City of Birmingham Mayor's Office ’s Post

The most-read story from the previous week's Developer's Digest®, published by New York YIMBY, covers new renderings that have been revealed for The Coney, a proposed casino, hotel, and entertainment complex in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Designed by FXCollaborative and developed by Saratoga Casino Holdings, Global Gaming Solutions, Legends, and Thor Equities, the project is competing for a downstate gaming license. It includes a 32-story, 500-room hotel, a 2,500-seat concert venue, 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space, retail and dining areas, and a public green space. Bounded by Surf Avenue, Jones Walk, the Wonder Wheel, and West 15th Street, the complex will feature tree-lined sidewalks, diamond-patterned façades, and illuminated skybridges. Expected to create 4,000 jobs, the development aims to support local businesses and infrastructure, with community engagement ensuring it meets local needs. Approval from the New York Gaming Facility Location Board and further public input are pending, with a decision expected next year. To read more stories like this and to stay on top of the most recent news from the development world, subscribe to our Developer’s Digest® using the link below: https://bit.ly/3Qg1qXV #digest #dsa #nyc #weknowzoning #deveopmentsites #developmentnews

"Wisely, the FDR Park plan has been crafted with resiliency, usability, and maintenance in mind. Given the level of effort and the considerable need, it is time to build an FDR Park that Philadelphians can cherish for generations to come." Read more about why sports fields are an integral part of the FDR Park Plan here: https://lnkd.in/eQBshpVw

At 196 years old, the Arcade Providence has transformed into something new and exciting! Originally built in 1828, this iconic three-level mall has now evolved into a unique space with one level of retail and two levels of "micro" apartments. Witnessing this change reminds me of a valuable lesson from my mentor, Dick Schneider, who once said, "there is no such thing as an original thought, it has all been done before." Having over two decades of experience in the mall industry, I've learned that tenants hold significant power in negotiating lease terms, especially during the initial entry or lease renewal. This process is critical as mall landlords typically budget their bottom line once a year, shaping rent demands based on various factors, including ego-driven decisions. As a seasoned mall professional, I understand the intricacies of lease negotiations and ensure that costs, margins, and operational aspects are central to the discussion. Over the years, I have successfully guided tenants through this process, saving them substantial amounts and securing favorable terms. It's crucial to have the right expertise at the negotiating table to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. Change is inevitable, and adapting to new trends is key in the mall industry. With a deep understanding of the dynamics between landlords and tenants, I continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of retail leasing, bringing valuable insights and expertise to the table. #MallIndustry #LeaseNegotiations #RetailTrends

Terrific write up in Bloomberg CityLab recapping first year successes' associated with the still fresh integration of St. Louis CITY SC's downtown Major League Soccer campus into St Louis' downtown west neighborhood! Key excerpts from the article: "The new professional soccer stadium that opened last year on the western edge of downtown St. Louis stands apart from most sports venues being built in the US today. The 22,423-seat facility, known as Citypark, was built with relatively modest public subsidies. And instead of looming as a massive megastructure surrounded by parking lots, the home of the Major League Soccer team St. Louis City SC goes out of its way to be a good neighbor to the city around it. Completed for the team’s inaugural season in 2023 and designed by HOK and Snow Kreilich Architects, CityPark’s 32-acre soccer campus consists of a repurposed manufacturing plant hosting the team’s headquarters, 3 soccer training pitches and a standalone team store, in addition to the main venue itself. So far, every home match has been filled to capacity. Its lively pregame plaza festivities, abundant public spaces and stylish architectural details have already proven to be an asset to the city’s Downtown West neighborhood. Indeed, the facility was pitched as a means of restoring a patch of downtown fabric that mid-20th-century urban renewal policies had all but destroyed. Each MLS team typically hosts 17 home games per season. While pro venues rarely generate enough economic benefits to pay back the public assistance they receive, there’s some evidence that CityPark is a modest boost for nearby restaurants, bars and hotels. According to Missouri Department of Revenue, the area surrounding the stadium took in an extra $73 million during STL City SC’s first season compared to a soccerless 2022. “We’re having success in getting fans to come down early and stick around late, and a lot of that’s to do with the way that we’ve programmed the East Plaza and the vendors we have serving the food and beverages,” says Broughton, noting the team’s focus on local vendors. “We want to figure out how to extend those visits into a full weekend.” A minor wave of new MLS stadiums has swept the US since the 2010s, but St. Louis’ is uniquely urban in its location and design. With limited local appetite for public assistance already expressed before its construction, CityPark has turned into a decent deal for a city with far more significant matters to address than the prosperity of its sports teams. Meanwhile, in Nashville, a sale of $225 million in revenue bonds for the city’s new soccer stadium will add up to $424 million in total debt service by 2051. And TQL Stadium in Cincinnati’s West End is projected to generate public borrowing costs of more than $80 million, plus property tax exemptions worth more than $100 million over 20 years, according to a 2019 WCPO investigation." #stl #stlouis #urbanrenewal #investment #downtowns #mls #soccer #realestate #data

