Montgomery development news

[floc34]

Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium named one of nations best according to ESPN!

6. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, The Train Shed Seats (Montgomery Biscuits)
While the big-league stadiums in cities like Baltimore and San Diego do well to incorporate preexisting buildings into their designs, and the aforementioned Fifth Third Field does quite well, too, no ballpark succeeds as fully in this regard as Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium in Alabama.

The stadium was built around an old railroad storage facility that has stood at its present location since 1898. The "train shed" is a long, thin building that rises behind the field-level seats along the first-base line. Fans pass through it as they enter the stadium and find the concession stands and restrooms tucked right into it. And, upstairs, the train shed houses several luxury boxes that hang their balconies right over the first-level concourse.

"Those in the suites enjoy the rustic feel of 19th century charm, along with the luxury of padded seats and full food and beverage service," said Biscuits radio play-by-play broadcaster Jim Tocco. "Montgomery is a town proud of its history, and this was a perfect way to mix the city's heritage with its present and future."

[floc34]

Are there any updates on any of the construction within Montgomery?

[Brown Duckz]

The hotel/convention center is slowly finishing up, seems like progress is taking forever now since it's been topped out.

The RSA HQ has been topped out, and it looks as if all the structures are in place. This place looks amazing with all the glass and the classy top.

The new annex of the county courthouse is starting to rise into the air.... I've also heard there may be a boardwalk over McDonough St for traffic to flow from one building to the other.

Any news about 100 Commerce/Hampton Suites?

I'll try and do a short photo tour of the projects if you guys would like.

[Brown Duckz]

Charlotte Russe Announces New Store at Eastdale Mall


Eastdale Mall announced today tthat Charlotte Russe will open a store there next month

Charlotte Russe, which also has locations in other Alabama cities including Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville, sells a full range of clothing, footwear and accessories.

"Eastdale Mall is excited to introduce shoppers in the River Region to Charlotte Russe. This new addition will compliment the fabulous array of stores and merchandise selection available at Eastdale Mall," said Anna Tadlock, Eastdale Mall Marketing Director.

[EXbubba]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

Charlotte Russe Announces New Store at Eastdale Mall


Eastdale Mall announced today tthat Charlotte Russe will open a store there next month

Charlotte Russe, which also has locations in other Alabama cities including Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville, sells a full range of clothing, footwear and accessories.

"Eastdale Mall is excited to introduce shoppers in the River Region to Charlotte Russe. This new addition will compliment the fabulous array of stores and merchandise selection available at Eastdale Mall," said Anna Tadlock, Eastdale Mall Marketing Director.

Just another chick chain clothing store. Now if it opened downtown, that would be news!

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by EXbubba

Just another chick chain clothing store. Now if it opened downtown, that would be news!

The main reason I posted it was because it shows the renewed strength of Eastdall Mall, which sits just inside the Boulevard Loop, only a single exit from The Shoppes at Eastchase. There were plenty of naysayers commenting on Eastdale Mall's future when Eastchase had opened up.... and this is yet another announcement that proves them wrong. Downtown won't see a single clothing/department style store open up until there are people actually down there to shop.

[EXbubba]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

The main reason I posted it was because it shows the renewed strength of Eastdall Mall, which sits just inside the Boulevard Loop, only a single exit from The Shoppes at Eastchase. There were plenty of naysayers commenting on Eastdale Mall's future when Eastchase had opened up.... and this is yet another announcement that proves them wrong. Downtown won't see a single clothing/department style store open up until there are people actually down there to shop.

Agree, I just didn't think another retail store was news. Is Eastdale hurting? I would think all those east MGM mini-van moms would have more than enough money to keep two shopping centers going, if not three (Mgm Mall). Afterall, people gotta shop and Wetumpka and Pville don't have much more than Target or Overallmart (til Belks comes in). You're right about no retail in downtown til people recognize it as a destination tho I don't necessarily think it has to be that many people living downtown. If small retail can develop with lower rents along with nightlife downtown, that may jumpstart the area, but everyday business (hardward, grocery, drugstores) will not come in without people to support them.

