The Birmingham Bankruptcy Courthouse, officially known as the Northern District of Alabama-Southern Division, recently reopened after several years of renovations.  Although the outside has kept its classic look, except for some minor landscaping changes, the inside is vastly different.  All three courtrooms are now located on the first floor, right off the main lobby area, making it much easier for debtors, creditors and attorneys to find their way to the correct courtroom.  Meeting of Creditors hearing are now held on the basement level in a room much more conducive to its purpose.  Although I cringe at the estimated cost of the renovations, at least the funds were spent on a core function of government.