Montgomery development news

[thoraudio]

what are we arguing about again?

Seriously, the intraweb leads to some dust ups over the freakin stupidest stuff.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by thoraudio

what are we arguing about again?

Seriously, the intraweb leads to some dust ups over the freakin stupidest stuff.

I figure it's over.

Any news about Byron's new project? Or anything NEW to come to the Riverfront?

[neilson]

Originally Posted by OldCloverdale

Thanks for the info. I Didn't know Aronov had so much property outside Montgomery. Wow.

Malls in:
Arkansas
Georgia and
Mississippi

Strip Malls in:
Florida
Georgia
Mississippi and
Tennessee

Industrial Property in:
Prattville

Aronov Reality operate in:
Autauga
Elmore and
Bullock

Commercial Listings in:
Florida
Oklahoma
Tuskegee
Selma
Auburn-Opelika
Alex City and
Valley

Resorts in Orange Beach
Gulf Shores and
Panama City Beach

Aronov Apartments in:
Dothan and
Baton Rouge

Thanks again; wow.

Did you even read the numbers I gave on each of Aronov's properties? Next time read and acknowledge that the River Region is 90% of Aronov's properties.

[thoraudio]

what's that I hear? leaves rustling? crickets? ford's rusting?

[neilson]

Originally Posted by thoraudio

what's that I hear? leaves rustling? crickets? ford's rusting?

.......... I'm just spelling out facts and because it wasn't quite the way some wanted it to be, then you just act as though they don't have any substance. So be it, point is you have 1 developer/company that has a lock on the River Region and only has a few interests outside of the River Region. Maybe that's ok with you guys, I don't know.

[bystander1]

We all know some of the South's biggest developers--Aronov, ALFA, Jim Wilson & Associates, and McClinton and Company--are all based in Montgomery. Wouldn't be nice to see something more innovative from these companies for this area?

Speaking of development, what would you like to see for the area along I-85 between East Blvd. and Perry Hill Rd.? (btw,the new phase for County Downs doesn't go back all the way to the interstate.)
Mixed use development including housing, upscale shopping, and dining would be perfect and exactly in line with the city's progressive SmartGrowth plan to limit sprawl.
Of course, since this is a high-profile area, this development would be better if it's done by a developer from outside of this area so that it will be done right.

What would you guys like to see for that stretch of I-85?

[OldCloverdale]

good article by Chad Emerson in the current Future City Guide:

http://www.montgomery-city-guide.com/montgomeryalabamariverfrontdevelopment.html

(sorry if already posted)

[OldCloverdale]

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=7123131

Road Widening To Ease Midtown Congestion; Is it Enough?

Sep 24, 2007 11:12 PM CDT



If you're tired of slow-moving traffic in midtown Montgomery, a solution is on the way. Crews are getting ready to widen a portion of Perry Hill Road. It's part of a long-range plan to ease north-south congestion in the capital city.

The project dates back more than ten years when city officials realized there weren't enough north-south corridors in Montgomery. Only I-65 on the west side and the Boulevard on the east side are 4 lanes. Most everything in between is much narrower.

Perry Hill Road will go from two lanes to four lanes north of Interstate 85. There will also be improvements made to the I-85/Perry Hill Road interchange.

Employees who work along the stretch say they welcome the project.

"It's very congested," said Ve'lita Parker, who works at a sandwich shop on Perry Hill. "It's very difficult for me to make it here on time because of the traffic."

The project will make Perry Hill Road look more like Ann Street, another north-south corridor that was widened near I-85. It happened when Wal-Mart moved in.

But like Ann Street, the work on Perry Hill will only stretch a few blocks.

The plan is for the widening project to stop at Harrison Road. People who live and work in the area say it should probably go farther.

"They need to do the whole entire road," said Stacy Long.

And actually, the original plan called for that. Perry Hill Road was to be widened all the way to the Atlanta Highway. But the Metropolitan Planning Organization recently revised that plan.

Residents like Stacy Long question the decision.

"Then you're going to have to merge back into two lanes at Harrison Road. It's going to be worse," she complained.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization is chaired by Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright. He told WSFA 12 News a lot has changed since the initial plan was derived over a decade ago.

Bright says there is less of a need to widen the entire length of Perry Hill Road because so much of the traffic has moved east with the growth of the city.

But the mayor says once the initial widening project is finished, a survey will be conducted to help determine whether it should be extended.

