News You Can Use - May 19, 2022

Mental Health Awareness Day is TODAY, May 19 

• Nearly 40 community partners will join the City of Birmingham, Nurture of Alabama and BWell Bhm in Linn Park on Friday, May 19 for Mental Health Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This email contains flyers about the event and a resource guide, which has a list of vendors and speakers. 

• Counselors, partners and mental health specialists will help people with questions on grief support; practicing work-life balance, coping with trauma, addressing addiction, importance of self-care, helping loved ones with their own mental health and more. 

• There will also be:  

• Cherie May Edwards of Work In Progress will offer confidential depression screenings attendees can do on their cell phones. Once you’ve finished the survey, you can consult with Edwards on next steps.  

• Free chair massages  

• Free blood pressure checks and mental health wellness suggestions at the Brownstone Clinic table   

• Deep breathing exercises with Jamella Stroud  

• Low-impact exercises with fitness instructor Christine Law (These type exercises can be done in work clothes.) 

• Line dancing with the Sixth Avenue Sliders at 1 p.m.  

• Yoga  

• UAB will be collecting survey data from caregivers of children, ages 11 to 16 years old. This is an optional survey. (See Cheer flyer for details.) 

• The Birmingham Public Library’s book mobile  

• Free hand sanitizer, gloves and masks, while supplies last, at the city’s HR table  

• The Live HealthSmartAL Mobile Market will have fresh produce and pantry staples to help support good nutrition, prevention and wellness from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

• A visit around 12:30 p.m. from the Birmingham Bulls Hockey mascot, Toro.  

• The following food trucks are slated to participate on May 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.:   

• Terrific Treatz 

• Kuntri Kitchen 

• Fat Charles 

• Jolly Cakes 

• Nawlins Style Po Boys 

• Hollywood Grille 

• Lil Bougie 

• Cake’s Southern Fried Eats 

• Lemonade Junkeez 

• Lily and Daisy Bakery 

• Snowie Shaved Ice 

• Ice Junkie  

• The Recipe 

• Susta’s Food Truck 

• Coco Crabs 

• Not Ya Average Leaf 

• Treats So Sweet  

• Aww Shucks 

• Travis  

Plan to attend the Birmingham Police Department’s Car Show 

• Come see modern, vintage and tribute police cars. Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1st Ave. South between 14th and 16th Streets in front of Railroad Park. See the attached flyer for details. 

Check out the Birmingham Cashflow Convo 

• Attend a financial literacy course and get an opportunity to become an entrepreneur. This is a free event and open to the public. Hosted by Brian Beane, a multimillionaire and investor. Saturday, May 20 at 9029 4th Ave. South. See attached for details. 

Learn more about People Saving Places 

• It’s Historic Preservation Month. Join the City of Birmingham's Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits for a series of activities. All events start at 12 noon. 

• Historic Preservation Education Lecture Series 

• Tuesday, May 23: Historic Preservation Tax Incentives, Boutwell Auditorium 

• Tuesday, May 30: Birmingham's New Adaptive Reuse Incentive for Historic Buildings, Birmingham Public Library, Arrington Auditorium (Enter through main library, 3rd floor skywalk) 

• For more information, please contact Hannah Garmon, Historic Preservation Manager, at 205-254-2424 or Hannah.Garmon@birminghamal.gov. You can also reach Karla Calvert, Urban Design Administrator, at 205-254-2479 or Karla.Calvert@birminghamal.gov. 

Community feedback needed 

• Come out to the Birmingham Family Fun Center Community Engagement Session. Share your feedback. Wednesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Birmingham CrossPlex. See attached. 

Get helpful life tips at weekly lunch and learn series 

• Birmingham Credit Union is hosting the following May events each week from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch is provided. It’s free for members and $10 for non-members.  

• How to Navigate Your Credit Union, Wednesday, May 24 

• How to Navigate Family Court, Wednesday, May 31 

• The events will be held at 2725 35th Ave. North. See the attached flyers for details.   

Experience Community Conversations with the McWane Center 

• Come out to a free community conversations event that is open to any individual high school-aged through adult who wants to participate in conversations about community health and barriers to crucial health screenings. Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served. See attached flyer for details.  