Ready, set, launch! 🚀 Experience the highlights from our 'Summer of Savings' kickoff at Square Yards! From groundbreaking deals to vibrant festivities, get a glimpse of what makes this event a game-changer in real estate. Don't just hear about it—see it for yourself! 🌟 #SquareYards #RealEstateEvent #ComingSoon #StayTuned #GroundbreakingDeals #RealEstateDeals #RealEstateLife #PropertyInvestment

Ten Tips For A Better Game City

According to a study conducted by Sportico in 2022, in an average year, the typical National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), or MLS facility plays host to fewer than five major entertainment or sporting events other than regular season games played by the primary tenant. Millions of dollars are funneled into the building and maintenance of these sports arenas, only for them to sit empty for more days than they’re occupied. Easy solution here. Sports arenas should be designed with multiple functions in mind—concerts, community events, restaurants that open on non-game days, and even multiple sports in one stadium. Few things concern urbanists more than wasted or underutilized space in the middle of a city, especially space that costs taxpayers a bunch of precious dollars. I consider sports arenas to be great for downtowns, but only if their uses are maximized for the good of all. #UrbanUtilization #MultifunctionalArchitecture #MKThink #AdaptiveReuse #Architecture #SportStadiums #CommunitySpaces #UrbanSpaces

Step into your dream house at our next open house! From team Jimenez we welcome you to check how you dreams could turn into a reality. #realestate #realtor #realestateagent #openhouse #openhousesaturday

  Light Up Broadgate Chess Support Temporary Focused Lighting for the Chess League Chess Lights now! Introduction: We, the undersigned, kindly request that Broadgate reconsider its decision regarding the temporary focused lighting for the Broadgate Chess League, or provide an alternative interim lighting solution until the public lights are fully restored. The chess league has become a vibrant and inclusive community event, drawing participants from various backgrounds, including Broadgate employees, UBS staff, families, tourists and passersby. The focused lighting is essential to maintaining the safe, welcoming, and immersive experience that makes this event so special. Why This Matters: Community Building: The Broadgate Chess League has brought together people from different walks of life—workers, families, tourists, and chess enthusiasts—creating a unique community atmosphere. Safety and Comfort: The dim lighting in the area during evening hours makes it difficult for players to see the chess pieces clearly, reducing the overall enjoyment and safety of the event. The temporary focused lighting ensures everyone can participate comfortably and safely. Local Business Support: Businesses like Beany Green Café have seen increased foot traffic during chess league events, demonstrating the positive impact this initiative has on the local economy. The focused lighting enhances the ambiance of the area, benefiting both the chess league and local commerce. A Proven Success: Since its inception, the Broadgate Chess League has grown significantly, with 58 players and 92 games played so far. Participants repeatedly highlight the importance of the focused lighting in creating the 5-star chess experience they’ve come to love. Our Request: We respectfully request that Broadgate management allow the temporary focused lighting for the chess league to continue until the public lighting issues are fully resolved, or alternatively, provide a suitable temporary lighting solution. This will ensure the chess league remains the inclusive, safe, and successful event that it has become for the Broadgate community. Contact Broadgate: We encourage you to share your thoughts directly with Broadgate’s management team to support this cause: Mohammed Mannan Assistant Estate Manager, Broadgate Email: mohammed.mannan@britishland.com Phone: +44 7779 387070 General Inquiries Broadgate Management Team Website: www.broadgate.co.uk Call to Action: Join us in asking Broadgate to support this thriving community event by signing the petition today. Together, we can keep Broadgate Chess League shining bright! Signatures: Name | Email | Comments (Optional)