The 46-foot frame is complete, the letters are attached and the lights are being tested on what is destined to become a new Birmingham landmark.
“Rotary Trail in the Magic City” is what the letters spell out, marking the 20th Street entrance to the linear park that will stretch for four blocks along First Avenue South.
The western gateway’s Rotary Trail Sign is a gift from BL Harbert International along with the donation of the raw materials from O’Neal Steel. Daniel Iron fabricated the structure and Fravert Services created its letters.
“The Rotary Trail is a project that has been a long time in the making,” Jim Rein, former president of BL Harbert International, said. “The construction of the western gateway sign provided a great opportunity for our company, BL Harbert, to support the Rotary Club, as well as to honor the citizens of Birmingham.”
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (BL Harbert International)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (BL Harbert International)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (BL Harbert International)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
Work is nearing completion on the western gateway sign to the Rotary Trail. The sign is a collaboration between BL Harbert International, O’Neal Steel, Daniel Iron and Fravert Services. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The Rotary Trail is set to open April 6. Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood. (Joseph De Sciose/Alabama NewsCenter)
The historic, iconic “Birmingham the Magic City” sign outside Terminal Station was the inspiration for the western gateway sign for Rotary Trail. (file)
The sign’s design is meant to recall the iconic “Birmingham the Magic City” sign that was built on a similar steel frame and welcomed visitors who traveled into the city through the former Terminal Station.
“By donating a replica of the iconic sign that once welcomed visitors to the Magic City, we want to not only remember the storied heritage of old Birmingham, but also provide a new gateway to the future of Birmingham,” Rein said. “Several local companies came together to make this dream a reality, and BL Harbert International is honored to lead the effort.”
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood: Rotary Trail western gateway sign installation from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
As work on the sign is being finished, work on the trail is also nearing its end. Concrete is being poured and set, landscaping, lighting and other additions are being emplaced in advance of the grand opening of the trail on April 6.
Much of the trail will be below street level, following an abandoned railroad cut that once ran through the area. The $5 million project was made possible by a lead gift from the Rotary Club of Birmingham and a donation from the city of Birmingham and a number of corporations.
Clements Dean Building Co. and A.G. Gaston Construction are constructing the Rotary Trail, following the designs and engineering of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood.
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood’s vision of Rotary Trail is taking shape. (Goodwyn Mills and Cawood)
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood’s vision of Rotary Trail is taking shape. (Goodwyn Mills and Cawood)
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood’s vision of Rotary Trail is taking shape. (Goodwyn Mills and Cawood)
