Montgomery development news

[Brown Duckz]

Widening to snarl I-65 for two years

By Cosby Woodruff



A third lane will be added to Interstate 65 in an almost-$80 million project, with construction expected to continue into 2010.


Drivers can expect some long waits the next two or so years while work is done to widen a 3.4-mile stretch of Interstate 65 through Montgomery, according to state transportation officials who announced the project Wednesday.

A third lane will be added in each direction from the northern end of the Catoma Creek bridge to the southern end of the Mill Street bridge, and bridges along the interstate from near Fairview Avenue to the Alabama River bridge will be widened to allow future expansion.

Construction is scheduled to start in July, and the project could be completed as early as late 2010. Total cost is estimated at almost $80 million to be paid 80 percent by the federal government and 20 percent with state tax dollars.

The project calls for about 300 lane shifts while work is being done, and night and weekend closures could be required in all phases of work, the officials said.

The department is starting a Web site, www.progress65.com, to update the public on the construction. Already the officials are vowing that the 45-mph speed limit along the construction zone will be strictly enforced.

"It is going to be a challenge," Alabama Transportation Director Joe McInnes said.

The expanded lanes eventually will connect to a widened Alabama River bridge. That project is under way and should be finished ahead of its fall 2009 completion date.

High volume of traffic and wear and tear are the reasons behind the project, McInnes said.

"It is something that is long overdue," he said.

Department spokesman Tony Harris blamed the wear and tear on a greater number of trucks hauling the goods produced and needed by Alabama's growing manufacturing sector.

"Truck traffic is the fastest increase we are seeing," he said.

The project had to be scaled back after the lone bid last year for widening the entire 4.6-mile length came back at $100 million more than state estimates. The transportation department rejected the bid and reworked the project.

The department broke the widening into two projects and removed some specifications that drove up the price. Harris said a lane-rental clause, in which the contractor would have to pay a rental fee to close lanes, was one of the specifications removed.

This time the state received two bids and accepted the $79.59 million bid from Brasfield and Gorrie LLC of Birmingham.

[Brown Duckz]

County OKs plans for Annex No. 3


The Montgomery County Commission on Monday signed off on the architectural plans that will turn the former Montgomery Advertiser building into 85,000 square feet of additional space for county business.

The vote to approve the plans for the Montgomery County Courthouse Annex No. 3 at 200 Washington Ave. was unanimous.

The $15 million project is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2008.

"It will be a wonderful addition spacewise, but also a wonderful addition to downtown," said commission Chairman Todd Strange. "And by doing it the way we're doing it, we're saving $4 million."

The county bought the Advertiser building in 2003 with plans to tear it down and build a new annex in its place. A feasibility study showed, however, that it would be more cost-effective to renovate the building, which was erected in the 1930s.

Natalie Fisher, an interior designer with the firm on the project, 2WR Holmes Wilkins Architects, said the planning stage was made more difficult by a number of additions made to the building during the past 70 years.

"It's been added onto about four times," Fisher said.

The annex's main entrance will be on Lawrence Street, across from Courthouse Annex No. 1, where the probate judge and county commission offices are.

Those offices will move to the new building, as will the revenue, purchasing and finance departments and the county's archives.

The archives will be on the basement level, where the Advertiser's printing press once stood.

The renovations also will include a three-level public parking deck that will serve about 170 vehicles.

"That will make it easier for people to go and get car tags or marriage licenses and to conduct their business with the county," Fisher said.

Construction is expected to begin this summer.

[Brown Duckz]

Riley signs bill to study State House space


Gov. Bob Riley signed a bill creating a legislative committee to study space needs in the State House.

Riley signed the bill creating the Legislative Building Authority Thursday, said Jeff Emerson, the governor’s spokesman.

The committee will examine ways to best make use of space in the State House and other options, such as renovation or construction of a new State House. The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Rep. Richard Laird of Roanoke, said the increasingly crowded hallways and meeting rooms in the State House sparked the bill.

He's particularly concerned about the prospect of citizens being unable to attend committee meetings due to overcrowded rooms.

“We certainly don’t want to bar access (to meetings),” he said.

The Legislature moved to its current location, a former highway department building, in 1986 as the Capitol was refurbished.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

The committee will examine ways to best make use of space in the State House and other options, such as renovation or construction of a new State House.

