Your Town Alabama: Designing Our Future

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Community News from Around Alabama

Evergreen and Conecuh Counties continued: One of our new business is "Treasures on the Corner" located in one of the oldest buildings in town, used to be the Evergreen Grocery, now boasts of antiques, collectibles, handcrafts, books and all kinds of treasures. Owned by Harriet Hyde, of Evergreen, you will find all kinds of treasures here, including photographs of the county and historic Evergreen--come travel back in time with us! Another one of our shops that moved is "The Herb Shop" owned by Marilyn Lambert. It moved from Desplouse Street over to Front St., on the corner of Front & Cooper Sts. Give them a call at (251) 578-1776 A wonderful new place for Evergreen! It's a year old already, but the Health & Wellness Center still feels like new! It's located on the corner of Cooper and Court, and stays busy all the time with exercise and therapy classes going on! Memberships available! Come and get in shape with us at EMC's Health & Wellness Center! (251) 578-6863 for more information!

Activities & Events Coming Up:

The newly-organized Black Belt African American Genealogical & Historical Society (BBAAGHS) is conducting the first ever Black Belt African American Genealogy Conference & Family History Fair in Selma, AL on Feb 16-18, 2007. The conference includes guest speakers, exhibits, vendors, films and other events at two locations, the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Centre (http://www.discoverourtown.com/AL/local-5267.html) and the Divine Life Community Development Center on Water Street next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge , both in the Selma Historic District. The ACPA is on the presentations schedule for 9:30-10:30 AM on the 16th and will have an exhibit at the Performing Arts Centre. Go to the BBAAGHS website at www.bbaaghs.org for additional information. While everyone is invited to attend, this should be of particular interest to those of you living in, or with interests in, the twelve counties of Alabama 's Black Belt Region - Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox.
 
Historic Cemetery Preservation Workshop
Tentative Date: April 14, 2007 or April 21, 2007
sponsored by the Canebrake Genealogical/Historical Society at the Old Historic Evergreen Cemetery, hosted by Canebrake Society Contact (251) 578-2570 for more info or canebrakesociety@yahoo.com

Asulikit Club's First Annual Garden & Porch Tour May 5th 2007
For Ticket Information, Contact Sherry S. Johnston, (251) 578-3046
or email canebrakesociety@yahoo.com
Includes a Seed Exchange & Plant Sale; refreshments in the gardens; and other activities
Funds benefit community service projects in Conecuh County

DesignAlabama's Mayors' Summit Results:
Mayors recently completing Design Alabama Mayors Summit includes mayors of Springville, Heflin, Prichard, Troy. DesignAlabama recently finished another Mayors Summit, a long term goal of the organization. For a number of years, the Board of Directors of DesignAlabama and the design community at large has wanted to see the interaction of elected officials with designers to work on real design issues facing Alabama communities. The former finally occured for the first time in 2006 after a year of planning at the Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham. Mayors, attending the first conference included Mayor Tim Kant of Fairhope, Mayor Doug Brewer of Graysville, Mayor William Bush of Satsuma, Mayor Steve Means of Gadsden and Mayor Cecil P. Williamson of Demopolis.  The recently finished class is the second to complete the Summit. (Watch the newsletter for more information on this in the next issue.)

 Birmingham and Surrounding Region News:
Stream Assessment workshop held in Walker County
The two-day workshop, held December 11-12, provided information to assist assessing stream conditions. With the information provided in the workshop, participants may develop a plan of action for the protection and restoration of stream segments. This information may be used to assist communities in addressing issues such as water quality, water quantity, flooding, storm water management, and habitat.  Twenty-one natural resource professionals, state and local government representatives, and industry professionals attended. Subjects covered included: Channel Condition, Riparian Condition, Aquatic Insect Assessment, Local Funding Mechanisms, and an introduction Low Impact Development. The workshop was featured on the front page of the Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle (December 13, 2006.) Sponsors Included:Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., Alabama Cooperative Extension System, North Carolina State University,City of Jasper, Walker County Commission, USDA/NRCS, Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Clean Water Partnership
 
