NW Downtown Birmingham Development Master Plan - Community Roundtable #2

Civil Rights District & The Switch NW Downtown Development Plan

NATIONAL MONUMENT BOUNDARY

KELLY INGRAM PARK

INNOVATION DEPOT

Welcome

Purpose

!

The Northwest Downtown Development Plan is a community-based process that will help guide future development in the Civil Rights District and the Switch.

This effort builds on recent planning projects, including Freedom Walk and the City Center Master Plan, to create a clear and actionable road map for implementing the community’s vision for these urban districts and their connection to adjacent neighborhoods.

Study Area

Uptown 59

Fountain Heights

aham r b A d

ren Reve

s Jr Wood

Blvd

City Center Core Civil Rights District

ent

l

ona

Nati

ve 7th A

um Mon

ve 6th A

Smithfield

ve 5th A

18

th

The Switch

ve 4th A

h St

St

St

St

12 th St

North Titusville

th

th

th

S

65

Northwest Birmingham Study Area

13

rea

yA tud

ve 1st A

R

16

Ave

14

2nd

k Par d oa ailr

t 17

ve 3rd A

St

15

th

St

Overview of Engagement Process DECIDE

COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLES NEIGHBORHOODS

FAITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERSHIP

GENERATION Y&Z

INNOVATION BUILDERS

GUIDE

SOLUTIONS GROUP

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE

STEWARD

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

FOCUS GROUPS

WORKING GROUP

FOCUS GROUPS

NORTHWEST DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN

Working Group Role of the Working Group

Stewards of the community-based process

Urban Impact Inc

REV Birmingham

City of Birmingham

Alabama Power

Solutions Group Role of the Solutions Group

Guiding the community-based process Fountain Heights Neighborhood

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Innovation Depot Civil Rights District Churches

4th Ave Historic Business District Civil Rights Activist Committee

Process JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

Build on Local Strengths

Build for People

Build LongTerm Value

Community Assets & Opportunities

Framework for Economic Opportunity & District Development

Catalytic Projects & Value Capture

MAY

01 Community Engagement

Overview

…A place that puts Birmingham on the map

3,600 Unique Website Visitors

…An international destination where millions of people visit each year.

125 Online Surveys

….A national destination for top talent

81 Stakeholders Interviewed 14 Solutions Group Members 6 Community Roundtables (over 115 participants) …A place for blackowned businesses to thrive.

….A vibrant social atmosphere for locals and tourists

…An area that embraces all and makes all feel welcome

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Be Bold, Be Courageous

The NW Downtown Development Plan “This should be a place where you can come here and start something that can change the world.”

“Re-imagine everything; be bold, courageous.”

“We want people to be drawn-in by Birmingham culture and moved.”

“We need a place where we can heal.” “ Look ahead and put the pieces in place to make change over the next generation.”

“Be on the offensive of creating opportunity.”

“Need this to be where someone looks around and says ‘wow, this is Birmingham.”

“My dream for the district is to put the City of Birmingham on the map.”

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

“Need to capitalize on and connect to things outside of the district.”

“Civil Rights District is in isolation; needs to be connected to the wider community.”

“Don’t let the neighborhoods be detached; they must be connected; they are important to city.”

“How do you keep the Switch from looking like any other place?”

“Improve the streetscape to make the District “the place” to be.”

“Proximity is misunderstood; things are not that far by foot or bike.”

“Need walkability! Foot traffic is what makes cities vibrant.”

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

+ Diversity and density of land uses

“We need walkability!

Foot traffic is what makes cities vibrant.”

“It’s very unwalkable and unbikeable even though a grid city”

“In the top 30 metro markets in the US, walkable urban places make-up less than 1% of the total land area but account for more than 20% of the occupied square footage of office, retail, and multi-family space. “ 2019 Foot Traffic Ahead: Ranking Walkable Urbanism in America’s Largest Metros George Washington University School of Business and Smart Growth America

DESTINATION

ACCESS AESTHETICS

SAFETY

WALKABILITY INDICES Source: BleČiĆ, I., Congiu, T., Fancello, G., & Trunfio, G (2020). Planning and Design Support Tools for Walkability: A Guide for Urban Analysts.

Sustainability 2020, 12, 4405; doi:10.3390/su12114405.

