Montgomery development news - Page 170

bystander1 · #**3381** Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 3:29 AM**

What's the latest on our new riverboat with all the storms heading through the Atlantic?

OldCloverdale · #**3382** Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

What's the latest on our new riverboat with all the storms heading through the Atlantic?

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...d6&sid=sitelife.montgomeryadvertiser.com

...The actual journey will begin after Hurricane Hanna makes her way past Savannah, Georgia. The anticipated departure is now set for Monday, September 8, 2008. Plans are set to protect Harriott II by placing her in an inlet up river from her current mooring at the Savannah shipyard.

OCA REP · #**3383** Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 3:22 PM**

From www.montgomeryadvertiser.com:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080904/NEWS01/809040325

Commission approves development plan
By Jill Nolin • September 4, 2008

Montgomery planning officials said there was a time when Montgomery didn't welcome strangers, and that the city's long-range planning document reflected that. It's something they are determined to change by creating inviting "gateways" into the city and making sure future development is meticulously planned.

The officials said the city's long-range planning document was crafted during the days of segregation and before development beyond the bypass was even considered a real possibility.

"We were still a segregated community then and the plan reflected the segregation," Montgomery Planning Director Ken Groves said of the document, which was created in 1964. "We have obviously since found that it's not as useful a strategy as might have been imagined at the time."

Montgomery is not unique in that, Groves said. Cities in the South are finding themselves dealing with issues created by older generations whose planning objective was to make neighborhoods uninviting to outsiders.

Groves said the lack of sidewalks in some Montgomery neighborhoods is an example of this.

That's not the Montgomery of today -- and now city officials have a planning document to use as tool as they work toward building the new Montgomery they envision. The document, called the Montgomery Strategic Development Concept, will serve as a reference guide as officials consider proposed developments here on out.

The old comprehensive plan used a much more traditional planning style. Groves said the plan took an Ozzie-and-Harriet approach to life -- it assumed everyone would have a house and a vehicle. Also, it was based on outdated housing and population projections, making it essentially useless to planners in 2008.

"It doesn't provide the details and guidelines that we need today," Groves said.

The new plan incorporates Smart Code ideas -- Smart Code is a requirement for downtown development, and it is encouraged for new developments -- and has a much more pedestrian- and environment-friendly attitude. It also embraces new urbanism in downtown and the community-based lifestyle of individual neighborhoods and subdivisions.

It identifies -- on paper -- the key "gateway focus areas" in town that the city wants to revitalize. These are key entrance points in the city that create the initial impression -- whether good or bad -- of the Capital City. These include Interstate 65 at the Alabama River bridge and the intersection at Troy Highway and the East Boulevard, to name two.

The interstate project has been delayed by the ongoing improvement being done by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Making these gateways inviting, especially the intersection at Troy Highway and East Boulevard, isn't going to be easy for the city.

The Montgomery Mall, which just announced that its last tenant, Steve & Barry's, would be closing its doors, is currently caught in limbo with no clear plan for redevelopment on the table.

"That is a key part. That area has to come back," Groves said. "That real estate is just too valuable."

The plan, which the Birmingham-based KPS Group created for $50,000, will be used as the city's official planning policy and will eventually become a negotiation tool for the city. Planning officials will now have a document to refer to when developers are seeking approval for new projects. This will be especially valuable as the city tries to do things such as save green space or build bike paths and parks.

The plan also identifies areas for future commercial and recreational developments throughout the city. The majority of the areas identified as potential commercial areas are in east Montgomery. Suggested trails for hiking or bicycles, however, are all over the map.

bystander1 · #**3384** Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 4:07 AM**

Quote:

It identifies -- on paper -- the key "gateway focus areas" in town that the city wants to revitalize. These are key entrance points in the city that create the initial impression -- whether good or bad -- of the Capital City. These include Interstate 65 at the Alabama River bridge and the intersection at Troy Highway and the East Boulevard, to name two.

The interstate project has been delayed by the ongoing improvement being done by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

I-65 at the Alabama River bridge--That's the intersection that I've been wondering about for a long time. Glad to see that it hasn't been forgotten. From what I was told three years ago, look for this intersection to eventually have mid-priced hotels, fast food restaurants, decorative lighting and heavy landscaping.

hiijakd · #**3385** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 12:09 PM**

this is from a montgomery advertiser article interviewing Bronner. I got a kick out of him describing the mortgage industry. i thought he was describing RSA for a minute,
"You had these two "quasi government agencies" but they really did their own thing even though they operated under the umbrella of the government. They had their own multimillion-dollar big time salaries and did pretty much whatever they wanted to do. They didn't act like the government at all."

kevinlpugh · #**3386** Posted **Sep 9, 2008, 1:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

this is from a montgomery advertiser article interviewing Bronner. I got a kick out of him describing the mortgage industry. i thought he was describing RSA for a minute,
"You had these two "quasi government agencies" but they really did their own thing even though they operated under the umbrella of the government. They had their own multimillion-dollar big time salaries and did pretty much whatever they wanted to do. They didn't act like the government at all."

Yep... that's our RSA!

kevinlpugh · #**3387** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 1:50 PM**

http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=8980812

Our first stop along the construction tour is South Perry and Washington, the city's third new parking garage.

"It'll be a 5-level deck, 238 parking spaces and it should be completed next spring," said Jeff Downes, Executive Assistant to the Mayor.

Deeper into town the Alleyway is slowly beginning to take shape.

