Magic City Spotlight - August 25, 2022

Birmingham officially welcomes Slutty Vegan at grand opening in Woodlawn

Slutty Vegan CEO and founder Pinky Cole, who opened her restaurant Sunday in Woodlawn with a block party and ribbon cutting, said her company is more than just burgers, fries and pies. It’s also an ecosystem focused on people, purpose and philanthropy.

On Saturday, she met with several Black Birmingham small business leaders to discuss her climb to building her a plant-based, $100 million food company that has five locations in Georgia and is set to open many more in America. During her talk, she offered tips people need to know when starting a business.

Want the tips? Chanda Temple has the recap! Click the button below learn more.

American Rescue Plan brings $27 million to Birmingham neighborhoods

Birmingham will see a $27 million investment in our neighborhoods, thanks to the American Rescue Plan.

More than 70 projects are under review, including capital projects, housing development, economic development and public services.

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Make plans to attend K-3 Literacy Town Hall Tuesday, August 30

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin and Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan will host a town hall on Tuesday, August 30 to encourage community support of kindergarten to third-grade literacy.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Boutwell Auditorium, located at 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard.

Parents of children K-3, local literacy groups, current and retired educators, faith communities and residents are invited to learn how to support Birmingham children in achieving grade-level literacy.

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The City of Birmingham has approved a new uniform trash bin system

 The City of Birmingham is launching a uniform garbage cart system for all its residential homes. Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin recommended and the Birmingham City Council approved $6.5 million to purchase, assemble and distribute 100,000 large trash bins.  

“This is a very progressive step forward,” Woodfin said. “Birmingham will now be aligned with best practices of most cities in this country when it comes to trash pickup. This is a win for our refuse collectors and a win for our residents.”  

Each Birmingham residential home will receive one complimentary 96-gallon garbage cart. These industrial bins keep trash protected from animals and weather elements. They will be serviced using new automated side loader refuse trucks with other existing trucks being retrofitted with special tippers.  

Hudson opens Civil Rights Trail Market at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Mayor Woodfin, along with members of the Birmingham City Council, joined Birmingham Airport Authority and Hudson leaders for the opening of the Civil Rights Trail Market at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

The rebranded retail store located in Concourse C helps tell the story of Birmingham and its role in the civil rights movement to travelers. The store carries The U.S. Civil Rights Trail book by Lee Sentell along with other items for travelers to take a piece of history along their journeys.

The Junior League Wants To Partner With You!

Community Project Application Deadline August 31

If you’re interested in partnering with the Junior League of Birmingham in 2023 - 2024, the deadline to submit your application is August 31st at 5 p.m. Apply here.

Over the years, our volunteers have worked with agencies, like yours, to improve the health, education, financial stability, and well-being of the Birmingham community. We continue that tradition as we solicit agency partners and select programs that will create systemic change in our community.

Our Community Research Committee will evaluate and select projects that complement the mission of the Junior League of Birmingham. The committee will look for projects that offer our members the opportunity to impact our community in meaningful and challenging ways. We encourage projects that are collaborative and address critical, unmet needs in the Birmingham community. Our Community Research Committee evaluates each project and how it complements the mission of the JLB. The Committee’s goal is to select projects where our members are afforded the opportunity to impact our community in meaningful and challenging ways that can be measured. Please be aware that 92% of our membership is employed full or part time; therefore, volunteer opportunities geared towards evenings (after six o’clock) and weekends, or a concentrated time are often very popular.

Our volunteers are most impactful when the projects include:

• evening opportunities (6-10 p.m.)

• weekend opportunities

• working with other volunteers

• training opportunities

• meaningful volunteer experiences

The Community Research Committee is available to provide assistance with your proposal. If you have questions, please reach out to Community Research Chair Megan Miller.

The Junior League of Birmingham is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. We look forward to working with you and your agency.

Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.23.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
 

ITEM 8:

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council unanimously approved an item that will fundamentally reshape and improve the way trash pickup works across the city. The item for roughly $6.5 million includes 100,000 universal trash bins that will be distributed to households and will allow for a more streamlined collection process.

The 96-gallon bins will be outfitted with GPS tracking and will be distributed in phases, with the first batch of 25,000 bins being deployed in the next 6 to 8 weeks. This is the first step in the City reworking the way trash is collected.

Eventually, once the large uniform bins are deployed and the new trucks are in operation, the City will be moving to a schedule of collecting trash once a week, a move that will pay dividends over the years through cost savings. Currently there are 26 routes across the city that collect twice a week. This will eventually be streamlined and cut down significantly on fuel costs.

“I’ve had some residents who were part of the pilot program with this and they had nothing but good things to say about how it’s worked for them,” Councilor Valerie Abbott said. “One of them even told me that they have not yet filled up the bins despite them only coming once a week.”

The 96-gallon bins can hold roughly 6 large bags of trash. However, Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman also pointed out that she is working on an ordinance that will prohibit people from leaving loose bags on top or beside the bins.