Upcoming events at Arlington House food events coming soon 

• The Arlington Historic House has a series of upcoming food events starting Thursday, May 25. Enjoy Thursdays at Arlington, Fish Fry Fridays and Soul Food Saturdays. Check out the attached flyer for details.  

• An Interactive Ghost Hunt and Paranormal Investigation is taking place at Arlington House this Saturday night, May 20 at 7 p.m. with Southern Ghost Girls! For further details and tickets, go to https://southernghostgirls.com/events.  

• Please find attached a flyer for Arlington’s upcoming grab-and-go food events (just call (205) 780-5656 to order) – and a photograph of their t-shirts which are now available at $25 for short sleeve and $30 for long sleeve! 

Southern Museum of Flight hosts free family fun day 

• Enjoy food trucks, games, an antique car show cruise in and more at the Southern Museum of Flight. Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see the attached flyer. 

Birmingham youth are invited to gather for a summit 

• Back to the Basics: A Youth Summit is Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Legion Field. There will be peer panels, employment opportunities, food trucks and more. See the attached flyer for details.  
   

It's time for the fishing rodeo 

• Come out to the fishing rodeo on Saturday, June 10 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Lake Park. There will be lots of fish, vendors, food trucks, free live bait, and giveaways. See attached flyer for more details.  

Stay updated regarding the Forging Justice 60th Commemoration 

• All year long, the City of Birmingham is commemorating the heroic acts of our citizens during the 1963 civil and human rights campaign. May is themed “Daring to Dream” and focuses on children and youth of the movement. There are free May posters on the first floor of City Hall. Check out this calendar for details regarding upcoming events: birminghamal.gov/forging justice. 

End-Of-Year Fiscal Inventory coming; be prepared for closures  

• Please note upcoming closings for Purchasing warehouses and Equipment Management 

• Central Stores Warehouse Closed: Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m. & Monday, June 12 - Tuesday, June 13. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Thursday, June 8 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup before 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9. You will be notified via phone or e-mail when your order is ready so make plans to pick up ordered items. The warehouse will re-open Wednesday, June 14 at 7 a.m.  

• Maintenance Warehouse (Coke Building) Closed: Wednesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. – Friday, June 16. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Tuesday, June 13 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14. You will be notified via phone or e-mail when your order is ready so make plans to pick up ordered items. The warehouse will re-open on Tuesday, June 20 at 7 a.m. 

• Purchasing Storeroom (Office Supplies & Paper) Closed: Tuesday, June 20. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Thursday, June 15 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup or delivery before 2 p.m. on Friday, June 16. The warehouse will re-open on Wednesday, June 21 at 8 a.m.  

• Equipment Management – Garage Closed: Monday, June 26 – Tuesday, June 27 until 1 p.m. Make sure your departmental needs are taken care of prior to Friday, June 23rd to ensure you are not without fuel.  

• The last day to enter Print Shop and warehouse requisitions in the current fiscal year is Wednesday, May 31. 

Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov. 

Birmingham City Council Highlights 5.16.23

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

ITEM 1

During Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, the Mayor and his administration presented the legislative body with the proposed FY 2024 City Budget.

The Mayor also outlined budget priorities including, neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure improvements and investments in Birmingham’s youth.

The Birmingham City Council will be holding a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposed FY 2024 Budget – that meeting will be held Monday, June 5th at 5:30 pm at the Boutwell Auditorium

The proposed budget totals roughly $554 million, the largest in the city’s history.

Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who chairs the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said she will be working with her colleagues to compile questions to be submitted to the Mayor’s administration.

“Passing a balanced budget is one of the most crucial responsibilities we have as Councilors and I’ve been very pleased with the level of cooperation we’ve had in recent years during this process,” Smitherman said. “Hearing from members of the public is an integral part of the process and I am looking forward to the upcoming hearings so that we can get a clear picture of what it is our residents want to see reflected in this year’s budget.”