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

18TH STREET

59

20

SMITHFIELD DOWNTOWN 65

NORTH TITUSVILLE

280

PARKSIDE

18TH STREET

UAB

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

6

18TH STREET

59

20

SMITHFIELD

NORTH TITUSVILLE

25TH STREET

24RD STREET

23RD STREET

22ND STREET

20TH STREET

19TH STREET

65

RICHARD ARRINGTON JR. BLVD

DOWNTOWN

280

PARKSIDE

5 18TH STREET

UAB

65

NORTH TITUSVILLE

UAB

1 18TH STREET

PARKSIDE

5

25TH STREET

24RD STREET

59

23RD STREET

18TH STREET

22ND STREET

RICHARD ARRINGTON JR. BLVD

20TH STREET

19TH STREET

2

17TH STREET

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

16TH STREET

15TH STREET

14TH STREET

13TH STREET

12TH STREET

11TH STREET

Fitting into the Whole City

Public Realm & Connectivity 6

20

SMITHFIELD DOWNTOWN

280

Public Realm & Connectivity

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

18TH STREET

59

20

SMITHFIELD DOWNTOWN 65

NORTH TITUSVILLE

280

PARKSIDE

14TH STREET

“Don't let the neighborhoods be detached; they must be connected; they are important to the city.”

16TH STREET

Fitting into the Whole City

18TH STREET

UAB

1

Fountain Heights Park

Fitting into the Whole City

16TH STREET

Public Realm & Connectivity

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS Fountain Heights Recreation Center

City Walk Bham

59

2

5

1: Fountain Heights Recreation Center 2: 16th Street Baptist Church 3: BCRI 4: A.G. Gaston Motel 5: Innovation Depot 6: Max Central Station 7: Regions Field

1

6

Railroad Park

PARKSIDE

14TH STREET

1:: Historic 4th Ave. Business District 2:: National Monument

7

DOWNTOWN

2 Parking - 7ft

Frisco Switch

4

Travel Lane - 12ft

65

Travel Lane - 10ft

Travel Lane - 12ft

Parking - 7ft

Sidewalk - 14ft

Fountain Heights Park

NORTH TITUSVILLE

Kelly Ingram Park

3

Sidewalk - 14ft

SMITHFIELD

20

UAB Campus Green

UAB

280

1

Fountain Heights Park

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS A.H. Parker High School

1

2

City Walk Bham

4

5

Gra ym

ont

SMITHFIELD

Reverend Abraham Woods Blvd.

3

Ave nu

Kelly Ingram Park

e

4TH Avenue 65

20

Linn Park

DOWNTOWN

2

5TH Avenue

Smithfield Library

59

1

Frisco Switch

6

Railroad Park

NORTH TITUSVILLE

PARKSIDE

1:: Historic 4th Ave. Business District 2:: National Monument 1: Smithfield Library 2: Smithfield Community Center 3: Solomons Books & Church Supply 4: A.H. Parker High School 5: Boutwell Auditorium 6: Masonic Temple

UAB Campus Green

UAB

280

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

Fountain Heights Park

5m Walk

“Things are not that far by foot or bike.”

10m Walk Smithfield Community Center

15m Walk 16TH STREET

A.H. Parker High School

5m Walk REV ABRAHAM WOODS, JR. BLVD

CityWalk BHAM

15m Walk

10m Walk

Boutwell Auditorium Linn Park

Kelly Ingram Park

15m Walk

10m Walk

14TH STREET

5m Walk MAX Central Station Railroad Park

20TH STREET

4TH AVENUE

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

Time Decay Curves Walking Trips

Bicycle Trips “I will walk just about anywhere if it’s 20 minutes or less, whether it is for work, school, or recreation.”

45% 40% 35%

40% 35% 30%

30%

“If it takes more than 20 minutes, I don’t usually want to ride my bike -- unless i have to get to work.”

25%

25% 20% 20% 15%

15%

10%

10%

5%

5% 00

10 WORK

20

30

40

SHOPPING

50

60 MIN SCHOOL

00 RESTAURANT

10

20

30

RECREATION

Source: Iacono, M., Krizek, K., & El-Geneidy, A. (2008). Access to destination: how close is close enough. Estimating accurate distance decay functions for multiple modes and different purposes. Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, MN/RC, 11