[Brown Duckz]

This is great news, thank god!

I- 85 Improvements

A long awaited resurfacing project is in the works for Interstate 85. The Department of Transportation is planning to re-pave the first two miles of the interstate, beginning at the I-65 Interchange. Department of Transportation officials say bids go out this Friday to repave the concrete portion of I-85 from I-65 to Hall Street. The $6 million dollar project will take about a year to complete. It's been 30 years since any major work was done in the area. Work should begin on the project sometime next month.

Last week the DOT announced a similiar repaving project on I-65, from Catoma Creek to the Alabama River Bridge. It's not scheduled to be finished until 2009.

[hiijakd]

i thought i would share some news about my projects
i am almost finished with the lofts i am doing at 111 s. court street. my tenant should open his smoothie and sandwich shop in about two weeks or as soon as we can get him permanent power.
the residential units are in different stages of completion but are all near being finished.
i may be announcing a new project coming up but i cant say anything yet until i get all the details ironed out.

if any of you guys are interested in touring my place feel free to come by and visit. aske for byron and tell me you are from the site.

i am determined to make an impact on this city regardless of how many naysayers i butt heads with.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by hiijakd

i thought i would share some news about my projects
i am almost finished with the lofts i am doing at 111 s. court street. my tenant should open his smoothie and sandwich shop in about two weeks or as soon as we can get him permanent power.
the residential units are in different stages of completion but are all near being finished.
i may be announcing a new project coming up but i cant say anything yet until i get all the details ironed out.

if any of you guys are interested in touring my place feel free to come by and visit. aske for byron and tell me you are from the site.

i am determined to make an impact on this city regardless of how many naysayers i butt heads with.

Sounds cool, hiijakd! I may get a chance to check it out next week as I'll be off work for the whole week.

I know you can't say much, but could you at least tell us if your new project will be a loft-type or retail-type development?

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by floc34

Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium named one of nations best according to ESPN!

6. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, The Train Shed Seats (Montgomery Biscuits)
While the big-league stadiums in cities like Baltimore and San Diego do well to incorporate preexisting buildings into their designs, and the aforementioned Fifth Third Field does quite well, too, no ballpark succeeds as fully in this regard as Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium in Alabama."

Whoa, only number 6?

It should have been higher on the list with all of the accolades its recieved over the past few years. It's a beautiful stadium and a fun to go to, I must say.

[EXbubba]

Alabama's old Supreme Court Building faced a potential death sentence, but the historic building has been saved by an unusual deal in which it is being swapped for free parking rentals for state employees.

Developers can easily go broke trying to save old historic buildings, said David Bronner, Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO.

"The only way to save some is to incorporate something new," he added.

That's exactly what he plans to do with the old Supreme Court Building.

It will become part of a new Dexter Avenue office complex with the old Supreme Court chambers forming a portion of the complex's offices and conference space.

"We'll try to take the old judicial building and save the exterior and use the Supreme Court chambers for offices," Bronner said. "We'll design and build something over the existing building. It will have a unique front to it ... with the old chamber as a main conference room."

The RSA will take over the old Supreme Court building and the property around the former health building during the next three-to-six months, Finance Director Jim Main said.

He said the timing of the deal depends on when the work to tear down the former health building is completed. The health building is behind the former judicial building.

The deal is part of an unusual deal that Main and Bronner described as a swap within the family of state government.

To a certain degree, the building was a white elephant for the state, which had neither a purpose for it nor the funds to renovate it. The state also didn't want to hinder Montgomery's plans to renovate the downtown area by allowing the building to stay vacant while its condition deteriorated.

Bronner said since the state couldn't do anything with the buildings, it just made sense to transfer them to someone who could.

So in return for the building and land, RSA will give the state 150 parking spaces that it can have lease-free for members of the attorney general's office.