You know that's just a front. They already know they want a new State House, so just start building, boys...

...complete with a boxing ring...

[Brown Duckz]

Boxing Ring for the win!

[OldCloverdale]

construction of a new State House

++++++++++++++++++

let the games begin

[kevinlpugh]

Too sad... the city is pricing itself right out of business!

Holiday gun show a hit

By Marty Roney


Mitch Davis sighted down the barrel of a lever-action Winchester rifle Sunday afternoon as he strolled around the tables of the Collectors and Shooters Gun Show.

About 200 vendors displayed their wares at the Alcazar Shrine Temple.

"I don't know what all the fuss is about over these rifles that shoot 25 or 30 times and look like something G.I. Joe would carry," Davis, from Tallapoosa County said. "I've always liked the older guns. They shoot slower but they're a durn sight prettier."

The show, which began Saturday, drew a good crowd according to Allen Daniels, who organized the event. Father's Day weekend may have contributed to the turnout, he said.

That's what brought Donna Matthews out to the show. The Montgomery resident was looking for ammunition to buy for her father.

"This looks like it will do," she said, fingering a box of .45 ACP cartridges going for $11.95. She bought two. "I know he will use them sooner or later. He does a lot of target shooting with an old government model he picked up 25 years ago."

The show was held at the Montgomery Civic Center downtown until renovation work and construction of a new hotel forced the move. The show won't be going back when the project is completed, Daniels said.

"The price for the north hall went from $3,800 to $22,000," he said. "We would love to go back to the civic center. It's been very good to us. But that price increase is just too big a nut to crack."

[ExpatBaman]

Originally Posted by bystander1

You know that's just a front. They already know they want a new State House, so just start building, boys...

This could be a really good thing for Montgomery. The state could expand the State House, provide more greenspace next to the capitol and provide additional parking for all the office buildings in the area. Here's what I propose:

1. Expand the current State House with a new wing built on the adjacent parking lot within the same block, possibly building over the small two-story attached building.
2. The surface lot between the State House and the Folsom building to the north should be converted to a public park per the downtown master plan.
3. The huge surface parking lot that covers the entire block directly to the east of the state house should become a mammoth five-level parking deck wrapped with retail/restaurant and office space at ground level on all four sides, and with residential units above.

Parking fees would help pay for the deck, as would condo purchases, residential rentals and ground floor commercial rentals. The thousands of state employees in the area might then have a coffee shop, dry-cleaner, deli, convenience store and similar retail establishments within walking distance. Legislators, state employees, lobbyists and others could buy or rent apartments within easy walking distance of the capitol and other state office buildings. The deck would provide plenty of additional parking for state workers, and provide badly needed public parking near the capitol.

I love this proposal because three parking lots go away, no buildings have to be demolished and a new public park would be across the street from the capitol.

What do y'all think?

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by kevinlpugh

Too sad... the city is pricing itself right out of business!

You've got it all wrong... they are just changing the clientele.

[bystander1]

#1788 Today, 04:40 PM
ExpatBaman
Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 218

Originally Posted by ExpatBaman

This could be a really good thing for Montgomery. The state could expand the State House, provide more greenspace next to the capitol and provide additional parking for all the office buildings in the area. Here's what I propose:
Expand the current State House with a new wing built on the adjacent parking lot within the same block, possibly building over the small two-story attached building.
The surface lot between the State House and the Folsom building to the north should be converted to a public park per the downtown master plan.
The huge surface parking lot that covers the entire block directly to the east of the state house should become a mammoth five-level parking deck wrapped with retail/restaurant and office space at ground level on all four sides, and with residential units above.
Parking fees would help pay for the deck, as would condo purchases, residential rentals and ground floor commercial rentals. The thousands of state employees in the area might then have a coffee shop, dry-cleaner, deli, convenience store and similar retail establishments within walking distance. Legislators, state employees, lobbyists and others could buy or rent apartments within easy walking distance of the capitol and other state office buildings. The deck would provide plenty of additional parking for state workers, and provide badly needed public parking near the capitol.

I love this proposal because three parking lots go away, no buildings have to be demolished and a new public park would be across the street from the capitol.

