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[[Image:Railroad Park logo.png|right]]
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The '''Railroad Park''' (initially called the '''Railroad Reservation Park''') is a [[Downtown Birmingham|downtown]] [[List of Birmingham parks|park]] located on 17 acres<!--area calculated on Google Earth--> between [[14th Street South|14th]] and [[18th Street South|18th Streets]] and between [[1st Avenue South]] and [[Morris Avenue]], along a four-block stretch of [[Birmingham]]'s [[Railroad Reservation]] known as the "[[Burlington North]]". The park opened to the public on [[September 18]], [[2010]].
The '''Railroad Park''' (initially called the '''Railroad Reservation Park''') is a [[Downtown Birmingham|downtown]] [[List of Birmingham parks|park]] located on 17 acres<!--area calculated on Google Earth--> between [[14th Street South|14th]] and [[18th Street South|18th Streets]] and between [[1st Avenue South]] and [[Morris Avenue]], along a four-block stretch of [[Birmingham]]'s [[Railroad Reservation]] known as the "[[Burlington North]]". The park opened to the public on [[September 18]], [[2010]].


The Railroad Park is seen as a key segment in a linear urban greenway which could someday parallel the Railroad Reservation's entire length though downtown, along the [[1st Avenue Cut]], connecting to [[Sloss Furnaces]], and extending outward to join with other greenways throughout the region. Within that system, the Railroad Park would become a heavily-utilized urban node with active uses and programs as well as a key gateway with pedestrian links across the divide between the [[Financial District]] on the north and [[UAB]] and [[Southside]] to the south.
The Railroad Park is seen as a key segment in a linear urban greenway which is planned to parallel the Railroad Reservation's entire length though downtown, along the [[1st Avenue Cut]], connecting to [[Sloss Furnaces]], and extending outward to join with other greenways throughout the region in the [[Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System]]. Within that system, the Railroad Park would become a heavily-utilized urban node with active uses and programs as well as a key gateway with pedestrian links across the divide between the [[Financial District]] on the north and [[UAB]] and [[Southside]] to the south.


[[Image:Railroad Park banner.jpg|center|thumb|800px|View of the Railroad Park on September 17, 2010]]
Discussed since the 1970s, the present park plan was [[Development of Railroad Park|developed in earnest]] after the creation of the [[Friends of the Railroad District]] (FoRRd) in [[2001]]. A design from Berkeley, California-based Tom Leader Studios was presented to the city on [[March 28]], [[2006]] and ground was ceremonially broken on [[October 6]] of that year.
Discussed since the 1970s, the present park plan was developed in earnest after the creation of the [[Friends of the Railroad District]] (FoRRd) in [[2001]]. A design from Berkeley, California-based Tom Leader Studios was presented to the city on [[March 28]], [[2006]] and ground was ceremonially broken on [[October 6]] of that year.


[[Image:Railroad Park banner.jpg|center|thumb|800px|View of Railroad Park on September 17, 2010]]
After a year of design development and site preparation, a second groundbreaking was held in February [[2008]]. Site clearing officially began on [[April 1]], [[2008]] but failed negotiations with railroad operators for use of easements forced changes to the design and delayed the start of heavy construction until December 2008. Phase I, including all of the park's landscape features along with restrooms, offices, a concession stand and catering kitchen, opened to the public in September [[2010]]. In October [[2012]] the park won the "Urban Open Space Award" from the Urban Land Institute.
After a year of design development and site preparation, a second groundbreaking was held in February [[2008]]. Site clearing officially began on [[April 1]], [[2008]] but failed negotiations with railroad operators for use of easements forced changes to the design and delayed the start of heavy construction until December 2008. Phase I, including all of the park's landscape features along with restrooms, offices, a concession stand and catering kitchen, opened to the public in September [[2010]]. In October [[2012]] the park won the "Urban Open Space Award" from the Urban Land Institute.


The park is managed by the [[Railroad Park Foundation]], led by executive director [[Camille Spratling]], who succeeded [[Katherine Billmeier]] shortly after the park's opening.
The park is managed by the [[Railroad Park Foundation]], led by executive director [[Camille Spratling]], who succeeded [[Katherine Billmeier]] shortly after the park's opening.


==History==
==Development==
[[Image:HoD RR Club Car.JPG|left|thumb|325px|Heart of Dixie Railroad Club car next to the Powell Avenue Steam Plant in 1974]]
[[Image:HoD RR Club Car.JPG|left|thumb|325px|Heart of Dixie Railroad Club car next to the Powell Avenue Steam Plant in 1974]]
[[Image:ABC engine at Powell Ave.jpg|left|thumb|325px|A historic locomotive on the Powell Avenue site in 1984. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/timandrenda/2160110227/in/photostream/ Photo by Tim Carr]]]
{{Main|Development of Railroad Park}}
The idea of creating a park centered on the Railroad Reservation has been discussed since the 1970s. The intention was to provide space for a future park with an interpretive history component and was inspired, in part, by the presence of a collection of historic railroad locomotives, cars and equipment owned by the [[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum|Heart of Dixie Railroad Club]]. In the 1990s, that collection found a home at the [[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum]] in [[Calera]], but the concept of using the vacant site as an interpretive park survived.
The idea of creating a park centered on the Railroad Reservation has been discussed since the 1970s, inspired, in part, by the presence nearby of a collection of historic railroad locomotives, cars and equipment owned by the [[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum|Heart of Dixie Railroad Club]]. The city used a federal grant to purchase most of the site in [[1997]] and made it available for large-scale events such as the [[Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil]].


