Birmingham, Alabama

Founded in 1871 through the merger of three small towns, Birmingham quickly grew as an industrial center thanks to the exploitation of cheap, non-unionized immigrant and African-American workers and its proximity to iron ore, coal, and limestone deposits (the three raw materials needed to make steel).  Named after Birmingham, England, which was then considered one of the world's most renowned industrial centers, its rapid growth earned it the nickname, Magic City.

Similar to northern “rustbelt” cities, Birmingham experienced severe population loss as a result of suburbanization and industrial flight in the latter part of the 20th century. From a peak of 340,887 in 1960, Birmingham’s population is now just 212,157—representing a loss of more than a third of its residents.  According to 2016 Census estimates, Birmingham is now 72 percent black, 23 percent white, and 3 percent Hispanic.

As people and jobs left the city, Birmingham experienced significant social and economic challenges. The city has a 29 percent poverty rate, which is well above the state average of 17 percent and more than double the U.S. average of 13 percent.  Nearly 19 percent of its residents aged 65 and under lack health insurance, compared to just 10 percent nationwide.  Crime is also a significant challenge— Birmingham is ranked the most violent city in the country, and its murder, robbery, and aggravated assault rates are among the five highest of all major U.S. cities.

Working to address Birmingham’s challenges are a range of community wealth building organizations and initiatives.  For example, REV Birmingham (REV) is a public-private economic development organization aiming to foster vibrant commercial districts by filling vacant spaces and growing sustainable businesses. To support entrepreneurs, REV offers business development workshops and has a stall in Birmingham’s Pizitz Food Hall where start-up restaurants can launch and receive technical assistance.  To expand access to healthy food, REV’s Urban Food Project connects corner stores and restaurants in food deserts to 40 area farms, and helps corner store owners purchase, market, and sell fresh produce.

Also focused on healthy food access is Urban Ministry, a faith-based nonprofit that has provided a range of community-focused programs since 1976 to help support Birmingham’s low-income residents.  Through its WE Community Gardens, Urban Ministry provides fair-wage jobs to area youth who help grow 3,500 pounds of fresh, organic produce on an annual basis. The food is sold at affordable rates at community markets, donated to those in need, and used at Urban Ministry’s WE Community Café, which serves quality, healthy food on a “pay what you can” basis while providing job training and employment opportunities for youth who are chronically unemployed or underemployed.

Another noteworthy organization is the Magic City Agriculture Project (MCAP), which helps communities of color and cash poor communities organize community-based democratic institutions and cooperative businesses.  The nonprofit also supports a farm located in a city food desert and runs educational social justice programs to help develop the next generation of community leaders and organizers.

An overview of these and other exemplary community wealth building efforts follows:

Anchor Institutions

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Founded in 1959, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham connects philanthropists, nonprofits, and engaged leaders to build a stronger, more vibrant future for the Greater Birmingham community.  As of December 2016, the foundation held $259.5 million in assets and had disbursed $18.7 million in grants.  Its grantmaking prioritizes efforts focused on ensuring: 1) communities are sustainable, livable, and vibrant; and 2) individuals and families are economically secure.  To maximize its impact, the foundation also develops and implements large-scale, multi-year regional initiatives, which currently include an effort to reform predatory lending and the development of a city Innovation District.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

With more than 23,000 full-time and part-time workers, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the largest employer in Alabama.  Committed to the broader community, UAB has established the UAB Benevolent Fund, which currently provides support to more than 130 local nonprofits. Through UAB’s Regions Institute for Financial Education, the university also provides financial education to students and the public.

Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

Established in 1980 as Jefferson County Assisted Housing Corporation, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners develops and enhances safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing.  Based in Birmingham, the nonprofit now manages roughly 60,000 units of affordable housing across Alabama, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia.  Navigate is currently developing a $4.75 million project which will include about 30 affordable, single family homes alongside an 8-acre park in Pratt City, an area devastated by a tornado in 2011.

