My wife and I take advantage of the sidewalks around Bluff Park on a regular basis and wish more streets had them.  We often take a walk when I get home from work, and this time of year that often means part of the walk is in the dark.  I've seen many areas in Birmingham and in other cities with street lamps spaced along sidewalks which provided some muted lighting that didn't seem to spread too far off the sidewalks into peoples' yards, and thought this seemed like a good idea for our sidewalks.  Obviously there's a lot to be considered before something like this could be implemented, but I wanted to put it up here for some thoughtful discussion and see what others thought (again, I'm not talking about bright streetlights, but rather more decorative lamps that would illuminate the sidewalk for walkers/runners in the early mornings and evenings).

I am ALL for some nice street lamps! We live on Matzek Road and there's not 1 single street light of any kind! It is pitch black! What would be the process for beginning such a campaign? With the recent uptick in crime, we have plenty of valid reasons.

Love it, Md!! Sounds like Bluff Park needs a true, organized Neighborhood Association to address our community issues, wants and desires. Can I get a 2nd??  

Quote from jennmccown on 03/28/13 at 7:40pm:

 
Been there. Done that.  Got the t-shirt.  Massive failure.  The Bluff Park Neighborhood Association disbanded in January 2006.  In the words of a former high ranking member, when asked why it disbanded "People got tired of monthly meetings of doing nothing but drinking tea".
 
And then came BluffParkAL.org.
 
We used the power of the internet to gather the "community issues, wants and desires" and presented them, in a non-adversarial way, to those that were able to make a difference.  
 
Just last night we drove past the Hoover PD sub-station in Bluff Park.  Why is it there after we were told "no" in September 2006?  Not because of an association.  But because of a civilized gathering of people and their elected leaders who found a way to discuss the issues.
 
Next week is the Shades Crest Baptist Church High Country 5K Run.  Four years ago they were told it could be no more, that it had to be moved to either Regions Park or Veterans Park.  We sent a couple of e-mails, made a couple of phone calls explaining why it needed to stay in Bluff Park and it was done.  Not be a neighborhood association, but residents speaking to elected leaders.  The High Country 5K will be in Bluff Park for as long as SCBC wants it here.
 
Neighborhood associations lead to bureaucracy and useless "rules and regulations" and the "neighborhood" loses its individuality and becomes just another clone.  
 
We describe Bluff Park as being one of the most unique communities in Hoover.  The term unique means "being without a like or equal".  Neighborhood associations take that away, as they want everyone to be the same.  
 
If you have a "community issue, want or desire", submit it to us.  We'll schedule one of our neighborhood meetings, invite all those who can make a difference, and we'll do it in a civilized way.  Over the course of the last seven years, Bluff Park has come to be known in city hall as a community that cares about it people, and the mayor and the council, as well as the Hoover city departments, will take care of our concerns as well as they can.  We usually schedule these meetings when there are a number of issues.  The entire city government is present to respond to resident's questions.
 
Regarding the sidewalk lamps:  the process is not formal.  You go to a city council meeting.  At the end of the meeting is a time for anyone to speak to the council and the mayor.  You state your name, address and concern.  They will listen to the concern, then delegate it to the appropriate department, who will then take ownership of the issue.  If it's doable, it gets done.  The only problem with the lamps would be a money issue, and could it be an item that needs to be added to the budget.  I can tell you that many of our council members read this forum on a regular basis and by Monday at least one of them will be aware of it.  If you'd like for us to present it to the council, please send us an e-mail to info@bluffparkal.org and we'll present it at the next council meeting, and follow up and report on its progress.  
 

Excellent! I read all those posts really fast, but I get the drift! I am just wanting to see action on issues and some social organizing. I feel it is talked about a lot on the forum but that fizzles away too. Bluff Park almost as a whole,  needs street lamps, not just Park Ave. The newest sidewalk all the way down Patton to Simmons needs lamps. The  interior streets of my block need them. But we also need and I think want a "Social Committee" or a "Neighborhood Committee" that purely exists for the enrichment of Bluff Park. Not political but peaceful and progressive. I would be all for a social gathering of residents every other month...and not just over some sweet tea! No, these would be more like supper clubs, with interesting food, people and relevant topics. Things like yoga cooperative, community garden, events at Moss Rock (the new part), Santa on the Bluff, etc et. Etc!! We are a lively, creative, mix of folks! It would be a great think tank, for sure. Face to Face!  

My daughter is sick and I am unable to attend he City Council mtg going on right now! I hope the street lamps are still on agenda, or if need be, can be discussed at the next meeting. A specific lighting plan needs to be determined. What streets, what types of light, etc. I hate that I can't come, but hope that thus is just an initial meeting. Please update when possible. Thank you!!

An update:
 
Our presentation on Monday did produce some results.  We just received a phone call from Tim Westhoven, Assistant Executive Director for City of Hoover, who wanted to gather some more information regarding the street lighting.  We have submitted to him the information that we have, in addition to some drawings that we received yesterday.  Mr. Westhoven will do further research into the matter to see if this is something that is viable.
 
We'll keep everyone up to date as we hear more.
 

Thank you for the information.
 
About this portion of your post, how was this stated/approached, and what was the general discussion?
 
"- the changing demographics in Bluff Park"
 
Not trying to paint the topic in any particular light, because frankly I have my own opinions of the BP neighborhood, but I'd love to know what exactly was discussed.