The concept of using the site to interpret the importance of the Railroad Reservation was explored by [[KPS Group]] and the [[Auburn University Center for Architecture and Urban Studies]]. Those visions helped secure a federal grant through the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]] with which the city purchased the bulk of the land used for the first phase of park development in [[1997]].
Before construction began, the site was used for outdoor concerts, notably the [[Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil]] from [[2000]] to [[2007]] and Widespread Panic on May 9-10, [[2003]].
===Friends===
The Friends of the Railroad District (FoRRd) was formed in October [[2001]] to bring together community leaders for the purpose of promoting [[Downtown revitalization|revitalization]] along the railroad corridor and to raise funds for the eventual development of a linear park incorporating the city's parcel.
During discussions with FoRRd, city leaders expressed their own visions for a new downtown park and showed enthusiasm for the efforts of the group. Mayor [[Bernard Kincaid]] had already presented the idea to a group of mayors, planners and design experts at the Mayor's Institute for City Design. In December 2001 the concept for the park was presented by FoRRd to the Urban Land Institute, which was advising the city on its strategy for a [[City Center Master Plan]]. The park and system of greenways were counted as one of five "focal points of prime importance to Birmingham's urban core" in ULI's [[2002 Urban Land Institute Report|May 2002 report]].
During the summer of 2002, FoRRd presented their concept of a linear park to numerous business, civic and neighborhood groups. Research firm [[Marketry]] donated its services to conduct focus groups to target specific stakeholder groups and generate consensus on desires, needs and concerns regarding a downtown park. The group commissioned photographer [[Matthew Collier]] to document the downtown railroad district for archival and promotional purposes. Early plans to stage a design competition for the park were set aside to concentrate on developing a vision in tandem with the ongoing City Center Master Plan process.
===Master Plan===
[[Image:RR Park scheme.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Schematic view of the Railroad Reservation Park in the City Center Master Plan]]
[[Image:RR Park scheme.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Schematic view of the Railroad Reservation Park in the City Center Master Plan]]
Birmingham partnered with [[Operation New Birmingham]] and [[Region 2020]] to hire Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates to prepare a [[2004 City Center Master Plan Update|City Center Master Plan Update]] based on ULI's recommendations. On [[March 11]], [[2004]], UDA, presented its preliminary ideas in a "town hall meeting" at the [[Carver Theater]]. The redevelopment of the Railroad Reservation as a "seam" rather than a barrier between the downtown theater and business districts and the university and residential development on Southside.
The [[Friends of the Railroad District]] (FoRRd) was formed in October [[2001]] to bring together community leaders for the purpose of promoting [[Downtown revitalization|revitalization]] along the railroad corridor and to raise funds for the eventual development of a linear park incorporating the city's parcel. FoRRd presented ideas for the park to advisers from the Urban Land Institute, whose [[2002]] report helped shaped the [[City Center Master Plan]] adopted in [[2004]], which made the park a centerpiece of its strategy for connecting various downtown districts.
 
In UDA's final plan, delivered in October 2004, the Railroad Reservation Park was highlighted as a centerpiece of a planned "Open Space Framework" for the City Center, catalyzing aesthetic, economic and community progress in the downtown area. The park was also made a central element in a large "Technology and Cultural District" which the planners envisioned connecting the theater and entrepreneurial districts north of the tracks with the expansion of UAB and related research and technology development in [[Midtown]] and Southside.
 
With the focus on the Railroad Park secure, FoRRD and others expressed confidence that the project would move inexorably forward. FoRRD President Giles Perkins expressed confidence that ground would be broken within a year.
 
In January 2005 the [[Birmingham City Council]] approved an arrangement for the Mayor's office to cooperate with FoRRD to move forward with park planning and feasibility studies. The Council provided $120,000, an amount to be matched by FoRRD, to commission that work. The city, represented by Capital Projects Liaison [[Renee Kemp-Rotan]], contracted with Tom Leader Studio, a Berkeley, California landscape design firm, to generate conceptual plans for the park site. At the same time, ConsultEcon, a Boston research firm, was hired to perform market studies and economic projections. Both firms sent representatives to Birmingham for public meetings in April 2005.
 
According to Perkins, the outcome of those plans would provide the specifics that would give donors the confidence to commit funds for the proposed park. Kemp-Rotan mirrored that statement, saying "Now, by the end of these studies, this will not be pie in the sky. Once these plans are done, we will know exactly how much this will cost and what everyone can expect to see."
 
Meanwhile, private developers began to express excitement about the potential for revitalization, especially in the midtown area between [[UAB]] and the park. [[Corporate Realty Development]] announced plans for the [[Standard at Midtown]], a $40 million condominium building at the corner of 1st Avenue South and 18th Street
 
===Conflict===
While these studies were pursued a conflict between FoRRd and the city emerged over which group would manage the fund-raising and implementation of the plans. Kemp-Rotan had alluded to her understanding of FoRRd's role immediately following the agreement to split design costs: ""The agreement we have entered into allows the Friends of the Railroad District to assist the city in this project, [...] The most important thing to remember is that this will be done on city-owned land."
 
Meanwhile, the Friends of the Railroad District drew up their own document for the city's consideration. Their 12-page proposed contract would place fund-raising and construction in FoRRd's hands, with their budgets being reviewed by a three-member oversight committee with representatives from the city.
 
In December [[2005]], after the [[Jefferson County Commission]] had pledged $2.5 million to the park,  the newly-elected City Council discussed competing proposals for a matching contribution from the city. The mayor's proposal differed from a proposal submitted to the city by the Friends of the Railroad District -- primarily on the question of whether FoRRd or the City of Birmingham would be responsible for the design, financing, construction and operation of the park. [[Giles Perkins]] represented FoRRd at the meeting, which became heated with Kincaid's absolute refusal to place public property under private jurisdiction. Councilor [[William Bell]] argued that only by giving FoRRd "a free hand to raise funds", would the necessary private investment materialize. Ultimately it was Bell who made the motion to approve the funding on the condition that Kincaid and FoRRd could work out an agreement before January 15.


Bell's appraisal regarding fund-raising was echoed by Perkins, who told members of the press that private money would flow more easily with a private board overseeing the project. Kincaid reacted strongly to the implication that investors might lack confidence in his office, calling Perkins comments "condescending", and indicative of a "plantation mentality". Perkins apologized for the offense and promised cooperation toward crafting an agreement with the city to keep the project alive.
The city and FoRRd worked together to conduct meetings with stakeholder groups and to commission needed plans and studies. Kincaid hired [[Renee Kemp-Rotan]] as a "Capital Projects Liaison" to keep the project moving forward. in early [[2005]] Tom Leader of Berkeley, California was selected to prepare conceptual designs while ConsultEcon of Boston, Massachusetts was commissioned to conduct market studies and economic impact projections.


On [[January 17]], [[2006]] Kincaid announced that the obstacle to an agreement had been reached, as FoRRd had withdrawn their demand to manage construction and fund-raising themselves. In February they announced an agreement in which the city would form an advisory committee and appoint a prominent business leader to head the fund-raising campaign, which would launch after ground was broken using public funds already committed. On [[February 28]], the City Council approved an additional $5 million from a future bond issue for development of the park along with an $11 million incentive package for the Walmart anchored [[Eastwood Village]] development. At the meeting, Kincaid promised a March groundbreaking.
As the focus moved to fund raising and implementation, conflicts arose between leaders of FoRRd and the city. Kincaid held that the project must be the city's, with FoRRd as supporters, while Perkins wanted his group to take responsibility for design, construction and operation of the project. Ultimately FoRRd backed down and the city moved forward as developer of the project. In February [[2006]] the [[Birmingham City Council]] approved a $5 million commitment to Railroad Park, which was added to $2.5 million already pledged by the [[Jefferson County Commission]] and another $2.5 million in federal grant funds.


==Conceptual design==
==Design==
[[Image:RR Park large.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Rendering of the proposed park by Tom Leader Studio]]
[[Image:RR Park large.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Rendering of the proposed park by Tom Leader Studio]]
The conceptual design from Tom Leader Studio was largely the work of associate Akiko Ono. The plan was praised for incorporating ideas and demands from multiple sources. According to the designers, the plan "derives much of its meaning and character from not only engaging the dynamism of moving trains, but also the large scale, directness, and industrial nature of architecture and outdoor spaces." The rails, along with community participation and a sensitive restoration of natural features were all fundamental elements in the design of the park.
The conceptual design from Tom Leader Studio was largely the work of associate Akiko Ono. The plan was praised for incorporating ideas and demands from multiple sources. According to the designers, the plan "derives much of its meaning and character from not only engaging the dynamism of moving trains, but also the large scale, directness, and industrial nature of architecture and outdoor spaces." The rails, along with community participation and a sensitive restoration of natural features were all fundamental elements in the design of the park.


