Comeback Town: Birmingham cringes, Montgomery counts the money
That debate is about whether Birmingham should fully embrace its Civil Rights history.
Ethan Parker 
Comeback Town is an opinion column exploring all things Birmingham. It is coordinated by David Sher.
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Birmingham sits on a goldmine of competitive advantage, yet the city remains strangely hesitant to fully claim it. While some residents view our Civil Rights legacy as a clear-cut opportunity, others seem to cringe, wishing we could simply turn the page. This ongoing internal debate over whether to embrace our history has left the city at a crossroads.
The Cost of Ambivalence
The recent temporary closure of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute due to an HVAC failure highlighted this long-standing friction. Though the decision was quickly reversed, the incident exposed a deeper, systemic issue: a decades-long pattern of deferred maintenance and unclear priorities. We have spent years investing just enough to satisfy appearances, rather than fully committing to the world-class institutions that define us.
The Montgomery Blueprint
While Birmingham debates, Montgomery has acted. By leaning into the raw, honest, and often brutal history of enslavement and lynching, Montgomery created a destination that draws millions. Since 2018, the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice have set the standard, bolstered further by the 2024 opening of the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. Montgomery decided to lead, and the results speak for themselves.
Untapped Potential
Birmingham possesses a Civil Rights National Monument that is truly irreplicable. From the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park to the A.G. Gaston Motel and the 4th Avenue Business District, these sites are where history was made. Yet, we are barely scratching the surface of the economic potential.
In 2024, Alabama led the nation with 28 Civil Rights Trail sites, contributing to $345 million in visitor spending and a massive $593 million economic impact. The Greater Birmingham region itself saw over four million overnight visitors that year, generating a record $2.57 billion. The travelers seeking this history are not your average tourists; they are engaged, global citizens who stay longer and spend more.
It’s Time to Decide
The two cities are not competitors, but partners in a vital pilgrimage through American history. When one thrives, the other benefits. However, Birmingham must stop hedging. Every year we hesitate is a year we fall further behind. The recent trouble at the BCRI isn't just about failing equipment; it is a sign that we must stop debating our history and start believing in our own greatness.
Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.com
