Owsley9
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Posts posted by Owsley9
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The battle has began: Five Points South and Lakeview restauranteurs and club owners are crying foul over Entertainment District @ The BJCC.
I kinda knew this was coming, but what those on the Southside fail to realize is that it is 2 miles distance from The BJCC. Some out-of-town conventioneers don't know the area like that and won't venture to the Southside from fear of getting lost or unfamiliarity of surroundings. Also the hotels are still coming to the BJCC regardless of the expansion.
I'm done feeling sorry for Southside businesses. The minute a Schaeffer Eye Center went in at the curve, I lost faith that 5 Pts would ever be a true entertainment district again. I'm pretty sure had the owners of various bars and restaurants come to the city and offered to create a district of local places down by the BJCC, the city would have bent over backwards for them. BUT, they didn't -- and I think what's happening is just fair. You can't just sit back for 10 years and do nothing while other cities are progressing.
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I don't like it necessarily, but I don't think it's nearly as horrible as some want to make it.
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Well, looks like a decision has been made...
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That's interesting. I thought I was the only who had grand visions for Greensprings. In my opinion, that highway is sorely underused. To be a major thoroughfare that connects with Lakeshore, passes Homewood and opens up with an amazing skyling shot leading into UAB, I feel Birmingham is not capitalizing on that area's true potential (but then again what's new). Spruce up Greensprings (and possibly add some linear trails), encourage new mid to high-rise mixed use development, etc... It could truly be a great street if done properly.
Which brings me back to why I think this guy that wants to revamp Edgewood should filter his energy into redoing the Palisades and leave the charm of old Homewood alone. The Palisades are in a great location -- but it needs that "something" to become popular again...
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Quick question: How feasible would it be for Birmingham to pursue the construction of a new, state-of-the-art (isn't everything these days?) airport with post 9-11 security measures (and all that jazz) in hopes of attracting international flights and "spillover" traffic from Hartsfield in order to become a major airport destination? Points in favor of such a project: The city is relatively close to Hartsfield, has a major Southwest Airline presence, and would have great accessiblity (assuming it's built near I-22, I-65, and the northern beltline. Counterpoints are the obvious: Costs, location... the usual.
I, personally, would hate to see a new airport built, but I would like to see some sort of link between Atlanta and Birmingham, be it a high-speed train or what not. I remember this idea coming up in discussions a long time ago, but of course, it never came to fruition.
One thing I do love about Birmingham, is being able to get to the airport in 10-15 mins tops. That's rare these days. I HATED driving to DIA when I lived in Denver.
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and i confess, i have never heard of dave & buster's. a bar chain, it seems. anything noteworthy about it? why in bham as oppsed to all the other such chain phenoms that could be wooed?
D&B is basically a Chuck E Cheese for adults. Food and games rolled into one. They had them in Denver, and while expensive, they were a lot of fun. Check it out...
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I'm very familiar with this area in Columbus. I'm also familiar enough to know that this area is in between downtown and the upper income neighborhoods of Columbus. I think many Columbus locals go out in this area, as well as visitors. The university is also nearby.
Birminghams situation is much different. No upper income neighborhoods. No university. (UAB is closer to 5 Points South). I can't see this entertainment district surviving on hotel guest alone. This was my reasoning for thinking the money would be better spent pumping up Southside.
Well, the city had its chance to pump up Southside a long time ago, but once again lacked vision. Had they made 5 Points an entertainment destination (blocking traffic at night and not allowing things like Schaeffer Eye in the most valuable real estate), and creating a shuttle directly from UAB's campus at night, things may be a little different now. I'm pretty sure both UAB and the city put on blinders to the fact that college students don't drink. And once Highlands was rated the #5 restaurant in the country, the city should have invested more in that area. Period.
Now, I haven't been to Columbus to hang out, so I'm not sure how far these "upper income" neighborhoods are in comparison to the nightlife, but if they are a couple of miles, then that's about the same as to Homewood, Forest Park, Redmont, etc., which last time I checked, are "upper income" neighborhoods. If you dispute this, please look at housing prices and check back. Some of the wealthiest people in Alabama live in these areas.
Personally, I think the BJCC will need something like a Dave & Busters to draw out of towners in, as, quite frankly the bars in Birmingham suck, with a few minor exceptions. By the way, Nana Funks next to Innisfree -- worst bar on the planet. Birmingham needs more bars like The Garage, The Nick, and Bottletree to ever have a chance. I agree with Leonard23 -- after moving back from Denver last year, the one thing I miss is the CHOICE to go to many places. Birmingham has only a handful of bars.
And my final thought is just kind of shoved in here, because I didn't think of it until now, but we also have a huge problem in the fact that so many areas are competing to be an entertainment district. It's not only confusing for tourists, but also expensive. Cabs ain't cheap.
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Public input to be sought on plans for expansion
All of the BJCC board yesterday for the first-time in awhile with new member Jefferson County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins.
There was going to be a vote for these focus group meeting that would be unbiases and involved the average citizen of Jefferson County. However, Collins as usual was the odd man out, saying "I need more informatin before voting on these focus groups." That woman serves absolute no purpose on the County Commission. Great. That woman is an idiot. Thanks for the update!
There was going to be a vote for these focus group meeting that would be unbiases and involved the average citizen of Jefferson County. However, Collins as usual was the odd man out, saying "I need more informatin before voting on these focus groups." That woman serves absolute no purpose on the County Commission. 
BJCC Expansion plans
in Birmingham
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Totally agree.