"Just letting you know your building is on fire..."

Jeremy posted a comment on the floor fire which reminded me that I had failed to share a good story.  Two Saturdays ago I got a voicemail message from Jerry LaSuer. Here's the transcription from Google Voice:

Hey Wade, it's your nosy neighbor, Jerry, from across the street.  It is, oh, 8:15 or something like that and I was just going by your building over there and inside they're using flames to burn something off the floor and, I don't know, I'm just being nosy and just letting you know that.  You probably know that and it's probably all fine, but just in case, it seemed like, oh I don't know, I just didn't want your building to burn. So that's all.  Just telling you that.  No need to call me back but I'll keep watching over there. Talk to you later. Bye.

I was interested in the building not burning down, myself, so I ran next door to check on it.  Turns out there was just some red goo on the floor that was being stubborn and they had used a controlled burn to remove it.  Wish I had a picture!

The main thing I love about living in the Loft District is the sense of community.  Everybody knows everybody else and we all take care of each other.  Thanks, Jerry!

Jimmy Hale Renovation- Retail Space

Visited with Jeremy again last week to take a look at some of his progress on the Jimmy Hale building.  I was amazed at how much he had accomplished since the last time I was over there.  I took a few pictures of his future retail space.  The large windows will provide a lot of light and a downtown view for a prospective lessee.  The exposed brick walls and old tin ceiling tiles will be a great setting for a business looking for a space that stands out. [gallery order="DESC"]

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Navel Gazing

My friend Jeremy Wood is renovating a building a block away from me.  His place was formerly part of the Jimmie Hale Mission, before they moved out of the area.  He's doing a concept similar to my project, living on the top floor and leasing the bottom for a retail business (I'm rooting for the comic book shop, Jeremy).  I mentioned last week that the Birmingham Business Journal did a great article on him and the 2nd Avenue momentum, in general.  I'm incredibly impressed that he's doing a lot of the work himself, as in "with his own two hands." We've been catching up every once in a while to compare notes and look at each others' progress, and he was nice enough to let me swipe some of his Facebook pictures to post.  I love the picture of the original storefront; I keep meaning to stop by the library to grab some old Counts Bros. photos.  If he could find or somehow reproduce that sign that reads "Chicks" I think it would be a great addition to the neighborhood.

The building front is almost finished and looks great.  I like how the modern storefront window pattern contrasts with the original brick.  The steel beams above the windows are a nice nod to the original look (and probably structurally important but I don't know anything about that).

The 2nd floor had been opened up in a previous effort to renovate the building.  That tenant was going to have a restaurant/bar and the openings were intended to be balconies.  Jeremy is keeping the balcony concept and has reinforced the rest of the 2nd floor.

He's got a great view out of the residence windows.  That Moorish looking building across the way is newly renovated.  I don't know the people who did it, but I like the facade.  His front windows have a beautiful panorama of the downtown skyscrapers, although you can only see the City Federal in these pictures.

Last time I was over there he had started framing his living space, and seeing the layout fleshing out has helped me visualize what it's going to look like at the end.

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Thanks, Weird Kid!

This was taped to my building sometime this afternoon. I'm not sure who Weird Kid is but I thought it was a nice sentiment. I wish I had a friend like you, too, Weird Kid!

Space 111's Impromptu Art Installation

Wednesday I went to the weekly figure drawing class over at Space 111.  Afterwards I invited everyone over to Storkland/Counts Bros. to see all the weird odds and ends and give me advice about making some art out of it that I could display in my new loft.  I showed them the display I put up in the window with all the weird old stuff I found.  

I used a couple of the old ladders and put up the Standard furniture sign, the ink bottle, an adding machine (the only one I could lift), the thread box and various spools, and other odds and ends.

They asked if they could make their own display, and I said "heck yeah!"  In a whirlwind of activity they put together a better display in 15 minutes than the one that had taken me days.

They used items which I had previously found less interesting: mason jars, mirrors, glass medicine bottles, glassware, balls of string.

My pictures don't do it justice, so if you're in the area walk by and take a look for yourself.

Some of the Businesses Within Walking Distance

Spent a nice afternoon doing some errands after work.  Walked over to Mr. Burch to pick up my dry cleaning.  Then I headed to Butler's Executive Grooming; didn't need a haircut but wanted to pick up some shampoo.  Finally I went over to get a couple of steaks and some other groceries from Antonio over at Mamanoe's.  On my way home I ran into Mr. Baldone in front of his shop, Baldone Tailoring and talked to him for a while.  Tonight I'm heading over to the Festival Theater (unfortunately have to drive there) to hang out with David and see Camille in her new play, "Talking With..."

Downtown Birmingham to get a new Dog daycare facility | NBC 13

Downtown Birmingham to get a new Dog daycare facility | NBC 13. Congratulations Jimmy and Sue!  It looks beautiful.  Nice work, Appleseed.

Co-owner Jimmy Johnson said, “We’ve made a significant personal investment in downtown because we believe in it. We’re delighted to be able to bring a needed service to downtown and look forward to becoming part of the neighborhood, both as business owners and residents.”

Stop by Storkland at Artwalk

2nd Avenue is so much fun, but especially during Artwalk.  Jerry and Roxane have been so kind as to volunteer to give some tours during the event.  Not sure how Roxane got roped into this but I suppose she's just a nice girl.  Artwalk brings over 10 thousand people downtown, and maybe one of them is looking for a cool 2nd Avenue space. From the Artwalk website:

Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham's loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children's activities.

The event is free to the public and in the last three years has become a much anticipated fall event drawing visitors from all over to downtown Birmingham. For the past two years, more than 10,000 people walked the streets of downtown during the two-day event.

Through the good will of area businesses and the work of a dedicated staff of volunteers, Artwalk hosts established and emerging regional artists in the unique and architecturally rich setting of downtown Birmingham. Art lovers will see original work in all mediums priced from the affordable to the extravagant. Participating artists are predominantly from Birmingham and surrounding communities, showcasing the wealth of regional talent.

People of all ages can enjoy being downtown at a safe, family-friendly, community event. Friday night has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children's activities.

Reasons I love 2nd Avenue

Reasons I love 2nd Avenue:Talked to Juannelle today about how to transition Rhodes Carroll finances after I leave; I know it's in good hands. After work I walked over to Space 111 to take a figure drawing class. I headed home. Virginia drove by in her awesome car and we caught up on our various lovelifes. On the walk home I stopped in Mamanoe's to get some groceries. Outside I bumped in to Pat with a guitar strapped over his shoulder; said he was walking over to @RogueTavern for open mike night, and told him I would head over to see him after I put up the groceries. On the way to Rogue I ran into Jerry who was bringing home dinner to his pretty daughter Maddie. At Rogue I got some great advice from Wayne about some potential tenants at Storkland. Watched Pat play a great set of classical guitar. Went home and thought about what I need to get done for @bhamartwalk. It was the perfect evening; My heart would break if I ever left 2nd Avenue