BIRMINGHAM, Ala -- Birmingham could some day be known for flowing fountains and lush plazas if a plan by Mayor Larry Langford moves forward.
The city would have been dotted with parks and fountains if 1920s landscape plans for green space had been followed. But industrial growth gave way to today's city.
Mayor Langford hopes to recapture some of the city's original concept and spark interest with several neighborhood destinations.
“We are one of the, ‘boringest,’ cities I have ever seen," Langford said.
The comment was constructive criticism, explained Langford. He called local streets boring and said the city lags behind many others in creating community destinations. As an example he pointed to Montgomery's picturesque traffic circle anchored by a Victorian era iron fountain.
“You go to Montgomery, if you know nothing about Montgomery, they'll say 'we'll just meet you at the fountain downtown,' Langford said.
In Birmingham, Langford says existing fountains like one in the Five Points South business district, are popular spots.
“You change the aesthetics, you change attitudes and once you change attitudes, you change people's wanting to be in the city," Langford said.
Fountains and small park plazas could become part of a city center street pavement and revitalization effort leading up to planned ground breaking on a possible domed stadium near the city center.
To hear the Mayor's comments on the fountain plan click on the video player above.
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