Reporter: Mark Bullock

[Brown Duckz]

There is something going on at the Catoma/Bibb intersection... all the way to Bell St, some fascade work?

[thoraudio]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

There is something going on at the Catoma/Bibb intersection... all the way to Bell St, some fascade work?

there was an article about it in the paper a few weeks ago.

Originally Posted by Montgomery Advertiser

Destin Energy busy downtown


Montgomery-based Destin Energy is taking a leading role in the Montgomery downtown redevelopment of properties in the block of Catoma Street between Bell and Bibb streets.

The project includes a new Destin Energy office in the renovated former Reinhart Toyota building, plus landscaped green space and opportunities for additional investment.

The project is the first private sector construction and redevelopment activity to occur within the footprint of the city's downtown revitalization plan, released last year, and makes Destin Energy a leader in the effort to boost economic activity in downtown Montgomery.

Destin Energy is a sustainable energy project developer focused on renewable energy technology. The company has 30 employees, with 12 working out of an office on South Perry Street while the new office is expected to be completed by early next year. The building on Catoma Street dates to the 1920s and served as the Montgomery office for the old Lime-Cola Bottling Co.

Destin Energy plans to restore the building's original brick façade, and after extensive indoor renovation, will occupy the 10,000 square-foot administrative section of the building. The old garage area will be used for indoor company parking.

-- Rick Harmon

[OldCloverdale]

This is not development news but I hope you all will join us in Cloverdale on the 13th. Huntingdon hosts Faulkner in the first-ever football game between the two schools earlier in the afternoon. Things should be hoppin' in the old neighborhood that weekend.

Capri Theatre to host gala/street fest


The Capri Community Film Society, in cooperation with the Cloverdale Business Alliance, invites the public to attend the 25th annual Capri Gala and Cloverdale Street Fest from 4-11 p.m. Oct. 13. Admission is free.

This marks the first of many years the Gala will be held as a street fest. Organizers hope to share with the community the unique charm of Old Cloverdale, its merchants and artists. Festivities will include food vendors, art booths, children's activities and musical performances by Lisa Busler at 6 p.m. and The Gate Band at 7:30 p.m.

Capri members will be treated to a special reception sponsored by Sinclair's Restaurant in the lobby of the Capri Theatre from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the 25th annual Capri Gala and Cloverdale Street Fest call 262-4858 or visit www.capritheatre.org.

[ExpatBaman]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

There is something going on at the Catoma/Bibb intersection... all the way to Bell St, some fascade work?

The Destin Energy renovation is moving along nicely.

[ExpatBaman]

Does anyone know if renovation might be in the works for this Monroe St. building? The dumpsters have been out front for over a week now and an architectural review board notice was tacked on the front of the building for a while.

[Brown Duckz]

State paying $737,000 to repair Confederate White House


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The state is paying more than $737,000 to renovate the First White House of the Confederacy, a state-owned historical site that has been closed since repair work began in July.

Officials with the White House Association of Alabama expect it to reopen early next year in time for the February observance of Jefferson Davis' inauguration as president of the Confederacy.

The house, which Davis and his family used, was the capital of the Confederacy in 1861. The aging structure is having its heating and air conditioning system replaced. Contractors also are repairing the roof, painting, improving drainage and renovating interior plaster.

Deputy State Finance Director Andy Hornsby said the house had some serious problems.

[floc34]

Any updates from the downtown area? The alley, hotel, riverfront etc.

[Brown Duckz]

Montgomery Housing Market Ranks 5th in the U.S.


Despite what you've heard about the housing market in other parts of the country, home values in the river region are expected to increase over the coming year. That's according to a new report by CNN.com and Business 2.0 magazine.

The report ranked Montgomery among the top ten housing markets in the U.S.

"We're on an economic role in this part of the country," said Taylor Jernigan of the Montgomery Area Realtors Association.

Jernigan says east Montgomery is seeing most growth because there's more available land. He says he was not surprised by the recent rankings.

"We're very fortunate in Montgomery to have a very stable economy," he said.

That stable economy is the result of recent job growth thanks to companies like Hyundai and Kia.

The CNN article lists Montgomery fifth among cities where home values are expected to increase. Here is the list as it appears online:

Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
Indianapolis, Indiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Atlanta, Georgia
Montgomery, Alabama
Memphis, Tennessee
Mobile, Alabama
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
St. Louis, Missouri

The CNN article also mentions growth in Old Cloverdale and other midtown Montgomery neighborhoods. They are closer to downtown where state government has also added new jobs.

