A project that will tie the city’s industrial pastto its present and future is making headlines inBirmingham, Ala., Rotary Trail — more than a

quarter-century in the making — is an extension of nationally recognizedRailroad Park from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South.

“To commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Rotary Club ofBirmingham chose to fund the construction of a greenway park in ‘TheCut’, an old railroad bed along First Avenue South,” said Bill Jones, co-chair of Rotary’s Centennial project. “This old rail bed was a terrible eye-sore, full of trash, and deteriorating quickly. The idea for this revitalizationproject was presented to the Rotary Club by Wendy Jackson at Fresh WaterLand Trust. More than $3.5 million was raised by the Rotary Club ofBirmingham membership, and the park, when completed, will be known asRotary Trail.

Rotary, an organization of business and professional leaders unitedworldwide, provides humanitarian and other services as a way of givingback. The Rotary Trail project is one example of how the Birminghamcommunity can be better served.

“Its significance is that it’s located within the Red Rock Ridge and ValleyTrail system that runs for several miles throughout the city,” Jones said.“Rotary Trail connects Railroad Park and Regions Field with Sloss Furnaceand Avondale. While several unique residences, offices and other business-es exist along Rotary Trail now, the park will have a significant positiveimpact on additional development in this area. There are many other uniqueaspects of the trail, including indigenous plants, trees and boulders, solarcharging stations and informational areas.”

Wendy Jackson, executive director of Freshwater Land Trust, said, “TheRotary Trail adds a significant downtown connection to the Red RockRidge and Valley Trail System. This addition will provide additional greenspace for downtown residents to enjoy, which is what matters most to us.

“A linear greenway through the heart of downtown will connect SlossFurnaces to Railroad Park and beyond. In addition, the innovative designof the trail will improve water quality for Valley Creek, a critical watershedfor the Birmingham area.”

Jackson said, “The Freshwater Land Trust takes a businesslike approachto conservation, and prides itself in its ability to bring unique public and pri-vate partners to the table. Through this partnership, we are not only able tobring an urban greenspace to life, but we are also contributing to the eco-nomic development and renaissance of Birmingham.

“This public/private partnership will not only support outdoor family

Birmingham Projectto Tie Industrial Pastto Its Present, Future

ALABAMA STATE EDITION A Supplement to:

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

see ROTARY page 2

Cheryl Morgan, FAIA photoA project that will tie the city’sindustrial past to its present andfuture is making headlines inBirmingham, Ala., Rotary Trail —more than a quarter-century in themaking — is an extension ofnationally recognized RailroadPark from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South.

March 22016

Vol. XXIX • No. 5Mobile

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By Cindy RileyCEG CORRESPONDENT

Page 2 • March 2, 2016 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Rotary Trail Helps to Make Positive Impact on Communityrecreation, but also improve our community’s water qualitythrough an appropriate storm water drainage system. Thehistoric cut is an abandoned rail line that is 16 feet belowstreet level, plagued by crumbling concrete and graffiti.Although mostly hidden from view, this site was a forgottenpart of Birmingham, relatively unknown to most observers.The century-old cut only served as a water wasteland, drain-ing non-point source pollution from the streets ofBirmingham directly into Valley Creek.”

The trail’s new design raises the grade of the cut toapproximately six feet. The trail, along with the green vege-tation located along its corridor, will allow for the filtrationof sediment, oil, pollution and other storm water runoffbefore it flows into Valley Creek and eventually into one ofthe area’s primary drinking water sources, the Black WarriorRiver.

“The new Rotary Trail is helping to make one of thelargest positive impacts on our community’s water quality inrecent history,” said Jackson. “This project is a testament towhat public-private partnerships can do for the community.”

Wilsonville, Ala., based Clements Dean BuildingCompany LLC is serving as general contractor on the high-profile project, which should open in 2016. According toClements Dean managing member Gary Dean, completedtasks include site grading and the demolition/extension ofthe retaining wall at the site.

“Tasks under way or remaining include site lighting, irri-gation, landscaping, concrete pedestrian bridges, concretestairs and ramps, perimeter fencingand security cameras. The biggestchallenge on this job is access towork, due to the narrow, linearnature of the job site. In addition,one day of rain usually prevents twoor three days of meaningful work,due to a soggy site.”

