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(03-18-2013 10:56 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Can anyone explain what qualifications are needed to be on the Birmingham City Council ?

You have to live within the city limits, and by "live" I mean get your mail delivered there and register a pulse.

(03-18-2013 10:56 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Can anyone explain what qualifications are needed to be on the Birmingham City Council ?

The ability to fog a mirror

(03-18-2013 10:56 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Can anyone explain what qualifications are needed to be on the Birmingham City Council ?

Same as the qualifications to be on the City Council in any other town in Alabama like Clay or Trussville or Pinson or Hoover: convince enough dumb voters to vote for you.

Everyone acts like Birmingham has some special place among idiot politicians but show me a city in Alabama and I'll show you one run by a bunch of dumbasses

With all due respect, I commented on the intelligence of one councilman. Just one.

Yes, every municipality has its dumbasses. We were singling out Birmingham because we were talking about Birmingham.

If the mayors of Clay or Trussville or Pinson or Hoover should ever offer an opinion on a domed stadium in their cities, I'm sure we'll have plenty to say about it.

(03-19-2013 08:46 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 10:56 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Can anyone explain what qualifications are needed to be on the Birmingham City Council ?

Same as the qualifications to be on the City Council in any other town in Alabama like Clay or Trussville or Pinson or Hoover: convince enough dumb voters to vote for you.

Everyone acts like Birmingham has some special place among idiot politicians but show me a city in Alabama and I'll show you one run by a bunch of dumbasses

Birmingham/Jeffco and Montgomery seem to be the collection point for the worst of the worst politicians. And I guess that is by default. Montgomery because it is the Capital, and Birmignham because it is the largest city. Nobody knows your name in either town if you are doing a good job and keep the public's interest in the forefront of your thinking. But embezzle a few hundred grand and the world now knows your name and it gets you reelected later when no one can prove anything.

I think it is funny how Councilman Royal didn't have a blurb quoted in the story. He must be gearing up for a run at the mayor's job.

(03-19-2013 08:53 AM)Smaug Wrote:  With all due respect, I commented on the intelligence of one councilman. Just one.

Yes, every municipality has its dumbasses. We were singling out Birmingham because we were talking about Birmingham.

If the mayors of Clay or Trussville or Pinson or Hoover should ever offer an opinion on a domed stadium in their cities, I'm sure we'll have plenty to say about it.

To be clear, I fully agree with your premise. And I enjoyed the metaphor, despite its piss-poor (see what I did there?) logic fail. To further explain your point, the difference with the dumbasses in Clay or Trussville or Pinson or Hoover is that they don't have the access or the leverage that would allow their dumbassness to have a significant impact on anybody who doesn't literally live within that city's borders. The dumbasses who run Birmingham cause problems for people who don't reside in it. So it's a bigger deal when they're dumbasses.

(03-15-2013 01:45 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  The city desperately needs to build the MPF. They've shown they can successfully complete game changing projects such as the Baron's stadium and the Westin Hotel. Now take the next step.

The MPF would bring in a ton of money. Most of the activity comes in the form of conventions that Bham currently can't bid on b/c of our lack of space. Basically you build a convention center and throw some seats around it to also host sporting events and concerts. I could see the SEC basketball tournament, CUSA bball tournament, Regional Final in the NCAA tourny, etc.

Wonder what would happen to the BJCC Arena space if the MPF became a reality.

The convention business will never be what it once was, so I doubt you could hang $200 mil on that. The "once every so many years" conference or NCAA tourney would not pay the light bill, so that won't fly either.

They (B'ham City Council) say that if there was private financing involved, they would be all for a dome. Don't hold your breath on that one, as private money usually comes from a team owner, and I don't see any NBA or NFL teams lining up a visit to Birmingham.

I saw an interview last night with the Ex. Dir. of the BJCC and he admitted that they had only 2 "firm" deals on the entertainment district, with lots of others "in the works". Until now, they have been saying they had "everything leased". Not exactly the kind of results that would justify spending a few hundred million more on the BJCC.

IMHO....The new MPF...dome...big convention center with seats (what ever you wish to call it) has about as much chance of getting approval (and built) as Troy does of being in the BCS Championship Game in 2014 AND 2015.

The only way the BJCC will be able to compete with surrounding cities in other states is to build something they haven't built yet. If the city and its state wait until everyone in the other venues already has theirs built (like Atlanta in 2017), you are correct about it being compromised in value. What I remember is the statement by the manager of the GA Dome after it was damaged by a storm that "he had over 200 events scheduled for his "Dome" and he needed to get it repaired before they made other arrangements elsewhere". I don't believe many of that "over 200" were sports related and B'ham's MPF might just have had a shot at some of them -HAD IT BEEN BUILT WHEN PLANNED..

