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If the Red Tea Stadium is built, then we can congratulate, their can not be more hurdles to cross, every one has been crossed. Birmingham will not ever be Atlanta that ceased 75 years ago, get over it. The Comp is Chattanooga, Shreveport, and Charleston. (Atlanta is in the breath of London, NY City, Boston and LA. and Tokyo.) That's who they compete with. Have you heard of the Hard Rock Café.

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 03:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  What exactly are you expecting Birmingham to bring in that needs something the size of what is in Atlanta?

Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Guess what those cities also aren't building?

(03-23-2018 05:16 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 03:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  What exactly are you expecting Birmingham to bring in that needs something the size of what is in Atlanta?

Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Guess what those cities also aren't building AT THIS TIME?
Huntsville is building a new stadium in Madison and who knows what they will build next now that they have those new industries coming in recruited by the Alabama industrial procurers? I'm guessing that by 2030 our answers about who our competitors are will be more obviously known. Joseph could be right with his list as well.

(03-23-2018 05:30 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:16 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 03:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  What exactly are you expecting Birmingham to bring in that needs something the size of what is in Atlanta?

Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Guess what those cities also aren't building AT THIS TIME?
Huntsville is building a new stadium in Madison and who knows what they will build next now that they have those new industries coming in recruited by the Alabama industrial procurers? I'm guessing that by 2030 our answers will be obviously known.

Well Madison is building a new stadium in Madison, not Huntsville, and guess what? It's a minor league baseball stadium, not a domed stadium. Birmingham already has one of those. Neither Madison, Huntsville, Mobile, nor Baldwin County are building a $500 million domed stadium. Birmingham will still have the largest non-football facilities in the state.

(03-23-2018 05:41 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:30 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:16 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 03:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  What exactly are you expecting Birmingham to bring in that needs something the size of what is in Atlanta?

Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Guess what those cities also aren't building AT THIS TIME?
Huntsville is building a new stadium in Madison and who knows what they will build next now that they have those new industries coming in recruited by the Alabama industrial procurers? I'm guessing that by 2030 our answers will be obviously known.

Well Madison is building a new stadium in Madison, not Huntsville, and guess what? It's a minor league baseball stadium, not a domed stadium. Birmingham already has one of those. Neither Madison, Huntsville, Mobile, nor Baldwin County are building a $500 million domed stadium. Birmingham will still have the largest non-football facilities in the state.

You are correct that B'ham is presently (marginally) ahead of Madison, Huntsville, Mobile, Baldwin County and Montgomery in "non-football facilities". Now, if that remains the extent of our competition, where will the city be ranked regionally by 2030? BTW, has anyone heard what city's name is going to be on the uniform of the team in Madison? Perhaps they will be the Madison Bears? I guess we are supposed to feel comfort that we stay ahead of your listed competition right now. What if one or more decide in the 2020s to raise their ante in this competition?

(03-23-2018 06:10 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:41 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:30 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 05:16 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Guess what those cities also aren't building AT THIS TIME?
Huntsville is building a new stadium in Madison and who knows what they will build next now that they have those new industries coming in recruited by the Alabama industrial procurers? I'm guessing that by 2030 our answers will be obviously known.

Well Madison is building a new stadium in Madison, not Huntsville, and guess what? It's a minor league baseball stadium, not a domed stadium. Birmingham already has one of those. Neither Madison, Huntsville, Mobile, nor Baldwin County are building a $500 million domed stadium. Birmingham will still have the largest non-football facilities in the state.

You are correct that B'ham is presently (marginally) ahead of Madison, Huntsville, Mobile, Baldwin County and Montgomery in "non-football facilities". Now, if that remains the extent of our competition, where will the city be ranked regionally by 2030? BTW, has anyone heard what city's name is going to be on the uniform of the team in Madison? Perhaps they will be the Madison Bears? I guess we are supposed to feel comfort that we stay ahead of your listed competition right now. What if one or more decide in the 2020s to raise their ante in this competition?

The largest of those metro areas is only 1/3 the size of Metro Birmingham. It would take an economic boom the likes of which no one has ever seen for any of them to triple in size in 15 years. Even if they did, they would then only be the size of Birmingham today. That means at that point, they still wouldn't be anywhere near the size of a city needed to support such a facility.

Yep. The huntsville outgrowing Birmingham news is literally only projected to be the city population. Huntsville has the VBCC but it isn’t the size of the BJCC and sure won’t be anywhere near as nice after renovations. As mixed up stated, Madison is building a minor league baseball stadium. It will seat 4-6k. This is not something that will compete with Birmingham in any way. I’m not sure why you only pay attention to half the facts of seemingly every story you read.

(03-23-2018 04:57 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-23-2018 03:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  What exactly are you expecting Birmingham to bring in that needs something the size of what is in Atlanta?

