It’s a good time for some out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to outdoor spaces. Useful outdoor spaces have always been important contributors to downtown vibrancyCOVID-19, and the need for more square footage to spread out, has pushed us to rethink how one specific public space should be used: city streets. 

Beginning in 2020, the City of Birmingham and REV Birmingham have partnered on several projects that reclaim streets (or sometimes specific sections of streets) for pedestrian use. A better pedestrian experience leads to more foot traffic, which means more support for our local businesses and more fun in our urban districts. Here are a few things we’ve done: 

Flex Lanes 

The City of Birmingham’s Department of Transportation and REV are planning to make good use of some previously underutilized public space along 20th Street North20th Street North is technically one very wide lane, but it has always functioned more like two. Traffic typically moves on the left, and other uses—from valet to delivery to construction supply storage—happen on the right. The City, with support from REV, is now formalizing the flexible usage of that right lane with funky new paint and clarified policy. The creation of a flex lane is an exciting and tangible step in the implementation of the larger 20th Street refresh plan. Read more about the 20th Street plan and how flex lanes can be used! 

Shared Space 

The City of Birmingham launched Shared Space Permits in 2020 to help bars and restaurants safely welcome customers back for an on-site dining experience while also maintaining social distancing rules. The City created a special permit that allows the temporary use of designated, outdoor, public space to promote safe distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The permit allows for seating or dining, retail use, and curbside pickup. REV worked with the City to create a design guide, and has consulted with several restaurant owners to create their Shared Space plan and file for a permit. Learn more about the process and how we can help 

Eat in the Streets 

A breath of fresh air for Birmingham restaurants and the diners who love them, Eat in the Streets allows diners to dine outdoors while also social distancing. Last fall, the  City of Birmingham closed key streets in downtown Birmingham, Pepper Place and Avondale and spread tables across the asphalt for several vibrant and delicious evenings in 2020.  

Parkside Trail (Open Streets) 

Parkside Trail was an Open Streets demonstration by Orchestra Partners and REV on 1st Avenue South that transformed a space normally designated for cars into space for people to enjoy. Every Saturday and Sunday in May of 2020, more than ½ mile of street space was transformed into a multi-use trail/parklet using temporary road paint and light traffic cones and barricades. Road paint consisted of six-foot-wide, multicolored Parkside logos, placed six feet apart to encourage social distancing. REV uses temporary interventions like Parkside Trail to gather data and create experiences that can inspire long-term positive change in the districts where we work. 

Cool, right? Stay tuned to @revbham on Facebook and Instagram for lots more about what’s going on in your city—and share your thoughts and questions with us on social media! 

Related News

  • Why your voice on historic preservation is essential

    Filed Under: Front Page, Get Involved, Historic Preservation, Residential

    President and CEO of REV Birmingham David Fleming writes about the importance of historic preservation and highlights the advocacy efforts that saved the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Forest Park neighborhood in Birmingham. The article concludes with a call to action, urging for new leaders and the implementation of various strategies to protect and celebrate Birmingham’s historic buildings and places.

    Read More

  • It's show time at the Woodlawn Theater!

    Filed Under: Filling Vacant Spaces, Front Page, Small Business, Woodlawn, Yaysayers

    Lights, Camera, Action! The rebirth of the Woodlawn Theater is happening this weekend in the heart of Woodlawn. The theater is opening its doors to the public with two extraordinary opening events that are FREE to the public. The 1400 square foot venue has a wide range of amenities and even has a full-service bar. Because of the Mason Music Foundation, this venue is filling a much needed resource for local musicians to perform. Keep reading to discover how the theater came back to life and its impact on the community.

    Read More

  • What Stallions cornerback, Brian Allen loves about Birmingham

    Filed Under: Downtown Birmingham, Events, Front Page, Yaysayers

    Brian Allen, a talented cornerback, has made the remarkable transition from a small town in Texas to the vibrant city of Birmingham. Choosing Birmingham for his football career for two consecutive seasons, Brian’s unwavering dedication and exceptional skills have made him a standout figure in the world of football. To dive deeper into Brian’s journey and discover his genuine appreciation for the city, watch this video with the link below!

    Read More