Online campaign launched to win grant to restore old Alabama Theatre sign

The colorful, 60-foot neon sign in front of the historic Alabama Theatre downtown is a local icon.

But many Birmingham residents may not know there was once an identical sign hanging on the side of the theatre on 18th Street.

Both signs were taken down in 1957 to be refurbished, but the 18th Street sign – for reasons lost to history – disappeared and was most likely scrapped.

However, the 18th Street sign could soon be coming back.

The Alabama Theatre is one of 25 finalists across the country seeking a share of $2 million in grant money in the Partners in Preservation: 2017 Main Streets campaign.

The winners will be decided through public online voting, which is now open and continues through October 31.

The online campaign – and the plans to restore the sign – were announced at The Alabama Theatre on Monday, Sept. 25, by Brant Beene, the executive director of Birmingham Landmarks, which is the nonprofit that owns the theatre, and David Fleming, CEO of REV Birmingham.

The invited audience of about 150 was made up of local media types, civic activists and social media influencers who organizers thought could help spread the word about the online campaign.

“We need your help to encourage the Birmingham community to take a few minutes each day to support The Alabama Theatre,” Fleming said.

Birmingham donors have already begun pledging funds to the project, with lead gifts from Alabama Power, Regions and the Alabama Theatre Junior Board, according to a REV Birmingham news release.

REV Birmingham nominated the Alabama Theatre for the Partners in Preservation competition.

The theatre became a finalist in the competition due to the strong local donor support so far, according to Fleming.

The sign restoration project, with a likely price tag of about $200,000, will be carried out even if the theatre does not win any grant money in the competition, according to Birmingham Landmarks fundraiser Tom Cosby.

“This sign is going to be built one way or the other,” Cosby said in the theatre lobby following the presentation.

However, Cosby said that local donors – though they will come through if needed to make the restoration happen – have been “worn out” after numerous other local campaigns.

The grant competition “is a chance to finally bring in some national dollars to do something great for Birmingham,” he said.

Campaign organizers would like to win at least $120,000 in the Partners in Preservation competition, according to Julie McKinney of REV Birmingham.

More than one city will win money in the competition, according to McKinney.

Alabama Theatre supporters get more information about the campaign and vote for the Birmingham project at www.bigalabamasign.com.

Voters can submit five votes at once per email address per day on their initial registration at the web site.

Supporters are also encouraged to use the hashtags #AlabamaOn18th and #VoteYourMainStreet on social media.