I haven't weighed in on this yet because of all the anti-UAB sentiment, but I think the new stadium will be a good thing for central Alabama as a whole. While I love the idea of the Super 7 high school championships rotating between Tuscaloosa & Auburn, it really is depressing, to me at least, to have a high school game in those caverns. Also, Auburn is a horrible drive for the north Alabama teams. I think Birmingham would have a real shot at getting the Super 7 back. Also, look at what's gone on with Railroad Park, Regions Field, Uptown, the Paramount, Pizitz Food Hall, etc. In Tuscaloosa, look at what's happened to downtown after an investment was made in the Riverwalk, Government Plaza, and the Amp - hotels, dining, recreation all followed. People came too. It's great to walk around Tuscaloosa on a Saturday and be able to do things. When I was growing up in T-town, there was nothing to do because there was nothing besides college dive bars. The days of being able to turn Birmingham into an Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte are long past due to the way the metro area has carved itself up, BUT Birmingham can take a HUGE step forward by doing something that should have been done 20 years ago.
