ALABAMA STATE EDITION
231
65
72 Florence
2
Huntsville
20 Decatur
72
565 59
43
A Supplement to:
231
431
31
5
Gadsden
78 59 Anniston
20
Birmingham Bessemer
82 Tuscaloosa
65 280
20 82 Auburn
80
85
Selma
Phenix City
Montgomery
82
March 2 2016 Vol. XXIX • No. 5
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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
Dothan
65 98
Mobile
10
Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479 Cheryl Morgan, FAIA photo
A project that will tie the city’s industrial past to its present and future is making headlines in Birmingham, Ala., Rotary Trail — more than a quarter-century in the making — is an extension of nationally recognized Railroad Park from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South.
Birmingham Project to Tie Industrial Past to Its Present, Future By Cindy Riley
A project that will tie the city’s industrial past to its present and future is making headlines in Birmingham, Ala., Rotary Trail — more than a quarter-century in the making — is an extension of nationally recognized Railroad Park from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South. “To commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Rotary Club of Birmingham chose to fund the construction of a greenway park in ‘The Cut’, an old railroad bed along First Avenue South,” said Bill Jones, cochair of Rotary’s Centennial project. “This old rail bed was a terrible eyesore, full of trash, and deteriorating quickly. The idea for this revitalization project was presented to the Rotary Club by Wendy Jackson at Fresh Water Land Trust. More than $3.5 million was raised by the Rotary Club of Birmingham membership, and the park, when completed, will be known as Rotary Trail. Rotary, an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, provides humanitarian and other services as a way of giving back. The Rotary Trail project is one example of how the Birmingham community can be better served. “Its significance is that it’s located within the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail system that runs for several miles throughout the city,” Jones said. “Rotary Trail connects Railroad Park and Regions Field with Sloss Furnace and Avondale. While several unique residences, offices and other businesses exist along Rotary Trail now, the park will have a significant positive impact on additional development in this area. There are many other unique aspects of the trail, including indigenous plants, trees and boulders, solar charging stations and informational areas.” Wendy Jackson, executive director of Freshwater Land Trust, said, “The Rotary Trail adds a significant downtown connection to the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System. This addition will provide additional green space for downtown residents to enjoy, which is what matters most to us. “A linear greenway through the heart of downtown will connect Sloss Furnaces to Railroad Park and beyond. In addition, the innovative design of the trail will improve water quality for Valley Creek, a critical watershed for the Birmingham area.” Jackson said, “The Freshwater Land Trust takes a businesslike approach to conservation, and prides itself in its ability to bring unique public and private partners to the table. Through this partnership, we are not only able to bring an urban greenspace to life, but we are also contributing to the economic development and renaissance of Birmingham. “This public/private partnership will not only support outdoor family
CEG CORRESPONDENT
see ROTARY page 2