New Rising Star Community Support Corporation

New Rising Star Community Support Corporation (NRS) focuses on improving the quality of life in Birmingham’s East Lake Community.  Aiming to convert vacant properties into homes and renters into homeowners, the nonprofit builds and rehabs affordable single-family homes and connects prospective buyers to financial and homeownership classes.  NRS also runs an after-school program and provides a range of supportive community services including free senior transportation and career coaching for unemployed and underemployed area residents.

Titusville Development Corporation

Established in 1984, Titusville Development Corporation (TDC) aims to revitalize and develop Titusville, one of the first neighborhoods in Birmingham where African Americans were allowed to own residential and commercial property.  To do so, the CDC focuses on removing blight, renovating dilapidated properties, and empowering residents through financial education.  TDC is currently working to redevelop 24 properties into affordable housing.  The nonprofit also developed and now owns and manages affordable senior housing worth over $1 million.

Urban Impact

Established in 1980, Urban Impact aims to foster asset building, economic opportunity, and the revitalization of Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District and the Civil Rights District.  To do so, the nonprofit provides a range of services geared to helping existing businesses grow, encouraging entrepreneurs to locate in the Districts, and recruiting developers and retailers to the area.  Services include business promotion, business counseling, and the identification of available space and financial incentives.

Woodlawn Foundation

As the lead organization of Woodlawn United, a collaboration of groups working to break the cycle of poverty in Birmingham’s Woodlawn community, the Woodlawn Foundation partners with residents and other local stakeholders to identify community needs and leverage resources to address area challenges.  Its Housing Program aims to create long-term residency opportunities for a range of families by developing quality mixed-income, single-family housing and helping existing homeowners to rehabilitate older properties.  In 2016, the foundation provided free repairs to 15 homes and connected 64 families to units at its affordable townhouse community, Woodlawn Station.  Other Foundation initiatives currently focus on expanding educational opportunities and promoting community wellness.

Cooperatives (Co-ops)

Avadian

Established in 1934 with just $70 in assets and a mission to serve telephone company employees, Avadian has grown into an institution holding roughly $750 million in assets.  Headquartered in Birmingham, Avadian serves over 78,000 members through 20 branches across the state.  To help its members develop and reach their financial goals, the credit union offers numerous programs including youth savings initiatives and free one-on-one financial management consultations.  Committed to the community, Avadian also sponsors a range of area events and nonprofits, and has a particular focus on supporting efforts focused on education, financial literacy, and fostering connections between the community and chambers of commerce.

Legacy Credit Union

Founded in 1955 to serve the University of Alabama at Birmingham community, Legacy Credit Union now has over 38,000 members across the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area and holds over $420 million in assets.  Committed to financial education, Legacy participates in a range of educational initiatives at local businesses, colleges, and high schools, and has developed an in-depth, 12-month financial literacy program for young adults.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

American Cast Iron Pipe

Founded in Birmingham in 1905, American Cast Iron Pipe manufactures ductile iron pipe, spiral-welded steel pipe, fire hydrants and valves for the waterworks industry, and electric-resistance-welded steel pipe for the oil and gas industry.  The company has about 2,600 worker-owners—1,600 based in Birmingham, and the remainder spread across plants located in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Minneapolis, and Brazil.  Committed to its employees, American offers a range of programs to help its worker-owners grow professionally and personally, including an award-winning wellness program with an on-site fitness center, screenings, personal health coaching, and rewards for participation.

Sain Engineering Associates

Launched in 1992, Sain Engineering Associates (SEA) is an energy engineering consulting firm that specializes in identifying cost effective solutions that can improve functional operations while reducing energy consumption.  To enable its employees to share in SEA’s growth and success, the company became an ESOP in 2013.  SEA currently has 54 worker-owners.

Individual Wealth Building

Alabama Asset Building Coalition

Based in Birmingham, the Alabama Asset Building Coalition is a statewide group helping underserved Alabama residents reach their highest potential and strengthen their financial future.  Founded in 2008, the coalition now includes nonprofits, community action agencies, community development organizations, United Ways, federal and state government, banking regulatory agencies, and financial institutions.  The coalition’s work centers around four core activities:  1) supporting Alabama organizations involved in asset building initiatives; 2) identifying asset building opportunities and implementing new strategies and programs; 3) serving as an educational resource on asset building strategies; and 4) advocating for state and federal policy changes that expand economic opportunity.

