Sunday, October 21, 2007

Barnum design process needs YOU

The City of Birmingham has hired a designer for Barnum Park, and is now seeking community input on the design. It is important that the ENTIRE community is represented at these meetings. The city is spending more than $10 million of taxpayer money on Barnum, and neighborhood residents have largely driven the project so far. Many of those residents would be satisfied with nothing more than grass and trees for their backyard park, and will object to any amenities that draw traffic. Most Birmingham residents -- backed by the Parks & Recreation Board -- believe a community park with amenities that serve the entire community are appropriate at Barnum.

The schedule of meeting is as follows, and can be found on the city website here.

All meetings are at Barnum, 746 Purdy, unless otherwise noted.

Round Table Brain Storming
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Visioning Workshop
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Design Charrette or Conceptual Plan
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Staff and Community Review
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 at 1 p.m.
(Dept. of Public Services, S. Eton.)

Mark your calendar today and be heard. Voices from outside the immediate neighborhood will carry much weight in the process.