Greenways Showcase Part II - Another Success!
A great deal of excitement was generated when various greenway project champions in Jefferson County came together and saw the potential for collaboration and a belief that our area could be a community defined by its beautiful and well-utilized greenspaces. In an effort to build upon the exciting information shared at the first Greenways Showcase held on November 7th 2005 at the Birmingham Public Library, the Greenways Showcase Part II was held on Monday December 8th at the McWane Science Center. Part II was hosted by McWane Inc., McWane Citizen Advisory Panel, Clarus Consulting Group, Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., the Freshwater Land Trust, the Black Warrior River Basin Clean Water Partnership, and the Cahaba River Basin Clean Water Partnership. Tom Maxwell, Senior Environmental Planner of RPC, presented the an update on plans for the Five Mile Creek Greenway, which includes a number of proposed routes for trails along the waterway, rail-trails, complete street connections such as parkways, and canoe/kayak launches for paddle trails (blueways). Other project presentations included progress on the expansion of Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Red Mountain Park, Valley Creek Greenway, Railroad Reservation Park, and the Village Creek Greenway. Presentations were also made by Marjorie White (Birmingham Historical Commission) on the historical context of current greenway planning relative to the 1925 Olmsted Plan, Brian Rushing (Freshwater Land Trust) on Land Trust purchases, and Elizabeth Sims (Region 2020) regarding regional greenspace planning.

Park and Ride coming to Shelby County airport
A park and ride lot is coming to the Shelby County airport. The survey work is underway and design and environmental screening will begin in February. Construction funding for the Shelby County park and ride site, as well as, shared use sites with businesses is included in the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Transportation Improvement Program.
Any municipalities in the MPO service area (Jefferson / Shelby Counties) who are interested in developing a park and ride lot their area can contact Steve Ostaseski with Gresham Smith and Partners at Steve_Ostaseski@gspnet.com , (205) 298-9249.

Transportation/public transit survey results
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham took receipt of the 2006 Public Opinion Survey on Transportation in the Central Alabama Region on Friday, November 17, 2006 from Research Strategies, Inc., a national marketing research firm headquartered in Mobile, Alabama. The purpose of the survey was to isolate and determine within each of the RPC region’s six (6) counties with statistical accuracy:

• The percent of individuals who currently use public transportation
• The percent of individuals who have used public transportation in locations outside of the region
• Individual perception of public transportation
• The extent to which individuals would elect to use public transportation, assuming that it was available
• The extent to which individuals would be willing to financially support transportation system improvements

The survey was presented to elected officials December 14, 2006 by Mr. Gene Talbott with Research Strategies. RPC coordinated this effort on behalf of the Honorable Linda Coleman who Chairs a subcommittee on transportation funding which is a part of the regional elected officials group. The survey was funded by the Jefferson County Commission, City of Birmingham and Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. To view the full report visit www.rpcgb.org, and click on 2006 Central Alabama Transportation Public Perception Survey. 

Corridor Studies to be conducted on Northern Beltline Intersecting Roadways
The Northern Beltline Stakeholder Group met on Friday, December 8, 2006 to discuss corridor studies to be conducted on three Beltline intersecting roadways in 2007. Corridor study work will address traffic and development impacts, and will be conducted on three intersecting roadways – CR 46 in Hueytown, US 78 in Graysville and CR 30 in Clay. In 2000 when the Northern Beltline was added to the Long Range Plan, the MPO gave the charge to study access management and land use in communities along the Beltline. These studies will provide planning assistance to communities that will experience traffic and development impacts upon completion of the Northern Beltline. More information on Stakeholder Group Activities can be found at http://www.bhammpo.org/studies/beltline.htm. Maps of the Northern Beltline alignment are available on the MPO website at http://www.bhammpo.org/docsandmaps/maps.htm.

Heart of Alabama Rural Planning Organizations (HARPO) plans first official meetings
The Heart of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (HARPO) held its inaugural meetings of both its Technical Committee and Executive Committee during the month of January 2007. A draft copy of each of these committees’ proposed by-laws were distributed for review and comment along with the draft public involvement plan. In addition to these items, a base set of information regarding transportation infrastructure, services, operational characteristics, socio-economic conditions, and employment were also presented. Committees were asked to provide feedback about the appropriateness of this information, particularly as it will be used to assist HARPO staff in working with the residents and businesses of HARPO’s member counties to begin identifying and documenting transportation issues and needs. HARPO’s Technical Committee will meet again on February 28, 2007 at 1:30pm in the first floor conference room of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, 1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham. A date for the HARPO Executive Committee to meet again has yet to be set. It is anticipated that individual county work sessions to include the public will be held in early to mid March 2007 in order to start the process of identifying and documenting transportation issues and needs. As details for these meetings are finalized, information about times and locations will be provided in the RPC Connections, other publications, and communications outlets. For additional information, contact Darrell Howard at (205) 251-8139 ext. 441 or dhoward@rpcgb.org 

