The Ramble: There’s not one solution to this traffic issue
February 13, 2007, 7:44 am
Filed under:
AL,
Architecture,
Birmingham,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Cities,
Civic Engagement,
Commentary,
Highway 280,
Sustainable Development,
The Rambles,
Traffic,
transit,
Transportation,
urban issues
People may be looking at this elevated highway issue the wrong way. When the issue was first discussed here last year, there were some that were commenting as though this would be a one size fits all solution to what will become a congestion issue for our region for years to come. We need to look at all sides of an issue, and this is part of a greater issue. A closer look at our traffic concerns about Highway 280 makes you realize that this is far from the case. Many of the problems associated with the commute time occur near (or as a result of) the interchange for Interstate 459 near The Summit shopping center. There are additional traffic issues that are beginning to develop along 280 as people continue to move to Shelby County, however many of those concerns exist past that interchange. The construction delays that would ensue with construction will only add to the current congestion that exists before alleviating it for those that feel it worth it to pay for the option of cruising among the treetops. Those questioning opponents in this case could say that NIMBYism exists, though not completely.
This solution also does not deal with traffic along Highway 31 nor does it deal (or can it) with what will no doubt be an increase in traffic along Highway 11 in Trussville as development continues in northern Jefferson County. There are or will be problems here too, and very soon.
Curtis provides an interesting (and lengthy) opinion on the situation on his blog. My thoughts are somewhat different due to being a native New Yorker. We did take down an elevated roadway (and railway) and it led to a much brighter way of life on the city’s west side. I will also say that we’re also spoiled with our mass transit system up there as well.
Those looking at this and criticizing must realize that it is one piece of a long term puzzle. Those that say that no one uses transit must look at the fact that if you got up and went to bus stops in the central business district at 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. in the morning, they would see full buses of people that currently must get up at time in order to use transit as it is currently operated to ensure that they arrive at their destination in time for work. An examination of the transit system and an encouragement of smaller transfer stations or locations would enable those that currently use the system to have some more flexibility in terms of when they had to be somewhere.
We must also be more willing to support work underway to provide our existing neighborhood commercial districts throughout the region with the tools necessary to serve those immediately surrounding them, whether it means supporting the installation of sidewalks, the expansion of mass transit, or just thinking about using what’s right around the corner to fill your needs. That last one may be the most difficult to do at first; however it will prove to be of the most benefit in the long run. It’s much easier when you know the owner of the local market and you’re in need of something than when you walk in after living in the neighborhood for 10 years and it’s the first time they’ve ever laid eyes on you when that emergency hits.
Part of the solution will be realizing that part of the problem is ignoring the functionality of cities of the past, including Birmingham. Share ’em if you got ’em.
Cheers.
The Ticker: A transit solution and new businesses on the west side
November 2, 2006, 7:49 am
Filed under:
AL,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Cities,
Ensley,
Mass Transit,
Photographs,
Random shots,
Sustainable Development,
The Ticker,
Traffic,
transit,
Transportation,
urban issues
Is a bus always just a bus?
If you find yourself downtown tomorrow near the Chamber of Commerce’s offices at 20th and 5th Avenue North, say around 11 a.m., you may notice a sight that is not normal for the region. If you miss it there, you might see a similar sight over at MAX‘s Central Station around 1:45 p.m. At first glance the sight of a bus would lead some of you to think I’m crazier than you already think (especially after yesterday’s post). That’s not the not normal part. The bus that will be there is one used for bus rapid transit, one of the newer types of transit systems being implemented in cities such as Los Angeles and Mexico City, Mexico. There are plans for a system like this to be implemented in Kansas City. At the end of the Wikipedia piece linked to earlier in the post, you will see a list of cities currently using or in the process of implementing a plan for use.
These systems are also used to augment existing systems in the world, providing faster speeds when compared to use as a limited stop service provider in areas like New York City. We’ve written before about some of the transit issues that face our region. It will be very interesting to see what the reaction is to the bus around town today as it is demonstrated as part of the In-Town Transit Partnership Project at the Regional Planning Commission.
New businesses thrive on the west side
There has been a great deal of activity in Ensley in recent months as the district begins to see reinvestment. One of the most recent projects to be completed is a new business located at 417 19th Street in the building formerly occupied by AJ’s Bargain Shop. It is now Recycled Wardrobe, an urban consignment shop specializing in current fashions. The work done on the interior of the space provides an excellent example of how properties can be restored and make an area come alive. Hopefully he is the first of many opportunities.
