Spring 2013 - Downtown

Students selected for this discussion were cordially invited to dinner on 

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 at 7:30 PM 

featuring a specially prepared menu and casual conversation with:

Ann Bourne - Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County

Ian Crawford - Jemison Van de Graff Mansion

Mary Elizabeth Harper 

Tim Higgins - Downtown Property Manager & Resident 

Kathleen Kirkpatrick - Blue Horizon Enterprises/Sassafrass Center for Arts & Entertainment

Hank Lazer - Creative Campus

Bill Lloyd - Wilhagan’s Grille & Tap Room

David & Beth Milis - the makers market

John McConnell - Director of Planning & Development Services – City of Tuscaloosa 

Brendan A. Moore Jim Page - Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama 

Mark Robison

Taylor Watson & Barbara Brosier

Sandra Wolfe - Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa

To check out the blog discussion for this topic, continue reading.

1. Dinner With Strangers says:

   February 17, 2013 at 7:35 PM

   Welcome! Those of us at the Ferguson Center are excited to finally open up discussion for Dinner with Strangers for Spring 2013! This page will be a space for the community members and selected students involved with this project to begin discussing the efforts to revitalize downtown Tuscaloosa, before meeting for dinner on March 3rd.

   Let’s start the conversation with a few simple questions: Generally speaking, how do you define downtown? How would you describe downtown Tuscaloosa? What relationship do you see between downtown and the UA campus community? What role, if any, do you play in what goes on downtown?

   
   
   • DWS Ariel Worthy says:

     February 20, 2013 at 6:09 PM

     Hi!

     Generally speaking I would define downtown as a getaway for many. I always picture downtown as this place you go whenever you’ve had a stressful day or week. Though that might be cliche, I also see it as home to many people. Downtown Tuscaloosa is not quite the same as other downtowns, but it has its own sense of a community which is what I like about it. In other cities, their downtown area is overcrowded with people of all ages and rude people. Tuscaloosa is different in my opinion because people of the same status often go there. There is a sense of a “Southern Hospitality” in downtown Tuscaloosa. Many people who go downtown often know the people at the bars downtown because it is their place to getaway so they form relationships with people they meet and converse with. (Not to mention the variety of bars downtown: Green Bar, Icon, Twisted Martini, Innisfree) With Tuscaloosa being a college town, there is a close relationship between UA and downtown. It’s crowd is mostly students from the university. In a way the students make downtown what it is because they keep downtown’s business active. I feel the role I play in downtown is an average role. Besides giving them my money on the weekend, I do not feel that I make that much of a difference in the downtown area. In contrast to what all I have mentioned, I would very much enjoy Tuscaloosa’s downtown area to cater to the art scene as well.

     
     
2. DWS Taylor Watson says:

   February 20, 2013 at 8:59 PM

   1988, that’s the year Barbara and I moved into the downtown area of Tuscaloosa. For us downtown is more than just a place to shop, grab a bite to eat, or meet friends for a drink, it’s the place where we raised our kids, made new friends, and said goodbye to some dear ones. It’s where we live our life.
   We miss the days of the Chukker, H&W Drugstore, and Woolworth’s diner- the best sweet tea ever! but we love the Alcove, Hooligan’s, Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy & Edelwiess bakery. During these 25 years, we have watched, cheered and protested the growth of downtown Tuscaloosa, but even with some scars along the way we wouldn’t be any place else.
   See everyone soon

   
   
3. DWS Ian Crawford says:

   February 21, 2013 at 5:48 PM

   Downtowns once were the center of all activity in a city. The shops, restaurants and businesses lined the streets and served as the central place of commerce and socializing. With the advent of the street car, then later the automobile, businesses have moved and the nature of downtown has altered. How does a downtown reclaim this status? Does downtown need to fulfill a new role?
   I have been in Tuscaloosa since 2006. I came as a student and now work downtown. In the past seven years I have seen a lot of increased activity downtown. I work in a historic house that has seen downtown built up around it, torn down, rebuilt and torn down again. My concern for Tuscaloosa is unstained or unsustainable growth. If we go through a boom period will we experience a bust? How many condos are needed? How much parking? Do we accept national chains at the cost of losing our established restaurants and local businesses? I am elated to see new construction on empty lots, but I don’t care for the loss of existing buildings for the chance of a new one. You can call it being stodgy or disagreeable or against progress, but I think we must voice our opinion and be very careful with how downtown proceeds. I hope to see more downtown shops and apartments, I want to see people walking dogs and going to concerts, but I do not want to see empty storefronts and rotting new buildings in a few short years due to fads or unsustainable growth.

   
   
4. DWS David Milis says:

   February 25, 2013 at 9:59 PM

   I would say Downtown Tuscaloosa is a square consisting of Queen City, 12th Street, Lurleen South, and 4th Street.

   Downtown is a vibrant area that undergoes changes all through the day. A working time for government and other businesses, followed by traffic time, moving in to dinner and drinking time. Within the work time, visitors to Downtown will find little congestion, and an easy area to shop and have lunch. Those visitors will make it a point to be out of Downtown prior to the traffic time.