While the major feature of the park will be a wide open, unstructured space, a number of specific features are represented on the conceptual plan. The broad strokes of the plan include a rectangular artificial lake at the northeast corner of the Phase I site. A series of four dramatically-sculpted hills are shown pushed against the raised railway area, planted with native trees in a loose arrangement.
Leader's work was presented to the city on [[March 28]], [[2006]] at a public presentation on the 16th floor of [[Two North Twentieth]], overlooking the park's site. Specific features noted on the schematic plan included a pavilion with interpretive exhibits on Birmingham's railroad history, a 2.5-acre recreational lake, a performance amphitheater, a jogging trail with elevated observation decks, restaurants and other attractions. A "cultural furnace", which would have included space for visual and performing arts, was envisioned for [[Block 113-C|the area]] adjacent to [[Alabama Power]]'s [[Powell Avenue Steam Plant]]. A carefully-constructed water reclamation project would provide a small wildlife habitat. A bridge would have connected the park to elevated bicycle paths and to [[Birmingham Central Station]], which was anticipated to be expanded into a [[Birmingham Intermodal Facility|multi-modal transport hub]].
 
A "hickory forest" stretches up the hill nearest 14th street, connecting via a "narrative trace" to an "adventure playground" terminating the axis of 15th street. A "Greek theater" is nestled into the next hillside. The east end of a planned artificial lake consists of garden plots, a greenhouse, and an engineered wetland. The fourth hill protrudes into the lake. A "rail bridge" and "trolley stop" is accessible from the "main entry" at the east end of the lake.
 
South of the lake, separated by a "rain curtain" on the conceptual plan, is space for an arts plaza and amphitheater that would be developed in a later phase of work. A wide promenade connects the terminus of 17th street south with a planned restaurant at the southwest corner of the lake. A carousel and raised stage, called the "Crawfish Boil stage" faces the open lawn from adjacent to the promenade. Three pavilions shown at the park entrances from 16th, 15th, and 14th streets are labeled "rail interpretive center", "music studio and cafe", and "naturalist books and maps". A "strolling garden" stretches along the southern edge of the park, and a proposed future "cultural furnace" is shown on the surface parking lot just south of the [[Alabama Power]]'s [[Powell Avenue Steam Plant]].
 
[[Image:RR Park plan.png|575px||thumb|Conceptual plan by Tom Leader Studio for the proposed park]]
Leader's work was presented to the city on [[March 28]], [[2006]] at a public presentation on the 16th floor of [[Two North Twentieth]], overlooking the park's site. According to the Mayor's office, the date marked the transition from "the community-engagement and feasibility study phase" to the "implementation phase" of the project.
 
Specific features noted on the schematic plan include a pavilion with interpretive exhibits on Birmingham's railroad history, a 2.5 acre recreational lake, a performance amphitheater, a jogging trail with elevated observation decks, restaurants and other attractions. A "cultural furnace", which would include space for visual and performing arts is envisioned for the area adjacent to [[Alabama Power]]'s steam plant. A carefully-constructed water reclamation project would provide a small wildlife habitat. A bridge would connect the park to elevated bicycle paths and to [[Birmingham Central Station]], which is expanding into a multi-modal transport hub.


==Implementation==
==Implementation==
[[Image:2008 Railroad Park logo.png|right|thumb|175px|2008 logo for the Railroad Park]]
[[Image:2008 Railroad Park logo.png|right|thumb|175px|2008 logo for the Railroad Park]]
On [[July 18]], 2006, the Birmingham City Council approved an $875,000 two-year contract with [[Brantley Visioneering]] to serve as project manager for Phase I of the Railroad Reservation Park. One of Brantley's first tasks was to negotiate the purchase of two properties that remain in private hands on the park site.
{{Main|Development of Railroad Park}}
 
In July 2006, the Birmingham City Council approved a contract with [[Brantley Visioneering]] to serve as project manager for Phase I of the Railroad Reservation Park. In their October presentation to the city, they outlined a project delivery timeline with an opening date of January [[2009]]. The overall cost of the first phase was estimated at $15-18 million. Private fundraising was ramped up as part of a "[[Three Park Initiative|parknership]]", combining campaigns to create [[Red Mountain Park]] and expand [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve]]. Together, the three parks would give residents of Birmingham more public green space per capita than any other American city.
On [[October 3]] Brantley presented the city with plans for implementation of the conceptual design and a tentative schedule for work on Phase I. The presentation included "lessons learned" from city and county leaders' recent visit to Pittsburgh. The "Delivery Team" showed  that a number of consultants had been selected. On the organizational chart [[HKW Architects]] (local architect), [[Khafra Engineering]] (civil engineering), [[Macknally Ross Land Design]] (landscaping), [[Walter Schoel Engineering]] (hydrology), Georgia Fountain (water features), [[CRS Engineering]] (electrical/lighting) and [[Irrigation Consultant Services]] (irrigation), were all shown reported to Tom Leader Studio, the project's design consultant. FoRRd and the City's Implementation Committee were shown as partners mediating the relationship between City Hall and Brantley, which had direct supervision of Leader. Kennedy & Violich Architecture of Boston, Massachusetts and [[Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio]] of Birmingham also contributed to park planning.
 
A second chart showed how a Project Delivery Strategy and Project Management Plan would be drawn up for the city's approval during the Pre-Design Phase. The completion of Construction Contract Documents would mark the Design Phase, leading to a bidding/award process which, on the Overall Project Schedule for Phase I, is indicated as occurring around January 2008, as a year-long Capital Fund Raising Campaign nears its close. According to the schedule, Close-Out and Completion of Phase 1 would be expected around January 2009.


[[Image:RR Park groundbreaking.jpg|left|thumb|275px|Groundbreaking for the park on October 6, 2006]]
[[Image:RR Park groundbreaking.jpg|left|thumb|275px|Groundbreaking for the park on October 6, 2006]]
In late [[2007]] newly-elected Mayor [[Larry Langford]] won approval for his [[Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance]] and promised an additional $5 million from the city. In his [[2008 State of the City address]], Langford promised a "real" groundbreaking for the park: "No more games. No more false groundbreaking. When we break ground this time, we're gonna build it." Excavation work began shortly thereafter with an expectation that Phase I would open to the public in the summer of [[2009]].


