![\"Michael](\"http:\/\/comebacktown.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Michael-Sznajderman.jpg\")
<\/a>Today\u2019s columnist is Michael Sznajderman.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s a new year, a time when folks reflect on the past and ponder what\u2019s ahead.<\/p>\n 2025 marks 25 years I\u2019ve lived in the Birmingham area. So much has happened in our region over the past quarter-century \u2013 some good, some not so much.<\/p>\n With this in mind, I present \u2013 in no particular order \u2013 25 thoughts for 2025 about our greater Birmingham community, and beyond. Let the constructive criticism and commentary begin! <\/p>\n 1. Jefferson County Park System<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019ve taken a big step toward creating a true, Jefferson County park system with the merger of Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve under the new Jefferson County Greenways<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Meanwhile, Birmingham Park and Recreation leaders have been talking about launching a master plan process to examine the city\u2019s 100-plus public parks to determine whether this expansive system is efficiently meeting community needs. It\u2019s a great idea.<\/p>\n 2. Local colleges and universities<\/strong><\/p>\n The demise of Birmingham-Southern College<\/a><\/strong><\/span> (BSC) was a tragedy, but we can take pride in our region\u2019s vibrant institutions of higher learning \u2013 including UAB, Samford University, Miles College, Jefferson State and Lawson State community colleges. Here\u2019s hoping we can identify a dynamic new mission for the shuttered BSC campus that benefits our community and befits the college\u2019s noble legacy.<\/p>\n 3. Historic structures<\/strong><\/p>\n Two historic structures bearing the name of Birmingham\u2019s first mayor, James Powell \u2013 the old Powell School building and the Powell Avenue Steam Plant \u2013 sit empty in our city center. Not to mention, the old Liberty National Building. Surely some great minds can identify ways to bring them back to useful life.<\/p>\n 4. Municipal elections <\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of mayors, Birmingham holds its municipal election later this year. Incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin has announced he plans to run, and at least one other local leader has announced plans to seek the office. Can we encourage all mayoral candidates to engage in a vigorous but civil discussion on where the city needs to go, and refrain from personal attacks? Same goes for all City Council candidates.<\/p>\n 5. Homicides<\/strong><\/p>\n Notwithstanding the horrific act of terror in New Orleans on New Year\u2019s morning, the city once known as the \u201cMurder Capital of America\u201d dramatically reduced its number of homicides in 2024. So have Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Memphis and Baltimore, among other large U.S. cities. Birmingham, in contrast, recorded its worst-ever year for homicides in 2024. Can we learn some lessons from these other cities\u2019 successes to help address violence here?<\/p>\n 6. Jewish-style deli<\/strong><\/p>\n Birmingham\u2019s restaurant scene is one of its strongest calling cards. But where oh where has our Jewish-style deli gone? It\u2019s a flavor favorite this city offered for decades. Perhaps the Pihakis Restaurant Group<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or another of our many enterprising chefs can help fill this culinary hole?<\/p>\n 7. Highlands Bar & Grill<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of Birmingham restaurants, when will Frank and Pardis Stitt reopen the beloved Highlands Bar & Grill<\/a><\/span><\/strong>?<\/p>\n 8. Missing or broken caps<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of holes, Birmingham has a chronic problem with missing or broken caps on our stormwater drains. The city has replaced some with new concrete caps, which are often quickly cracked or snapped in half by cars or trucks that run over them. Is there a brilliant engineer in the house who can take this on and fix this problem for good?<\/p>\n 9. Homelessness<\/strong><\/p>\n So many factors contribute to our region\u2019s homelessness \u2013 a problem affecting so many cities. For years, concerned residents, faith-based and nonprofit groups in Birmingham have worked to address it. Now, the city has engaged a California-based organization, Urban Alchemy<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, to assist and help move more of Birmingham\u2019s unhoused into permanent homes. Here\u2019s hoping they succeed.