   After 6pm, Downtown constricts in activity to mainly 23rd to Greensboro, and 4th to 6th, where most of the bars and restaurants are.

   I’ve been here only four years, and my perception of the relationship between UA and Downtown is that the students will be on the strip, and the UA staff will utilize Downtown. Residents that wish to avoid crowds will visit Downtown on nights other than Thursday through Saturday.

   Our goal is to provide Downtown with a unique shopping experience, and be a destination point for anyone wanting unique, locally made goods.

   
   
5. DWS Tim Higgins says:

   February 26, 2013 at 6:00 PM

   Downtown Tuscaloosa is emerging from more than a decade’s long slumber. With the expansion of student body at the University of Alabama plus programs like the Bama Art House Film Series, the amphitheater, and more places to eat and shop, I have seen downtown light back up in a very short amount of time.

   I would disagree with Mr. Milis on the boundaries of downtown; in my opinion downtown is bordered by 30th Ave to Queen City and Jack Warner Parkway to 15th Street. The Riverwalk, amphitheater, and historic homes and parks cannot be detracted from downtown as they are a major reason why people are venturing back into what has been an ignored area for far too long.

   When I first moved downtown five years ago, there were less than ten people living on the entire city block where I live. Since then the neighborhood has reached capacity and the turnover rate is extremely low. However, downtown has its downside as well: Lurleen Wallace N and S are extremely dangerous to pedestrians, bicyclists, and even cars; there are no grocery stores or corner stores downtown residents have easy access to; and there are no recognizable public transit stops with the exception of the public transit hub in the center of town. With that said, the progress made downtown so far is exceptional, and I have no doubt that these issues will be or are currently are being discussed by city officials who are recognizing that a working and livable downtown is a huge asset to the longevity of Tuscaloosa.

   
   
6. DWS Mark Robison says:

   February 26, 2013 at 7:21 PM

   As a relative newcomer to Tuscaloosa, I am pleased to read my colleagues’ above comments that downtown is “emerging from slumber” or experiencing “increased activity.” I have nothing else again which to compare downtown’s current state. Upon arriving in Tuscaloosa last June, I instantly fell in love with downtown. Within a week I was attending the Bama Theater for the summer arthouse film series, sampling Edelweiss pastries, and meeting coworkers for drinks at Icon, Wilhagan’s and the Filling Station. To me, downtown Tuscaloosa — which I define broadly — is refreshingly vibrant and sophisticated. (In my description of downtown, I would have to include Jack Warner Parkway’s many sites, including the public library, the River Market, and the Amphitheater.) It really lends to Tuscaloosa’s overall personality, unlike so many cities’ downtown areas.

   The contrast between “downtown” and “the Strip” is pronounced but not irremediable. Students go downtown. They do; I see them there every week, dining, drinking, watching movies, attending church, and more. Perhaps the biggest problems are distance and transportation — two sides of the same coin, really. For a student with no specific reason to go downtown, walking/biking/driving west on University Boulevard past the Thai restaurants might not seem appealing. The Strip quickly transforms from student-oriented businesses into historic neighborhoods and government buildings. Those 3 – 4 blocks are a sufficient barricade when plenty of fun can be had near campus. I believe increased transportation and awareness of *existing* transportation, combined with more student-centric events by downtown businesses, could really help bridge this gap.

   
   
7. dwsSandy Wolfe says:

   February 28, 2013 at 8:38 PM

   I have lived in Tuscaloosa for almost 20 years and worked in downtown Tuscaloosa for close to 15 years. I am amazed by the growth over the last 10 years. I consider the downtown area to be Jack Warner Parkway to 15th street and Queen City to Capitol Park. One of the great things about downtown is the combination of residential living, business, restaurants and the arts all combining to create a vibrant atmosphere. I am glad to see several people mention the Bama Art House Film series as part of what they enjoy about downtown. I often hear people describe coming to the Bama Theatre for events as being festive and fun. The arts are an important part of economic development and what makes a community special. On The Americans for the Arts website they list the top 10 reasons to support the arts:

   http://www.artsusa.org/pdf/get_involved/advocacy/10_Reasons_to_Support_the_Arts.pdf

   The Arts Council will be opening the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center this August which will include a black box theatre, office space for the Tuscaloosa Symphony, Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, The Tuscaloosa Community Dancer’s and a an office for the Arts Council as well as a catering kitchen and two art galleries. One of the galleries will be a downtown University of Alabama gallery space which will provide more connection between UA and the community. One exciting thing about this project is that it is restoring an historic building and creating a new space. I like the mix of history in downtown and the new development along the riverfront.

   One of the things that we find difficult is getting the word out about all that is happening in the arts in Tuscaloosa. The Arts Council has a website with a calendar of events at the Bama Theatre as well as what’s going on with all of the arts council member organizations. It is just hard to connect with the university students. Most arts organizations are operating with a small staff and a smaller budget. The support of the community is vital.