Birmingham Business Resource Center

Founded by city officials and business lending organizations, the Birmingham Business Resource Center serves as a “one-stop-shop” providing area entrepreneurs with training and financial assistance.  Since its establishment in 1996, the Center is credited with lending more than $350 million to small businesses.

Birmingham Construction Industry Authority

Catalyzed to overcome the underutilization of Minority and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MBE/DBE) in Birmingham’s economic growth, the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA) provides certification, counseling, and other technical assistance to area MBE/DBE firms.  Since its establishment in 1990, BCIA is credited with certifying over 200 businesses and helping MBE/DBE companies access more than $650 million in contracts and awards.

Create Birmingham

Guided by a mission to invest in imagination and invention, Create Birmingham strives to construct and support diverse avenues for commercial and nonprofit creative success. Through its Co.Starters program, creative entrepreneurs learn how to turn business ideas into action, and upon graduation can access grant and loan funding.  The nonprofit also maintains a free community calendar, which usually highlights 30,000 public events, and a free on-line platform to help match those seeking space for an exhibition, performance, pop-up or bricks-and-mortar storefront with property owners who have available rentals.  The nonprofit also engages in advocacy work to ensure Birmingham’s creative industries are recognized for both their cultural and economic impacts.

REV Birmingham

Established in 2012, REV Birmingham (REV) is a public-private economic development organization that fosters vibrant commercial districts by filling vacant spaces and growing sustainable businesses.  The organization works out of SocialVenture, an abandoned warehouse redeveloped into a mixed-use facility that also houses the Woodlawn Foundation, a coworking space, and a small, affordable retail space.  To support entrepreneurs, REV offers business development workshops and has a stall in The Pizitz Food Hall designed to serve as a rotating business accelerator where start-up restaurants can launch their businesses and receive technical assistance.  To expand access to healthy food, REV’s Urban Food Project connects corner stores and restaurants in city food deserts to 40 area farms, and helps corner store owners purchase, market, and sell fresh produce.

Local Food Systems

Jones Valley Teaching Farm

Aiming to ensure area youth can learn, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community, Jones Valley Teaching Farm builds student-centered teaching farms on local school campuses.  To date, the nonprofit has created 7 such farms through which it has engaged nearly 4,650 students who, collectively, have grown roughly 380 varieties of fruits and vegetables.  To foster youth entrepreneurship and promote access to fresh products, Jones Valley Teaching Farm also helps participants develop student farmer’s markets through which they sell harvested produce and flowers.

Magic City Agriculture Project

Founded in 2011 to foster racial, economic, and environmental justice, the Magic City Agriculture Project (MCAP) helps communities of color and cash poor communities organize community-based democratic institutions and cooperative businesses, with a focus on sustainable agribusinesses.  MCAP is credited with helping people living in the Historic Smithfield Community form Dynamite Hill–Smithfield Community Land Trust (DH-SCLT), which became the first land trust in Birmingham in June of 2016.  The nonprofit also supports a small farm in the Historic Smithfield Community, which is considered a food desert.  To help develop the next generation of community leaders and organizers, MCAP’s Birmingham Institute runs numerous educational programs on a range of social justice issues.

Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources (P.E.E.R., Inc.)

Established in 2005, Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources (P.E.E.R., Inc.) works to ensure that residents of Birmingham’s South East Lake community have access to the resources they need for healthy living, learning, and work.  The nonprofit runs a seasonal farmer’s market that includes cooking demonstrations and health screening events and has a mobile market to ensure all residents can access healthy, fresh produce.  Through P.E.E.R.’s commercial kitchen space, community residents can participate in a culinary training program, and products made by the “chef-apprentices” are sold to generate revenues to help support P.E.E.R.’s work.

Reclaiming the Commons

Railroad Park

Built on Birmingham’s vacant Railroad Reservation—a large plot of land in the center of Birmingham set aside for the city’s railroads and related industries—Railroad Park is a free, 19-acre city-owned park featuring play areas, an outdoor gym, trails, three skate bowls, and numerous water features.  Although the idea to develop the park was conceived in the 1970s, construction only began in 2007, and the first phase finally opened in 2010.  The $25 million redevelopment project has been credited with restoring civic pride and serving as an economic catalyst for the surrounding area.