The parking spots in the Alabama Center for Commerce parking deck will be needed by the attorney general's office when it moves into the old Public Safety Building, which is now being renovated, Bronner said.

Main was quick to credit Bronner for solving a dilemma for the state about what to do with the aging and leaking legal building.

"Once again, Dr. Bronner has come to the rescue of downtown Montgomery," Main said. "Dr. Bronner is very enthusiastic about the project and has wonderful studies about how to preserve it (the building)."

I hope they do it right!

[EXbubba]

Alabama's old Supreme Court Building faced a potential death sentence, but the historic building has been saved by an unusual deal in which it is being swapped for free parking rentals for state employees.

Developers can easily go broke trying to save old historic buildings, said David Bronner, Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO.

"The only way to save some is to incorporate something new," he added.

That's exactly what he plans to do with the old Supreme Court Building.

It will become part of a new Dexter Avenue office complex with the old Supreme Court chambers forming a portion of the complex's offices and conference space.

"We'll try to take the old judicial building and save the exterior and use the Supreme Court chambers for offices," Bronner said. "We'll design and build something over the existing building. It will have a unique front to it ... with the old chamber as a main conference room."

The RSA will take over the old Supreme Court building and the property around the former health building during the next three-to-six months, Finance Director Jim Main said.

He said the timing of the deal depends on when the work to tear down the former health building is completed. The health building is behind the former judicial building.

The deal is part of an unusual deal that Main and Bronner described as a swap within the family of state government.

To a certain degree, the building was a white elephant for the state, which had neither a purpose for it nor the funds to renovate it. The state also didn't want to hinder Montgomery's plans to renovate the downtown area by allowing the building to stay vacant while its condition deteriorated.

Bronner said since the state couldn't do anything with the buildings, it just made sense to transfer them to someone who could.

So in return for the building and land, RSA will give the state 150 parking spaces that it can have lease-free for members of the attorney general's office.

The parking spots in the Alabama Center for Commerce parking deck will be needed by the attorney general's office when it moves into the old Public Safety Building, which is now being renovated, Bronner said.

Main was quick to credit Bronner for solving a dilemma for the state about what to do with the aging and leaking legal building.

"Once again, Dr. Bronner has come to the rescue of downtown Montgomery," Main said. "Dr. Bronner is very enthusiastic about the project and has wonderful studies about how to preserve it (the building)."

[hiijakd]

it will be a little of both. some residential and some commercial, but on a small scale like my current project.

[thoraudio]

Originally Posted by hiijakd

it will be a little of both. some residential and some commercial, but on a small scale like my current project.

wouldn't happen to be an old theater/department store would it?

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by EXbubba

Alabama's old Supreme Court Building faced a potential death sentence, but the historic building has been saved by an unusual deal in which it is being swapped for free parking rentals for state employees.

Developers can easily go broke trying to save old historic buildings, said David Bronner, Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO.

"The only way to save some is to incorporate something new," he added.

That's exactly what he plans to do with the old Supreme Court Building.

It will become part of a new Dexter Avenue office complex with the old Supreme Court chambers forming a portion of the complex's offices and conference space.

"We'll try to take the old judicial building and save the exterior and use the Supreme Court chambers for offices," Bronner said. "We'll design and build something over the existing building. It will have a unique front to it ... with the old chamber as a main conference room."

A new RSA office complex on Dexter Ave. Sounds interesting.
I wonder how high he's talking about when he says, "We'll design and build something over the existing building"?

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by hiijakd

it will be a little of both. some residential and some commercial, but on a small scale like my current project.

Hmm, Maybe we should check out your current project next week. Wha-da-ya-say, Thoraudio? BrownDuckz?

[thoraudio]

I'm in

[Brown Duckz]

In. Are we talking about a lunch hour thing or?

[bystander1]

Cool. perhaps Tuesday or Wednsday around lunch, if hiijakd will be available then.