In April 2011, an EF4 tornado left an unprecedented path of destruction through the City of Tuscaloosa. The resilient spirit of the citizens of Tuscaloosa and the compassion of the people of Alabama have refused to let this tragedy define them. Working with the people of Tuscaloosa, BNIM and a team of local and national firms developed a plan that will help Tuscaloosa emerge from this disaster by rebuilding a stronger and more capable city than ever before.

The final plan, Tuscaloosa Forward: A Strategic Community Plan to Renew and Rebuild, establishes a framework that the city government, the private sector, and the public can work from to achieve a common vision. The Plan defines several “big ideas” for rebuilding a stronger, healthier, better-connected, and more efficient Tuscaloosa. It also includes an implementation plan that has detailed information about how to accomplish the strategic initiatives including the next steps, timing, and resources required.

One of Tuscaloosa’s “Big Ideas” is a greenway “Path of Remembrance and Revitalization” that ties together neighborhoods impacted by the tornado while providing a multi-function amenity for surrounding areas. Other Big Ideas include coordinating facilities and public uses, creating village centers, and developing model neighborhoods.

These ideas resulted from detailed planning analysis and in-depth engagement of community residents and key stakeholders. For each big idea the planning team identified coordinated infrastructure and development opportunities. The plan recommendations leverage public investment and catalyze private development. While the urgency of rebuilding created a very aggressive planning timeline, BNIM's traditional and non-traditional engagement efforts ensured that the plan was community-driven and vetted by a broad range of stakeholders. During the process, the Tuscaloosa News stated that "This may be the most open, collaborative, and important process the City of Tuscaloosa has ever engaged."