A lecture I attended at the library yesterday about the history of jazz in Ensley (presented by Karen Utz of Sloss Furnaces) makes me wonder about how the area will come back. It may also help you follow my train of thought in mentioning both of these items in today’s post. It is widely accepted that the trolley turnaround located in Tuxedo Junction helped make it one of, if not the, premiere entertainment location in the city of Birmingham. With the focus already beginning to fall on increasing the housing density, one hopes that one will look at transit as well. To keep the character of the area, perhaps one should look at a return to active bus service to the area, with parking left at the periphery. It will definitely help with the image of the area; just wondering if its still possible.
Enjoy the day.
Cheers.
The dirt is turned at Railroad Reservation Park site
October 6, 2006, 11:33 am
Filed under:
AL,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Cities,
people,
Photographs,
Railroad Reservation Park,
Random shots,
Sustainable Development,
urban issues,
urban parks
A quick flick of the wrist was all it took to move the dirt at this morning’s groundbreaking ceremony for what many hope is the first of many stages for the Railroad Reservation Park in downtown Birmingham. The picture above shows local elected officials taking part in the ceremony, including representatives from the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County.
The second image shows members of Friends of the Railroad Reservation District, a group that has worked for several years towards making today’s event a reality.
Those wanting to find additional information about the current timetable for the park will find a link to a PDF document on the City of Birmingham’s website, or you can access it by visiting yesterday’s post via clicking here.
One more image for this Friday afternoon. This shows the city’s director of capital projects, Renee Kemp-Rotanm and the park’s project manager, HB Brantley, shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony. Both of these people have worked tirelessly to bring this current plan for the land to this point. We look forward to both of them and everyone else involved enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Enjoy the weekend.
Cheers.
The scene at Village Creek this morning
September 30, 2006, 11:56 am
Filed under:
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham, AL,
Civic Engagement,
Ensley,
Magic City Flickr Group,
Photographs,
Random shots,
Sustainable Development,
urban parks,
Village Creek
Just figured you’d be interested in seeing a couple of the images I have from this morning’s clean up effort in Ensley. We posted the general info for the event yesterday. There are images from the event up on both the Flickr and Smugmug accounts.
This image shows us the reason we were there.
Hopefully next time we’ll see even more people out there.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Cheers.
The Ramble: Supporting the future of arts and culture in Birmingham, this week and onward
September 29, 2006, 9:01 am
Filed under:
art,
Artwalk,
B'ham social events,
Birmingham Alabama,
Birmingham art galleries,
Birmingham, AL,
Bottletree Cafe,
Catalyst,
Cities,
city stages,
Civic Engagement,
Commentary,
cultural institutions,
Ensley,
Kickball,
music,
music venues,
MySpace,
Parkway East,
Renew our Rivers,
Sustainable Development,
The Nick,
The Rambles,
urban issues,
Village Creek,
WorkPlay
The return of the Brewhaha
Now that the weather’s starting to feel more like fall (at least in the morning), it may encourage more people to come out and explore the city, especially those that are newcomers, whether for college or for career. It also gets back to the idea of taking that extra breath and slowing down to enjoy what’s going on around here. There are definitely some interesting opportunities going on this weekend, starting with the first Artwalk Brewhaha after this year’s successful festival earlier in the month. This month’s artist is Tia-Simone Gardner from right next door in Fairfield, AL. To get an example of her perspective on her work, click here; it will also provide additional information about the event. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks in Five Points South. The continued support of our local art scene can only improve the offerings long term.
What can we actually do?
This builds (in albeit a round about way) on comments made at yesterday morning’s ONB Monthly Breakfast Briefing. The briefing focused on the emergence (or re-emergence as far as I’m concerned) of our local music scene and of talk about what could be done to expand and build off of it. Birmingham City Council President Smitherman said that she would take the conversation back to the City Council and see what could be done to create an entertainment district in the city. I would suggest that there not be just one district. Even in the examples cited during the breakfast, there are several pockets of artistic and cultural activity existing or developing in our nation’s cities. What is art to one person is not to another, so developing several areas at one time may just be what’s needed. Some of them are already starting to develop, including Avondale, Lakeview and the City Center. Programs such as the one I work for (Main Street Birmingham), Urban Impact, Operation New Birmingham and others like them must be able to provide the services and support necessary to achieve these goals. This philosophy must also spread outside of the heart of our region and into our other municipalities. Those that are able to provide this level of creativity and hope must be given the tools to foster it. There are many hidden gems throughout the city and the region; shining a light on them and allowing them to show the region and anyone else that will listen the fact that we already have a great deal of what we seek will go a long way towards all of us seeing our dreams come true in the Magic City. Going out and supporting them, in any fashion and anywhere is still the best way at the end of the day to ensure the future of some of these things.