What do y'all think?

Hmmm, that's a very interesting proposal. I never thought that having apts./condos directly in the capitol complex would fly, but if it is allowed, it would probably work well.

I know that there is a need for more extended stay-type hotels in the downtown area for people doing business at the capitol, including legislators, but I think there is (was) a push to build them around the I-65/Clay St./Herron St. intersection, and along Bell St.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by bystander1

I know that there is a need for more extended stay-type hotels in the downtown area for people doing business at the capitol, including legislators, but I think there is (was) a push to build them around the I-65/Clay St./Herron St. intersection, and along Bell St.

This would help "redecorate" a section of the city/downtown that is seen by all who pass through....... that combined with a redone I-65 could help spur growth like crazy on the west end of Downtown.

[EXbubba]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

This would help "redecorate" a section of the city/downtown that is seen by all who pass through....... that combined with a redone I-65 could help spur growth like crazy on the west end of Downtown.

Just keep in mind that you want to concentrate the action downtown. If you want to generate new growth in the area of the Heron St exit, it should start would a reason for hotels to be there. Apts/Condos might be a better way to generate retail activity. As for condos in the capitol complex, one word - zoning - maybe a midrise apt building off Madison or Adams/Washinton might be more practical.

[ExpatBaman]

Originally Posted by bystander1

I never thought that having apts./condos directly in the capitol complex would fly, but if it is allowed, it would probably work well.

I know that there is a need for more extended stay-type hotels in the downtown area for people doing business at the capitol, including legislators, but I think there is (was) a push to build them around the I-65/Clay St./Herron St. intersection, and along Bell St.

Good point, residential that close to the capitol may not fly. More office space instead would provide for future expansions of state agencies.

I like ExBubba's idea for hotel locations, as long as the hotels aren't cheesy suburban-style buildings with parking moonscapes. I hope the condos envisioned in the downtown master plan get built on Bell St. That should be an impressive gateway into downtown.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by ExpatBaman

Good point, residential that close to the capitol may not fly. More office space instead would provide for future expansions of state agencies.

I like ExBubba's idea for hotel locations, as long as the hotels aren't cheesy suburban-style buildings with parking moonscapes. I hope the condos envisioned in the downtown master plan get built on Bell St. That should be an impressive gateway into downtown.

Yes, imagine...

...a highrise along Bell Street with a excellent view of the river, right across from popular Overlook Park, within walking distance of the new convention center and theater, ...Riverwalk Stadium, ...the Amphitheater,
...and the riverwalk, ...close to Maxwell AFB...

Dude, sign me up!

[nimsjus]

Came down from Auburn for the Biscuits game last night against my hometown team. I know you already know it, but you guys did the stadium thing right. I love the reuse of the old buildings and the park blends beautifully. I wish Mobile could have done something similar. Instead we built and obselete, boring, suburban, stadium in the 90's just before the urban renewal thing got really hot in Mobile. I guess I will be abck next time you guys play Mobile to redeem my rain check.

[Chad Emerson]

A Dover Kohl-led team arrives this week for a weeklong charrette for a new TND on the Hudson Farms property in East Montgomery.

The property is where Thorington t-bones into Pike Road and then goes southeast down Pike Road to roughly Wallahatchie.

Not sure if there are any public presentation scheduled for the charrette (as it is a private property charrette--still though, they should consider doing at least one public info session as the Hampstead project did), but I've met with the team they've put together and its a very strong one.

The 2,000+ acre project also plans to use Montgomery's SmartCode.

[AUCPA]

What is the status of Hampstead? I though I had read before that they were expecting the first houses to be built by 2007.

[Chad Emerson]

I believe that the Hampstead regulatory approval process is moving ahead well.

One thing to remember about development approvals is that it does not all involve zoning approval.

A variety of other local, state, and even federal approvals are required these days.

[neilson]

What's going on with Freddie B's at the Atlanta Crossing Shopping Center? Is the project stalled or cancelled?

[thoraudio]

Originally Posted by neilson

What's going on with Freddie B's at the Atlanta Crossing Shopping Center? Is the project stalled or cancelled?

The projected opening was this month, but those things slip all the time. I haven't heard anything recently (other than the hater comments over on you know where).