On [[October 6]], [[2006]] Mayor Kincaid hosted a groundbreaking at the project site with members of the City Council, County Commission, FoRRd, the [[Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham]], and Brantley Visioneering. A week later, Tom Leader Studio was given a $1.1 million contract to develop construction documents for Phase I.
That Spring, negotiations with [[Norfolk Southern Railroad]] for the use of an 85-90-foot wide strip of land adjoining the park site broke down. The city filed a condemnation suit in [[Jefferson County Probate Court]], which was referred eventually to the Surface Transportation Board. Rather than delay construction any further, the foundation decided to amend the park design for a smaller site.


By then, $12.5 million had been pledged for the project: $7.5 million from the City of Birmingham, $2.5 million promised from [[Jefferson County]] by former Commission president [[Larry Langford]], and $2.5 million from the Federal Highway Administration's "Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program", authorized under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation (CMAQ-PE06). After taking over the presidency of the Jefferson County Commission, [[Bettye Fine Collins]] indicated that the County's pledge for park development was non-binding and would have to be reviewed.
The first phase of the park, not including landscape improvements along the [[1st Avenue South]] right of way, opened to the public in September 2010.


Cost estimates at that time indicated that the first phase would cost $15 to $18 million to construct and the entire park would come in at just over $50 million. Fund-raising for the realization of the Railroad Reservation Park was coordinated as a ""[[Three Park Initiative|parknership]]" with the campaigns to create [[Red Mountain Park]] and expand [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve]]. Together, the three parks give residents of Birmingham more public green space per capita than any other American city.
==Park features and management==
The park's first phase included a small artificial lake and associated storm water reclamation ponds, a broad grassy lawn with a natural 3,500-capacity amphitheater, tree-shaded areas, flower and vegetable gardens, several playgrounds and fitness stations, a 1/3-mile "rail trail", a paved plaza with a skateboarding area, and the "Eastgate Emporium", a covered space with restrooms, concessions, administration and security offices and a catering kitchen. [[Macknally Ross Land Design]] provided design services for the park's landscaping while [[Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio]] designed the park buildings and [[Radius Graphic Design]] coordinated signage and developed the park's logo. [[HKW Architects]] was designing a planned constructed amphitheater building, which was omitted from the first phase.


On [[August 22]], [[2007]] the City Council approved spending $1,550,000 to purchase the [[SYSCO Food Services warehouse]] and the [[EGN warehouse]] which sat in the center of the proposed park. Demolition of those buildings began in October. Around the same time, the name of the project was simplified to "Railroad Park", and FoRRd became the [[Railroad Park Foundation]].
The laminated timbers and exposed wood siding on the park's pavilions are [[black locust]].


After taking office in November [[2007]], Mayor [[Larry Langford]] won approval for his [[Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance]]. He soon promised an additional $5 million from the city, to be matched by $5 million in private donations which would insure that the park auditorium was completed as part of the first phase.
In [[2014]] the Railroad Park Foundation proposed to transfer oversight of the park property to the [[Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board]] which had been established by the city in [[2011]] to issue bonds for development of [[Regions Field]]. As part of the proposal, the city would take over responsibility for security and landscape maintenance of the park, reducing the foundation's operational expenses to allow for a more favorable refinancing of remaining construction debt. The proposal was given to the City Council at a time when the city's own revenues were projected to fall short of obligated expenses. During a committee meeting park director [[Camille Spratling]] exchanged heated words with councilor [[Lashunda Scales]]. Scales later wrote to the Railroad Park Foundation to demand Spratling's resignation.


An update in January [[2008]] made mention of signature entrance gates and plazas at 14th, 16th and 18th Streets, an open-air market area and a lakeside restaurant. The amphitheater would seat 3,000 and have a retractable roof. The total cost of the first phase, without the amphitheater, would be about $22 million, of which about $17.6 million has been raised, not counting the Mayor's pledge of $5 million.
Beginning in November [[2016]] the park provided a temporary ice-skating rink at the 17th Street plaza.


In his [[2008 State of the City address]], Langford promised a "real" groundbreaking for the park: "No more games. No more false groundbreaking. When we break ground this time, we're gonna build it." Excavation work began shortly thereafter with an expectation that Phase I would open to the public in the summer of [[2009]].
The three concrete bowls provided for skateboarders and BMX bikers were filled after the [[City Walk]] skate park opened in [[2022]]. A "Greenspace Native Plant Project" undertaken in [[2023]] was supported by a $20,000 allocation from the [[Jefferson County Commission]].


During that Spring, negotiations with [[Norfolk Southern Railroad]] for the use of an 85-90-foot wide strip of land adjoining the park site broke down. Though the ownership of the strip is not clear, the city made a cash offer to clear the title which was refused. In May the city filed a condemnation suit in [[Jefferson County Probate Court]], arguing that it has owned and used the property exclusively for 96 years and that the railroad's claim that it needs the buffer for track maintenance is invalid because such buffers are not maintained in other areas.
===Concessions===
U. S. District Court Judge [[David Proctor]] issued an order on [[July 9]] referring the dispute to the Surface Transportation Board.
When it opened, the park included three small enclosed buildings under the main pavilion roof at the [[17th Street South|17th Street]] Plaza, which were planned to resemble railway box cars in scale. The largest of the three contains a small security office with a reception desk along with two public restrooms. The other two units were outfitted with commercial kitchens with one leased to a concessions operator and the other available to caterers hired for special events.


Ultimately, rather than delay construction any further, the foundation decided to amend the park design, fencing off areas under dispute and dividing the proposed artificial lake into two parts to accommodate a strip of land along the [[Powell Avenue]] right of way.
The first concessionaire at Railroad Park was "George's Boxcar Café", operated by [[George Sarris]] through his [[Yellow Bicycle Catering Co.]] The business paid $2,000 per year to rent the space. Later, the Boxcar Café was taken over by [[Red Clay Bar & Events]], along with the exclusive license to serve alcoholic beverages at the park. [[Michael's]] took over operation of the "box car" concession in July [[2022]].


==Park features and management==
Since its opening, Railroad Park has attracted [[List of food trucks|food trucks]], ice-cream trucks and other vendors to the areas adjacent to the park. The [[Birmingham Food Truck Ordinance]], passed in December [[2013]], enacted limitations for such activities. Food trucks are celebrated at the park's annual "[[Trucks by the Tracks]]" fund raising event.
The park's first phase included a small artificial lake and associated storm water reclamation ponds, a broad grassy lawn with a natural 3,500-capacity amphitheater, tree-shaded areas, flower and vegetable gardens, several playgrounds and fitness stations, a 1/3 mile "rail trail", a paved plaza with a skateboarding area, and the "Eastgate Emporium", a covered space with restrooms, concessions, administration and security offices and a catering kitchen. [[Macknally Ross Land Design]] provided design services for the park's landscaping while [[Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio]] designed the park buildings and [[Radius Graphic Design]] coordinated signage and developed the park's logo. [[HKW Architects]] was designing a planned constructed amphitheater building, which was omitted from the first phase.


