All that needs to be done is build a 4-lane/straightened out US 43, with freeway-standard portions north of Mobile, around Tuscaloosa

I agree they have been provide quite a bit of shelters, but many of them are too stubborn or have too much pride to go to them. Its not only Kelly Ingram Park, Linn Park is also dealing with this problem. It's so bad at Linn Park that most gov't employees or other City Center workers don't even like going through the park. at all BPD does need to step up and get this problems under control because it seems to be impeding the progressive and safe image of the City Center.

Oh this is setting up to be another political showdown between Langford and the City Council. This along with the situation with the Glen Iris/former Knights of Columbus site is creating another political hostile situation in City Hall. I hate to say it but it sounds like the political picnic is over.

That would be great, but I don't think that portion is going to be large enough for a Target, an electonics store, a home store, and an apparel store...the space is only app 180,000 square feet. I can see HH Gregg, or Best Buy since they are expanding rapidly across the area. I think Linen N Things, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, World Market, or Kirklands for the home store, and a host of retailers for the apparel store.

The did mention that a potential department store could open there. I think the new portion will have to be well over 180,000 sq. ft if a department store was to open there. If one did open there though, JCPenney, Sears, or Kohls are probably the choices to locate there.

That would be funny though if a Target and Wal Mart were in the same center, and with K Mart right up the street. I still think that we need a midtown Target somewhere though...ahem,urban store off of 280... ahem ahem between Colonial Bank and the Birmingham Zoo...ahem. Excuse me.

What type of developments are suitable along the corridor...residential, commercial, industrial, etc? Also, there does not seem to be many roads out there, so if development does come, there will have to be frontage roads IMO. Perhaps the highway will just be for connecting Birmingham and Memphis, but that would be boring.

Now I'm wondering and speculating whom is coming to Wildwood? I've heard Target get thrown around, but besides them that's it.

The I-22 area looks kinda rough because of all of the old mining that happened there. What type of developments are suitable along the corridor...residential, commercial, industrial, etc? Also, there does not seem to be many roads out there, so if development does come, there will have to be frontage roads IMO. Perhaps the highway will just be for connecting Birmingham and Memphis, but that would be boring.

Ok, I am truly sorry that the homeless are being forced from there "homes," they kinda give the area a bad look. The city as provided homeless shelters, am I mistaken, so the city is trying to help them out. They(the homeless) have already taken much refuge in Kelly Igram Park downtown...this should not turn out to be the same way. I don't think that I would want to be bothered with them when I am just relaxing in the park(maybe I should say panhandlers), or eating at the floating restaurant. Hopefully something could be done that will allow all parties to be happy.

After supporting the concept with a unanimous resolution last month, the city council rejected Mayor Langford's plan for free bus rides this summer, but Langford said the plan will go forward anyway. Who knows how this will end up. Too bad, the free passes could potentially bring a lot of new long-term riders into the system.

Council rejects free bus rides; mayor pushes on

Activists say park railroads the homeless

Although the Railroad Park is one of the many beacons for the city's revitalization, but the construction park has sparked controversy amongst the area's pastors that saying that the homeless is being mistreated by the authorities. The notion is that the police is using the excessive force to remove the homeless from the area while the land is being cleared for the park.

Hey man. lol First off from the Shoals. Second Cherokee might 600 people at most. Third The interchange in Barton (not Cherokee) was established as part of the deal to get National Alabama boxcar plant to locate here. I'm sure most people are unaware of the lack of good paying jobs in my area (our unemployment rates are low, but most people around here work in the service industry, and struggle to make it by on a little more than minimum wage). When the people of the Shoals went out and voted to increase our sales taxes to get companies to locate here, it was out of desparation. The state had little to do with the planning of the interchange, other than it was a necessity to get the plant to locate here. Also, the Shoals area is the second largest metro area in North Alabama, and has been shafted for decades when it comes to road construction/projects. We have lost countless potential employers due to the fact that the nearest interstate is 60 miles away in Decatur/Athens... So before people start complaining about the interchange being built, take into consideration what we don't have, and compare it to all that the cities along and east of I-65 do have. Just my two cents

On an interesting related but kind of unrelated note: the Schaeffer's Crawfish Boil this past weekend should be a good preview of some of the larger events such as concerts and other events at the Forge's amphitheater. It was exciting to see this portion of the City Center very vibrant at night. One can only hope that it continues to be this way more often.

Only one project in the area will be bid on this month: Repaving US 72 East from the Flint River to Woodville. Granted, it's needed, but I think there are more pressing issues than a $5 million paving project.

Meanwhile, the town of Cherokee in Colbert County (population 1200) is getting an interchange! Obviously a very "urgent" project- they must be getting 60,000 people in the next 5 years too...

Only one project in the area will be bid on this month: Repaving US 72 East from the Flint River to Woodville. Granted, it's needed, but I think there are more pressing issues than a $5 million paving project.

Meanwhile, the town of Cherokee in Colbert County (population 1200) is getting an interchange! Obviously a very "urgent" project- they must be getting 60,000 people in the next 5 years too...

Only one project in the area will be bid on this month: Repaving US 72 East from the Flint River to Woodville. Granted, it's needed, but I think there are more pressing issues than a $5 million paving project.

Meanwhile, the town of Cherokee in Colbert County (population 1200) is getting an interchange! Obviously a very "urgent" project- they must be getting 60,000 people in the next 5 years too...

Could landing this plant in anyway help speed up the Memphis-to-Atlanta highway?