Here are some of the main budget points discussed at the meeting:

• Priorities: neighborhoods (includes public transportation), youth, employees, enhancing public safety

• Budget leverages current surplus expenditures of $60 million

• Parks, sidewalks, libraries, fleet

• Plus, supporting ARPA fund allocations

• Public transit • Restoring tourism

• Redevelopment of blighted properties

• Affordable housing and homelessness

• Small business support

• Supporting city employees

• Community-based public safety initiatives
 

Neighborhood revitalization means providing the investments and services that make our residents feel and see improvement.

• Increased investment in street resurfacing: $15 million (up $2.5 million)

• Boost in weed abatement funding to better service parks, rights of way, empty lots

• Leverage current funding for sidewalks to expand program ($200k + $875k previously)

• Expand traffic calming: $250,000

• Support Land Bank: $500,000
 

We make our neighborhoods stronger when we invest in public transportation.

• BJCTA fixed route investment: $11 million

• Birmingham Xpress: $3 million

• Birmingham On Demand (VIA): $2.5 million
 

Investing in Youth

• Maintaining and expanding programs previously established

• Birmingham Promise: $2 million • Birmingham City Schools Mental Health Support: $1 million

• Financial Freedom financial literacy program: $1 million

• Common Ground/H.E.A.T. curriculum: $1 million (expansion)

• Safe Havens: $500,000 (expansion) • RESTORE juvenile re-entry: $225,000

• DYS Kids and Jobs: $210,000

CAREER FAIR

In response to the recent announcement that Golden Flake will be shuttering operations at their Birmingham facility, Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman has partnered with Jefferson State Community College to host a career fair for the 175 employees who will be laid off in July.

The career fair will be held on Wednesday, May 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Recreation Center. There will be over 20 employers on hand.

The goal of the career fair is to connect these residents with local companies who are looking to fill positions, while also helping to provide a smooth transition for those affected by Golden Flake’s closure.

“When I heard the news about Golden Flake closing, my mind immediately went to the people in our community would be losing their jobs,” Councilor Smitherman said. “I’m honored to be able to partner with Jefferson State Community College so that we can help connect these residents with high-quality career opportunities.”

Those who are interested need to be sure to bring multiple resumes. For more information call (205)-856-8024 or visit www.d6bham.com 

Here is a list of the employers who will be participating:

· Ventura Foods

· US Foods

· Woodfruitticher

· Serv Pro

· Process Barron

· Piggly Wiggly Distribution Center

· Milo's Tea

· Coca-Cola United

· Coil Manufacturing

· Flowers Baking Company

· Atlas Tube Mfg.

· ABC Coke/Drummond Company

· Altec Industries

· JSCC Workforce Education

· Kamtek

· Dunn Construction

· City Wholesale

· CMC Steel

· AlaBev - Alabama Beverage/Birmingham Beverage

· United Ground Express

· Saddle Creek Logistics

· Personell Staffing

· Snelling

· SK Services

· Elwood Staffing

WATCH THE FULL BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL MEETING HERE

View Mayor Woodfin's Proposed FY 2024 Budget

The City of Birmingham is in a time of unprecedented investment in our community. Our economic outlook is strong and we have already dedicated $60 million from a budget surplus to invest in our people, neighborhoods and facilities. We are leveraging the more than $140 million provided by the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan Act to make an impact in our community. Let’s not forget the opportunities that remain from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and our aggressive efforts to land federal grants to support our neighborhoods. My proposed operating budget combined with these additional funding resources will provide an opportunity for us to invest in our shared priorities, enhance our current efforts and position Birmingham for continued growth. 

This $554 million dollar budget enhances our laser focus commitment on neighborhoods and our youth, builds upon our momentum in public transportation like never before and strengthens our efforts to competitively recruit in the public safety sector. All of this while funding the services the city provides to our residents and businesses. 

Read Mayor Woodfin’s complete budget message here. 