In [[2014]] the Railroad Park Foundation proposed to transfer oversight of the park property to the [[Public Athletic Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board]] which had been established by the city in [[2011]] to issue bonds for development of Regions Field. As part of the proposal, the city would take over responsibility for security and landscape maintenance of the park, reducing the foundation's operational expenses to allow for a more favorable refinancing of remaining construction debt. The proposal was given to the City Council at a time when the city's own revenues were projected to fall short of obligated expenses. During a committee meeting park director [[Camille Spratling]] exchanged heated words with councilor [[Lashunda Scales]]. Scales later wrote to the Railroad Park Foundation to demand Spratling's resignation.
In October [[2016]] a small vendor booth constructed from a shipping container was placed on the park's southwest corner. Leased through [[Eric Tasker]]'s [[SmallBox Company LLC]]. Pop-up vendors have included [[Samaria Arenas]]' crafts shop [[Rainy Day]] (October 2016-April 2017), the [[Birmingham Candy Company]] (April 2017-), and [[Trove]] design shop (November-December 2018).


===Security===
===Security===
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==Events==
==Events==
During its first late summer, the Park scheduled a series of "Sunset Cinema" film screenings.
During its first late summer, the Park scheduled a series of "Sunset Cinema" film screenings. Other event series held at the park include "Get Healthy on the Railroad" exercise and cooking programs sponsored by [[Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama]], the [[Trucks by the Tracks]] [[List of food trucks|food truck]] gathering, the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]]'s "[[Symphony in the Summer]]" program, and the [[Magic City AIDS Walk]].


One of the first major events held at the Railroad Park was the unveiling of "[[Blueprint Birmingham]]", a regional economic development plan created under the auspices of the [[Birmingham Business Alliance]].
One of the first major events held at the Railroad Park was the unveiling of "[[Blueprint Birmingham]]", a regional economic development plan created under the auspices of the [[Birmingham Business Alliance]].


In December [[2010]] the city added a second [[Birmingham Christmas trees|Christmas tree]] lighting ceremony (following the one at [[Linn Park]]) by launching a smaller tree on a floating platform into the Railroad Park's pond.
In December [[2010]] the city added a second [[Birmingham Christmas trees|Christmas tree]] lighting ceremony (following the one at [[Linn Park]]) by launching a smaller tree on a floating platform into the Railroad Park's pond.


In [[2014]] the [[Schaeffer Eye Center CityFest]] was held at Railroad Park.
In [[2014]] and [[2015]] the free [[Schaeffer Eye Center CityFest]] was held at Railroad Park. On Friday [[September 30]], [[2022]] NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace hosted a "Bubba's Block Party" at Railroad Park featuring performances by Big K.R.I.T. and Mannie Fresh.
 
In [[2023]] the park began hosting an annual [[4th of July Family Festival]]


==Associated developments==
==Associated developments==
The Railroad Park is intended to have a direct connection to the [[Birmingham Central Station]] just opposite the Railroad Reservation by means of a pedestrian bridge over the tracks.
The pedestrian connection from Railroad Park to the [[Birmingham Central Station]] utilized the [[18th Street underpass]], which was enhanced in [[2013]] by the "[[Birmingham Lights|LightRails]]" art installation of shifting multi-color LED lighting designed by Bill FitzGibbons.


As the park's corridor is extended, it may someday link with the [[Loft district]] downtown and eventually to [[Sloss Furnaces]] to the east and to the [[Birmingham CrossPlex]] to the west, along a projected "[[Cross to Sloss]]" trail included in the [[Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail]] plan.
As plans to replace the station with a new [[Birmingham Intermodal Facility]] developed, Mayor [[William Bell]] proposed adding a [[Railroad Reservation pedestrian bridge|pedestrian bridge over the tracks]] at [[16th Street North|16th Street]] in the middle of the park. Funding for such a bridge was included in the [[2012 Birmingham bond referendum]], but development has not been pursued beyond the early design phase.
 
As the park's corridor is extended, it may someday link with the [[Loft district]] downtown and eventually to [[Sloss Furnaces]] to the east and to the [[Birmingham CrossPlex]] to the west, along a projected "[[Cross to Sloss]]" trail included as part of the [[Jones Valley Trail]] in the [[Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail]] plan. The [[Rotary Trail]], extending the park's greenway eastward through the [[1st Avenue Cut]] was constructed in [[2014]]–[[2015]].


The [[2003]] City Center Master Plan further envisions a network of green corridors, including [[17th Street]] and [[14th Street]] as well as [[1st Avenue South]]. [[Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio]] prepared designs for [[Children's Hospital]] for transforming 17th street into a pedestrian corridor linking its campus to the park. Implementation awaits funding commitments from the city and property owners.
The [[2003]] City Center Master Plan further envisions a network of green corridors, including [[17th Street]] and [[14th Street]] as well as [[1st Avenue South]]. [[Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio]] prepared designs for [[Children's Hospital]] for transforming 17th street into a pedestrian corridor linking its campus to the park. Implementation awaits funding commitments from the city and property owners.
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In November [[2010]], the City Council approved a proposal for a [[Downtown baseball park]] which would be located just west of the Railroad Park. The stadium was planned as part of a larger redevelopment of the area between downtown and [[Titusville]], including the [[Trinity Steel site]] now owned by the [[Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority]]. Private development of the "[[Parkside District]]" with mixed-use residential, restaurant and retail space would be supported by master planning work, infrastructure upgrades and economic incentives provided by the city. Eventually a site south of the Railroad Park was chosen for the stadium, which opened in [[2013]] as [[Regions Field]]. Following the success of the baseball stadium, a number of new apartment and mixed used projects were announced. [[Railroad Square]] and [[LIV Parkside]] were the first to be constructed.
In November [[2010]], the City Council approved a proposal for a [[Downtown baseball park]] which would be located just west of the Railroad Park. The stadium was planned as part of a larger redevelopment of the area between downtown and [[Titusville]], including the [[Trinity Steel site]] now owned by the [[Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority]]. Private development of the "[[Parkside District]]" with mixed-use residential, restaurant and retail space would be supported by master planning work, infrastructure upgrades and economic incentives provided by the city. Eventually a site south of the Railroad Park was chosen for the stadium, which opened in [[2013]] as [[Regions Field]]. Following the success of the baseball stadium, a number of new apartment and mixed used projects were announced. [[Railroad Square]] and [[LIV Parkside]] were the first to be constructed.
The [[Rotary Trail]], extending the park's greenway eastward through the [[1st Avenue Cut]] was constructed in [[2014]]-[[2015|15]].


