Montgomery development news - Page 134

OCA REP · #**2661** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

I'd prefer the Court Square location. Bring some life back to the lower end of Dexter. With Colonial gone, and the 2 Regions buildings (3 if you count the recently empty one on Washington) running on nearly empty, it can be pretty dead down there.

I prefer Court Square as well. I just started with the State (after 22 years with Regions) and am very concerned at how deserted the Court Square area is now. I do not know the long-range plans, but Colonial Bank currently houses the majority of their IT positions at Court Square and (from what I am told) has no plans to re-locate them. I guess that can change if the State suddenly wants to build there... who knows?

thoraudio · #**2662** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 6:54 PM**

Does anybody on here know who to talk to at RSA about parking deck usage? I've looked on the RSA's website, but didn't see anything about property management.

RSAHort · #**2663** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 7:07 PM**

Are you wanting to rent a space? The only deck with rentable spaces is the Capitol Deck located at 501 Monroe Street. (Across from Burger King well kinda across from BK) Call Tony LaPorte at 832-4140 ext. 1680.

thoraudio · #**2664** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 7:17 PM**

that's precisely the one I was interested in. Thank you.

Fibb2000 · #**2665** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 7:21 PM**

Is this the big new announcement everyone is talking about?

Fibb2000 · #**2666** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 7:49 PM**

I replied on the wrong thread.. by "big announcement" I meant the new state house.

hiijakd · #**2667** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 8:18 PM**

I don't know the big new announcement either. i've been checking into my sources and they have heard the same buzz but noone but the mayor and planning dept have the true story right now.

although i would love to see one court square demolished, i seriously doubt all of the legislators would be willing to walk the five blocks from the capital to the fountain. We'll let em stick to milking the college system instead.

thoraudio · #**2668** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 8:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

although i would love to see one court square demolished, i seriously doubt all of the legislators would be willing to walk the five blocks from the capital to the fountain. We'll let em stick to milking the college system instead.

Why walk? A permanent trainstation-to-capital trolley would fix that problem.

OCA REP · #**2669** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

Why walk? A permanent trainstation-to-capital trolley would fix that problem.

And force all those tacky double-parked cars in the middle of Commerce Street (in front of the convention center) to locate elsewhere when the tracks were added... or uncovered. I think someone told me the tracks are still under the asphalt.

bystander1 · #**2670** Posted **Mar 12, 2008, 11:23 PM**

****New Hotel may be coming downtown on the corner of Bibb and Commerce.
...possibly Hyatt or Hilton brand.
Developer about to close deal with Colonial Bank for the property.****

Stay tuned...

BTW, no word on whether or not this is the 'tremendous announcement' by the city.

OCA REP · #**2671** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 12:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

****New Hotel may be coming downtown on the corner of Bibb and Commerce.
...possibly Hyatt or Hilton brand.
Developer about to close deal with Colonial Bank for the property.****

Stay tuned...

BTW, no word on whether or not this is the 'tremendous announcement' by the city.

This is what I have heard too. My sources say that initial interest was in the Bell Building, but too much work would have been required to get it like they needed it. Interesting developments indeed...

Brown Duckz · #**2672** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 1:56 AM**

Isn't that a block deemed for the city's next tallest? I guess we can dream, but a nice mixed use res/hotel/retail tower of 30+ stories would be sweet.

Scoots71 · #**2673** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 3:17 AM**

Another Hotel For Downtown Montgomery?

Posted: March 12, 2008 06:23 PM CDT

Updated: March 12, 2008 06:56 PM CDT

Could a Fourth Hotel Be Coming to Downtown Montgomery?
Downtown Montgomery Could Get Its 4th Hotel

Montgomery, Al. (WSFA) -- It could very well be the sign of something new on the way. WSFA 12 News has learned a contract has been signed by Colonial Bank and a buyer but the deal has not closed at this point.

12 News has also learned the buyer is from out of state and right now that buyer is doing a feasibility study on the property located at the corner of Bibb and Commerce. The only thing commercial real estate agent John Stanley will say is the buyer is considering several uses for the property. Stanley represents Colonial Bank in the impending deal. However, WSFA 12 News may have found a clue.

"We have been told a major hotel brand is looking in downtown Montgomery," said Dawn Hathcock, Vice President of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hathcock didn't know which hotel chain but there is speculation that it may be Hyatt or Hilton. If the deal goes through and the buyer builds a hotel, does downtown Montgomery really need additional hotel rooms? After all you already have Embassy Suites, the Hampton Inn is on the way, and then of course you have the new $200 million convention center and hotel, right across the street from the property that's under contract.

"That will only make us stronger as we go out and look for more groups to come, more room supply helps the city," Hathcock said.

"There is always a chance of over-saturation," said Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner.

Bronner concedes failure is always a possibility in business but agrees with Hathcock a new hotel would only increase the city's chances of landing more visitors and conventions.

"Hotels especially downtown hotels are built with the basis you'll lose money in the first two or three years until you get rolling. This presents more opportunities to expand downtown," Bronner said.

For now no one is saying for certain just what will go on the corner of Bibb and Commerce. No deal yet, no word on who may be checking in.

If anything is built you probably won't see any dirt moving until the fall. That's assuming both parties close on the deal.

Reporter: Bryan Henry

thoraudio · #**2674** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 3:36 AM**

I just HOPE that this finally gets people interested in investing in retail and restaurants....

bystander1 · #**2675** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 3:39 AM**

The Hyatt is already looking at building a hotel near EastChase. The Halcyon Forest neighborhood association is negotiating with the developers to ensure certain 'guidelines' for the development are kept.

bystander1 · #**2676** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 3:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

I just HOPE that this finally gets people interested in investing in retail and restaurants....

Maybe it will help speed up development of "the Alley"...

Brown Duckz · #**2677** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 3:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

Maybe it will help speed up development of "the Alley"...

& there hasn't been a progress report on this since the last time it was mentioned on the news. It seems it's stuck in Park. Should have been the first thing completed.

hiijakd · #**2678** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 5:21 AM**

As for the hotel, my source says hyatt is interested but since the site is in the historic area it will have to keep under the 6 story restriction in the smart code. Fine with me. We aren't filling up the existing lofts an condos yet so there would be no way to support a tall mixed use right now.

In other news, the alleyway project is out for bid right now. legal issues put certain requirements for advertising bids, soliciting, bid meetings, insurance, etc, when it comes to public money. for example, to bid on a project in montgomery you have to carry $5 million in liability insurance (plus bonding and additional things). This does two things, it makes projects ridiculously expensive and also severely limits those who can submit bids. My building facade on perry should cost around $40,000 if were doing the work myself, with the bidding process to get the facade grants, the insurances alone are around $30,000 not including labor, materials, time, etc. this is why it seems like things start and stop, the wheels of bureaucracy(sp) don't turn very fast. a lot of bad people over time have made it that much more difficult for those who try to do it right and fair.

we're making progress though.

thoraudio · #**2679** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 12:52 PM**

I would assume that that is to keep really small guys from trying to bid. I'd think guys like Goodwyn, Mills, & Cawood carry that kind of liability anyway.

Capital Heights · #**2680** Posted **Mar 13, 2008, 1:04 PM**

I do not believe that part of Commerce Street is an historic district. I would hope any new structure there would be taller than 6 stories.