Green Banks Development District

Birmingham, Alabama

Condition of Community

•No high school

•No community center

•High percentage of rental properties

•High percentage of absent landlords

Condition of Community

•Predatory loan practices the norm

•Crime and gang related activity

•Over 200 blighted homes

•Environmentally sensitive district

Condition of Community

•Mass transit potential not realized

•Many kids with respiratory problems

•Energy efficiency lacking

•Mold and mildew problems

Vision for a Green Community

Vision for a Green Community

•Prime location within metro region

•Proximity to Ruffner Mountain preserve

•Green business development center

•Catalyst for revitalization

•Sustain-affordable housing model

Vision for a Green Community

•Economic development

•Reduced crime / safer neighborhoods

•Family centralization

•Healthy living environment

•Increase in tax base

Green Banks High School

Green Banks High School

On October 15, 2008 over a dozen civic and corporate leaders came together to discuss reviving the dormant property of Banks High School. The envisioned private school will serve primarily low-income students and will feature a curriculum including all disciplines that are essential to sustainable community revitalization and development.

AttendeesCarol Duncan: Birmingham City Council, District 2

Daryl Perkins: District Director, Congressman Artur Davis, 7th Congressional District

Ty Williams: Restoration Academy

Devron Veasley: Director, Bessemer Incubation System; Former Chair, National Business Incubator Association

Ted VonCannon: President, Metropolitan Development Board

Charles Perry: President, Perry Investment

Dave Gladney: Past Pres., Metropolitan Development Board

Linda Coleman: Senator, District 20

AttendeesTim Cooper: Council Scout Executive, Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America

Tommy Youngblood: Boy Scouts of America

Marlon King: Boy Scouts of America

Dr. W.J. Maye: President, Birmingham City Schools, Board of Education

Elaina Fowler: Manager, Special Projects, City of Birmingham

John Poe: for Representative Oliver Robinson, District 58

Mark Rubino: Co-Chair, Green Banks Development District

Chris Lewis: Chair, Green Banks Development District

The Property

The Process: Acquisition

The next step is for the City of Birmingham to acquire the property of the old Banks High School from Birmingham City Schools. This effort will be led by a Building Acquisition Committee consisting of Carol Duncan, Dr. Maye, Oliver Robinson, Chris Lewis and Elaina Fowler. The group will pursue a zero (or low) cost agreement to obtain the property from the City of Birmingham, and also seek to acquire the property across the street.

The Process: Partners and Potential

The Contractors and Vocational Committee was formed to identify the scope of work and cost of renovations, and also develop vocational partnerships including construction trades and green jobs. This committee includes Charles Perry, Ted Von Cannon, Linda Coleman, Ty Williams, Mark Rubino, Chris Lewis, and Daryl Perkins.

The Process: Curriculum

The Curriculum Committee was formed to establish the educational agenda. This committee includes Tim Cooper, Ty Williams, Devron Veasley, Chris Lewis, Linda Coleman, and John Poe. This unique learning environment will equip the students to be leaders in every aspect of their community including the leadership development, physical fitness, building sciences, finance and economics, health and nutrition, agriculture, math, science, the arts, communications, planning, business, forestry, and preparation for new career paths resulting from demand for green technologies and workers.

East Lake Park

Banks High School

Ruffner Mountain

I-59

Green Banks Development District

Green Banks High School

The Promise

Green Banks High School will serve as the catalyst for revitalizing the entire district—and establish a solid standard for renewing communities. The potential to create a TIF (Tax Increment Finance) was discussed as a way to fund the ongoing revitalization work in the district. The core group will also seek to attract other partners and resources.

The Promise

The alumni of Banks High School—and the neighbors in the district—will be instrumental in creating momentum and accomplishing many of the logistical tasks ahead.

The youths of the community will be given a stake in creating a better place to live and a better place to learn. That is the promise we will create together.