"People are reaching their point of inconvenience with commuting," said real estate agent Sandra Nickel, who specializes in midtown Montgomery. "I met with a couple just the other day who said, 'we want to get back to the heart of town.'"

Northern communities in Autauga and Elmore county should also see growth.

According to CNN's findings, the median Montgomery home price of $140,000 should rise to $147,000 in the next 14 months.

Mobile was the only other Alabama city on the list. Experts attribute its growth to new industry as well, including so-called mega-projects like the new Thyssen-Krupp plant announced earlier this year.

[Brown Duckz]

Council stakes Home Depot claim

By Andre Coe
[email protected]

A day after Home Depot was scheduled to pay taxes to the town of Pike Road, the Montgomery City Council took a step to ensure that money will come to the city of Montgomery.

Council members voted 7-0 Tuesday to annex a tract of land owned by Trum LLC into Montgomery at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Council members Tim Head, District 2, and Willie Cook, District 6, were absent from the meeting.

It engulfed land surrounding the home improvement superstore into the city of Montgomery after weeks of political posturing that countered a previous move by Pike Road.

The Pike Road Town Council voted 5-0 to annex Ryan Road and the nearby Home Depot store Aug. 21. Alabama law requires that annexed property must lie next to the municipality it joins but the annexation moves by the Montgomery City Council cast doubt on the Ryan Road annexation because it is no longer contiguous to Pike Road.

All the businesses along Chantilly Parkway eventually will pay business fees to the city of Montgomery, Council President Charles Jinright said. "It's just a possible income to the city if it's in the city limits."

Councilman Jim Spear, District 1, motioned to adopt the item that was not on the agenda but has been voted on at the previous four City Council meetings. The vote gives the city of Montgomery control of the land surrounding not just the home improvement store but the 203,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter across from it on Chantilly Parkway.

Home Depot already petitioned the town of Pike Road for annexation March 27. Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cindi Marsiglios has said her store is not seeking annexation into either municipality and is fine operating in Montgomery County.

The move was important because it put property surrounding the Home Depot into the city of Montgomery, Spear said. The council voted to annex the land after landowners Trum LLC and Vaughn Taylor LLC petitioned the city of Montgomery for annexation.

To comply with an Alabama law that prevents a municipality from overlapping its police jurisdiction with another, the City Council had to annex the land surrounding the Home Depot into the city in four parts equal in distance, city attorney Walter Byars said.

The day before the Ryan Road annexation vote, Montgomery County Commissioners voted 2-1 to allow the town to annex Ryan Road into its municipal limits.

That decision by the Montgomery County Commission has been the subject of debate ever since.

Montgomery Commissioners Jiles Williams, District 4, and Reed Ingram, District 5, voted yes to allow the annexation; Vice-Chairman Elton Dean, District 2, voted no. The commission, which needs only three members present for a quorum, rescinded the 2-1 vote at its Sept. 4 meeting.

That time, the commission voted 3-1 to undo its previous vote. The yes votes came from Dean, Williams and Commission Chairman Todd Strange, District 1. Ingram dissented. District 3 Commissioner Dimitri Polizos was absent for the first vote and abstained Sept. 4.

Commissioners then authorized county attorney Tyrone Means to pursue all necessary legal action up to and including filing a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgement action on the matter at its Sept. 16 meeting.

Means filed a declaratory action Sept. 28 in Montgomery County Circuit Court seeking an opinion in the case. Judge William A. Shashy will issue a ruling at a later date. Pike Road has 30 days to respond to the complaint.

Means believes the Montgomery County Commission did not have the legal authority to authorize Pike Road to annex Ryan Road into its town. The land beneath the road belongs to the landowners -- not the county, he said.

County commissioners did not consult Means prior to the Aug. 20 vote that started the feud.

Meanwhile, Pike Road anticipates a $600,000 to $800,000 cash boon from an expected sales tax revenue Home Depot could bring. Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone said if landowners want to annex into Montgomery that is fine with him as long as it is done legally.

But the home improvement retail giant and its potential sales tax revenue is not in Montgomery. He did not know if Home Depot had begun paying taxes to Pike Road yet.

"As far as we know, Home Depot is already in the town of Pike Road," Stone said.

[Brown Duckz]

I found this AWESOME post by someone standing up for the city council members and Mayor Bright after the "usual" bashing when these types of articles come up.