40

50

60 MIN

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

Fountain Heights Park

Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard AH Parker High School

7 min

Smithfield Community Center

8 min

Smithfield Library

10 min

Boutwell Auditorium

10 min

Linn Park

5m Walk

10m Walk

Kelly Ingram Park

Smithfield Community Center

15m Walk

A.H. Parker High School

5m Walk

9 min

CityWalk BHAM

REV ABRAHAM WOODS, JR. BLVD

15m Walk

10m Walk

Boutwell Auditorium

Linn Park

15m Walk 10m Walk

14TH STREET

5m Walk

CityWalk Bham

MAX Central Station Railroad Park

20TH STREET

4TH AVENUE

Fitting into the Whole City Public Realm & Connectivity

Fountain Heights Park

14th Street North

Alabama Children’s Hospital

Regions Field, RR Park

8 min 10m Walk

7 min Smithfield Community Center

6 min

Innovation Depot

15m Walk

A.H. Parker High School

16TH STREET

UAB Campus Green

5m Walk

5m Walk REV ABRAHAM WOODS, JR. BLVD

CityWalk BHAM

15m Walk

10m Walk

Boutwell Auditorium Linn Park

Kelly Ingram Park

15m Walk

10m Walk

14TH STREET

5m Walk

Railroad Park

MAX Central Station Railroad Park

20TH STREET

4TH AVENUE

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

“Must feel safe in the district; must be a priority.”

“What’s going on to help address vagrancy and panhandling?”

“There is some hesitation of people to do business in the district.”

“It must feel welcome; safe.”

“Safety is a baseline!

Need to extend CAP? Perception is key.”

“Approach to homelessness requires a human rights lens.”

“Even on sunny days it seems gray. More green spaces.”

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline

18th

St

17th St

15th St

Reverand A brah

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

Safety & Perception

am Woods J

r Blvd Reverand Abr aha

14th

St

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

4th Ave

St

4th Ave 3rd Ave

16th

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

St

1st Ave Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave

12th

lvd

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

B-PLAN Planning for Everyone

51% Interested but Concerned

Interested but Interested butConcerned Concerned

Enthused and Confident

Not able or Interested

Strong Strongand andFearless Fearless

Figure 1-1: National Bicycle User T ype Statistics (1)

Strong and Fearless Dill & McNeil, 2015

Enthused and Confident

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

High Stress On-Street Facilities

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

Low-Stress Separated Facilities

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

16th Street North and 4th Avenue North

Prop Con osed ditio n

“Improve the streetscape to make the District ‘the place to be...’”

Sidewalk - 14ft

Parking - 7ft

Travel Lane - 12ft

Travel Lane - 10ft

Travel Lane - 12ft

Parking - 7ft

Sidewalk - 14ft

ition d n o C ing t s i Ex

Park i

Side wal

k-1

4ft

ane

8ft

ng -

Trav el L

Trav el L

ng -

Park i ane

- 11

ft

Ame

- 11

ft

Mul tius

nity

8ft

Flex

zone

Zon e

e Tr ail -

- 5.5

ft

12ft

- 7.5

ft

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline

18th

St

17th St

15th St

Reverand A brah

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

Safety & Perception

am Woods J

r Blvd Reverand Abr aha

14th

St

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

4th Ave

St

4th Ave 3rd Ave

16th

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

St

1st Ave Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave

12th

lvd

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

e s U e v si s a P y ail

D

t

hS

t

e 5th Av

th

17

hS

16t

e 6th Av

e 5th Av

17t

Civic Gatherings & Events

St

Remembrance & Education

h 16t

Maintaining Sacred Space: endowment and curatorial support for artwork, monuments, landscape, and architectural features Safety and Cleanliness: on-street ambassadors linked to partner agencies to support the needs of unsheltered persons Daily Passive Use and Comfort: seating, shade, and amenities for passive daytime use Enhancing Digital Education and Wayfinding: open wi-fi in public space and app-based integration of education programming, district wayfinding, and local business information

St

Re

h 17t

nc a r b m me

Kelly Ingram Park / 30 Year Refresh

Daily Passive Use

e

on i t a c u & Ed

St

nts e v E gs & t

hS 17t

th 16

rin e h t a Civic G

St hS

16t

e 5th Av

t

e 5th Av

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline Safety & Perception

Kelly Ingram Park / 30 Year Refresh Maintaining Sacred Space: endowment and curatorial support for artwork, monuments, landscape, and architectural features Safety and Cleanliness: on-street ambassadors linked to partner agencies to support the needs of unsheltered persons Daily Passive Use and Comfort: seating, shade, and amenities for passive daytime use Enhancing Digital Education and Wayfinding: open wi-fi in public space and app-based integration of education programming, district wayfinding, and local business information