Social Enterprise

Magic City Woodworks

Magic City Woodworks provides young men with job and life skill training.  The faith-based nonprofit provides five paid, year-long apprenticeships through which participants learn carpentry skills while making a range of wooden products that are sold to help support the initiative. Launched in 2013 in a one-car garage, Magic City has expanded its operation to a 12,000 square foot warehouse downtown.

Urban Ministry’s WE Community Café

Founded in 1976, Urban Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit striving to help Birmingham’s West End community thrive.  To help residents access fresh, organic produce and provide area youth with fair-wage jobs, Urban Ministry partnered with Church Without Walls in 2008 to create the WE Community Gardens.  Today, the garden produces about 3,500 pounds of food on an annual basis—2,000 pounds of which are donated to those in need with the remainder sold at affordable rates at community markets.  Some of the produce is also used at Urban Ministry’s WE Community Café, which serves quality, healthy food while providing job training and employment opportunities for youth who are chronically unemployed or underemployed.  Patrons are asked to pay what they can, and those who cannot pay can volunteer instead.  Revenues from the Gardens and Café help support the nonprofit’s programs.

Individual Wealth Building

Alabama Asset Building Coalition

Based in Birmingham, the Alabama Asset Building Coalition is a statewide group helping underserved Alabama residents reach their highest potential and strengthen their financial future.  Founded in 2008, the coalition now includes nonprofits, community action agencies, community development organizations, United Ways, federal and state government, banking regulatory agencies, and financial institutions.  The coalition’s work centers around four core activities:  1) supporting Alabama organizations involved in asset building initiatives; 2) identifying asset building opportunities and implementing new strategies and programs; 3) serving as an educational resource on asset building strategies; and 4) advocating for state and federal policy changes that expand economic opportunity.

Birmingham Business Resource Center

Founded by city officials and business lending organizations, the Birmingham Business Resource Center serves as a “one-stop-shop” providing area entrepreneurs with training and financial assistance.  Since its establishment in 1996, the Center is credited with lending more than $350 million to small businesses.

Birmingham Construction Industry Authority

Catalyzed to overcome the underutilization of Minority and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MBE/DBE) in Birmingham’s economic growth, the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA) provides certification, counseling, and other technical assistance to area MBE/DBE firms.  Since its establishment in 1990, BCIA is credited with certifying over 200 businesses and helping MBE/DBE companies access more than $650 million in contracts and awards.

Create Birmingham

Guided by a mission to invest in imagination and invention, Create Birmingham strives to construct and support diverse avenues for commercial and nonprofit creative success. Through its Co.Starters program, creative entrepreneurs learn how to turn business ideas into action, and upon graduation can access grant and loan funding.  The nonprofit also maintains a free community calendar, which usually highlights 30,000 public events, and a free on-line platform to help match those seeking space for an exhibition, performance, pop-up or bricks-and-mortar storefront with property owners who have available rentals.  The nonprofit also engages in advocacy work to ensure Birmingham’s creative industries are recognized for both their cultural and economic impacts.

REV Birmingham

Established in 2012, REV Birmingham (REV) is a public-private economic development organization that fosters vibrant commercial districts by filling vacant spaces and growing sustainable businesses.  The organization works out of SocialVenture, an abandoned warehouse redeveloped into a mixed-use facility that also houses the Woodlawn Foundation, a coworking space, and a small, affordable retail space.  To support entrepreneurs, REV offers business development workshops and has a stall in The Pizitz Food Hall designed to serve as a rotating business accelerator where start-up restaurants can launch their businesses and receive technical assistance.  To expand access to healthy food, REV’s Urban Food Project connects corner stores and restaurants in city food deserts to 40 area farms, and helps corner store owners purchase, market, and sell fresh produce.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

American Cast Iron Pipe

Founded in Birmingham in 1905, American Cast Iron Pipe manufactures ductile iron pipe, spiral-welded steel pipe, fire hydrants and valves for the waterworks industry, and electric-resistance-welded steel pipe for the oil and gas industry.  The company has about 2,600 worker-owners—1,600 based in Birmingham, and the remainder spread across plants located in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Minneapolis, and Brazil.  Committed to its employees, American offers a range of programs to help its worker-owners grow professionally and personally, including an award-winning wellness program with an on-site fitness center, screenings, personal health coaching, and rewards for participation.