Equipment being used on thisproject includes loaders, track hoes,skid steer loaders, a boom truck,dump truck, trenchers, forklifts andbasket man lifts. Roughly 2,000 cu.yds. (1,529 cu m) of dirt is beingmoved during construction, whichbegan in May 2015.

Supporters hope the trail willlead to more economic develop-ment outside the area surroundingRailroad Park. David Fleming,chief executive of REVBirmingham, said, “Birminghamhas become a shining example ofhow well-placed and well-designedpublic spaces can attract new devel-opment, business and residents.Railroad Park has been a gamechanger for downtown. ButRailroad Park was envisioned byearly advocates as one central partof a larger greenbelt through theCity Center. Rotary Trail will pickup the vision and keep it going. Weare already seeing businesses seeklocations near the trail and it’s noteven finished yet.”

Fleming said connectivity also is important.“A city should not just be a collection of individual proj-

ects, but a seamless flow of connected places. Public spacesand private uses should flow together to make a great city.

“Rotary Trail is an adaptive reuse of a historic industrialelement in our landscape, namely the railroad cut used byindustry in the area. It give this older element that was obso-lete a new life.”

To mark the site, a nearly 50-ft. (15.2 m) sign will read“Rotary Trail in the Magic City” on a metal skeletal frame.Landscaping, lighting and railing will welcome visitors intothe trail. At Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, stairwells andadditional signage will make travelers aware of a greenwaywith spaces to walk, sit or play just below.

Boardwalks under the viaducts at Richard Arrington Jr.Boulevard and 22nd Street will feature rocks and small boul-ders indicating a dry riverbed. The eastern terrace at 23rdStreet will have space for additional bench seating, as well assculptured seating.

An amphitheater at 23rd Street will provide the setting forimpromptu street performances, as the elevation of the trailbrings visitors back up to street level and a more modernentrance will adorn the 24th Street entrance to the trail.

At a groundbreaking for the new trail, Johnathan Austin,Birmingham city council president served as one of theshovelers for the ceremony.

“The potential for the downtown area continues to growwith the addition of beautiful spaces like the Rotary Trail thatwill be a unique asset for both residents and visitors toenjoy,” Austin commented. “This project has been in theworks for a while now, and I am excited to see it finally cometo fruition.”

The suggestion to utilize the railroad cut for recreation

ROTARY from page 1

Goodwyn Mills Cawood rendering A rendering of the completed Rotary Trail.

Cheryl Morgan, FAIA photoWendy Jackson, executive director of Freshwater Land Trust, said, “TheRotary Trail adds a significant downtown connection to the Red Rock Ridgeand Valley Trail System. see ROTARY page 6

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Landscape Architect Strives to Incorporate Green Featureswas first made more than 25 years ago. Aformer Birmingham City Council memberled a movement following proposals in acity center master plan to fill in the below-grade areas and plant trees in the resultingstreet-level median to create a boulevard onFirst Avenue South.

In addition to the pivotal donation fromthe Rotary Club, the city of Birmingham haspledged $2 million from a federal TIGERgrant for streetscape and infrastructureimprovements to enhance the highly antici-pated project. The trail, created to expandRailroad Park’s impact eastward into down-town Birmingham, will serve as part of aproposed “Cross to Sloss” continuous recre-ational link between the BirminghamCrossPlex at Fair Park and Sloss Furnaces.

The Birmingham firm Goodwyn MillsCawood serves as landscape architect on theproject, with urban designer Jane Ross hav-ing played a key role in the process.According to Jeff Slaton, Goodwyn MillsCawood architect, “The primary designchallenge was, of course, the confined sitethat is narrow and below grade. Also, it waschanging people’s perceptions about whatthis unused rail bed could become.

“For so long, the rail bed was a big ques-tion mark, and what should be done with it.Changing perceptions was only possiblebecause of the new development takingplace downtown, the success of the nearbyRailroad Park and the willingness of theRotary Club to step up with a big portion ofthe funding for their centennial project, aswell as the city,” said Slaton.

One of the chief concerns when designinga project of this nature was the stability of thewall, according to Slaton.

“There was plenty of spalding concrete todeal with. Overall, though, after examiningthe condition, it was surprisingly stable. Theelements are a concern with any outdoorproject like this. You are subject to the ele-ments throughout the project. You are neverdried in. Also, because it sits lower thanstreet level, you have to deal with somedrainage, because of rain.”

Incorporating green features was anothergoal of the firm, although options weresomewhat limited.