   
   
8. DWS Christina Kozuh says:

   March 1, 2013 at 12:25 AM

   how do you define downtown? I see downtown as a common place where people can gather. I would consider downtown from about Innisfree to the Bridge heading to Northport. Its a place where people can explore the city they live in through shops, restaurants and various other things.

   How would you describe downtown Tuscaloosa? it is a place where people not knowing of the City can explore what Tuscaloosa is all about. I feel like Downtown is more of a place for the Locals or older crowd to hang out. ( This is changing quickly though, more students are starting to go downtown.)

   What relationship do you see between downtown and the UA campus community? The relationship is slowly growing, more and more students are starting to hangout downtown. This is partly because of the variety of things offered Downtown ( opposed to the strip is only bars and a few restaurants ). Another reason more students are exploring downtown is because the bar scene is changing, its moving from the Strip (Gallettes) to places downtown ( Innisfree or Moes BBQ). Both of those places are ” the new Gallettes” so all the students say, there was even a Crimson White article about it.

   I also feel like the taste buds of students have changed (growing steady but slowly). Now the students want more craft beer than a “basic” domestic beer. Most of the places located on the strip do not offer these different beers or variety the bars downtown do. I think the owners of the bars, Greene and Supreme beverage have done a good job with the changing of students taste.

   What role, if any, do you play in what goes on downtown? I feel like I play a small role. I am a bartender at Moes BBQ. I think me working there has caused my friends to switch which bars they go to because they come to see me every night I work (which are all the good going out nights). My friends always bring their friends, so this has increased the traffic coming into Moes.

   
   
9. DWSKathleenKirkpatrick says:

   March 1, 2013 at 3:59 PM

   I grew up in Tuscaloosa in the ’70s, back when the Woolworth’s lunch counter was in full swing and before the uni-directional Lurleens. To me, Downtown Tuscaloosa is the area from about Queen City to Capitol Park and River Rd (now Warner Pkwy) to 15th St, with Greensboro and University Blvd serving as the major arteries. When I was a kid, we could safely walk or ride our bikes downtown. We walked to school – right there in or near our neighborhoods. We would often spend afternoons and weekends roaming from campus to downtown, collecting friends along our route – many of whom were the kids of young professionals and faculty members. My father located his office downtown, alongside many other small professional offices in older homes near the downtown core. There were also small grocery stores and pharmacies in the neighborhoods, pretty much everything you needed. The University and Tuscaloosa communities were much more at ease with one another in those days.

   In the mid-late ’80s when I would come home to visit, I began to see more and more downtown businesses move to malls, across the river, or close altogether. Older and historic buildings began to fall into disrepair or be replaced. As an environmental professional with an interest in land use planning, architecture and historic preservation, I recognized the risk of what this was doing to our urban fabric. Fortunately, a number of local business people had the foresight to purchase and protect the downtown core. Some businesses hung on and there were always community anchors like the Chukker to keep us coming back. {don’t get me started about what we lost with the Chukker…}

   Fast forward to April 27, 2011. I was living in Portland, Oregon (now that’s urban!) and noticed some nasty weather bearing down on Tuscaloosa. After the devastation, one news report stated that downtown had been hit hard. I envisioned the area along Greensboro and the few remaining grand historic homes blown away. Not so. For purposes of the news reports “downtown” was referring to the intersection of 15th & McFarland. That was a pretty clear sign to me that perceptions of where to go in Tuscaloosa had changed. Here, I will not get into what else I was thinking and feeling in the days/weeks/months that followed the storm. Suffice it to say that is why I am back in Tuscaloosa after 30 years away.

   What role do I play in what goes on downtown? Well, I am determined to be a part of it and build a healthy sustainable community. We need more {quality} residential development and retailers providing basic essentials (groceries, anyone?). It took me almost a year to find the right rental property downtown. Rental rates are so skewed by student and game day housing in what used to be a wonderfully diverse historic area full of families. I moved back to Tuscaloosa to advocate for sustainable development and bring back some hard-won experience to my hometown. More people in this community should GET INVOLVED and voice their opinions about what they would like to see happen, to allow Tuscaloosa to evolve and prosper in a sustainable, resilient fashion. We cannot rely solely on local government to make it happen (though they are providing a very good framework).

   The animosity between people still living in the downtown historic districts and students in their neighborhoods is astounding. If we can get more students out and involved in the community (in general, not just downtown) we should be able to foster more understanding and collaboration. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of interacting with some truly remarkable young people at UA who have a good understanding of what it takes for a community to operate sustainably. We need more like them, and more opportunities like Dinner With Strangers to keep the dialogue going.

   Look forward to meeting new friends at dinner Sunday! And sorry for rambling on…

   
   
10. DWSKathleenKirkpatrick says:

    March 4, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Thanks again to Heather and the entire DWS crew for a wonderful event last night!

    I tracked down the recent NPR piece about Light Pollution: http://tinyurl.com/bsbw35d“Turning It Down: Cities Combat Light Pollution By Going Dim “