<\/p>\n 10. Major sporting events<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m firmly in the camp that believes the World Games<\/a><\/strong><\/span> was a huge positive for Birmingham, drawing thousands of athletes and visitors from across the globe \u2013 people who otherwise would never have come to our wonderful city. It also helped pave the way for other, major sporting events to choose Birmingham. Now, we have a chance to shine again, when first responder-athletes from more than 70 countries and their fans converge here in June for the World Police and Fire Games<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. We showed the world our warmth and hospitality during the World Games. Can we do it again?<\/p>\n 11. Unique and diverse event venues<\/strong><\/p>\n With so many unique and diverse event venues available across our region, do we really need Boutwell Auditorium anymore? Yes, it\u2019s historic \u2013 sort of \u2013 but could that prime piece of real estate on Linn Park be better utilized? Perhaps for a long-discussed expansion of the Birmingham Museum of Art, which can display only a fraction of its remarkable collections? Or, could it be the site of a new Birmingham History Center? Yes, Vulcan Park and Museum and Sloss Furnaces showcase portions of our city\u2019s story, as does the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, but none in a comprehensive way.<\/p>\n 12. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of major venues, it appears likely that Oak Mountain Amphitheatre<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>may soon go the way of Birmingham\u2019s Terminal Station. Any grand ideas how that property should be redeveloped to benefit our region?<\/p>\n 13. Two-way streets downtown<\/strong><\/p>\n For years, planners have advocated a return to two-way streets in downtown. A sizable federal grant will help fund the conversion of Fourth Avenue North, the main thoroughfare in the city\u2019s historic Black business district, to two-way. Which downtown street should be next?<\/p>\n 14. 21st Street Viaduct<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of downtown streets, is it time to dismantle the 21st<\/sup> Street Viaduct, also known as the Rainbow Viaduct? The aging bridge has been closed to traffic for three years for safety reasons. REV Birmingham<\/a><\/strong><\/span> has tried to beautify the closed span as a pedestrian plaza, with less-than-stellar results. Could removing it open up areas for thoughtful redevelopment on both sides of the railroad \u2013 between Morris Avenue and on the north side and Powell Avenue on the south? Downtown needs more housing and greater density. Could this be a catalyst for lifting the city center to the next level?<\/p>\n 15. First Avenue North Viaduct<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of viaducts, the First Avenue North viaduct (the first one built in Birmingham, replaced in 1950 with the present structure) is a neglected diamond. It rises from 25th<\/sup> to 35th<\/sup> Street, offering a brilliant view of Sloss Furnaces. With modest modifications, it could continue to accommodate automobile traffic while also functioning as a delightful \u201chigh line\u201d for walkers and bicyclists. Connect it to both ends of Rotary Trail and we create a downtown trail-loop that can attract both locals and visitors. It would jibe nicely with the more ambitious, 36-mile trail loop<\/a><\/strong><\/span> envisioned by the nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust \u2013 a project that, under the best projections, is at least a decade away.<\/p>\n 16. Entertainment districts<\/strong><\/p>\n Not too far from the First Avenue Viaduct are two of the city\u2019s hottest entertainment spots, Lakeview and Avondale. Recently, City Action Partnership<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or CAP, long an asset to downtown, has expanded services to Five Points South, providing safety patrols, litter and graffiti cleanup, and stranded motorist assistance. Should CAP also expand to Lakeview and Avondale? With our police force stretched thin, many locals and visitors would welcome the added security and reassurance CAP could provide.<\/p>\n 17. Avondale<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of Avondale, it\u2019s been close to a decade since a streetscape improvement plan was greenlighted for 41st<\/sup> Street, Avondale\u2019s main drag. Will we finally see earth move on this project in 2025?<\/p>\n 18. Major developments<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking to the west and north of downtown, a new family fun center<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>is coming to the Birmingham Crossplex<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/span>, and a major redevelopment plan<\/a><\/strong><\/span> promises to help revive the Smithfield-College Hills-Graymont area. The new Coca-Cola Amphitheater<\/a>,<\/strong><\/span> north of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, also promises to spur additional growth in Norwood, Druid Hills and Fountain Heights. But so many other city neighborhoods, from Pratt City to Ensley, East Lake to Huffman also need some love. How do we extend growth and redevelopment plans to more areas farther from the city center?