As a person with a background in urban studies and the city, I find it amusing to read all of the vitrolic statements about Bobby Bright and the city of Montgomery whenever an article is written about this subject.

It is only logical that a city and its leaders would work to protect its tax base. Bobby Bright and the Montgomery County Commissioners and City Council are prescient enough to realize that the future of the city's tax collection lies along the Chantilly Road corridor. Any wise city would protect its own interest (just like Pike Road is looking out for its own interest).

Historical precedent has shown us that cities like Birmingham, Detroit, and a plethora of others did not have the foresight to stop the wealthiest citizens of their cities from creating their own tax-collecting enclaves just outside of the core city. When this occurred, these central cities were left with poorer residents, greater social problems, and less tax revenue to resolve these issues.

I applaud the leaders of the city of Montgomery for reining in these selfish, affluent, and social-irresponsible residents who have tried to form their own elitist suburban society in Pike Road. If they want to live outside of Montgomery, fine, let them. But don't let them shirk their tax-paying duties by running away to a corner and hoarding their money from school system in Montgomery and other government entities that provide for the welfare of those who are not as financially able to provide these services for themselves.

[Brown Duckz]

Real estate in Montgomery expected to rebound

By Kym Klass
[email protected]


Area real estate agents agree with a recent report that lists Montgomery as a prime market for investors.

The report by Business 2.0 magazine and Moody's Economy.com identified 10 cities that have "just about hit rock bottom -- and offer opportunities for savvy investors to get in while the getting's good."

Montgomery ranked fifth, with the Dallas-Fort Worth area leading the list.

Real estate agents call the ranking positive, in spite of the way it sounds.

"Rock bottom is a hard-sounding word," said Taylor Jernigan, president of the Montgomery Area Realtors Association. "We haven't fallen as hard as everyone else because our economy hasn't allowed it. We have a strong economy, our state government jobs have increased and a strong military presence has allowed us to stay ahead of the national average."

The median sales price for single-family homes in Montgomery should rise 5.5 percent from the beginning of 2008 to the end of 2009, from $140,000 to $147,000, according to the report.

Home prices in Montgomery grew at a slow pace last year, a signal that the local housing market was cooling off. A report released in September 2006 by a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development showed that prices in Montgomery's market grew by about 1.7 percent, making the deceleration one of the fastest in the state. Home prices in Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville all grew faster.

But things have changed.

A surge of automotive jobs in the area has helped stabilize the local economy. Also, the government is hiring and the city did well on the military's base realignment committee report.

Montgomery has been well-insulated the past few years, said Norman Schlemmer, corporate qualifying broker with Alfa Realty.

"We don't have the high-highs or the low-lows that the other areas have," he said. "I think we have a steady market and a lot of optimism going into 2008."

Pam Sloan of Sloan Southern Homes said the growth pattern is all about east Montgomery.

"Look at what's going on at EastChase," she said. "You've got to have an influx of people to support those businesses."

Another real estate pocket expected to see a resurgence is Old Cloverdale, according to the report.

Sloan said the city has been steady in the real estate market, and that the interest rates have been so good for so long that "it's just incredible."

Beth Forrester of Forrester Developer said the media was to blame for potential homebuyers recently backing away from the real estate market.

"When everybody said the market was slow, and then we had the housing slump, and then people couldn't make their mortgage payment ... it made people around this area not even want to get out and look," she said.

"If you can survive the market now, you'll probably come out ahead of others," she said.

Schlemmer said Autauga and Elmore counties also should see growth.

"You just need to look at what's going on with the golf course in Prattville, the Bass Pro Shop, the casino in Wetumpka," he said. "We're seeing a lot of very encouraging signs in all three of the northern markets in Prattville, Millbrook and Wetumpka."

[hiijakd]

hey guys,
i am still around. the lofts on court are finished and i am having an open house this weekend if anyone is interested in coming by. as for the perry street deal, i almost backed out after the city changed alot of the agreements we had made but we reached a resolution and i am going to be starting work there as soon as i hear about my financing. be looking for the facade to be painted (temporarily) as i try to get the facade renovation credits. as for other news from the streets, the georgio building on dexter has been purchased by the same Korean investor that bought flames grille and they are starting work cleaning it out to create another restaurant of some sort. the pizza max was supposedly going to close but the guy never came back so it is available again. the old montgomery fair building is starting up, i think his name is josh mcdowell, he plans on mixed use res and commercial there. the webber building was under contract but i think that fell through also.
all i have heard for now.