Toni Dennis has lived in the state of Alabama since 1981. Her mother worked for the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel for 28 years, so she is well versed in the state and the attractions it has to offer. Toni holds a degree in Marketing and Business Management from The University of Alabama-Huntsville but also did graduate work at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in Business and Health Sciences. Toni has experience in both sales and marketing where she spent 17 years working for Pfizer, Inc. Currently, she serves as a co-director for City Walk BHAM managing Public Relations, social media, Sales, and Community Partnerships. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Central Alabama Hospitality Attractions and Business Association (CAHABA). In her spare time, she is a real life “Disco Queen”, founding a non-profit organization, Magic City Disco. A co-ed, performance krewe spreading love of Disco from charity organizations to Mardi Gras in Mobile/New Orleans.
Courses
Revitalizing Urban Infrastructure: Transforming Underutilized Transportation Corridors into Sustainable and Vibrant Public Spaces
This course takes a behind-the-scenes look at two groundbreaking projects—City Walk BHAM in Birmingham, AL, and The Underline in Miami-Dade County. Both projects were designed to reimagine the vacant land under transportation corridors, considered a physical barrier between communities, into dynamic public spaces.
Through these two case studies, you’ll gain insights into public-private partnership models, funding strategies, and community-driven and design approaches that make these projects possible. Examine how creative design solutions have transformed challenging spaces into multi-modal transportation corridors, resilient linear parks, and vibrant community destinations—improving neighborhood connections, safety, mobility, public health, sustainability, and innovation. Learn more about how the focus on health, safety, and welfare of the end users informed the design process: from the experience of the urban pedestrian to the cyclist commuter. In addition, you’ll learn about post-occupancy activation, including public programming, art initiatives, and revenue generating opportunities that ensure long-term success.
This session was recorded live on April 16, 2025.