Episode 170

The Art of Downtown Transformation in Birmingham with David Fleming

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April 21st, 2025

30 mins 14 secs

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commercial districts urban planning community partnerships healthcare economy birmingham alabama economic diversity downtown development local businesses historic preservation urban revitalization economic development econdev eco devo

About this Episode

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with David Fleming, president and CEO of Rev Birmingham, about transforming Birmingham from an industrial city into a thriving service economy centered around healthcare and education. Fleming discusses how his organization fosters downtown vibrancy by preserving historic character, supporting local businesses that "make the city cool," ensuring economic and racial diversity, and collaborating with various municipal authorities to create a downtown that attracts over 30 million annual visitors while maintaining its unique identity.

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Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Focus on supporting local businesses that give your city a unique character and "make the city cool."
  2. Create incentives that help historic redevelopment while still allowing for new growth.
  3. Work in partnership with various city authorities (parking, transit, housing) to align development goals.
  4. Develop housing incentives that encourage economic diversity, not just luxury developments.
  5. Measure downtown success by evening vibrancy and residential activity, not just daytime business metrics.
  6. Recognize the importance of maintaining racial and economic diversity in downtown development plans.
  7. Position anchor institutions like healthcare and universities as catalysts for urban revitalization.
  8. Balance the needs of various stakeholders: residents, workers, and visitors.
  9. Create development tools that preserve local character while encouraging economic growth.
  10. Focus on making downtown a destination with diverse attractions that can draw millions of visitors annually.

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