 

Key Budget Points

• Proposed Operating Budget Total: $554,805,617

• Appropriations to city departments: $464,375,563

Investing in Neighborhood Revitalization

• Street Paving: $15 million (up $2.5 million from FY 2023)

• Sidewalks: $200,000 (combined with surplus carry over of $875,000)

• Weed Abatement: $2 million (combined with surplus carry over of $1.25 million)

• Demolition: $1 million

• Land Bank Authority: $500,000

• Recycling: $300,000

• Traffic calming: $250,000

Investing in Youth

• Birmingham Promise: $2 million

• Birmingham City Schools (Mental Health Services Support): $1 million

• BHM Financial Freedom financial literacy: $1 million

• Conflict resolution through Common Ground H.E.A.T. Curriculum: $1 million

• Safe Haven Program (Parks and Recreation): $500,000

• RESTORE juvenile justice reentry: $225,000 

• Kids and Jobs Program: $210,000 (Department of Youth Services) 

Investing in Public Transportation

• BJCTA fixed route service: $11 million

• Birmingham Xpress bus rapid transit: $3 million

• Birmingham On Demand powered by VIA: $2.5 million

Investing in Employees

• 5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fire and Police

  • *All city employees have received two 5% COLAs since May 2022

• Merit Pay (5%) available for 2,555 eligible employees

• Longevity Pay available for 1,875 eligible employees

• City will fund 4.75% of an 8.75% increase in healthcare benefit costs

• Pension contribution: $39.6 million for R&R, $13.3 million for F&P

• Contribution to Fire and Police Supplement Pension: $4.8 million increase

 

Capital Improvements

• Department of Public Works deferred maintenance: $3 million

• Rolling stock: $5 million

• Upgrades for 24 of 32 fire station dorms: $1.3 million

Notable

• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute capital improvements: $1 million

• Ruffner Mountain: $250,000 (up $25,000)

• Red Mountain Park: $250,000 (up $25,000)

• Vulcan Park: $525,000 (up $50,000)

Read the Proposed FY 2024 Operating Budget here. 

Read the Proposed FY 2024 Capital Projects Budget here. 

S.T.E.M. Rover Academy 2023

Save the Date for UWCA’s 100th Anniversary Event

Mark Your Calendars for June 24th
and join us for a community Centennial Celebration! 

For 100 years, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) has served our community’s most vital needs, thanks to the support of countless individuals and organizations. Now we want to celebrate our wonderful volunteers, donors, partner agencies and all those who make up this place we call home. We’re hosting a FREE public event on June 24, 2023, from 3 to 8 p.m. at City Walk BHAM. All are invited to join the festivities, which will include:

• Live Music and Entertainment.

• Food Trucks and Beverages. 

• Partner Agency Fair.

• Pacesetter Campaign Kickoff. 

• Activities for all ages and more. 

Details will be announced as we get closer to June, so keep an eye on your email and on UWCA’s social media pages! #UWCA100

We hope to see you there,
Your UWCA Family

Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.11.23

Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.11.23

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

ITEM 16

The Council voted unanimously to remove the 2020 Census Redistricting Committee and replace that body with the Housing Policy Committee.

The Housing Policy Committee will be chaired by Councilor JT Moore, and he will be joined by Councilors Carol Clarke and Darrell O’Quinn.

The Committee will have the responsibility of overseeing local policy and programs that guide and sustain affordable housing opportunities for all citizens and to advocate for fair housing policies.

In the 1930s, the Federal Housing Administration created maps that ranked neighborhoods based on their perceived creditworthiness, a practice known as redlining. Birmingham is one of the most redlined cities in America.

This committee will provide an opportunity for the City Council to take an active role in remediating the effects of that practice.

The time and day of that meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.

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BOARD APPOINTMENTS

There is an opening on the Birmingham Parking Authority, which regulates city's parking spaces, decks and lots.

Applicants must be a registered voter with an address in the city limits of Birmingham.

For anyone interested in serving, please forward a letter of interest and resume to Myeisha.Hutchinson@birminghamal.gov

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FAIR HOUSING MONTH RESOLUTION

Today, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution brought forward by Councilor Darrell O’Quinn recognizing April as Fair Housing Month. April 11, 2023, marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which clarifies a national policy of fair housing for all who live in the United States.

“Today we’re celebrating that achievement with this resolution. Over the past several years, the Council and this administration have made an effort to address affordable housing and blighted properties in the city,” Councilor Darrell O’Quinn said. “One of the issues that we of course recognize is everyone needs to have equal opportunity to access affordable housing.”

