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Category: Economic vitality

Birmingham, Alabama

During the recent recession, Birmingham began to explore innovative ways of improving economic conditions and the quality of life through public/private partnerships.

A land-swap between the City of Birmingham and the University of Alabama Birmingham paved the way for a $64 million project to build Regions Field for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league baseball team. A new, 19-acre Railroad Park downtown received an Open Space Award from the Urban Land Institute.

Other projects include a $400 million expansion for Children’s of Alabama, an international hospital, and a revival of the city’s historic Theater District. The Avondale neighborhood is reversing a declining trend with the help of a downtown economic development group, Avondale Brewery, residents, and federal stimulus funding.

Less than a mile away, the impoverished neighborhood of Woodlawn has seen development of a different kind—an $11 million investment from the YWCA of Central Alabama to build a six-family shelter and renovate 58 nearby apartments. YWCA has also brought a Family Resource Center and health, education, and employment services to the community…… 

May 2, 2013 | 0 comments | View Post

Searching for Fiscal Sustainability

The spring 2012 issue of the National Civic Review (101:1) focuses on the successes of four government entities in Southern California—two cities, a county and a school district—in adapting to the difficult fiscal challenges of today.

NCR’s publisher, Jossey-Bass (Wiley) is now making these articles available at no cost. The case investigations are part of a three-year research project on local governments and “fiscal sustainability” funded by the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.

Link here for more information.

May 17, 2012 | 0 comments | View Post

All-America City Projects: Downey, California

Gangs out of Downey

Gangs Out of Downey (GOOD) is a grass roots organization whose main goal is to prevent gang violence through awareness, education, intervention, stimulation and recognition of responsible behavior.  The GOOD committee is a voluntary organization consisting of community members, local elected officials, service club representatives, police officers, local business people, city and school district staff.  Through its efforts, GOOD has impacted crime and gang activity at the local high schools over the last 5 years in the following ways:  1) assaults are down 45% from its peak in 2005; 2) thefts are down 66%; 3) weapons possession are down 59%; 4) overall crime has decreased 10% on high school campuses; and 5) on average, less than 7 incidents of vandalism have been reported on each of the three participating high school campuses.

May 26, 2011 | 0 comments | View Post

Gladstone on the Move

By Derek Okubo

The 2008 All-America City of Gladstone, Missouri continues to demonstrate what being a designee is all about. I was in Gladstone last week working with their city council in their 2011 goal setting retreat and heard some remarkable news in light of today’s tough economic environment. This past August, the city brought two bond elections (one for roads and another for sewer/infrastructure) and a ¼ cent sales tax increase to city residents to address public safety and communication needs. The bond elections passed with 88% and 86% respectively. The sales tax increase passed with 79% of the vote. These startling percentages are indicative of the high level of citizen participation/partnerships and the intentional and deliberate communication loops between the city, community organizations and citizens.  As a result, Gladstone residents understand the intent of the bonds and sales tax increase and trust that their government will follow through appropriately.

November 4, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

All-America City Finalist: Scott County, Kansas

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July 16, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

All-America City Finalist: Bowling Green, Kentucky

Battling brain drain, revitalizing historic downtown, serving at-risk youth…

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July 7, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post