Mural by Guido van Helten Mural by Sean Schwab

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline

18th

St

17th St

15th St

Reverand A brah

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

Safety & Perception

am Woods J

r Blvd Reverand Abr aha

14th

St

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

4th Ave

St

4th Ave 3rd Ave

16th

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

St

1st Ave Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave

12th

lvd

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline

Daily Publ

ic Activity

Safety & Perception The Frisco Switch / Signature Urban Placemaking Connect Seamlessly with Anchor Company Campuses: Fully connect and integrate anchor innovation companies into the Frisco Switch public space network Alleviate Parking Demand: Connect to multiple parking options and Max Central Station through a clean, safe and beautiful urban trail to leverage Transportation Demand Management and parking strategies Plan for Future Development: Create north/south connections from Innovation Depot to connect key companies and resources to the north and future anchor development sites and parking reservoirs to the south Establish Public-Private Partnership: Coordinate mid-block crossings and right-of-way improvements for continuity of public space and circulation between parking, amenities, and employers

Retail & O utd

oor Dining

Circulation

& Services

3rd Ave

To Pack Health

St

13th

St

12th

St

2nd Ave

To Biso Collective To Shared Pa rk and Future ing Redevelopme nt

16th

Innovation Depot

St

14th

1st Ave

To MAX Centr a

l Station

Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline

Safety & Perception The Frisco Switch / Signature Urban Placemaking Connect Seamlessly with Anchor Company Campuses: Fully connect and integrate anchor innovation companies into the Frisco Switch public space network Alleviate Parking Demand: Connect to multiple parking options and Max Central Station through a clean, safe and beautiful urban trail to leverage Transportation Demand Management and parking strategies Plan for Future Development: Create north/south connections from Innovation Depot to connect key companies and resources to the north and future anchor development sites and parking reservoirs to the south Establish Public-Private Partnership: Coordinate mid-block crossings and right-of-way improvements for continuity of public space and circulation between parking, amenities, and employers

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

“Need to stay true to the fabric of Birmingham.”

“History is part of the asset base; the past needs to inform how we move forward.”

“Some pieces of missing history that need to be lifted up.”

“Telling stories can have real power.”

“People want to be sure the right story is told; sacrifice not in vain; We didn’t just march here, we lived here, and worked here.”

“Don’t want civil rights message to get lost, muddied, or smothered.”

“Don’t displace the people and culture.”

“Civil Rights destinations are often a once-in-alifetime visit; don’t want to disappoint.”

“What happened in Bham cannot be replicated anywhere.”

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

“We don’t want the civil rights message to get lost, muddied, or smothered.”

“What happened in Bham cannot be replicated anywhere.”

Be Sure the Right Story is Told

“CRD needs to speak to the younger generation and inspire them to change the world.”

History & Culture

“Need to change the narrative of the CRD; not a district in the past tense.”

“Thanks for the history lesson, but what is bham doing now and in the future?”

“Need to make CRD an exciting adventure, not just moaning and groaning; a sad place.”

“District needs to be interactive; not just a museum.”

“The CRD can be connected to today’s aspirations and thoughts.”

“CRD doesn’t relate to our current lives; no thread to today or tomorrow; like a fly in amber.”

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

Narrative is key to identity. it is the stories of people’s day-to-day lives which give them power.

The Civil Rights District must be living heritage: gaining meaning every day; always becoming and never concluded.

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

St 18th

Reverand A brah

17th St

LOCATIONAL ATTRIBUTES PROPERTY OWNERSHIP BUILDING FABRIC CULTURAL ASSETS ANCHOR USES BUSINESS CLUSTERS TRANSIT ACCESS BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES

16th St

15th St

QUALITIES OF PLACE

am Woods J

r Blvd Reverand Abr aha

14th

St

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

4th Ave

St

4th Ave 3rd Ave

16th

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

St

1st Ave Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave

12th

lvd

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

18th

St

17th St

Safe and Comfortable Neighborhood Connections

16th St

15th St

Vibrant, Active District

Mixed-Income Neighborhood Strong Cultural and Institutional Assets

Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

Critical Mass of NeighborhoodServing Retail

7th Ave

5th Ave

Fully Leveraged Public and NonProfit Properties

4th Ave 3rd Ave

Technology in Support of District Strengths

2nd Ave 1st Ave

St

Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

12th

Linn Park

6th Ave

Landmark Redevelopment Projects

Heart of Black-owned Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation in the Country

lvd

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

18th

St

17th St

Institutional Presence – Physical and Programmatic

16th St

15th St

Critical Mass of Innovation Companies

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

Site-Readiness for Large Anchor Firms Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