According to the resolution, “The Council of the City of Birmingham with Mayor Randall L. Woodfin concurring, supports the goals and ideals of the Fair Housing Act and recognizes the month of April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Birmingham, Alabama, which includes bringing attention to the discrimination faced by everyday citizens in housing and housing-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. We commend the Birmingham Association of Realtors whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment and an uncompromising standard of excellence in its endeavors on behalf of all citizens in this great city.”

Councilor O’Quinn also stated that he is working on an amendment to update the City’s current Fair Housing Ordinance to include source of income discrimination. This would not just be for housing choice voucher recipients, but also those receiving alimony, veteran’s assistance, disability checks and so forth. Cities across the country have passed similar legislation for decades.

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Forest Park / South Avondale (April Newsletter)

 FOREST PARK / SOUTH AVONDALE

 TUESDAY, April 4, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Avondale Library

Agenda:
1.  Report from South Precinct
2.  Parking Variance Parking Modification to allow for 8 off-street parking spaces instead of the required 43 parking spaces for a restaurant.  Old Melt location, 4105 4th Av. S.
3.  Setback Variance to allow for a covered porch addition to be set back 19.9 feet from the front yard property line instead of the required 25 feet front yard setback. (3400 Altamont Way)
4.  Update on Neighborhood Meet and Greet, Pam Murray.
5.  Update on 4167 & 4173 Cliff Road Nuisances, Shannon Blankenship
6.  Update on efforts to create a sidewalk along Altamont Park, Maury Shevin.
7.  Report from Friends of Avondale Park, April Merritt.
8.  Report from Birmingham Board of Education, Mary Boehm
9.  Report from District 3 City Councilor, Valerie Abbott
10.  Report from District 5 City Councilor, Darrel O'Quinn 

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Brush and Bulk Trash Pick Up Date: 
Forest Park / South Avondale  
THURSDAY, APRIL 12
https://www.birminghamal.gov/bulktrash 

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The City of Birmingham has entered phase 2 delivery of the new uniform garbage carts. More than 20,000 carts will be delivered to residences over the next few weeks.
 
The carts will be distributed equally among the four waste management districts (north, south, east, west). If you have received a cart in the phase 2 delivery, please refer to the information packet included with the cart. You will receive additional information in the mail soon. Read more about the new system and delivery plans at www.birminghamal.gov/pickup.

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Please remember to pick up after your pet and avoid disposing of their waste in your neighbor's trash can.  Also be mindful of your pet peeing or pooping on your neighbor's lawn, shrubbery and ground cover.  Pet urine is toxic to many of our plants.

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Forest Park and Avondale Park Historic Districts
Design Review Information

When applying for a building/construction permit, the City's database will alert the clerk if your address is within one of the City's historic districts.  If you reside in one of the City's historic districts, construction / renovation projects will likely be subject to Birmingham's design review process. Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood has two historically designated districts (Forest Park and Avondale Park).  These districts are subject to design review when new construction, renovation, repair, and remodel projects affecting the exterior of any structure located within the historic district boundaries.  Research has show that property values are greater for homes located in historic districts, especially districts that are subject to design review.

When City permitting personnel determines that your proposed renovation/construction project is within a historic district, you will be referred to City's  design review personnel for a determination if the repairs, construction etc. are subject to review by the City and local design review committees.  

If your case is subject to design review, you will be given a date to present your case to the City's design review committee.  You will also be referred to your local "Neighborhood" committee for review.  The local committee will review your case prior to the date set for review by the City's committee and make recommendations to the City Design Review Board.

Local design review committees are made up of historic district residents with the requirement that at least 2 members of the committee are architects. Local committees make findings and recommendations that are submitted to the City committee.  The findings and recommendations of the local committee are binding and can only be overturned by a two thirds majority of the City's design review committee. 

As a word of caution, if you think your residence is located within one of Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood's Historic Districts, DO NOT purchase materials or commence exterior renovations/construction prior to a determination whether your project is subject to the City's design review process.  If  your materials / design are not approved during the process, you may not be able to recoup the expense for materials and / or construction labor.
 