Competing with Atlanta is a mid20th century dream that is Gone with the Wind. We are now preparing to compete with Huntsville, Montgomery and perhaps Mobile. We will not know our exact competition until we actually have built (and renovated) something with which to compete and see whom we can attract. By the end of the next decade we should have our answer.

Will you answer the question?

(03-24-2018 09:51 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Yep. The huntsville outgrowing Birmingham news is literally only projected to be the city population. Huntsville has the VBCC but it isn’t the size of the BJCC and sure won’t be anywhere near as nice after renovations. As mixed up stated, Madison is building a minor league baseball stadium. It will seat 4-6k. This is not something that will compete with Birmingham in any way. I’m not sure why you only pay attention to half the facts of seemingly every story you read.

I guess we should be satisfied to be compared with other Alabama cities, not on the basis of what B'ham needs to become but what the other state cities CAN'T become. Apparently that is the only positive that some people can see or consider. It is like a runner bragging about winning a foot race against disabled competition.

I have no background in the tourism and convention business, but there are such folks who can give knowledgeable answers to what opportunities B'ham must pass up on in that field due to lack of facilities. Ask them and get back to us.

you keep saying we can’t get events. What events?

Madison will seat 7,000 but point remains same. That’s said it will be multi purpose and host concerts as well with a larger capacity including field seating.

(03-24-2018 02:04 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Madison will seat 7,000 but point remains same. That’s said it will be multi purpose and host concerts as well with a larger capacity including field seating.

Huntsville has also started the process of renovating the VBCC. That passed council a couple of weeks ago. The artist rendering has a very similar look to what has been proposed for the BJCC

(03-24-2018 12:42 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 09:51 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Yep. The huntsville outgrowing Birmingham news is literally only projected to be the city population. Huntsville has the VBCC but it isn’t the size of the BJCC and sure won’t be anywhere near as nice after renovations. As mixed up stated, Madison is building a minor league baseball stadium. It will seat 4-6k. This is not something that will compete with Birmingham in any way. I’m not sure why you only pay attention to half the facts of seemingly every story you read.

I guess we should be satisfied to be compared with other Alabama cities, not on the basis of what B'ham needs to become but what the other state cities CAN'T become. Apparently that is the only positive that some people can see or consider. It is like a runner bragging about winning a foot race against disabled competition.

I have no background in the tourism and convention business, but there are such folks who can give knowledgeable answers to what opportunities B'ham must pass up on in that field due to lack of facilities. Ask them and get back to us.

The Super Bowl. The Final Four. The SEC Championship Game. The GOP or Democratic conventions. Those are a few things that I admit Birmingham can't get with the proposed project.

Guess what? Even if Birmingham built an exact replica of Mercedes Benz Stadium, those things aren't going to Birmingham anyway.

It's good to dream big. It's also good to dream smart. It's important to realize what's possible and actually move on it when the opportunity arises. It's incredibly stupid to keep harping on something that is literally impossible. There is no way that the city and county have the money to build a domed stadium, even if everyone on the commission and council wanted to do it.

So, should everyone sit around and dream about a 75,000 seat stadium that will never get built and the city stagnate for another 20 years or should they actually build a new, smaller project that will dramatically improve the UAB gameday experience, expand the convention space at the BJCC to bring more events, renovate the arena to bring round of 32 NCAA games and WWE pay per views and bigger concerts back to Birmingham?

It's like never going on a date with anybody because you will never be able to marry Kate Upton

I'll toast old Joe Volker with my $6 watered-down Coke while watching UAB football under a clear blue sky on the north side.

(03-23-2018 02:00 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Once city leaders can finally accept the permanent loss of building a regionally competitive MPF at the Civic Center, the way will be cleared for city funding of the smaller BJCC facility. It means accepting the end of a decades old dream as being too large for this city and this state to make a reality. RIP Joe Volker, your vision is not ours.

This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that never ends,
Yes it goes on and on my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was
And we'll continue singing it forever just because

John Rogers (community forum against stadium) is set to cause trouble tonight on ABC 33/40.

(03-24-2018 07:42 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 12:42 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 09:51 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Yep. The huntsville outgrowing Birmingham news is literally only projected to be the city population. Huntsville has the VBCC but it isn’t the size of the BJCC and sure won’t be anywhere near as nice after renovations. As mixed up stated, Madison is building a minor league baseball stadium. It will seat 4-6k. This is not something that will compete with Birmingham in any way. I’m not sure why you only pay attention to half the facts of seemingly every story you read.

I guess we should be satisfied to be compared with other Alabama cities, not on the basis of what B'ham needs to become but what the other state cities CAN'T become. Apparently that is the only positive that some people can see or consider. It is like a runner bragging about winning a foot race against disabled competition.

I have no background in the tourism and convention business, but there are such folks who can give knowledgeable answers to what opportunities B'ham must pass up on in that field due to lack of facilities. Ask them and get back to us.

The Super Bowl. The Final Four. The SEC Championship Game. The GOP or Democratic conventions. Those are a few things that I admit Birmingham can't get with the proposed project.

