Quite literally, alleys have long taken a backseat to other parts of town. These often-underused narrow spaces between and behind buildings are now being “activated” for public use. Efforts are under way to transform Merchant Alley in downtown Athens... Read more
Downtown Birmingham has a large inventory of older industrial buildings, thanks in large part to benign neglect. Many of these early buildings today are providing an ideal source for mixed-used redevelopment. “The reason there are a lot of old... Read more
A short drive north of Alabama’s premier vacation destination – Gulf Shores/Orange Beach – is Summerdale, a community that provides the only access to the beaches with the two major highways leading south. An enviable location indeed. Yet Summerdale... Read more
Alabama is getting more colorful these days, thanks to efforts to create murals that enliven communities and contribute to their singular identity. The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) is on a mission to harness the ability... Read more
Just a 20-minute drive north of Birmingham is an oasis far removed from the urban landscape. A place that’s home to some of the most biologically diverse habitats in the region. Here are seven protected plants and animals, along... Read more
Converting an older building into a restaurant can make dining out more memorable. According to Food Fanatics magazine, “Nothing makes a first impression like an historic building.” A great example is Helen Restaurant, housed in what was originally the... Read more
Trails have long been part of America’s landscape and no longer limited to forests, mountains and prairies. Montgomery joins the many municipalities discovering the benefits of having trails close to home. A new project under way in the Capital... Read more
An interior space can be dramatic with bold lines and oversized graphics, or tranquil and soothing with a neutral color scheme, open space and natural light. And sometimes it’s both, as with the new Heart Center lobby for Cardiology... Read more
“The vast majority of outdoor urban space is dedicated to the private vehicle, while only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space for people.” Among the most innovative ways to turn hardscape into green space originated... Read more
Camp Winnataska – a nonprofit, faith-based summer camp east of Birmingham in St. Clair County – has been providing boys and girls with memorable experiences since 1918. Today’s campers and future generations are sure to enjoy the new cabins... Read more
