City Walk BHAM

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Citywalk BHAM is a 31-acre public space which was constructed under the newly-replaced I-59/20 downtown viaduct, between 15th Street North and 25th Street North in Birmingham's Fountain Heights, Druid Hills and Central City neighborhoods.

The use of the area for "public space" was negotiated between the Alabama Department of Transportation, the City of Birmingham, and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the primary source of funding for the interstate replacement project. The provision was made to offset the residences in Fountain Heights which were demolished for the new 11th Avenue North entrance ramp. It was planned for the area to be operated and maintained by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

Biederman Redevelopment Ventures of New York was contracted by ALDOT to consult on programming and budgeting for construction, operations and maintenance of the proposed public space or park. Birmingham's Barge Design Solutions was commissioned to design the park space. Their work was recognized with a "Grand Award" from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Alabama.

David Baker Architects was commissioned to design a visitors' center, to be located near the Birmingham Museum of Art, and three convenience stations along the corridor. ALDOT solicited bids for construction in spring 2021. Brasfield & Gorrie won the contract for the $34 million project, which opened for the 2022 World Games.

REV Birmingham has estimated that 562,000 people visited City Walk during the first 6 months of 2025, making it one of the city's

Amenities

ALDOT hosted a series of public meetings in July 2018 to generate suggestions for amenities that could be included in the park. Peter Karvonen has been cultivating support for a "world class" skate park. Mary Jean LaMay made suggestions for a velodrome and roller derby park. Another idea with significant public support was tailgating areas for UAB Blazers and the Birmingham Bowl at the nearby BJCC stadium. Planners expected to include a variety of small-scale amenities, including vendor spaces, fountains, and performance areas, as well.

In September 2019 ALDOT engineer DeJarvis Leonard confirmed that their plans included a skate park, along with a dog park, recreational areas, and signage for the city's Civil Rights District. At public meetings on September 24, ALDOT showed two large green spaces usable for recreation and tailgating, along with a skate park, dog park, pavilion, event space, and pop-up market or food hall.

The eventual master plan was divided into blocks, running west to east:

  • Block A (15th to 16th Streets North): Artificial surface sports and recreation fields, challenge course, amphitheater, civil rights story zone, gathering space, and 1/4-mile walking trail
  • Block B (16th to 18th Streets North): Roller skating rink, food trucks, activity zone, skate park
  • Block C (18th to 19th Streets North): Performance space, outdoor classroom, parking
  • Block D (19th Street to Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard North): Outdoor stage, central gathering space, garden path, water feature, restrooms, security office, information
  • Block E (Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard to 22nd Street North): Market space
  • Block F (22nd to 23rd Streets North): Beer and wine garden, garden path
  • Block G (23rd to 24th Streets North): Dog park, pickleball courts, restrooms, and parking
  • Block H (24th to 25th Streets North): Gateway pond, open green space, playground, restroom and pavilion

Skate park

Main article: City Walk Skate Park

The skate park component of City Walk was built at a cost of $3 million and covers 57,000 square feet, which makes it the 5th largest facility in the United States. It was designed by Newline Skateparks, Inc. and includes three bowls, the largest of which, dubbed the "Olympic Bowl" is designed to the standards of international competitions. Other features include high- and low-impact street courses, a bump and pump track, and a replica of the "Ghetto Banks" skate spot formerly at Southtown Court.

The park is managed by Action Park Alliance of Fontana, California. No fees are charged for regular use, but a waiver of liability for injuries is required for all skaters. Groups using the venue for events have included the Red Bull Bowl-B-Que and the Askate Foundation.

Outdoor sculpture

City Walk has a rotating exhibit of site-specific public art. The "art partnership" program is managed by Toni Dennis, City Walk's director of public relations and community partnerships. Sculptures are typically displayed on large concrete plinths located on Block C.

In addition, a "Vulcans on Parade" casting painted by Melissa Shultz-Jones was installed at the east end of Block D in August 2023 in honor of Darlene Negrotto.

