Birmingham City Council members get close look at Pratt City 6 months later, sees major task ahead

Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 1:03 PM     Updated: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 1:48 PM

By Joseph D. Bryant -- The Birmingham News The Birmingham News BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham City Council President Roderick Royal and council members Maxine Parker and Steven Hoyt toured the Pratt City area of western Birmingham Tuesday to assess progress more than six months after the April 27 tornadoes decimated much of the area.

Council members said they wanted to see the area themselves following a letter from a resident complaining of a slow rebuilding initiative.
"I don't find it surprising what we saw because I see it on a daily basis," said Royal, whose district includes Pratt City.
Royal said the city's efforts must be accelerated.
"I believe we probably need to redouble our efforts with the delivery of basic city services, but it's important here to follow the leadership that's being provided," he said.
A team of volunteers from the American Institute of Architects has held forums to sketch ideas for rebuilding the area. The team will evaluate all aspects including commercial, residential and infrastructure needs. However, council members touring the scarred and underpopulated neighborhoods said that process will be long and expensive.
Meanwhile, the city must ratchet up its own efforts, Hoyt said.

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Alabama tornadoes: Cities turn toward ways to rebuild

By Robin DeMonia -- The Birmingham News 

Published: Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 5:03 AM, 

It's a path of destruction now -- a tragic trail left when a giant tornado cut across the city of Tuscaloosa, killing dozens of people, destroying businesses and ripping neighborhoods to shreds.

But someday, it could be a valuable asset -- a greenway stretching through the heart of the city that connects Tuscaloosa communities, provides a corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists, and serves as a perpetual memorial of the terrible tornado that struck three months ago today.

The "path of remembrance and revitalization" is just one of the visions that emerged from a task force that studied rebuilding Tuscaloosa. The first draft of Tuscaloosa Forward's ambitious plan incorporates everything from walkable village centers and green spaces, to prettified streetscapes and community storm shelters.

"I believe we owe it to those who died on April 27, those who are still missing and those who lost so much to rebuild this city in a way that honors them," Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said. "We'd be doing them a disservice if we were satisfied with the status quo."

EnlargeJoe Songer -- The Birmingham NewsOn the 3 month anniversary of the April 27th tornado outbreak , the City of Cullman is preparing for a major rebuild in the downtown area hardest hit by the EF4 tornado that ripped through town. Mayor Max Townson and local Cotton States insurance agent Lee Powell look to the future. Lee Powell jumps down from where his insurance business once stood to where the new garage is to be built. He plans to expand in size and live upstairs from his business. He plans to start rebuilding next month. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer)Three months after the April 27th tornadoes gallery(7 photos)

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Tuscaloosa's evolving plan is further along than most cities. But three months after the April 27 storms, communities large and small across the state are at least beginning to plot a path forward.

In Cullman, a downtown rebuilding plan that stresses historic restoration, loft dwelling and German-American architecture is expected to be presented soon to the City Council. In Cordova, residents are brainstorming with a range of experts to crystallize what they want their devastated town to become. In Pratt City and other Birmingham neighborhoods, a national design team from the American Institute of Architects will soon begin working with residents to develop a master plan for the future.

Birmingham architect Bruce Herrington, co-chairman of the steering committee for the AIA Design Assistance Team, said the work will encompass the whole Pratt community and will cover such elements as streets, sidewalks, public facilities, commercial development and parks.

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Alabama tornadoes: American Institute of Architects to help rebuild Pratt City

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The American Institute of Architects has formally agreed to help lead the planning and rebuilding of Pratt City and other tornado-devastated areas of Birmingham, the first time the national organization has taken on a project in Alabama, Mayor William Bell announced Thursday.
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