Sain Engineering Associates

Launched in 1992, Sain Engineering Associates (SEA) is an energy engineering consulting firm that specializes in identifying cost effective solutions that can improve functional operations while reducing energy consumption.  To enable its employees to share in SEA’s growth and success, the company became an ESOP in 2013.  SEA currently has 54 worker-owners.

Cooperatives (Co-ops)

Avadian

Established in 1934 with just $70 in assets and a mission to serve telephone company employees, Avadian has grown into an institution holding roughly $750 million in assets.  Headquartered in Birmingham, Avadian serves over 78,000 members through 20 branches across the state.  To help its members develop and reach their financial goals, the credit union offers numerous programs including youth savings initiatives and free one-on-one financial management consultations.  Committed to the community, Avadian also sponsors a range of area events and nonprofits, and has a particular focus on supporting efforts focused on education, financial literacy, and fostering connections between the community and chambers of commerce.

Legacy Credit Union

Founded in 1955 to serve the University of Alabama at Birmingham community, Legacy Credit Union now has over 38,000 members across the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area and holds over $420 million in assets.  Committed to financial education, Legacy participates in a range of educational initiatives at local businesses, colleges, and high schools, and has developed an in-depth, 12-month financial literacy program for young adults.

Anchor Institutions

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Founded in 1959, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham connects philanthropists, nonprofits, and engaged leaders to build a stronger, more vibrant future for the Greater Birmingham community.  As of December 2016, the foundation held $259.5 million in assets and had disbursed $18.7 million in grants.  Its grantmaking prioritizes efforts focused on ensuring: 1) communities are sustainable, livable, and vibrant; and 2) individuals and families are economically secure.  To maximize its impact, the foundation also develops and implements large-scale, multi-year regional initiatives, which currently include an effort to reform predatory lending and the development of a city Innovation District.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

With more than 23,000 full-time and part-time workers, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the largest employer in Alabama.  Committed to the broader community, UAB has established the UAB Benevolent Fund, which currently provides support to more than 130 local nonprofits. Through UAB’s Regions Institute for Financial Education, the university also provides financial education to students and the public.

Local Food Systems

Jones Valley Teaching Farm

Aiming to ensure area youth can learn, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community, Jones Valley Teaching Farm builds student-centered teaching farms on local school campuses.  To date, the nonprofit has created 7 such farms through which it has engaged nearly 4,650 students who, collectively, have grown roughly 380 varieties of fruits and vegetables.  To foster youth entrepreneurship and promote access to fresh products, Jones Valley Teaching Farm also helps participants develop student farmer’s markets through which they sell harvested produce and flowers.

Magic City Agriculture Project

Founded in 2011 to foster racial, economic, and environmental justice, the Magic City Agriculture Project (MCAP) helps communities of color and cash poor communities organize community-based democratic institutions and cooperative businesses, with a focus on sustainable agribusinesses.  MCAP is credited with helping people living in the Historic Smithfield Community form Dynamite Hill–Smithfield Community Land Trust (DH-SCLT), which became the first land trust in Birmingham in June of 2016.  The nonprofit also supports a small farm in the Historic Smithfield Community, which is considered a food desert.  To help develop the next generation of community leaders and organizers, MCAP’s Birmingham Institute runs numerous educational programs on a range of social justice issues.

Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources (P.E.E.R., Inc.)

Established in 2005, Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources (P.E.E.R., Inc.) works to ensure that residents of Birmingham’s South East Lake community have access to the resources they need for healthy living, learning, and work.  The nonprofit runs a seasonal farmer’s market that includes cooking demonstrations and health screening events and has a mobile market to ensure all residents can access healthy, fresh produce.  Through P.E.E.R.’s commercial kitchen space, community residents can participate in a culinary training program, and products made by the “chef-apprentices” are sold to generate revenues to help support P.E.E.R.’s work.