Building any facility is a gamble that has odds that increase against its success the longer it takes to get to do business. Even a "cash cow" like the Hoover Galleria has had a few problems with stores (like Nordstroms) pulling out of agreements. The longer the city goes without competitive facilities, the less likely it will be to flourish dependent only on the local metro area's willingness to pay all the taxes the future needs will require.

As recently seen with the "Crossplex", these facilities bring in revenue for the whole metro area (I'll bet more than a few went to the Galleria while here) whenever a several day event (sports, conventions, social get-togethers, etc.) is held. If you don't bring these tax payers into the metro area and offer them a chance to spend their money, you wind up having to do it all out of your own pockets and you know how fond our "home folks" are about paying higher taxes for anything.

(03-19-2013 04:58 PM)backyardblazer Wrote:  IMHO....The new MPF...dome...big convention center with seats (what ever you wish to call it) has about as much chance of getting approval (and built) as Troy does of being in the BCS Championship Game in 2014 AND 2015.

I'm not saying I'm in favor of a dome (I'm not..they could build a bigger convention center without making it a football stadium), but you're going on the assumption that they will be depending on the state like they were last time. I wouldn't count on it. If Birmingham/BJCC Board can come up with the money, they can build whatever they want.

(03-19-2013 07:45 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  The only way the BJCC will be able to compete with surrounding cities in other states is to build something they haven't built yet. If the city and its state wait until everyone in the other venues already has theirs built (like Atlanta in 2017), you are correct about it being compromised in value. What I remember is the statement by the manager of the GA Dome after it was damaged by a storm that "he had over 200 events scheduled for his "Dome" and he needed to get it repaired before they made other arrangements elsewhere". I don't believe many of that "over 200" were sports related and B'ham's MPF might just have had a shot at some of them -HAD IT BEEN BUILT WHEN PLANNED..

Building any facility is a gamble that has odds that increase against its success the longer it takes to get to do business. Even a "cash cow" like the Hoover Galleria has had a few problems with stores (like Nordstroms) pulling out of agreements. The longer the city goes without competitive facilities, the less likely it will be to flourish dependent only on the local metro area's willingness to pay all the taxes the future needs will require.

As recently seen with the "Crossplex", these facilities bring in revenue for the whole metro area (I'll bet more than a few went to the Galleria while here) whenever a several day event (sports, conventions, social get-togethers, etc.) is held. If you don't bring these tax payers into the metro area and offer them a chance to spend their money, you wind up having to do it all out of your own pockets and you know how fond our "home folks" are about paying higher taxes for anything.

Does anyone know what type of events that were scheduled? How many of the 200 were major events?

(03-19-2013 09:55 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(03-19-2013 07:45 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  The only way the BJCC will be able to compete with surrounding cities in other states is to build something they haven't built yet. If the city and its state wait until everyone in the other venues already has theirs built (like Atlanta in 2017), you are correct about it being compromised in value. What I remember is the statement by the manager of the GA Dome after it was damaged by a storm that "he had over 200 events scheduled for his "Dome" and he needed to get it repaired before they made other arrangements elsewhere". I don't believe many of that "over 200" were sports related and B'ham's MPF might just have had a shot at some of them -HAD IT BEEN BUILT WHEN PLANNED..

Building any facility is a gamble that has odds that increase against its success the longer it takes to get to do business. Even a "cash cow" like the Hoover Galleria has had a few problems with stores (like Nordstroms) pulling out of agreements. The longer the city goes without competitive facilities, the less likely it will be to flourish dependent only on the local metro area's willingness to pay all the taxes the future needs will require.

As recently seen with the "Crossplex", these facilities bring in revenue for the whole metro area (I'll bet more than a few went to the Galleria while here) whenever a several day event (sports, conventions, social get-togethers, etc.) is held. If you don't bring these tax payers into the metro area and offer them a chance to spend their money, you wind up having to do it all out of your own pockets and you know how fond our "home folks" are about paying higher taxes for anything.

Does anyone know what type of events that were scheduled? How many of the 200 were major events?

With the GA Dome, there may be 20% major events, but it doesn't matter, as they have an NFL team which generates $millions$. The GA Dome has 10 NFL games (plus playoffs) 7 NCAA football games, the SEC Championship, 2 Bowl games, and the Chick Fil A Classic. They also have one or two NCAA basketball games.

B'ham would not have one event that would generate the revenues of most of these events. Ga State football would be = to UAB football at our dome, but no NFL would be the game changer.

And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

(03-20-2013 07:22 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

I would disagree there. The lack of up to date facilities keeps events away from Birmingham. Keeping what you have no not only ensures that Birmingham gets nothing new but it also increases the chances that Birmingham loses what it has right now.

(03-20-2013 08:31 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 07:22 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

I would disagree there. The lack of up to date facilities keeps events away from Birmingham. Keeping what you have no not only ensures that Birmingham gets nothing new but it also increases the chances that Birmingham loses what it has right now.