Civil Rights Story Zone

In February 2026 a "Civil Rights Story Zone" was installed at the western end of the park at 16th Street North, featuring interactive signage with links to online content. The area is expected to connect with the Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads urban trail and multimodal corridor.

Operations and maintenance

As part of the original agreement, the Alabama Department of Transportation committed to giving the BJCC Authority up to $4 million to subsidize the cost of maintenance, with the expectation that revenues from the use of park amenities would be used thereafter.

After that agreement expired in 2024, BJCC CEO Tad Snider told the board that it was costing $2 million a year, or $125,000 per month to maintain and operate City Walk, against just $400,000 in annual operating revenues from memberships, events, parking fees and rentals. He warned that if more sources of funding were not found, that some of the amenities may close. A breakdown of annual expenses included:

  • Security: $590,000
  • Skate park management and insurance: $340,000
  • Utilities: $329,000
  • Insurance: $234,000
  • Landscape maintenance: $204,000
  • Custodial services: $90,000
  • Detention pond and fountain maintenance: $58,000

In January 2025 the BJCC requested an annual appropriation from the City of Birmingham. The Birmingham City Council's Budget and Finance Committee agreed to a one-time appropriation of $250,000 from a state grant. Snider also discussed the possibility of securing more investment from ALDOT, and launching a campaign for philanthropic support. In June BJCC board chair Michael Keel told CBS 42 that it could not sustain the monthly expense of maintaining the amenity.

Jefferson County Commission president Jimmie Stephens expressed that the county had no obligation to support a park entirely within the city of Birmingham. ALDOT issued a statement saying that it remained "in continuous communications with the BJCC and other stakeholders to develop strategies to ensure that City Walk BHAM will remain the viable community gem it is."

References

  • Chambers, Jesse (July 18, 2018) "City, ALDOT, host open house for CityWalk BHAM linear park." Iron City Ink
  • Pillion, Dennis (July 20, 2018) "Birmingham CityWalk under I-59/20 could bring skate park, bike races, beer garden." The Birmingham News
  • Coker, Angel (September 5, 2019) "ALDOT says skate park will be part of new CityWalk project." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Beahm, Anna (September 24, 2019) "Skate park, tailgating and more planned for park under I-59/20." The Birmingham News
  • Coker, Angel (September 30, 2019) "First Look: Here's what's in store for CityWalk BHAM under the new interstate bridges." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Songer, Joe (February 26, 2020) "Take a look at CityWalk BHAM before major construction starts." The Birmingham News
  • Coker, Angel (November 25, 2020) "Where Birmingham transportation projects stand: I-59/20 bridges, CityWalk BHAM." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Wexler, Landon (March 4, 2021) "Downtown Birmingham CityWalk project start date delayed, will be completed before World Games 2022." WHNT.com
  • "Construction Commences on City Walk BHAM." (July 1, 2021) citywalkbham.com
  • "$34 million City Walk BHAM bringing food, fun to Magic City in 2022." (July 10, 2021) Associated Press/The Birmingham News
  • Goodman, Joseph (June 17, 2022) "Birmingham is suddenly a skateboarding paradise." The Birmingham News
  • Garrison, Greg (May 4, 2023) "Birmingham City Walk wins design award." AL.com
  • Byington, Pat (October 9, 2023) "City Walk Bham unveils two new sculptures by Ajene Williams." Bham Now
  • Paepcke, Jon (January 27, 2025) "'I guess it will never change': Birmingham city councilor questions $250,000 for City Walk." WVTM13.com
  • Bookman, Alaina (March 28, 2025) "Birmingham’s City Walk faces a critical funding gap. Here’s how it will move forward." AL.com
  • Wright, Barnett (November 19, 2025) "Birmingham Mayor, Jeffco Commission President Clash Over Funding for Popular City Landmark." The Birmingham Times
  • Howard, Grace (February 12, 2026) "Check out this free Civil Rights self-tour in Birmingham." (sponsored) Bham Now
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