The tagline for City Walk BHAM isn’t meant to be a cute catchphrase. “Where Birmingham Connects” is a bold and clear declaration of the mission of this 31-acre public space. And the exciting destination, which many Birmingham residents got to enjoy during The World Games, is open and ready to welcome you for a visit!
Once Birmingham’s I-59/20 Central Business District Interstate bridges were complete, city planners could turn their focus to developing the space beneath the bridges — cue the City Walk BHAM concept and construction. “It’s not an afterthought,” says Toni Dennis, community liaison and outreach coordinator for City Walk BHAM. Toni explains that creating a space to bring together people from all the different neighborhoods of Birmingham was always a goal.
City Walk BHAM is a 10-block public space beneath the I-59/20 bridge designed to unite Birmingham.
That’s why City Walk BHAM has something for everyone – from young to old and artists to athletes. The space, which spans 10 city blocks from 15th Street North to 25th Street North and is almost a mile in length, features playgrounds and pickleball courts, a skate park and a dog park, space for fitness classes, food trucks, and much more. Not to mention, the LED ribbon lighting makes Magic City feel even more magical.
Here are some other intriguing facts about City Walk BHAM.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
City Walk BHAM is made possible through the collaboration of several entities. With the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) at the helm, engineering and architecture firm Barge Design Solutions designed the space, and the construction firm Brasfield and Gorrie built out the area and brought the vision to life. The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) manages it now that City Walk is up and running.
Though the idea to make use of the space under the I-59/20 bridge has been floating around for decades, serious conceptual planning for City Walk began in 2014 with a study conducted by REV Birmingham to determine the best use for the area.
Throughout the project, ALDOT worked to keep the public engaged and, in July 2018, held meetings at the Boutwell Auditorium so residents could review plans for City Walk BHAM.
Construction is complete, but there’s much more to come.
The construction of City Walk BHAM was complete in early July, just in time for The World Games 2022. However, not all features of the public space are fully operational. That means Birmingham residents who have enjoyed taking an evening stroll along the walking paths have even more to look forward to!
The skate park and roller rink are open, and the pickleball courts have been in play since early August. Additionally, organizers expect the dog park to be open in September. There are also plans for a beer and wine garden managed by Centerplate, the company that handles catering and all food and beverage services for the BJCC.
The pickleball courts at City Walk BHAM are open!
City Walk could soon be your dog’s favorite hangout spot.
City Walk BHAM will soon be home to The Barkery, a members-only off-leash dog park. Supply chain issues delayed the shipment of the remaining equipment, but the park should be ready for your furry friends in September. All dogs must have a one-time pass or City Walk BHAM membership to enter the dog park. To keep the canine community happy and healthy, dogs must also be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations.
City Walk Skatepark has already proven to be a big draw.
Designed by New Line Skateparks and managed and supervised by Action Park Alliance, the 57,000-square-foot skate park is the fifth largest in America and the largest in the Southeast. The park opened on June 21 (which happened to be Go Skateboarding Day) and drew hundreds of skaters within the first hour.
City Walk also features a roller-skating rink, which is shaping up to be a fan favorite, too.
The City Walk Skatepark opened in June and quickly became a significant draw for City Walk BHAM.
City Walk BHAM may become your go-to place for entertainment.
During The World Games 2022, City Walk was home to The World Games Plaza, which featured free concerts, fashion shows, and more. But don’t think that just because the athletes have gone home means City Walk is going quiet.
“We have submitted for approval to extend [Birmingham’s downtown] entertainment district into City Walk,” Toni says.
City Walk may soon host fitness classes, marketplaces, food trucks, and more. Toni and her team are already working on bringing a drum circle to the space as well as a jazz concert.
You can get in touch with your artsy side at City Walk.
Plans are in the works for the area of City Walk near the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) on 18th Street North to be used for arts-related activities.
“That block is one we call the Discovery Block,” Toni says. “It also has some spaces for outdoor classrooms,” which she hopes ASFA and other organizations and individuals will use to teach art classes or host small performances.
You can rent space at City Walk for your next event.
Many areas of City Walk are available for rent for big and small private events, such as birthday parties, company gatherings, family reunions, classes, and more. Apply HERE to reserve space for your next event.
City Walk BHAM is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the school year, the playground will close at dusk. Follow City Walk BHAM on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
All photography courtesy of Katy Knauss.
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