patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Shain Park Christmas Tree

Browse By

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Noting $30K Price Tag, Residents Concerned When Shain Park Christmas Tree Goes Dark

Periodic outages at Birmingham's official Christmas tree in Shain Park are due to the wet weather messing with the city's electrical grid, city officials say.

According to many Birmingham residents, when you pay $30,000 for something, it should work. That feeling is behind much of the frustration several residents have reported over Birmingham's new artificial Christmas tree in Shain Park after the tree has been dark several evenings this holiday season. At the Dec. 3 Birmingham City Commission meeting, Department of Public Services Director Lauren Wood reported that her department had been dealing with periodic outages at the tree, though she stressed the problem was with the city's electrical grid — not the tree. The main problem, Wood told commissioners, was the wet weather. The ensuing electrical glitches was causing the tree to flicker, she said. This is the first year for the artificial …

Margaret Betts

12:49 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Just wondering how many home owners are having trouble with their outdoor lights that didn't cost $30,000.....   more ›

Friday, October 19, 2012

Local Business Owner Donates $2,000 for Shain Park Christmas Tree

The donation from Mauro Bianchini will go towards offsetting the $30,000 price tag for the new artificial holiday tree, which has drawn criticism for its high costs.

In light of concern over the price of a new 35-foot artificial Christmas tree recently purchased for Shain Park, a local business has stepped up with a $2,000 holiday donation. Mauro Bianchini, of the Birmingham-based construction company Tri-Phase Construction, donated the funds to help the purchase the artificial Christmas tree, which costs just shy of $30,000. The artificial tree will replace the Shain Park "climbing tree," located near the park's playground, which has served as the city's official Christmas tree for several years now. The city's holiday tree is lit during an official ceremony the evening before Thanksgiving. According to Steve Quintal, chair of the Principal Shopping District's (PSD) Maintenance and Improvements …

Debbie Thomas

10:46 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

I saw nothing wrong with the old tree. However, contributions by those who want the new one are good. Regard this as a pilot project. Re-evaluate when this new tree is starting to wear out: appearance, costs, all that. Move on.   more ›

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Birmingham's Christmas Tree Will Be Artificial This Year

The city voted to purchase a $30,000 artificial tree for Shain Park Monday, citing cost-savings and safety issues. Several residents oppose, noting "I would rather have a Charlie Brown tree than a $30,000 plastic tree."

Birmingham's holiday tree lighting will be a little different this year, after the City Commission approved the purchase of a $30,000 artificial Christmas tree for Shain Park Monday night. The artificial tree will replace the Shain Park "climbing tree," located near the park's playground, which has served as the city's official Christmas tree for several years now. The tree is lit during an official tree-lighting ceremony the evening before Thanksgiving. The decision to purchase an artificial tree was based on safety and finances, Department of Public Services Director Lauren Wood told the commission. Birmingham currently spends between $5,000-$6,000 on labor and materials every year decorating the climbing tree, and the job is getting …

Margaret Betts

4:29 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

It saddens me that Glenn's friends and family think the well loved 'climbing' tree is laughable. Glitzy doesn't make beautiful. I'm sorry you don't see that.   more ›

Got a Hot Tip?