<\/p>\n 19. Cooper Green Mercy Health<\/strong><\/p>\n Birmingham has added another jewel to its shiny necklace of world-class health facilities with the opening of the $120 million Cooper Green Mercy Health<\/a><\/strong><\/span> outpatient clinic. Jefferson County residents are blessed to have access to top-notch medical care, with Cooper Green focused on serving people with limited incomes. Unfortunately, many rural areas of Alabama have lost their hospitals, and residents in those counties must travel long distances for emergency, obstetric and pediatric care, let alone to see other specialty physicians. Because these areas lack adequate healthcare access, they also struggle to attract industry and jobs. Could this be the year Gov. Kay Ivey and state policymakers realize how many poor Alabamians are suffering because of their refusal to expand Medicaid?<\/p>\n 20. A more walkable city<\/strong><\/p>\n Many cities in metro Birmingham are making their town centers more vibrant and walkable. Longtime shining examples include Homewood, Mountain Brook and Montevallo, but places like Hoover, Trussville and Alabaster are also intent on creating walkable village centers that can draw visitors with food and retail, health care facilities, green spaces, entertainment and other options. Birmingham, too, is working to improve walkability through its Complete Streets<\/a><\/strong><\/span> initiative. It\u2019s a welcome trend.<\/p>\n 21. Northern Beltline<\/strong><\/p>\n On the other hand, although decades of research confirm that widening highways only adds more traffic to clogged roads, some Birmingham-area leaders seem intent on doing just that, including spending billions to construct a whole new highway, the Northern Beltline<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, through a predominantly rural area of Jefferson County that contains environmentally sensitive lands. It\u2019s an expensive and outdated idea, especially when more folks are commuting less because of the rise of remote work.<\/p>\n 22. Cool Green Trees<\/strong><\/p>\n Preliminary figures indicate 2024 was the warmest year in modern record-keeping. Climate change is a global phenomenon that requires local action, and one of the more innovative efforts taking place in our region is Cool Green Trees<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, which is planting trees in Birmingham\u2019s underserved urban neighborhoods where the heat-island effect during our broiling summers has real, adverse economic and health impacts on residents. Want to help? Sign up for their next volunteer tree-planting event at coolgreentrees.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 23. Civil Rights attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n Eight years ago, in one of his final acts, President Barack Obama established the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span> And while much planning has taken place to enhance the civil rights district, there\u2019s isn\u2019t much new to see. The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church<\/a><\/strong><\/span> plans to break ground soon on a new education and visitors center, which isn\u2019t strictly a part of the National Park Service (NPS) management plan for the monument. The historic A.G. Gaston Motel<\/a><\/strong><\/span> has been partially restored by the city in a cooperative partnership with the NPS. Could this hopefully be the year that the NPS completes its portion of the motel\u2019s long-awaited restoration?<\/p>\n 24. Civil Rights photos<\/strong><\/p>\n One underutilized asset that could help tell Birmingham\u2019s and Alabama\u2019s civil rights story is the incredible images captured by Birmingham News photographers during the height of the struggle. Much of this extraordinary collection has never been seen by the public, since the newspaper intentionally downplayed coverage of the struggle and the Black community in those days. A few years ago, the collection was donated to the Alabama Department of Archives and History<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, and much of it has now been digitized. 2025 marks the 60th<\/sup> anniversary of the Voting Rights Act \u2013 a great year for representatives of the Archives, NPS and the Alabama Media Group (a.k.a. The Birmingham News) to produce an exhibition of the best and most powerful photos from the collection and then \u2026 make them a part of the Monument\u2019s permanent exhibit.<\/p>\n 25. What are your thoughts?<\/strong><\/p>\n Enough random thoughts from one guy. I hereby return this space for more ideas to make our community better in 2025. I look forward to reading them in Comeback Town<\/strong><\/span>.<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Sznajderman is a retired public relations professional and former newspaper reporter, columnist and editor. He lives in Birmingham.<\/em><\/p>\n David Sher is the founder and publisher of\u00a0ComebackTown<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 He\u2019s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).<\/em><\/p>\n