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Prize2theFuture creates community workshop in contest
“What is your idea for the Prize2theFuture physical site that will transform Birmingham into a cooler, more vibrant city?” That was the question posed in the inaugural Prize2theFuture idea contest, launched January 13, 2011, and ending its first phase with the announcement of the top winners on May 5, 2011.
The on-line process allowed almost 3,000 people from 39 countries to participate and resulted in more than 1,100 ideas submitted by the March entry deadline. A committee of 33 judges, local and national, chose One Birmingham Place, an Eight-Part Celebration of Community and Social Re-engagement, as the winning idea.
How did Prize2theFuture start? The Community Foundation created Prize2theFuture as the innovative first investment from Community Catalyst Funds, supported by donors who wanted to be part of the next big thing to transform our community.
The Community Foundation worked with the City of Birmingham to identify a site in downtown Birmingham that would build on the great things going on already, including the award-winning, 19-acre oasis known as Railroad Park. The prize site is currently a surface parking lot, located just east of Railroad Park, owned by the City and part of a longer range master plan to create a linear green connector all the way to historic Sloss Furnaces National Landmark.
A committee representing the Community Foundation, local leaders and experts is currently planning the next phase of Prize2theFuture, which will call first for qualifications from potential teams and then for proposals to implement the winning idea. Check out the Prize2theFuture website for details on the top 10 winners and a look at the library of more than 1,000 ideas.