Guess what? Even if Birmingham built an exact replica of Mercedes Benz Stadium, those things aren't going to Birmingham anyway.

It's like never going on a date with anybody because you will never be able to marry Kate Upton

Another event that can't come to the BJCC (as planned) is the Elite 8 which was held this week in ATLANTA.

According to announced plans, the Legacy Arena will have REDUCED seating capacity to make room for constructing luxury boxes where seats used to be. Smaller arena and smaller stadium is the route chosen for the future competition for the city. If that remains the plan, your list will get even longer every year from now on. To borrow your simile, The city is being set up for a date with Roseann Barr instead of Kate Upton.

The M-B MPF is the result of a half century of progressive building in Atlanta - it was not built on a whim or wishful dreaming. B'ham is being forced by local and state politics to be permanently reduced to the status of a lower tier city that can't attract major events that a growing list of regional cities will be glad to have.

This future may / could impact UAB's desire to advance to a "better conference" and instead continue their present status of watching former contemporaries pass us by on their way up. That list is already long and might get longer in the next decade.

(03-25-2018 03:46 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 07:42 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 12:42 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(03-24-2018 09:51 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Yep. The huntsville outgrowing Birmingham news is literally only projected to be the city population. Huntsville has the VBCC but it isn’t the size of the BJCC and sure won’t be anywhere near as nice after renovations. As mixed up stated, Madison is building a minor league baseball stadium. It will seat 4-6k. This is not something that will compete with Birmingham in any way. I’m not sure why you only pay attention to half the facts of seemingly every story you read.

I guess we should be satisfied to be compared with other Alabama cities, not on the basis of what B'ham needs to become but what the other state cities CAN'T become. Apparently that is the only positive that some people can see or consider. It is like a runner bragging about winning a foot race against disabled competition.

I have no background in the tourism and convention business, but there are such folks who can give knowledgeable answers to what opportunities B'ham must pass up on in that field due to lack of facilities. Ask them and get back to us.

The Super Bowl. The Final Four. The SEC Championship Game. The GOP or Democratic conventions. Those are a few things that I admit Birmingham can't get with the proposed project.

Guess what? Even if Birmingham built an exact replica of Mercedes Benz Stadium, those things aren't going to Birmingham anyway.

It's like never going on a date with anybody because you will never be able to marry Kate Upton

Another event that can't come to the BJCC (as planned) is the Elite 8 which was held this week in ATLANTA.

According to announced plans, the Legacy Arena will have REDUCED seating capacity to make room for constructing luxury boxes where seats used to be. Smaller arena and smaller stadium is the route chosen for the future competition for the city. If that remains the plan, your list will get even longer every year from now on. To borrow your simile, The city is being set up for a date with Roseann Barr instead of Kate Upton.

The M-B MPF is the result of a half century of progressive building in Atlanta - it was not built on a whim or wishful dreaming. B'ham is being forced by local and state politics to be permanently reduced to the status of a lower tier city that can't attract major events that a growing list of regional cities will be glad to have. This future may / could impact UAB's desire to advance to a "better conference" and continue their present status of watching former contemporaries pass us by on their way up.

Well the Elite 8 was held at Phillips Arena (a basketball arena), not Mercedes Benz Stadium (a football and soccer stadium), so a 75,000 seat domed stadium in Birmingham would not have swayed that event to Birmingham. Also the fact that Atlanta has more hotel rooms in a 5 block radius around MBS and Phillips Arena than there are in all of Jefferson and Shelby Counties. And also the mass transit system that as anemic as it is for a city the size of Atlanta at least exists, as opposed to Birmingham's non-existent transit system.

It's almost as if Birmingham and Atlanta are in completely different leagues and it's moronic to compare the two. It would be a win to get back to hosting opening rounds of the tournament like the BJCC used to do. But I guess if you can't have the best you might as well have nothing at all.

I said the Elite 8 was held in ATLANTA and it was.

How many of those "more hotel rooms in a 5 block radius" existed 50 years ago? As I stated, 50 years of progressive leadership has put Atlanta where it is today. B'ham has not had the benefit of such metro area or state leadership support in that time (which is one reason Legion Field remains our most modern large capacity stadium).

In public transit, about 10 years ago the city system asked for the state to provide funds to match millions in offered federal funds but was turned down. Other cities in other states jumped on that money(I'm fairly positive that MARTA was not paid for by only local funds), but none in Alabama. Public transportation is still seen in our state as the "Mountain Brook Maid Delivery Service" -- it is racially coded and therefore gets no state support. One reason the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 was so effective is that the local "Whites" would not ride the busses (unless too old or too young to drive a car) since they were seen as racially specific transportation. Alabama has not shown that it has outgrown that cultural outlook.

I know it's hard to believe, but it's not 1960 anymore. It's time to stop talking about the things that Birmingham should've done to be competitive then.