“We found out that we don’t have an ordinance on the books that doesn’t allow people to just leave loose bags of trash out for pick up,” Smitherman said. “We’re working on an educational campaign to help people understand how trash pickup works and all the ordinances we have to help prevent illegal dumping and things of that nature. Perhaps most importantly, we're going to do all we can to help educate people on this new process with the uniform bins because we understand there will be some adjustments to make for families.”

Smitherman also noted that code enforcement is a big part of this, and is something that many residents would like to see bolstered. “I’m very excited about this, it’s something we’ve been working on for a while. This will be great for our city. A lot of people might not be able to afford trash bins of this size so it’s going to go a long way towards helping to keep our neighborhoods clean once they are deployed.”

Councilor Darrell O’Quinn pointed out that there is a program already in place to help residents who might need assistance with their bins.

“A 96-gallon bin can be unwieldy. Right now, the Department of Public Works has a program that you can apply for,” O’Quinn said. “If you have a physical challenge and can’t roll a huge bin down to the curb, you can apply for Public Works to do that for you. So I would encourage residents to look into that.”

Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:

ITEM 8. A Resolution, pursuant to §11-40-1 et. seq., and §41-16-51(a)(16), Code of Alabama 1975, authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an agreement with Toter, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $6,030,000.00 for the provision of 100,000 Toter 96 Gallon EVR II Universal/Nestable Carts and accessory parts, and up to $526,002.25 for the provision of assembly, distribution and related services for a total amount not to exceed up to $6,556,002.25 to provide goods and services, which are being purchased in accordance with the terms of the Sourcewell Contract #041521-TOT. [G/L Account: 102_000.525-010] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)**

Create Birmingham Events

SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL: AUGUST 22 - AUGUST 28

The 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank is back with a festival footprint that includes the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, the Alabama Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, the Carver Theatre, First Church Birmingham, the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Recital Hall and Lecture Hall as well as the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Film Birmingham is excited to host the 2022 Sidewalk Film Festival Filmmaker Luncheon at Sloss Furnaces this year! We look forward to meeting filmmakers from across the state and around the country, highlighting regional filming opportunities, and sharing information about Alabama's tax incentives for film.

Magic City Spotlight - The City of Birmingham and Birmingham City Schools partner for literacy town hall

The City of Birmingham and Birmingham City Schools partner for literacy town hall August 30

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin and Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan will host a town hall on Tuesday, August 30 to encourage community support of kindergarten to third-grade literacy. The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Boutwell Auditorium, located at 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard.  

Parents of children K-3, local literacy groups, current and retired educators, faith communities and residents are invited to learn how to support Birmingham children in achieving grade-level literacy.  

“I am committed to doing everything I can to come alongside Birmingham City Schools in supporting our scholars in meeting their literacy goals,” Woodfin said. “Ensuring that our youngsters can read well is ensuring that they have a path toward a better future.”  

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David Arias named new director of Sloss Furnaces

After a national search, the City of Birmingham has selected David Arias to serve as executive director of Sloss Furnaces. Arias began his role on August 15, taking the helm from Karen Utz who served a successful tenure as interim executive.

“David’s track record of servant leadership and fiscal innovation will help take Sloss Furnaces into its next chapter,” Mayor Woodfin said. “We are thrilled to welcome him.

Learn more about David Arias and how he plans to spend his first weeks as executive director by clicking the image above or the button below.

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Revitalization update: Greensprings Highway, Avondale, Enon Ridge, Pine Knoll Vista, Ensley

Revitalization in Birmingham continues!

Greensprings Hwy:

Improvements include sidewalk and landscape improvements to the west side of Greensprings Hwy, a signalized crosswalk at the bus stop and resurfacing of southbound lanes.

Avondale:

Streetscape project will widen sidewalks, create bike lanes and install additional drainage structures on 41st Street.

Ensley:

Improvements include sidewalk and landscaping upgrades to improve pedestrian access.

Enon Ridge:

Roadway widening of 4th Place North from 12th Ave to 14th Ave adjacent to Tuggle Elementary will improve traffic congestion and school bus access.

Pine Knoll Vista:

Ditch stabilization and culver installation will take place on Airport Road to improve drainage and erosion issues.

Stay tuned to City of Birmingham's social media channels for additional projects and updates.

Magic City Spotlight - August 2022

Birmingham receives $10.8 million “Good Jobs Challenge” grant

The City of Birmingham is proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $10.8 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to the City of Birmingham to establish the Birmingham Region Health Partnership, a healthcare workforce training program. This program will build a pipeline of skilled healthcare and digital healthcare workers. Through partnership with local healthcare employers, it will provide access to high-quality healthcare jobs to those communities traditionally underserved, including women and people of color.