Signature Green Space Anchor

7th Ave

Flexible Step-up Space for HighGrowth Firms

lvd

Linn Park

6th Ave

Experiential Retail

5th Ave

Key Redevelopment to Bridge Gap to Parkside

4th Ave 3rd Ave

Shared Parking Strategies and TDM to Unlock Small Parcels

2nd Ave

Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

12th

St

1st Ave 3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

Nature & Community Green

18th

St

17th St

Highway Commercial

16th St

15th St

14th Street Corridor

Cultural Innovation Community

Civic & Governmental Core

Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

Creative Campus

lvd

Linn Park

6th Ave

Historic Core

5th Ave 4th Ave 3rd Ave

Transit-Oriented Development

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

12th

St

1st Ave 3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

Visit the night market on 4th Avenue to sample local cuisine and craftsmanship

Enjoy a bottomless mimosa at brunch in the 4th Avenue Business District

Summer Saturday

5:0 0 p

12:30 p

On Memorial Day weekend, close friends from out of town make their first visit to Birmingham for a summer holiday.

1 0:30 a Start the day with a jog along the Civil Rights Heritage Trail

2: 3 0 p Participate in a social justice summit at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

7: 0 0 p Cap off the evening with a poetry slam at the restored Carver Theater

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

First Day of Work

On a beautiful Spring day in May, a UAB graduate living in a Fountain Heights apartment is starting the first day of work at a fintech startup located in The Switch

8:0 0 a

Bike to work from Fountain Heights on the 16th Street Greenway

Grab a bite of lunch and sample tasty goods with co-workers at the Fire House Pop-up Market

1 2:0 0p

4 :3 0 p Attend a meeting at the A.G. Gaston Motel regarding plans for neighborhood development

Enjoy people-watching on the 7th Ave stoop of a friend’s townhouse overlooking Kelly Ingram Park

5:3 0 p

7:0 0 p Cap the first day of work with drinks and dinner at the brewery on the Frisco Switch!

Be Sure the Right Story is Told History & Culture

Emerging Talent

An entrepreneur aspiring to scaleup her young tech business works and networks on a crisp fall day in Northwest Downtown.

7:30 a Walk to work along the 14th St Greenway from Parkside

Take the laptop to the Ballast rooftop for fresh air and outdoor working

Join a TechTuesday session at Innovation Depot for professional inspiration

3 :3 0 p

11:00 a

1: 0 0 p Stroll down the Frisco Switch to get some midday exercise and grab a late lunch from a trail-side vendor

6: 0 0 p Relax with dinner at Roots and Revelry and a drink at Plum to wrap the day!

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Economic Opportunity and Growth

“How do we define entrepreneurship?

More than just tech.”

“There is a tremendous legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Civil Rights District.”

“Local biz needs to be active and engaged in neighborhood.”

“District development needs to build equity for the black community; where everyday citizens have the opportunity to be part of the economy.”

“Economic opportunity needs to the first tier: will provide return on financial capital as well as human and social capital.”

“Need to empower locals to open businesses and tell the story.”

“My dream for the district is a place where black-owned businesses thrive.”

“Double-down on innovation and entrepreneurship; social innovation.”

“Must take care with potentially exclusionary terms, i.e. “innovation” and “entrepreneurship.”

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Economic Opportunity and Growth

“Want to create a district that will be filled with people who move up through learning; growing personally and as a business opportunity.”

“How can we bring innovation out of the Depot and into the community?”

“At Innovation Depot, we are building a community; a community of innovators.”

“Need to build a sense of community around small business.”

“It feels like a community more than most business districts.”

“Innovation Depot grads want to stay; see things happen; be part of a bigger community.”

“No one has told me ‘no’ for a meeting.

Collaboration and sense of community is strong.”

“My dream for the district is a national destination for top talent and an incubator for many new businesses; so many that we can’t remember them all.”

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

am Woods J

r Blvd

m Woods Jr B

14th

7th Ave

lvd

Linn Park

6th Ave

“Need to build a sense of community around small business.”