I think you missed my point. I know that if something isn't done, things are going to be leaving. My point was, however, that even with a new domed stadium at the BJCC, the best Birmingham can hope for is to simply keep the events that are already here. The SEC championship is not coming back. Alabama/Auburn games are not coming back. MAYBE you get an opening round of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament back, but didn't they stop coming to Birmingham for other reasons (like lack of hotel rooms or something like that?) I don't see a new dome bringing in any big money events, only keeping the events that are here already from leaving.

(03-20-2013 09:30 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 08:31 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 07:22 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

I would disagree there. The lack of up to date facilities keeps events away from Birmingham. Keeping what you have no not only ensures that Birmingham gets nothing new but it also increases the chances that Birmingham loses what it has right now.

I think you missed my point. I know that if something isn't done, things are going to be leaving. My point was, however, that even with a new domed stadium at the BJCC, the best Birmingham can hope for is to simply keep the events that are already here. The SEC championship is not coming back. Alabama/Auburn games are not coming back. MAYBE you get an opening round of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament back, but didn't they stop coming to Birmingham for other reasons (like lack of hotel rooms or something like that?) I don't see a new dome bringing in any big money events, only keeping the events that are here already from leaving.

I believe the NCAA stated the BJCC was not up to current size requirements to host games...though they seemed to have backtracked with some of the recent sites they have awarded. If there was a mention of lack of hotel rooms, that has been remedied with the Westin (completed), Aloft (announced) and several other new hotels near the medical center. This facility would most certainly qualify to host even NCAA Regionals.

Quote:I don't see a new dome bringing in any big money events, only keeping the events that are here already from leaving.

Problems extend far beyond the facility - restaurants that close up quite literally before dark (at least in mid-summer) aren't going to do much for the convention crowd.

Building/rebuilding is going to be really tough; a casual drive through Birmingham shows an economy built on check-cashing, payday loan and pawn shops. Suburbs aren't a whole lot better, with retail dominated by a dozen or fewer franchises. This is a poor city in a poor state.

Which leads back (I'm rolling now) to our doomed stadium. That was a brilliant move to leverage UAB's ability to build a stadium to help foster a viable entertainment district around the two stadia plus Railroad Park, done in by the selfish swine of the UASBOT. It's going to take that sort of innovative thinking to break the chicken-and-egg cycle. Well, that and a hell of a lot more cops patrolling Railroad Park.

(03-20-2013 09:30 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 08:31 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 07:22 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

I would disagree there. The lack of up to date facilities keeps events away from Birmingham. Keeping what you have no not only ensures that Birmingham gets nothing new but it also increases the chances that Birmingham loses what it has right now.

I think you missed my point. I know that if something isn't done, things are going to be leaving. My point was, however, that even with a new domed stadium at the BJCC, the best Birmingham can hope for is to simply keep the events that are already here. The SEC championship is not coming back. Alabama/Auburn games are not coming back. MAYBE you get an opening round of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament back, but didn't they stop coming to Birmingham for other reasons (like lack of hotel rooms or something like that?) I don't see a new dome bringing in any big money events, only keeping the events that are here already from leaving.

I can certainly see an NCAA Regional and some other events coming over to Birmingham. I can certainly see the SEC basketball tournament coming to Birmingham. Birmingham is doing the ground work with the Westin and other entertainment districts to lure the events. The next thing is to get the updated venue.

(03-20-2013 10:05 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 09:30 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 08:31 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 07:22 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And no new events will come to Birmingham. Building the dome would simply ensure that what's already here would probably stay, but it will never be anything more than UAB, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, and the Compass Bowl.

Maybe, MAYBE the Super 6 would come back but I doubt it

I would disagree there. The lack of up to date facilities keeps events away from Birmingham. Keeping what you have no not only ensures that Birmingham gets nothing new but it also increases the chances that Birmingham loses what it has right now.

I think you missed my point. I know that if something isn't done, things are going to be leaving. My point was, however, that even with a new domed stadium at the BJCC, the best Birmingham can hope for is to simply keep the events that are already here. The SEC championship is not coming back. Alabama/Auburn games are not coming back. MAYBE you get an opening round of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament back, but didn't they stop coming to Birmingham for other reasons (like lack of hotel rooms or something like that?) I don't see a new dome bringing in any big money events, only keeping the events that are here already from leaving.

I can certainly see an NCAA Regional and some other events coming over to Birmingham. I can certainly see the SEC basketball tournament coming to Birmingham. Birmingham is doing the ground work with the Westin and other entertainment districts to lure the events. The next thing is to get the updated venue.

Will those be worth building the stadium? Who knows how much the thing is going to cost. Normally I'm all for building new things and moving Birmingham forward, but what do we get out of it that we couldn't get out of a partnership with UAB for a smaller, open-air football stadium on the edge of campus that could host UAB, Compass Bowl, SWAC Championship, Magic City Classic, Super 6? Two basketball tournaments don't really seem like they're worth spending half a billion dollars on.