Communities Are Sustainable,
Livable and Vibrant

The Next Big Thing: Prize2theFuture

Prize2theFuture was launched on Jan. 13, 2011,  as an on-line contest, calling for one great idea to transform one city block in downtown Birmingham and make our city center cooler and more vibrant. Almost 3,000 participants from 39 countries responded by registering for the contest, which received 1,115 entries by the March 11, 2011, deadline. The top 10 ideas were announced April 26 and the top three finalists on May 5, 2011.

The Community Foundation is moving now into the next phase to seek a developer, in partnership with the City of Birmingham, and is marketing the site through Operation New Birmingham.   The Prize2theFuture website provides a listing of the top 10 winners as well as the many other ideas that made this a true community workshop. 

As the innovative first investment from Community Catalyst Funds, Prize2theFuture is designed to build on successes and promote our great community. The City of Birmingham is an important partner in Prize2theFuture, making the Prize site available on one square block between First Avenue South and Powell Avenue, 18th and 19th Streets next to the nationally known Railroad Park and just a few blocks from the ballpark now under construction for the Birmingham Barons.

“We are committed to finding a developer who can make this another transformational project for the community,” said Kate Nielsen, president of the Community Foundation.

If you want to join the visionary donors who are committed to this and other innovative and transformational investments in our community, contact Erin Stephenson for more information about Community Catalyst Funds. If you want to know more about the next stage of Prize2theFuture, contact Karen Rolen.

You can also stay connected to Prize2theFuture on Facebook and Twitter.