==References==
==References==
* Urban Land Institute (May 5-10, 2002) ''[http://www.informationbirmingham.com/Birminham,%20AL%2002.pdf#search=%22ULI%20Birmingham%202002%22 Downtown Birmingham, Alabama: A Master-Planning Process for Downtown].'' (5.2 MB PDF)
* Oliver, Robin (No date (late 2004)) "A city's renewal: Greenway anchored by 14-acre park featured in plan to revitalize downtown." {{BPH}}
* Urban Design Associates (October 2004) ''[http://www.informationbirmingham.com/planning/masterplanupdate.pdf City Center Master Plan Update for the City of Birmingham, Alabama]''. (48.5 MB PDF)
* Oliver, Robin (No date (late 2004)) "A city's renewal: Greenway anchored by 14-acre park featured in plan to revitalize downtown." ''Birmingham Post-Herald''.
* Jordan, Phillip (February 24, 2005) "Bursting at the Seam: Full steam ahead for the Railroad Reservation Park?" ''Birmingham Weekly''
* Jordan, Phillip (December 8, 2005) "Who's Driving the Train?: Battle for control stifles progress on Railroad Reservation Park." ''Birmingham Weekly''
* Jordan, Phillip (December 15, 2005) "Railroad Reservations: Why FoRRd is slowing down the trains." ''Birmingham Weekly''
* Jordan, Phillip (December 15, 2005) "Railroad Reservations: Why FoRRd is slowing down the trains." ''Birmingham Weekly''
* Tomberlin, Michael (December 19, 2005) "Railroad Park inspires grand visions: Backers want proposed park to be to city what Central Park is to New York." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (December 19, 2005) "Railroad Park inspires grand visions: Backers want proposed park to be to city what Central Park is to New York." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (February 21, 2006) "Railroad Park gets on track." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (February 29, 2006) "Birmingham OKs Eastwood Wal-Mart, Railroad Park." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (March 29, 2006) "Birmingham's railroad park plans presented to Kincaid." {{BN}}
* Brantley Visioneering. (October 3, 2006) "[http://www.informationbirmingham.com/pressrele/oct06/rrupdate.pdf Railroad Reservation Park: Project Status Report]" (PDF)
* Brantley Visioneering. (October 3, 2006) "[http://www.informationbirmingham.com/pressrele/oct06/rrupdate.pdf Railroad Reservation Park: Project Status Report]" (PDF)
* Bryant, Joseph D. (October 6, 2006) "City, county leaders break ground for Railroad Reservation Park." {{BN}}
* "Project News" (Fall/Winter 2006) ''DesignAlabama''. Vol. XVI, No. II, p. 5
* "Project News" (Fall/Winter 2006) ''DesignAlabama''. Vol. XVI, No. II, p. 5
* Hansen, Jeff (January 6, 2008) "Urban change comes to Birmingham: Railroad Park starts building phase, set to open in late spring '09." {{BN}}
* Hansen, Jeff (January 6, 2008) "Urban change comes to Birmingham: Railroad Park starts building phase, set to open in late spring '09." {{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (June 8, 2008) "Downtown Birmingham's Railroad Park expected to spawn development, green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets." {{BN}}
* Kent, Dawn (June 8, 2008) "Downtown Birmingham's Railroad Park expected to spawn development, green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets." {{BN}}
* Bouma, Katherine (June 19, 2008) "Railroad Park moves ahead in spite of a dispute about land ownership." {{BN}}
* Walton, Val (July 10, 2008) "Judge rules Birmingham's railroad park land dispute should be handled by federal Surface Transportation Board." {{BN}}
* Spencer, Thomas (December 24, 2008) "Heavy construction has started on the Railroad Park." {{BN}}
* Spencer, Thomas (December 24, 2008) "Heavy construction has started on the Railroad Park." {{BN}}
* Morris, Philip (May 2010) ''[http://www.designalabama.org/feature_pdfs/RR-Park-0510.pdf Railroad Park Graphics]". ''Design Alabama''
* Morris, Philip (May 2010) ''[http://www.designalabama.org/feature_pdfs/RR-Park-0510.pdf Railroad Park Graphics]". ''Design Alabama''
* Crowe, Christina (May 13, 2010) "A Well-Engineered Park." ''Black & White''
* Crowe, Christina (May 13, 2010) "A Well-Engineered Park." ''Black & White''
* Spencer, Thomas (August 10, 2010) "Birmingham's Railroad Park to open in September." {{BN}}
* Spencer, Thomas (August 10, 2010) "Birmingham's Railroad Park to open in September." {{BN}}
* Tommey, Blake (September 16, 2010) "Forty years of dreams and a community full of people made the new Railroad Park a reality." ''[[Birmingham (magazine)|Birmingham]]'' magazine
* Gray, Jeremy (November 10, 2010) "Calm is the norm for Birmingham's Railroad Park {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (November 10, 2010) "Calm is the norm for Birmingham's Railroad Park {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 9, 2012) "Birmingham police report 4 arrested after melee at Railroad Park." {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 9, 2012) "Birmingham police report 4 arrested after melee at Railroad Park." {{BN}}
* Diel, Stan (October 18, 2012) "Birmingham's Railroad Park wins major award." {{BN}}
* Diel, Stan (October 18, 2012) "Birmingham's Railroad Park wins major award." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (April 25, 2014) "Needing some help: Railroad Park seeks more private cash, asks city to pay for operations." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (April 25, 2014) "Needing some help: Railroad Park seeks more private cash, asks city to pay for operations." {{BN}}
* Helmer, Lauren (June 13, 2016) "[http://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/everyday/birminghams-central-park-nearly-100-years-in-the-making Birmingham’s “Central Park”: Nearly 100 Years in the Making]" StyleBlueprint
* Michaels, Ryan (June 28, 2023) "First-Ever 4th of July Festival to Be Held at Railroad Park." {{BT}}


==External links==
==External links==
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Latest revision as of 16:22, 30 June 2023

Railroad Park logo.jpg

The Railroad Park (initially called the Railroad Reservation Park) is a downtown park located on 17 acres between 14th and 18th Streets and between 1st Avenue South and Morris Avenue, along a four-block stretch of Birmingham's Railroad Reservation known as the "Burlington North". The park opened to the public on September 18, 2010.

The Railroad Park is seen as a key segment in a linear urban greenway which is planned to parallel the Railroad Reservation's entire length though downtown, along the 1st Avenue Cut, connecting to Sloss Furnaces, and extending outward to join with other greenways throughout the region in the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System. Within that system, the Railroad Park would become a heavily-utilized urban node with active uses and programs as well as a key gateway with pedestrian links across the divide between the Financial District on the north and UAB and Southside to the south.

Discussed since the 1970s, the present park plan was developed in earnest after the creation of the Friends of the Railroad District (FoRRd) in 2001. A design from Berkeley, California-based Tom Leader Studios was presented to the city on March 28, 2006 and ground was ceremonially broken on October 6 of that year.

View of Railroad Park on September 17, 2010

After a year of design development and site preparation, a second groundbreaking was held in February 2008. Site clearing officially began on April 1, 2008 but failed negotiations with railroad operators for use of easements forced changes to the design and delayed the start of heavy construction until December 2008. Phase I, including all of the park's landscape features along with restrooms, offices, a concession stand and catering kitchen, opened to the public in September 2010. In October 2012 the park won the "Urban Open Space Award" from the Urban Land Institute.

