It's right there in our mission.
REV creates vibrant commercial districts.
Why? Because vibrant business districts are hubs of cultural commerce. They create a cool factor that enhances our lives and helps attract and retain talent and business to our region.
REV focuses our work in two main areas within the city of Birmingham.
Woodlawn
REV’s work in Woodlawn is designed to propel equitable entrepreneurship. By working closely with community facilitators, business and property owners, plus volunteer groups, REV is empowering and supporting engaged stakeholders on projects like facade improvements and landscaping projects in the Woodlawn business district that reduce blight and improve design.
Oh — also, REV’s office is in Woodlawn; come see us at SocialVenture!
Downtown
With lots of input from downtown Birmingham stakeholders, REV is driving vibrancy in Downtown with a refreshed CAP Clean & Safe program, enhanced design of public spaces, the filling of vacant spaces and coordination of downtown branding.
REV manages the CAP program, whose ambassadors are downtown for you to keep things clean and safe. They help improve your downtown experience, from picking up litter from your sidewalks to helping you find parking or the perfect place to eat.
REV consults with developers who are adaptively reusing downtown’s buildings, as well as many small business owners who ultimately fill vacant spaces (both in the City Center and in neighborhood business districts). Our team provides context for specific districts and connects people with the resources and incentives they need to realize their dreams.
News
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Preservation that pays: How historic tax credits can power a downtown revival
Filed Under: Developer, Downtown Birmingham, Front Page, Historic Preservation
For preservation advocates (or “building huggers,” as we like to call ourselves), historic tax credits are essential. They don’t just help save historic buildings — they support local economies, encourage private investment and breathe new life into spaces that shape the identity of our communities.
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Date night done right: Romantic outings you’ll fall for in Birmingham
Filed Under: Birmingham Food & Drink, Downtown Birmingham, Family Friendly, Front Page, Residential, Yaysayers
Looking for the perfect way to spend quality time with your special someone? In this guide, we’ve rounded up a variety of Magic City date ideas tailored to different tastes, personalities and interests. So, grab your partner, or even a few friends, and explore some of Birmingham’s best spots for a truly memorable time.
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Downtown BHM Fitness Trail: 20+ locations to feel the burn!
Filed Under: Business-Proving, Downtown Birmingham, Front Page, Residential
Downtown Birmingham is where fitness meets community in a vibrant urban landscape. In this trail, we’ll take you through locations on both the north and south sides of downtown, highlighting gyms and outdoor destinations where you can connect with others while working on your fitness goals. Ready to break a sweat?
How do we do place-based revitalization?
At the forefront of all of our place-based work is this core value: community leads, design feeds. That means we appreciate that each district is unique, with entirely different personalities, needs and definitions of impact. We examine every little piece of a community and work with stakeholders from business owners to neighborhood associations to government (and many more) to agree on a vision and design strategies that fuel it.
Based on the National Main Street Center’s best practices, REV’s place-based approach to revitalization in Birmingham can be applied differently based on what communities need. Here’s our recipe for creating for downtowns with a cool factor.
WHY WE WORK IN THESE DISTRICTS
REV’s approach works best in districts that have what we call the three P’s: Place, Partners & Payers. Geographies where REV works must have:
- A historic commercial fabric with a spark to build around;
- Willing community partners who are ready to roll up their sleeves;
- Resources to sustain the work – whether government partners, foundation grant funding or property owners banding together to form a business improvement district (BID).
Would you like your community to work with REV?
Send us a message and we’ll talk strategies.