to the last swing but, what about those who didn’t?

See anything wrong with this?

Two things come to mind: Traffic control and Parking. Add to this what I read in the paper about Birmingham considering building a baseball park in town to attempt to get the Barons and other teams to play there and you get a jaw-dropping-to-the-floor reaction of pure dismay.

When was the last time anyone got to an event at the BJCC without having to deal with traffic snarls from the 22nd and 17th Street exits? What about the parking issue? Now toss a baseball park/stadium in the mix and you have instant gridlock! Talk about putting the cart ahead of the horse? This fits that perfectly.

Fix the traffic and parking issues first.

What we now have in Birmingham for traffic control and parking simply will not do for any stadium proposal. The theorized plan for redoing the interstate system in town by lowering it and creating drive-overs, if initiated, would take decades to complete. Face it…the planners that devised the interstate system we now have never even considered a domed stadium in their future. What we need is a practical, logical, simple approach to the issue of traffic control and parking before any proposed domed or sports park is put in motion. One that incorporates local businesses so the work, or most of it, stays within the city so the city gains from the added income and tax revenue. That means jobs!

I’m no engineer but I am a tax-paying contributor who would love to see the state’s biggest city develop into an attraction mecca to rival ones around it. But with the present traffic/parking issues being what they are, I just can’t see this working. Most people are already upset over high ticket prices for events. Add to that the traffic snarls and parking…you get less bang for the buck. With the economy being what it is, that equates to less folks attending events and less income for the city. I’ve seen no plans for any traffic control improvements in any plans for an entertainment center here.

What do you think would help Birmingham the most? A domed stadium or fixing the traffic/parking issue first? It’d be nice if both could happen but we all know that won’t come about. What are your thoughts on this? Leave a comment here or follow the discussion over at the Terminal or The Heaviest Corner where it’s ongoing as well.

While you’re thinking this over, how about Walgreens building over firestation 22? Better solutions would have it renovated and turned into a night-spot for the community. There was a meeting last night with many attending who offered up their thoughts on this issue. More information can be found here: http://save22.com/ & http://www.ibelieveinbirmingham.com/

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