 Forest Park Design Review Committee Interim Chairman
Jeff McGee - jeffmcgeefpsa@aol.com  (205) 999 3185

Avondale Park Design Review Committee Chairman
Jeff McGee - jeffmcgeefpsa@aol.com  (205) 999 3185


Avondale Park Historic District Map
https://gisweb.birminghamal.gov/StandardMaps/Historic/AvondalePark.pdf

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL: Week in Review, March 27 - April 2nd

The Birmingham City Council Takes D.C.

The first stop: The National League of Cities’ (NLC) Congressional City Conference brings together more than 2,800 elected and appointed city leaders to focus on the federal policy issues that are important to local governments.

Three of our City Councilors convened with their national committees — Council President Wardine Alexander, Pro Tem Crystal N. Smitherman and Councilor Darrell O'Quinn.

Topics of discussion included infrastructure improvements, workforce development, and $100 billion in EPA investments for climate change adaptation and resiliency upgrades. Councilor Carol Clarke, took part in a Smart Cities panel discussion and a workshop for dynamic city leadership.

NCRC: Just Economy Conference 

Also while in D.C., the Council attended the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (or NCRC): Just Economy Conference.

"The City of Birmingham has a great partnership and relationship with NCRC and GROWTH.  We have put houses in Woodlawn, we're doing Southtown, Pratt City -- really all over the City-- and just making sure that our residents have the opportunity to afford housing, livable wages, good streets, feel safe -- and a lot of that starts with housing and being able to keep that residence," said Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman (D6).

Read more about that partnership here...

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Due to the lack of a quorum, the Tuesday, March 28, 2023, City Council Meeting was cancelled.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council is set for Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers.

More information is available here...

Citywide Easter Celebration: A Family Affair Hosted by Pastor Thomas Beavers & The Star Church

You and Your Family Are Personally Invited To Spend Easter With Pastor Thomas Beavers & The Star Church

Sunday, April 9, 2023
Birmingham Crossplex Arena
2340 Crossplex Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35208
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Admission Is Free 

Exciting Spring Events at Railroad Park 🌷

FREE Exercise Classes Return April 3

Have fun and get fit for FREE at Get Healthy on the Railroad sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. We have an exciting lineup of classes to help you meet your fitness goals.

2023 Get Healthy on the Railroad Class Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Evening Exercise Classes
Monday: Kickboxing NEW
Tuesday: Hip-Hop Cardio
Wednesday: Zumba
Thursday: Yoga
Friday: Line Dancing NEW
8:00 a.m. Morning Exercise Class
Tuesday: Senior Fit

No pre-registration is required, simply show up 15 minutes prior to
class time to sign up. We look forward to seeing you in class
and don't forget to bring a friend! 

#ShopLocal at Magic City Pop-Up Plaza

Back by popular demand, Magic City Pop-Up Plaza will serve up some of the best local food trucks and retail vendors. Join us on Saturday, April 8 from 12 - 5 pm on the Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza. FREE to attend!

SAVE the DATE: Cooking Classes Return April 23

Local expert chefs will provide cooking demonstrations, food tastings, healthy eating tips and take-home recipe cards at our FREE Get Healthy on the Railroad Cooking Classes sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. The first 100 attendees will also receive a fresh bag of produce from Piggly Wiggly to replicate the recipe at home. See the full schedule here.

Calling All Railroad Park Members

Spring migration will be at its peak on April 17, offering a glimpse of the 112 species of birds that have been documented at Railroad Park. Join us for this Member Exclusive event with local Alabama Audubon expert Greg Harber. Members may bring a friend to enjoy the experience. Space is limited, so click here to RSVP.

Not a member? Join now and receive special invites & other perks!

Healthy, Fresh & Affordable - Mobile Market Returns

UAB's Live HealthSmart Alabama Mobile Market returns to Railroad Park in 2023. Come shop on Railroad Park's Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza every Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Fresh produce, pantry items and more are available. Find the full schedule and more on their website.

Railroad Park is the Place to Be!

Railroad Park is the ideal outdoor location for weddings, reunions, corporate gatherings, fundraisers and more. Let our expert Events Team help you create a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Upcoming Events at Railroad Park:
Magic City Health Fair - April 1
Stop the Violence 5K - April 22
March for Babies - April 29
Purple Stride - April 29
Highlands College Half Marathon & 10K - May 6
Magic City Wine Fest - May 13