“There aren’t many sustainable featuresthat can be integrated in a space like this,”said Slaton. “The trail will include solarpowered charging stations; however, thelargest sustainable feature is the park itself

and the fact that it re-uses a space that wasonce seen as unusable. Taking what youhave and making something new is the mostsustainable thing you can do.

“Although named Rotary Trail, it’s reallymore of a linear park, an extension of thehighly successful Railroad Park nearby, butalso a companion project to the Jones ValleyTrail which runs parallel to Rotary Trail andextends across downtown Birmingham fromeast to west.”

The firm has experience designing a num-ber of city parks and trails for various uses,which Slaton called a plus in designingRotary Trail.

“They all seek to engage the communityand provide a space for passive and activerecreation or gathering spaces for play oropen expression through the arts,” Slatonsaid. “All of these respond to their environ-ment, whether it be topographical, geologi-cal or hydrographical. This one is unique inthe confined space it occupies, and what thatspace has been for the city. It creates anopportunity to respond to a unique urbanfeature, and apply those same goals for apark or trail in a new way. We have theopportunity to create something no one elsecan replicate, because these are very specific

existing conditions.“We hope it engages the community as

successfully as Railroad Park has. We wantthe park to help revitalize the businessaround it, and connect the new and excitingdevelopment taking shape from RegionsPark to the Lakeview District. With the mul-tiple access points throughout the trail, it willtake an abandoned area with no real purposethat was seen as a literal scar in the middle ofthe city, and turn it into an asset where peo-ple can have lunch or just take a stroll in themiddle of the day.

Slaton said, “Rotary Trail defines a newmoment in Birmingham’s history. It reflectsthe city’s dedication to preserving its assets,and providing new opportunities for thecommunity. Rotary Trail takes a departurefrom your traditional park and, instead,breathes new life into an abandoned railroadcut. Amidst the existing graffiti and rubble,there’s an opportunity for the trail to be aninstrument of social connectivity — toreconnect the many neighborhoods of thiscity.”

(This story also can be found onConstruction Equipment Guide’s Web site atwww.constructionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

ROTARY from page 2

Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby• Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair• Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega •Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe •Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega

Alabama…

‘The Yellowhammer State’ Highway Project Lettings The Alabama State Department of Transportationreceived bids for transportation-related improvementprojects.

Following is a list of some of the projects let.

County: TuscaloosaContract ID: 20150731001Project: Planing, resurfacing, bridge raising and guardrailretrofit.Location: On I-59/I-20 from south of the CR-10Interchange in Fosters to north of the CR-1900Interchange.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• S. T. Bunn Construction Company Inc. —$19,950,000

• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $22,401,617

County: MontgomeryContract ID: 20150731005Project: Pavement rehabilitation.Location: On I-85 from the Hall Street overpass to justeast of Ann Street (MP 3.300).Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $8,186,737• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $8,738,412

County: RussellContract ID: 20150731015Project: Bridge replacement and approaches with pedestri-an walkway.Location: On 12th Avenue over Holland Creek in PhenixCity.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• The Bridge Builders of Alabama LLC — $899,999• McInnis Construction LLC — $1,027,231• Newell & Bush Inc. — $1,149,571• Scott Bridge Company Inc. — $1,467,482

County: RussellContract ID: 20150731018Project: Bridge replacement.Location: On CR-137 (Uchee Hill Highway) over LittleUchee Creek Releif and on CR-137 (Pittsview Highway)over Weolusee Creek.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Murphree Bridge Corporation — $1,299,644• Newell & Bush Inc. — $1,351,772• McInnis Construction LLC — $1,682,843• Scott Bridge Company Inc. — $2,335,891

County: BibbContract ID: 20150731021Project: Resurfacing, traffic stripe and roadway pipe

replacement.Location: On CR-58 from the junction of SR-6 (U.S.-82)to the intersection of SR-5 in Brent.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $1,109,841• Ikaros LLC — $1,150,000• Dunn Construction Company Inc. — $1,227,884• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $1,594,389

County: CullmanContract ID: 20150731024Project: Widening, resurfacing and traffic stripe.Location: On CR-747 from the Blount County line to thejunction of CR-1545 northwest of Fairview.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Reed Contracting Services Inc. — $2,427,837• Good Hope Contracting Company Inc. — $2,478,467• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $2,963,806

County: DaleContract ID: 20150731034Project: Resurfacing and traffic stripe.Location: On various routes.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $3,129,769• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $3,431,472

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