Downtown Birmingham is sacrificing a few parking spots to make room for more excitement on its sidewalks.
The city recently liberalized its bistro policy, so that downtown businesses who want to serve alcohol can do so as long as they offer outdoor seating during the warmer months. Some businesses don't have much sidewalk to take advantage of, so the city allows them to rent street parking spots in front of their storefronts.
These establishments build platforms in the parking spots that basically extend the sidewalk, making room for seating. This puts more people and eyes outdoors, increasing streetside activity and vibrancy. It's the type of policy that would make Jane Jacobs proud.
"It's a very innovative policy," says Mark Nickita, a member of the Birmingham Planning Board. "To get a liquor license you have to do all of these good things for the city. … It makes the street more active, fun and interesting."
It also means good things for businesses. Dick O'Dow's did this and watched its revenue grow dramatically. So much so that over half a dozen restaurants and bars have followed suit, doubling or even tripling the amount of outdoor seating in the downtown.
Increased vertical space makes it viable for more small storefronts to set up shop in the city's center, which gives people more reasons to come downtown.
"It hasn’t been done around here at all," Nickita says. "I don't know of any other community that does it and we love it."
Source: Mark Nickita, member of the Birmingham Planning Board
Writer: Jon Zemke
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