"This is the biggest public impact project. With the creation of the Alleyway you'll have retail and bars," Downes said.

A few blocks over the third round-a-bout has been rounded out near the Alabama Statehouse.

"The whole idea is to bring life to the streets," said Downes.

Bringing life to downtown isn't happening overnight but it's been a steady transformation when you consider close to a hundred residential lofts have been built in the last 3 years. Most have either been rented out or sold.

"One developer bought three of these buildings and he's already sold one unit," Downes said.

And private investors have spent millions getting their buildings ready in the Alleyway. Whether you agree with what the city is doing or not, Dr. James Johnson, considered by some a national expert on urban development, says Montgomery is taking the right approach.

"You got to create a market. If you build it they will come but if you build it you got to find a way to keep them coming," said Johnson.

But it's clear not everyone has jumped on board just yet. For instance, you won't find a grocery store in downtown Montgomery and some believe we could use more downtown entertainment.

"I am personally working on getting grocery store here," said Downes.

A combination of grants and the growth from property taxes are paying for all the public construction. A risky venture, nevertheless, but one Downes is convinced is beginning to pay off block by block.

Reporter: Bryan Henry

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3388** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 7:09 PM**

Bobby Bright has done wonders with downtown. I wish he would stay.

OCA REP · #**3389** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alabadrock

Bobby Bright has done wonders with downtown. I wish he would stay.

Yes he has!

But, there is no guarantee he will not be staying. However, I would be glad (but sad) to give him up as Mayor if it puts him in the House of Representatives instead of Love. That is all I will say since this is not the place to discuss politics...

bystander1 · #**3390** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 7:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinlpugh

http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=8980812

Bringing life to downtown isn't happening overnight but it's been a steady transformation when you consider close to a hundred residential lofts have been built in the last 3 years. Most have either been rented out or sold.

"One developer bought three of these buildings and he's already sold one unit," Downes said.

Reporter: Bryan Henry

I believe he is referring to hiijakd's buildings on Perry Street.
Good work!

OCA REP · #**3391** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 8:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

I believe he is referring to hiijakd's buildings on Perry Street.
Good work!

They showed the Perry street buildings that hiijakd has on WSFA the other evening. It has been a while since he took me and thoraudio through them... I am really looking forward to seeing the finished products!

bystander1 · #**3392** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 9:17 PM**

Yes, it's been a while since I went through also, but he said he would take us through again as soon as he finishes his first building.

Also on the news they said the city has an agreement with a hotel developer for the property on the corner of Commerce and Bibb Streets. They would not release the hotel's name, but only said that more information would be given about the deal at the next council meeting.

Any guesses?

OCA REP · #**3393** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 9:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

Yes, it's been a while since I went through also, but he said he would take us through again as soon as he finishes his first building.

Also on the news they said the city has an agreement with a hotel developer for the property on the corner of Commerce and Bibb Streets. They would not release the hotel's name, but only said that more information would be given about the deal at the next council meeting.

Any guesses?

I say Hyatt Place, just based on previous conversations I have been privy too. On a related note, interesting Hyatt Place related talk happening on the Mobile Forum concerning the design of their "prototype" hotel and whether it is appropriate for the Mobile waterfront...

Brown Duckz · #**3394** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 10:16 PM**

Is this in addition to the hotel that will be in the renovated Colonial property at Montgomery/Commerce?

The talk before that was settled was that the hotel would be built on the corner property at Bibb/Commerce, but later it was said the developer chose the existing Colonial building. That sure is a lot of hotels in that block!

OCA REP · #**3395** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 10:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

Is this in addition to the hotel that will be in the renovated Colonial property at Montgomery/Commerce?

The talk before that was settled was that the hotel would be built on the corner property at Bibb/Commerce, but later it was said the developer chose the existing Colonial building. That sure is a lot of hotels in that block!

I think it will be at the corner of Bibb/Commerce. The news article referred to the corner parking lot and the old AmSouth drive in teller windows.

hiijakd · #**3396** Posted **Sep 10, 2008, 11:14 PM**

i get the feeling that you guys are hinting at a tour of perry st. I missed the call from jeff downes to be interviewed yesterday. oh well.
hey, i am running for mayor if bright goes to congress. anyone wanna help campaign?

Brown Duckz · #**3397** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 1:52 AM**

I'll put your sign in my front yard.

bystander1 · #**3398** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 4:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

i get the feeling that you guys are hinting at a tour of perry st. I missed the call from jeff downes to be interviewed yesterday. oh well.
hey, i am running for mayor if bright goes to congress. anyone wanna help campaign?

...just don't ban highrises.

hiijakd · #**3399** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 6:20 AM**

unfortunately the smart code only allows for buildings over 6 stories by special request and i am not sure who has the final power to make those decisions. montgomery is going for a feel more like DC and Paris in keeping building heights to a minimum for now. we have so much empty space that we need to fill in before we go up. i think tall buildings can be gorgeous, but, the only person with the fundage to build one in Montgomery now is RSA and i would hate to see another horrible mish-mash of non-styles like the tower go up. if they could get it together and make something nice like the battlehouse tower, i'd listen.

hey,
cuco's meeting?
next tues, 6:30?
anyone interested?

OCA REP · #**3400** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 1:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

hey,
cuco's meeting?
next tues, 6:30?
anyone interested?

Sounds good... and I am guessing some sort of tour would follow?