Spotlight on Fairfield, Ala.
Once a booming steel-making town on the outskirts of Birmingham during the 1950s, the city of Fairfield became but a shell of its former self in the latter half of the 20th century. Streamlined production techniques led to smaller workforces in the factories, and residents struggled to survive financially. Stores and restaurants closed, buildings fell into disrepair and urban flight led to sagging confidence in the community.
 "People just deserted the urban areas. Raggedy old buildings were all that were left," said Fairfield restaurant owner Payne White. "A lot of times no one really makes the effort to rebuild."
Despite its once-thriving past, Fairfield would endure decades of hard times. But a core group of citizens refused to abandon their pride in the town and its people. Today, thanks to forward-thinking community planning and assistance from Auburn University's Urban Studio, the city of 12,000 is plowing full speed ahead on a revitalization project that has many residents recalling the good old days.
Thelma Wilson's clothing alterations shop is one of many businesses now open in the shadow of City Hall on Gary Avenue.
 "A lot of businesses have ups and downs--seasonal customers--but the flow here has been steady," she said. "You have to meet the needs of the people. It's nice to have businesses back in Fairfield because not everyone likes having to go into the big city."
City leaders took their revitalization plan to the next level in 2005 when they commissioned the Urban Studio to develop a growth plan. The Studio's staff and architectural students helped residents identify and capitalize on the positive aspects of Fairfield, such as its prime location off Interstate 20 just west of Birmingham.
"Once people open their eyes to the good things in their community, it gives them a sense of what is possible," said Cheryl Morgan, Director of the Urban Studio.
Morgan said the level of success of revitalization programs in small towns is directly tied to residents' confidence in their community. She and her students saw it immediately in Fairfield.
"We think we can make a difference in each town we work with, but it's more than just buildings coming up out of the ground. Here we saw people with a kindred spirit who have turned problems into opportunities."
"I am doing what I consider an economic developer's dream," said Nigel Roberts, who was hired by the City of Fairfield in 2005 to spearhead economic development. "Just last year we had six new businesses come to town and had six others open in just the first few months this year. We think next year we will have a dozen more. That tells you a lot about the excitement that has returned to Fairfield."
One of Fairfield's most recognizable assets is its old theatre, which first opened in 1935. Today the building is home to William Garrett's carpet and flooring store. But the marquee on the outside, complete with old-style flashing light bulbs, harkens back to a time long before movies took on the violent tones of today.
"I have people come in all the time just to see the old theatre," Garrett said. "So many people brought their wives here on their first date. Just yesterday we had a man come in and tell us how he watched 'Old Yeller' for a quarter."
 Garrett has seen many ups and downs in Fairfield since opening for business 25 years ago. "For the first time," he said, "the city has an idea of what it wants to be."
"In an old country boy's words I would say we are going up the hill. We just have to take it one step at a time in this long journey. In five years if we just keep walking, we’ll go a long way." |