Pedestrian safety trends report summary available
In December 2004 the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) released the fifth edition of its biannual pedestrian safety report titled Mean Streets 2004: How Far Have We Come? Pedestrian Safety 1994-2003. Since 1996 the STPP has been analyzing pedestrian fatality data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 1996 STPP published its first Mean Streets report based on data from 1986 through 1995. The report has since been released every two years for benchmarking pedestrian safety performance at the national, state and metropolitan levels.  Like previous reports, Mean Streets 2004 is focused on evaluating national pedestrian safety trends and comparing data between states and the 50 largest metro areas. Birmingham’s metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranks 56th in size compared to other MSAs defined by population figures from the most recent 2000 Census. Therefore, additional analysis of the data that STPP compiled was required to evaluate Birmingham’s performance relative to similar sized metropolitan areas. A report summary drafted by the RPCGB staff provides an overview of pedestrian safety relative to travel data for the nation, state and metropolitan area: http://www.bhammpo.org/longrangeplan/bikeplan.htm  STPP's entire Mean Streets 2004 report and all associated data can be downloaded on STPP’s website: http://www.transact.org/report.asp?id=235

 Reports on RPC bicycling and walking workshops available online
Reports for both workshops on Walkable Community and Safe Routes to School held in Birmingham inner-city communities of Wenonah and Ensley are now available at http://www.activelivingresources.org/saferoutestoschool8.php, scroll to the bottom of the page to link to reports. Both workshops were co-sponsored by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPC), the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO).

Blountsville Comprehensive Plan adopted
The Town of Blountsville Planning Commission and Town Council have adopted a comprehensive plan that was prepared by the RPC. The Planning Commission voted in November to adopt the plan and the Town Council followed suit on December 4. 

Thorsby Comprehensive Plan public hearing set
The Town of Thorsby Town Council adopted its comprehensive plan at its regular meeting on December 18. The Planning Commission voted to adopt the plan at its December 5th meeting. The plan was prepared for Thorsby's Planning Commission by the RPC. 

City of Brookside
The Brookside Greenway Festival is on for March 17, 2007.
For more information on the event – see their new website: www.brooksidealabama.com.

City of Trussville update to subdivision regs in final stages
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham is in the final stages of updating the Subdivision Regulations for the City of Trussville. The purpose of the Trussville Subdivision Regulations Update will be to implement in conjunction with the City’s Zoning Ordinance, a guide to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing updated regulations and standards of design, improvement, survey and construction of subdivisions and land developments to be platted in Trussville. This will help to direct orderly and proper growth and aid in appropriate planning to protect natural and cultural resources, ensure development continuity, and serve to preserve a livable community.

City of Cordova updating its zoning and subdivision regulations
In the early 1800’s Cordova was positioned to attract industry because of its proximately to coal resources and water ways for transporting product. In the mid 1880’s, rail companies recognized the area’s abundant coal and mining resources and Cordova was the beneficiary of two rail lines connecting the community to Memphis, Tennessee, and Birmingham. Once again the City is in a similar position for growth as Corridor “X” plans will provide another economic development opportunity for the area. In 2005, the City prepared for this event by adopting its “Framework Plan”, a comprehensive plan that was developed by RPC and area residents that set forth policies and goals that could be utilized by the City in addressing development decisions. The City is taking another step to advance its vision by working with RPC to update its zoning regulations and subdivision regulations. These development tools will be written to be consistent with the goals and objectives that were stated in the Framework Plan in an effort to provide a livable community with sustainable growth and economic opportunities.

Montevallo. “Partners in Patriotism” May 28, 2007
Blue Star Salute is a concerted effort by local, state, and national military, political, veterans and caring citizen groups and organizations who have set aside a day for a particularly significant appreciation day to America’s military services (active, reserves and national guard) of all Branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the historical Merchant Marine Association. This includes a somber “Gold Star Salute” to service members who have made the ultimate sacrifi ce. The Blue Star Salute Foundation also honors those who have served our country by supporting the Alabama State Veterans Homes, among other military and veteran support organizations.