Some thoughts on yesterday’s City Stages announcement
Yesterday’s announcement about City Stages and Catalyst also provide another avenue for our city to shine. Click here to look at yesterday’s post with links to several articles/releases. The benefit of this partnership and the resulting situation that it provides can only benefit the other festivals that take place throughout the city. It also provides an opportunity for those that are really interested in seeing the festival survive and continue to voice their opinions about how they think it could be improved and better serve their needs. It is a festival that was organized to bring energy and vitality to downtown (though others may point to other reasons for its existence). The changes that have occurred since its inception years ago point to success in that regard. It can now serve as a signature event for the region, providing people with a taste of what makes Birmingham unique, maybe even expanding the amount of local talent that is exposed. The American Idol effect will be felt in the region for a long time to come. The exposure of our local acts has encouraged more national acts to visit the friendly confines of venues like The Nick, The Bottletree and WorkPlay. You never know, with all of the stuff going on this weekend, it would be nice to see Randy, Paula and Simon out seeing just what makes us unique here in Birmingham. And why they’ll be coming back for more for some time to come.
Help clean up and come on out!
Let’s not forget about the development of future greenways and how you can do your part to help it come closer to reality by volunteering tomorrow out at Village Creek. Click here to view yesterday’s post containing information about the event. There’s also PAWS on the Parkway taking place this weekend in the Parkway East commercial district. It’s a great opportunity to check out what’s going on over there and enjoy what should be a beautiful day out.
Finally, new additions to the MCM!
You may also want to check out some of the newest additions to the Magic City MySpace Page, including:
The Barking Kudu
Red Mountain Park
I know there are a lot more out there. If you have any, drop us a line. Don’t forget to visit the Vulcan After Tunes and Birmingham Kickball pages for updates about this weekend.
Enjoy the day and the weekend.
Cheers.
Filed under: AL, Architecture, Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Cities, Civic Engagement, Commentary, Highway 280, Sustainable Development, The Rambles, Traffic, transit, Transportation, urban issues
People may be looking at this elevated highway issue the wrong way. When the issue was first discussed here last year, there were some that were commenting as though this would be a one size fits all solution to what will become a congestion issue for our region for years to come. We need to look at all sides of an issue, and this is part of a greater issue. A closer look at our traffic concerns about Highway 280 makes you realize that this is far from the case. Many of the problems associated with the commute time occur near (or as a result of) the interchange for Interstate 459 near The Summit shopping center. There are additional traffic issues that are beginning to develop along 280 as people continue to move to Shelby County, however many of those concerns exist past that interchange. The construction delays that would ensue with construction will only add to the current congestion that exists before alleviating it for those that feel it worth it to pay for the option of cruising among the treetops. Those questioning opponents in this case could say that NIMBYism exists, though not completely.
This solution also does not deal with traffic along Highway 31 nor does it deal (or can it) with what will no doubt be an increase in traffic along Highway 11 in Trussville as development continues in northern Jefferson County. There are or will be problems here too, and very soon.
Curtis provides an interesting (and lengthy) opinion on the situation on his blog. My thoughts are somewhat different due to being a native New Yorker. We did take down an elevated roadway (and railway) and it led to a much brighter way of life on the city’s west side. I will also say that we’re also spoiled with our mass transit system up there as well.
Those looking at this and criticizing must realize that it is one piece of a long term puzzle. Those that say that no one uses transit must look at the fact that if you got up and went to bus stops in the central business district at 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. in the morning, they would see full buses of people that currently must get up at time in order to use transit as it is currently operated to ensure that they arrive at their destination in time for work. An examination of the transit system and an encouragement of smaller transfer stations or locations would enable those that currently use the system to have some more flexibility in terms of when they had to be somewhere.
We must also be more willing to support work underway to provide our existing neighborhood commercial districts throughout the region with the tools necessary to serve those immediately surrounding them, whether it means supporting the installation of sidewalks, the expansion of mass transit, or just thinking about using what’s right around the corner to fill your needs. That last one may be the most difficult to do at first; however it will prove to be of the most benefit in the long run. It’s much easier when you know the owner of the local market and you’re in need of something than when you walk in after living in the neighborhood for 10 years and it’s the first time they’ve ever laid eyes on you when that emergency hits.
Part of the solution will be realizing that part of the problem is ignoring the functionality of cities of the past, including Birmingham. Share ’em if you got ’em.
Cheers.