A fresh look along a tired street brings new life to Midtown Birmingham

view along 14th at viaduct

14th Street Streetscape Improvements

City of Birmingham, Alabama

How do you bring new life to a tired district?  The City of Birmingham chose to start with a street.  They chose the most heavily traveled street in Midtown Birmingham.  They chose 14th Street, a primary connection between their bustling Downtown District and the thriving University of Alabama Birmingham Campus and Medical District.  Maybe a fresh look, new walks, and bike lanes along the street would help to bring hope, inspiration, and private investment to Midtown.   

They found transportation funds, came up with matching funds, and went to work.  They retained KPS to lead the design effort.  They had $1.2 million dollars, and sixteen blocks to cover.  The plan would have to be very strategic.  It needed to make a visual impact. 

Today, 14th Street boasts a continuous green tree canopy that links Downtown, through Midtown and on to the Campus at UAB.  There are new walks, fresh plantings, and bike lanes.  And there are people walking, people cycling, and lots of new projects underway. 

Since the completion of the 14th Street Improvements, the City unveiled the Nationally recognized Railroad Park, and is currently developing the new Birmingham Barons Baseball Stadium on 14th Street.  The street also features an expansive new campus for the Social Security Administration, new student housing developments, a brewery, and soon, there will be a new US Treasury Building.  The University of Alabama at Birmingham is reaching back and continuing the partnership.  The University has bold new plans to extend their campus toward Midtown, along 14th and 15th Street. 

The City's investment included new street trees, walks, brick pavers, lawns, shrubs, lighting, storm water inlets, curb and gutter, and new street furnishings along the sixteen block corridor.  The City also provided asphalt resurfacing, and striping for bike facilities.  

A streetscape alone cannot make a district.  It is only a part of a much larger picture.  But it demonstrates commitment and investment.  It is a link, and it is tangible.  It brings hope, life and vitality both in its look and feel, and it was delightful and refreshing for those who had been waiting in the wings to walk, cycle, work, live, and play on 14th Street.