5th Ave

- Quote from Community Engagement

St

4th Ave 3rd Ave

16th

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

St

1st Ave Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

ER Reverand Abr aha

4th Ave

12th

18th

ST

St

- Location & Agglomeration: The Distribution of Retail and Food Businesses in Dense Urban Environments, Journal of Planning Education and Research, 2014

St

17th St

Reverand A brah

U

“Businesses do not simply gravitate towards customers but also cluster with each other to form more attractive destinations.”

CL

15th St

Economic Opportunity and Growth

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

18th

St

17th St

15th St

Economic Opportunity and Growth

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

SMITHFIELD

Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

lvd

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave 4th Ave 3rd Ave

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

12th

St

1st Ave 3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

1 1 Reverand Abraham

Economic Opportunity and Growth

Woods Jr Blv d

75% of all Black-owned businesses in the Civil Rights District are located one block of the 16th St & 4th Ave corridors

1 1

Kelly Ingram Park 7th Ave

6th Ave

1 7

St

1

St

1 History Park

5th Ave

St

3

11 4

Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park 2

4th Ave

1 3th Ave

5

18th

8

17th

St

16th

15th

3

2

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Economic Opportunity and Growth

Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

lvd

16th Street Baptist Church Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Kelly Ingram Park

St Paul United Methodist Church

7th Ave

A.G. Gaston Motel

5th Ave

St

History Park

4th Ave

3th Ave

18th

Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park

St

17th

16th

St

15th

St

6th Ave

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

18th

St

17th St

15th St

Economic Opportunity and Growth

16th St

FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS

SMITHFIELD

Reverand Abr aha

m Woods Jr B

7th Ave

lvd

Linn Park

6th Ave 5th Ave 4th Ave 3rd Ave

NORTH TITUSVILLE

2nd Ave

Railroad Park 14th

St

St 13th

12th

St

1st Ave 3th Ave

CITY CENTER

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

1,500+ Employees, 115 Companies

Economic Opportunity and Growth

St

Innovation Depot

1st Ave

16th

2nd Ave

St

14th

Biso Collective

3rd Ave

15th St

St 13th

Pack Health

12th St

4th Ave

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

St

3rd Ave

15th

Studio 104

1st Ave

16th

2nd Ave

St

Innovation Depot

St

Katie’s Plates

14th

Faith Skate Shop

Redemptive Cycle St

bDot Architecture

4th Ave

13th

12th St

Economic Opportunity and Growth

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship Economic Opportunity and Growth

NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

DISTRICT AMENITIES

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Develop a mixed-income neighborhood with a variety of residential products, prices, and amenities that will serve the needs of a dynamic, growing urban district.

Create the suite of experiences that will attract mobile talent, immerse global visitors in the Birmingham culture, and serve community needs for daily urban living

Develop the ecosystem of partners and programs that will shape the epicenter of highgrowth innovation companies in the region and heart of Black-owned business innovation in the country

17th St

16th St

15th St

Double-Down on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Reverand A brah

Economic Opportunity and Growth

am Woods J

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

r Blvd

Potential development program:

Residential Commercial & Business Retail & Visitor Destination

St

C

14th

4th Ave

Kelly Ingram Park

G D

H

M

K I

F

I

14th

St

St

I

Railroad Park

M

St 16th

J

6th Ave 5th Ave

E

G

13th

A. Economic empowerment for youth and young adults through financial counseling and coaching by partner financial and credit institutions B. Business practice innovation through the consortium of Alabama HBCU business schools C. Social innovation led by the national and international leadership development and education programming of the BCRI D. Co-work space for solopreneurs, small and emerging businesses in the heart of the Civil Rights District E. Makerspace and culinary arts in the Masonic Temple I Redevelopment F. High-growth and tech business incubation and start-up support through Innovation Depot and Bronze Valley G. Retail incubation in public market and street market venues H. Job preparedness and job connection services at the Church of the Reconciler I. Anchor innovation companies in The Switch J. Landing space for outposts of in-migrating tech companies K. High-growth company step-up and accelerator space at the Ballast L. Education innovation in the local Birmingham school and adult learning network by Ed Farm M. Business support resources adjacent to Innovation Depot in the Switch N. Community Design & Health Innovation with UAB Minority Health and Health Disparties Research Center

7th Ave

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community”

Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

It Needs to Feel Like Community

Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life “We need vibrancy and energy; a place where people live and work; as it was historically.”

