REGION 2020: RECREATION
WHAT
• A region with comprehensive recreational
and natural resources for entertainment, tourism and the enjoyment of nature
that give citizens and visitors opportunities
for a great variety of activities (among them a multi-stadium, community-based
parks, recreation centers, biking and walking trails accessible to residents
all ages)
WHY
• To increase economic activity in
the region
• To increase tourism and hotel occupancy levels
• To encourage more efficient land and property use
• To increase property values
• To enhance the image of the region
• To increase awareness of the culture and history of the region
• To increase retail sales
• To increase tax revenues
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED
• Citizens
• Cultural, sports and entertainment organizations
• County and city governments from the region
• Chamber of commerce
• Regional planning commissions
• Economic development organizations
• Foundations
• Operation New Birmingham
• The Metropolitan Arts Council
• State of Alabama Arts Council
• The Historical Society
• Alabama Sports Foundation
• The McWane Center
• Downtown businesses Universities and Colleges
• Private event and sports promoters
WHO WILL BENEFIT
• Citizen in the region
• Cultural, sports, and entertainment organizations
• Businesses
• Property owners
HOW
Strategy
Create a cultural, sports, and entertainment district for the region in
downtown Birmingham. Upgrade and expand current cultural, sports,
and entertainment infrastructure.
Related strategies: Arts
and Culture, Neighborhoods and Communities
and Downtowns
Action Steps
Region 2020 will convene a Recreation Implementation Team made up
of citizens, representatives of downtowns, business and government.
The Recreation Implementation Team will:
1. Study and visit successful models of entertainment districts
to determine funding and governance mechanisms and applicability
of
models to the region.
2. Organize a multi-disciplinary design work- with a strong
component of regional, public participation to create a redevelopment
plan
for the area
that includes
boundaries for the district. The design work- will include nationally
recognized experts in the fields of economics, urban design,
planning, retail and
cultural arts planning.
3. Generate regional interest for the district.
4. Implement the recommendations of the design workshop, and
include zoning changes, incentives, funding and governance
mechanisms.
Role of Region 2020
• To convene the Recreation Implementation Team
• To organize the design workshop
• To lead and staff the initiative
Cost
$100,000 to $250,000
Further Information
See the Workshop report for information on comparable efforts
across the country.