Social Enterprise

Magic City Woodworks

Magic City Woodworks provides young men with job and life skill training.  The faith-based nonprofit provides five paid, year-long apprenticeships through which participants learn carpentry skills while making a range of wooden products that are sold to help support the initiative. Launched in 2013 in a one-car garage, Magic City has expanded its operation to a 12,000 square foot warehouse downtown.

Urban Ministry’s WE Community Café

Founded in 1976, Urban Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit striving to help Birmingham’s West End community thrive.  To help residents access fresh, organic produce and provide area youth with fair-wage jobs, Urban Ministry partnered with Church Without Walls in 2008 to create the WE Community Gardens.  Today, the garden produces about 3,500 pounds of food on an annual basis—2,000 pounds of which are donated to those in need with the remainder sold at affordable rates at community markets.  Some of the produce is also used at Urban Ministry’s WE Community Café, which serves quality, healthy food while providing job training and employment opportunities for youth who are chronically unemployed or underemployed.  Patrons are asked to pay what they can, and those who cannot pay can volunteer instead.  Revenues from the Gardens and Café help support the nonprofit’s programs.

Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

Established in 1980 as Jefferson County Assisted Housing Corporation, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners develops and enhances safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing.  Based in Birmingham, the nonprofit now manages roughly 60,000 units of affordable housing across Alabama, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia.  Navigate is currently developing a $4.75 million project which will include about 30 affordable, single family homes alongside an 8-acre park in Pratt City, an area devastated by a tornado in 2011.

New Rising Star Community Support Corporation

New Rising Star Community Support Corporation (NRS) focuses on improving the quality of life in Birmingham’s East Lake Community.  Aiming to convert vacant properties into homes and renters into homeowners, the nonprofit builds and rehabs affordable single-family homes and connects prospective buyers to financial and homeownership classes.  NRS also runs an after-school program and provides a range of supportive community services including free senior transportation and career coaching for unemployed and underemployed area residents.

Titusville Development Corporation

Established in 1984, Titusville Development Corporation (TDC) aims to revitalize and develop Titusville, one of the first neighborhoods in Birmingham where African Americans were allowed to own residential and commercial property.  To do so, the CDC focuses on removing blight, renovating dilapidated properties, and empowering residents through financial education.  TDC is currently working to redevelop 24 properties into affordable housing.  The nonprofit also developed and now owns and manages affordable senior housing worth over $1 million.

Urban Impact

Established in 1980, Urban Impact aims to foster asset building, economic opportunity, and the revitalization of Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District and the Civil Rights District.  To do so, the nonprofit provides a range of services geared to helping existing businesses grow, encouraging entrepreneurs to locate in the Districts, and recruiting developers and retailers to the area.  Services include business promotion, business counseling, and the identification of available space and financial incentives.

Woodlawn Foundation

As the lead organization of Woodlawn United, a collaboration of groups working to break the cycle of poverty in Birmingham’s Woodlawn community, the Woodlawn Foundation partners with residents and other local stakeholders to identify community needs and leverage resources to address area challenges.  Its Housing Program aims to create long-term residency opportunities for a range of families by developing quality mixed-income, single-family housing and helping existing homeowners to rehabilitate older properties.  In 2016, the foundation provided free repairs to 15 homes and connected 64 families to units at its affordable townhouse community, Woodlawn Station.  Other Foundation initiatives currently focus on expanding educational opportunities and promoting community wellness.

Reclaiming the Commons

Railroad Park

Built on Birmingham’s vacant Railroad Reservation—a large plot of land in the center of Birmingham set aside for the city’s railroads and related industries—Railroad Park is a free, 19-acre city-owned park featuring play areas, an outdoor gym, trails, three skate bowls, and numerous water features.  Although the idea to develop the park was conceived in the 1970s, construction only began in 2007, and the first phase finally opened in 2010.  The $25 million redevelopment project has been credited with restoring civic pride and serving as an economic catalyst for the surrounding area.