“My dream for the district is a place with buzzing nightlife and a rich, interactive area for learning about Birmingham’s history and culture.”

“It needs to feel like community.”

“Residents need to feel valued; loved.”

“We need to create a full-day experience.”

“Need a happening, bustling scene after 5; always something to do.”

“Sadly there’s not enough for families and teens.”

“Need convenient access to daily amenities.”

“The district needs to be a fun and safe place for children; more likely to learn stories through play.”

“There are no restaurants; no place to sit down and have a meal with your family.”

It Needs to Feel Like Community Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

DISTRICT AMENITIES

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Develop a mixed-income neighborhood with a variety of residential products, prices, and amenities that will serve the needs of a dynamic, growing urban district.

Create the suite of experiences that will attract mobile talent, immerse global visitors in the Birmingham culture, and serve community needs for daily urban living

Develop the ecosystem of partners and programs that will shape the epicenter of highgrowth innovation companies in the region and heart of Black-owned business innovation in the country

17th St

Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

16th St

15th St

It Needs to Feel Like Community

Reverand A brah

am Woods J

r Blvd

NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

14th

St

7th Ave

4th Ave

Potential development program:

Smart and energy-efficient homes serviced by advanced infrastructure and technology

Residential Commercial & Business Retail & Visitor Destination

St 16th St 14th

13th

St

Housing that serves: Local entrepreneurs and young professionals Downtown workforce Active retirees Young families

Dedicated housing for visiting fellows and scholars-inresidence

6th Ave 5th Ave

Residential units including a mix of housing type and prices: Affordable and market rate units For rent and for sale units Flats (single level) and townhome (multi-level) units

Housing sited in in the northern portion of the district with strong connections to Fountain Heights and Smithfield

Kelly Ingram Park

Railroad Park

It Needs to Feel Like Community Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

DISTRICT AMENITIES

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Develop a mixed-income neighborhood with a variety of residential products, prices, and amenities that will serve the needs of a dynamic, growing urban district.

Create the suite of experiences that will attract mobile talent, immerse global visitors in the Birmingham culture, and serve community needs for daily urban living

Develop the ecosystem of partners and programs that will shape the epicenter of highgrowth innovation companies in the region and heart of Black-owned business innovation in the country

17th St

Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

16th St

15th St

It Needs to Feel Like Community

Reverand A brah DISTRICT AMENITIES

E

St 14th

4th Ave

F

Kelly Ingram Park

H

H

16th

H

St

D H

E I

14th

St

St

I

Railroad Park

7th Ave

B

C

13th Residential Commercial & Business Retail & Visitor Destination

H

r Blvd

A

E

Potential development program: A. Select service hotel on the 17th street corridor serving as a gateway and beacon to the district B. Event center with event garden and roof garden serving professional, civic, and local community needs C. Restored ballroom of the Masonic Temple D. Restored Carver Theater hosting internationally recognized artists and local community-based programming E. Adaptable shared parking reservoirs anchoring north and south ends of the district, with performance-based parking management F. Restaurant incorporated into the A.G. Gaston motel restoration G. Corner food & beverage establishments in mixed-use development facing Kelly Ingram Park H. Experience retail in signature historic buildings on the Frisco Switch I. Food and beverage merchants serving anchor innovation companies along 1st Ave

am Woods J

6th Ave E

5th Ave

SEVEN THEMES 01

“Be Bold, Be Courageous“

02

“Fitting into the Whole City”

The NW Downtown Development Plan Public Realm & Connectivity

03

“Welcome, Clean and Safe Must be the Baseline” Safety & Perception

04

“Be Sure the Right Story is Told” History & Culture

05

“Double-Down on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Economic Opportunity and Growth

06

“It Needs to Feel Like Community” Neighborhood Character, Daily Needs & Community Life

07

“Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow” Investment & Development

Create the Infrastructure for All to Grow Investment & Development “Need to ‘paint picture’ of potential to property owners.”

“Create a clear pathway and the infrastructure for all to grow.”

“Barriers to investment include: unmotivated property owners, homelessness, cbd vacancy, lack of appealing/contributing historic structures.”

“Hesitancy to raise rents keeps improvements and development potential suppressed.”limitless potential.”

“District needs marketproving; need to reveal demand.”

“Need to create an environment that draws investment.”

“There is a wait and see mentality right now with businesses and property owners; some stagnation, but limitless potential.”

“There is the opportunity for meaningful, transformational use of city assets.”