The park is managed by the Railroad Park Foundation, led by executive director Camille Spratling, who succeeded Katherine Billmeier shortly after the park's opening.

Development

Heart of Dixie Railroad Club car next to the Powell Avenue Steam Plant in 1974
Main article: Development of Railroad Park

The idea of creating a park centered on the Railroad Reservation has been discussed since the 1970s, inspired, in part, by the presence nearby of a collection of historic railroad locomotives, cars and equipment owned by the Heart of Dixie Railroad Club. The city used a federal grant to purchase most of the site in 1997 and made it available for large-scale events such as the Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil.

Schematic view of the Railroad Reservation Park in the City Center Master Plan

The Friends of the Railroad District (FoRRd) was formed in October 2001 to bring together community leaders for the purpose of promoting revitalization along the railroad corridor and to raise funds for the eventual development of a linear park incorporating the city's parcel. FoRRd presented ideas for the park to advisers from the Urban Land Institute, whose 2002 report helped shaped the City Center Master Plan adopted in 2004, which made the park a centerpiece of its strategy for connecting various downtown districts.

The city and FoRRd worked together to conduct meetings with stakeholder groups and to commission needed plans and studies. Kincaid hired Renee Kemp-Rotan as a "Capital Projects Liaison" to keep the project moving forward. in early 2005 Tom Leader of Berkeley, California was selected to prepare conceptual designs while ConsultEcon of Boston, Massachusetts was commissioned to conduct market studies and economic impact projections.

As the focus moved to fund raising and implementation, conflicts arose between leaders of FoRRd and the city. Kincaid held that the project must be the city's, with FoRRd as supporters, while Perkins wanted his group to take responsibility for design, construction and operation of the project. Ultimately FoRRd backed down and the city moved forward as developer of the project. In February 2006 the Birmingham City Council approved a $5 million commitment to Railroad Park, which was added to $2.5 million already pledged by the Jefferson County Commission and another $2.5 million in federal grant funds.

Design

Rendering of the proposed park by Tom Leader Studio

The conceptual design from Tom Leader Studio was largely the work of associate Akiko Ono. The plan was praised for incorporating ideas and demands from multiple sources. According to the designers, the plan "derives much of its meaning and character from not only engaging the dynamism of moving trains, but also the large scale, directness, and industrial nature of architecture and outdoor spaces." The rails, along with community participation and a sensitive restoration of natural features were all fundamental elements in the design of the park.

Leader's work was presented to the city on March 28, 2006 at a public presentation on the 16th floor of Two North Twentieth, overlooking the park's site. Specific features noted on the schematic plan included a pavilion with interpretive exhibits on Birmingham's railroad history, a 2.5-acre recreational lake, a performance amphitheater, a jogging trail with elevated observation decks, restaurants and other attractions. A "cultural furnace", which would have included space for visual and performing arts, was envisioned for the area adjacent to Alabama Power's Powell Avenue Steam Plant. A carefully-constructed water reclamation project would provide a small wildlife habitat. A bridge would have connected the park to elevated bicycle paths and to Birmingham Central Station, which was anticipated to be expanded into a multi-modal transport hub.

Implementation

2008 logo for the Railroad Park
Main article: Development of Railroad Park

In July 2006, the Birmingham City Council approved a contract with Brantley Visioneering to serve as project manager for Phase I of the Railroad Reservation Park. In their October presentation to the city, they outlined a project delivery timeline with an opening date of January 2009. The overall cost of the first phase was estimated at $15-18 million. Private fundraising was ramped up as part of a "parknership", combining campaigns to create Red Mountain Park and expand Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Together, the three parks would give residents of Birmingham more public green space per capita than any other American city.

Groundbreaking for the park on October 6, 2006

In late 2007 newly-elected Mayor Larry Langford won approval for his Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance and promised an additional $5 million from the city. In his 2008 State of the City address, Langford promised a "real" groundbreaking for the park: "No more games. No more false groundbreaking. When we break ground this time, we're gonna build it." Excavation work began shortly thereafter with an expectation that Phase I would open to the public in the summer of 2009.

That Spring, negotiations with Norfolk Southern Railroad for the use of an 85-90-foot wide strip of land adjoining the park site broke down. The city filed a condemnation suit in Jefferson County Probate Court, which was referred eventually to the Surface Transportation Board. Rather than delay construction any further, the foundation decided to amend the park design for a smaller site.

The first phase of the park, not including landscape improvements along the 1st Avenue South right of way, opened to the public in September 2010.

Park features and management

The park's first phase included a small artificial lake and associated storm water reclamation ponds, a broad grassy lawn with a natural 3,500-capacity amphitheater, tree-shaded areas, flower and vegetable gardens, several playgrounds and fitness stations, a 1/3-mile "rail trail", a paved plaza with a skateboarding area, and the "Eastgate Emporium", a covered space with restrooms, concessions, administration and security offices and a catering kitchen. Macknally Ross Land Design provided design services for the park's landscaping while Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio designed the park buildings and Radius Graphic Design coordinated signage and developed the park's logo. HKW Architects was designing a planned constructed amphitheater building, which was omitted from the first phase.

The laminated timbers and exposed wood siding on the park's pavilions are black locust.

In 2014 the Railroad Park Foundation proposed to transfer oversight of the park property to the Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board which had been established by the city in 2011 to issue bonds for development of Regions Field. As part of the proposal, the city would take over responsibility for security and landscape maintenance of the park, reducing the foundation's operational expenses to allow for a more favorable refinancing of remaining construction debt. The proposal was given to the City Council at a time when the city's own revenues were projected to fall short of obligated expenses. During a committee meeting park director Camille Spratling exchanged heated words with councilor Lashunda Scales. Scales later wrote to the Railroad Park Foundation to demand Spratling's resignation.

Beginning in November 2016 the park provided a temporary ice-skating rink at the 17th Street plaza.

The three concrete bowls provided for skateboarders and BMX bikers were filled after the City Walk skate park opened in 2022. A "Greenspace Native Plant Project" undertaken in 2023 was supported by a $20,000 allocation from the Jefferson County Commission.

Concessions

When it opened, the park included three small enclosed buildings under the main pavilion roof at the 17th Street Plaza, which were planned to resemble railway box cars in scale. The largest of the three contains a small security office with a reception desk along with two public restrooms. The other two units were outfitted with commercial kitchens with one leased to a concessions operator and the other available to caterers hired for special events.

The first concessionaire at Railroad Park was "George's Boxcar Café", operated by George Sarris through his Yellow Bicycle Catering Co. The business paid $2,000 per year to rent the space. Later, the Boxcar Café was taken over by Red Clay Bar & Events, along with the exclusive license to serve alcoholic beverages at the park. Michael's took over operation of the "box car" concession in July 2022.

Since its opening, Railroad Park has attracted food trucks, ice-cream trucks and other vendors to the areas adjacent to the park. The Birmingham Food Truck Ordinance, passed in December 2013, enacted limitations for such activities. Food trucks are celebrated at the park's annual "Trucks by the Tracks" fund raising event.