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“We are honored to receive the Good Jobs Challenge grant. This is truly a collaborative effort between the city and our partners to enhance workforce development in our region,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said. “These funds from the Biden-Harris administration will go far in our commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive economy designed to serve the people.”

Staff Shortages Delay Trash and Brush Pickup in Birmingham

Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks to the City Council. (Source: Facebook livestream)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council on Tuesday that staffing shortages were the root cause of recent delays in bulk trash and brush pickups throughout the city.

Woodfin was responding to a question from District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott, who said she’d received “tons of calls” from residents upset that their trash had not been picked up on schedule. “We actually have some citizens who wait until the night before, like the law says, to put all their (trash) out, and then nobody comes and picks it up,” she said.

Woodfin said that he had discussed the issue with public works employees, “and what they shared was that it’s not just an equipment problem … We’re short truck drivers.”

The city has worked to improve retention and recruitment in that department, Woodfin said, and has increased the pay rate for bulk trash truck drivers. Even so, the city has had to decrease its bulk trash pickup schedule from twice a month to every three weeks.

Now, Woodfin said, the city is focused on communication, with plans to use social media, the city’s website and 311 services “to communicate to the public and actually be vulnerable and honest enough to say, ‘We missed this date. We’ll make it up to you. We’ll be back.’”

“I expect that gap in hiring will close at some point,” he added. “I expect a lot of this to ease up.”

“We’re still in trouble, but thank you,” Abbott replied.

Upcoming Events at the Birmingham Museum of Art

Featured Programs

Illuminating Shuttlesworth
Wednesday, August 3
Free Admission

Join us for an evening honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Shuttlesworth’s role as the co-founder of the SCLC as well as an integral leader in the 1963 Birmingham Campaign helped to bring national attention to the integration efforts happening in Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement. In this discussion, we are joined by members of Shuttlesworth’s family; Rico Gatson, the featured artist of the BMA’s latest Wall to Wall installation, who chose Shuttlesworth as the theme for his community mural; Siddhartha Mitter, NY Times art journalist; and Martha Bouyer, the educational coordinator for Bethel Baptist Church. Register now!

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Art On The Rocks

Friday, August 5
Admission: $35

After a two-year hiatus, Art On The Rocks is back! Don’t miss the biggest art party in Birmingham featuring a concert by Grammy-winning artist Eric Bellinger.

Since 2005, Art On The Rocks has enlivened downtown by bringing the best of Birmingham’s creative community to the BMA for an exciting night of artful entertainment. Join us this year for live music, DJs, an interactive mural, breakdancing performances, and much more as we bring this popular event back to the Magic City for one night only! Get your tickets now!

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Opening Soon

Wall to Wall: Rico Gatson Presented by PNC
Opens Friday, August 5

The second iteration of Wall to Wall presented by PNC features Brooklyn-based contemporary artist Rico Gatson, who will transform the walls of the Museum lobby with a colorful, life-size image of iconic Birmingham figure, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and an abstract composition on an adjacent lobby wall.

On Friday, August 5, guests attending Museum’s signature event, Art on the Rocks, will be invited to paint alongside Rico in the lobby to help complete the installation. Through community engagement, Gatson hopes to bring the energy from the Civil Rights movement into the present. Born in Augusta, Georgia, Gatson grew up in Southern California and received his BFA from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1989, and MFA from Yale School of Art in 1991.

Magic City Spotlight - July 28, 2022

Bulk trash and brush pickup information

Our Public Works crews have recently faced delays in our bulk trash and brush pickup schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience. Click the button below or stay tuned to the City of Birmingham social media channels for updates. For questions, contact Public Works at (205) 254-6344.

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Online COVID-19 vaccine registration, hotline available

Have questions about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility? Contact the vaccination hotline at 205-858-2221 and visit the JCDH website for a list of several vaccinating sites.

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be protected even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people until advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Tri Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament - July 20 - 23

What:  Tri Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament

When:  July 20 – July 23, 2022

Where:  Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Drive, Homewood

Info:  On the heels of the World Games, more international competition is coming to Birmingham for the 2022 Tri Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at Lakeshore Foundation. Team USA takes on Canada and Great Britain in some hard-hitting, fast-paced wheelchair rugby action as they continue down their journey to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. USA Wheelchair Rugby is the most successful wheelchair rugby team in Paralympic history. This is your chance to see the U.S. squad in action before they compete in the World Championship in Denmark in October. Admission is free and open to the public.

Schedule:

 July 20  

10:00 AM Canada vs GB  

2:30 PM USA vs GB  

7:00 PM USA vs Canada  

July 21  

10:00 AM GB vs Canada  

2:30 PM Canada vs USA  

7:00 PM GB vs USA  

July 22  

10:00 AM USA vs Canada  

2:30 PM GB vs Canada 

7:00 PM GB vs USA  

July 23  

10:00 AM 2nd vs 3rd Semifinal  

3:00 PM Championship  

7 PM Banquet