In October 2016 a small vendor booth constructed from a shipping container was placed on the park's southwest corner. Leased through Eric Tasker's SmallBox Company LLC. Pop-up vendors have included Samaria Arenas' crafts shop Rainy Day (October 2016-April 2017), the Birmingham Candy Company (April 2017-), and Trove design shop (November-December 2018).

Security

From the beginning, security concerns for the downtown site were important in the design. The park features predominantly uninterrupted vistas and is visible from surrounding streets and businesses. Sanguard Security Services provides regular around-the-clock patrols and the park's numerous surveillance cameras are monitored full-time by Ion Interactive. In addition, the park is included in the beats of the City Action Partnership, Birmingham Police Department, the UAB Campus Police, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

A reported robbery in October 2010, a few weeks after the park opened, renewed public debate about the security of the park. Mayor Bell responded forcefully to arguments that the area was unsafe by highlighting the measures taken by the city and park managers and made reference to a 2009 study carried out by the City Action Partnership showing the its service area in downtown Birmingham has a lower rate of crime per person than the Over the Mountain suburbs of Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia Hills [1].

On Easter Sunday, 2012 multiple fights were reported in the park and a teenager fired a handgun into the air as he fled from police on the 1300 block of 1st Avenue South nearby. Police and park security officers temporarily cleared the park and made four arrests. Officials pledged to revise security procedures for times when crowds of youth might gather in the vicinity of the park.

A fatal shooting at Railroad Park occurred on March 17, 2013 when 15-year-old Jermaine Walton was struck by crossfire during a fight. On April 30, 17-year-old Justin Jones of Birmingham was arrested by the Birmingham Police and charged with murder. Police stated that Jones would be tried as an adult.

Events

During its first late summer, the Park scheduled a series of "Sunset Cinema" film screenings. Other event series held at the park include "Get Healthy on the Railroad" exercise and cooking programs sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Trucks by the Tracks food truck gathering, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's "Symphony in the Summer" program, and the Magic City AIDS Walk.

One of the first major events held at the Railroad Park was the unveiling of "Blueprint Birmingham", a regional economic development plan created under the auspices of the Birmingham Business Alliance.

In December 2010 the city added a second Christmas tree lighting ceremony (following the one at Linn Park) by launching a smaller tree on a floating platform into the Railroad Park's pond.

In 2014 and 2015 the free Schaeffer Eye Center CityFest was held at Railroad Park. On Friday September 30, 2022 NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace hosted a "Bubba's Block Party" at Railroad Park featuring performances by Big K.R.I.T. and Mannie Fresh.

In 2023 the park began hosting an annual 4th of July Family Festival

Associated developments

The pedestrian connection from Railroad Park to the Birmingham Central Station utilized the 18th Street underpass, which was enhanced in 2013 by the "LightRails" art installation of shifting multi-color LED lighting designed by Bill FitzGibbons.

As plans to replace the station with a new Birmingham Intermodal Facility developed, Mayor William Bell proposed adding a pedestrian bridge over the tracks at 16th Street in the middle of the park. Funding for such a bridge was included in the 2012 Birmingham bond referendum, but development has not been pursued beyond the early design phase.

As the park's corridor is extended, it may someday link with the Loft district downtown and eventually to Sloss Furnaces to the east and to the Birmingham CrossPlex to the west, along a projected "Cross to Sloss" trail included as part of the Jones Valley Trail in the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail plan. The Rotary Trail, extending the park's greenway eastward through the 1st Avenue Cut was constructed in 2014–2015.

The 2003 City Center Master Plan further envisions a network of green corridors, including 17th Street and 14th Street as well as 1st Avenue South. Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio prepared designs for Children's Hospital for transforming 17th street into a pedestrian corridor linking its campus to the park. Implementation awaits funding commitments from the city and property owners.

Studies made during the park's development have suggested that it could spur $150-$200 million in related development projects on adjacent properties. In 2005 Corporate Realty Development proposed a $40 million residential project overlooking the park at 1st Avenue South and 18th Street. That project stalled as park construction was delayed.

In November 2010, the City Council approved a proposal for a Downtown baseball park which would be located just west of the Railroad Park. The stadium was planned as part of a larger redevelopment of the area between downtown and Titusville, including the Trinity Steel site now owned by the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority. Private development of the "Parkside District" with mixed-use residential, restaurant and retail space would be supported by master planning work, infrastructure upgrades and economic incentives provided by the city. Eventually a site south of the Railroad Park was chosen for the stadium, which opened in 2013 as Regions Field. Following the success of the baseball stadium, a number of new apartment and mixed used projects were announced. Railroad Square and LIV Parkside were the first to be constructed.

References

  • Oliver, Robin (No date (late 2004)) "A city's renewal: Greenway anchored by 14-acre park featured in plan to revitalize downtown." Birmingham Post-Herald
  • Jordan, Phillip (December 15, 2005) "Railroad Reservations: Why FoRRd is slowing down the trains." Birmingham Weekly
  • Tomberlin, Michael (December 19, 2005) "Railroad Park inspires grand visions: Backers want proposed park to be to city what Central Park is to New York." The Birmingham News
  • Brantley Visioneering. (October 3, 2006) "Railroad Reservation Park: Project Status Report" (PDF)
  • "Project News" (Fall/Winter 2006) DesignAlabama. Vol. XVI, No. II, p. 5
  • Hansen, Jeff (January 6, 2008) "Urban change comes to Birmingham: Railroad Park starts building phase, set to open in late spring '09." The Birmingham News
  • Kent, Dawn (June 8, 2008) "Downtown Birmingham's Railroad Park expected to spawn development, green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets." The Birmingham News
  • Spencer, Thomas (December 24, 2008) "Heavy construction has started on the Railroad Park." The Birmingham News
  • Morris, Philip (May 2010) Railroad Park Graphics". Design Alabama
  • Crowe, Christina (May 13, 2010) "A Well-Engineered Park." Black & White
  • Spencer, Thomas (August 10, 2010) "Birmingham's Railroad Park to open in September." The Birmingham News
  • Tommey, Blake (September 16, 2010) "Forty years of dreams and a community full of people made the new Railroad Park a reality." Birmingham magazine
  • Gray, Jeremy (November 10, 2010) "Calm is the norm for Birmingham's Railroad Park The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (April 9, 2012) "Birmingham police report 4 arrested after melee at Railroad Park." The Birmingham News
  • Diel, Stan (October 18, 2012) "Birmingham's Railroad Park wins major award." The Birmingham News
  • Bryant, Joseph D. (April 25, 2014) "Needing some help: Railroad Park seeks more private cash, asks city to pay for operations." The Birmingham News
  • Helmer, Lauren (June 13, 2016) "Birmingham’s “Central Park”: Nearly 100 Years in the Making" StyleBlueprint
  • Michaels, Ryan (June 28, 2023) "First-Ever 4th of July Festival to Be Held at Railroad Park." The Birmingham Times

External links

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