Montgomery development news - Page 171

Bogue · #**3401** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 6:49 PM**

Quote:

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.

Seems to be a common problem for people. Most folk are having issues getting those in downtown areas. I think it's b/c they're so used to having the big parking lots in front of their facilities. I brought it up on the Mobile thread a while back, but farmers markets are a better option. Lots of wonderful things grown in the area of Montgomery. Another option might be helping get a local independent grocer off his/her feet in a location like that w/ some tax incentives.

OCA REP · #**3402** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogue

Seems to be a common problem for people. Most folk are having issues getting those in downtown areas. I think it's b/c they're so used to having the big parking lots in front of their facilities. I brought it up on the Mobile thread a while back, but farmers markets are a better option. Lots of wonderful things grown in the area of Montgomery. Another option might be helping get a local independent grocer off his/her feet in a location like that w/ some tax incentives.

We have a great farmers maket downtown now. Several years back we did have a downtown grocery store. It was in the basement area of a large Kress-type store. It sure was nice for those of us that worked downtown to be able to walk over and pick up things during the work day.

bystander1 · #**3403** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 8:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

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

I'm in.

thoraudio · #**3404** Posted **Sep 11, 2008, 9:00 PM**

I'll try to make the meet, but my father-in-law is very sick right now, and my wife or I usually sit with him on tuesday or thursday.

Had a thought the other day about something that needs to happen.

If you've ever been Charleston (or even if you haven't) they have something really neat on Market St.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FO...e=11543047&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

It's basically a covered market that people can set up booths in. Souvenirs, jewelry, fruit's and veggies, art, etc..... whatever. It runs about 3 blocks on Market, right in the heart.

Coosa St. would be perfect, for such a thing.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FO...ne=8735802&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

From the park, all the way up to Monroe is extra wide... really too wide for the amount of traffic. Put one of these covered markets there in the middle lane, and you'd have a real draw for tourists and locals alike.

bystander1 · #**3405** Posted **Sep 12, 2008, 3:15 AM**

^ I agree. It's good that the Riverfront District is getting more "nightlife" type of activities, but it would help to have more of the "Saturday morning" type of activities too. That's why I like the Arts & Crafts festivals that have moved downtown over the last few years.

hiijakd · #**3406** Posted **Sep 12, 2008, 4:01 AM**

lack of a grocery store is the response that most people come up with when they want to have an excuse but know nothing about the downtown area and all of the other factors involved. it is more a regurgitated argument with no real basis. there are actually three grocery stores within 3 miles of downtown. most people drive about that far from the safety of their exclusive communities anyway.
for comparison, bham has over 7000 residents and no grocery store. so that isn't really a barrier to development that people claim it to be.
OCA is right, we have a great farmers market here on madison. especially when they have white peaches in season. we need to be buying local anyway.

futuremm · #**3407** Posted **Sep 12, 2008, 8:53 PM**

The alley should provide more entertainment options; the riverfront is asleep at the wheel, maybe with the boat coming that should help them. What I see in the bigger cities urban areas our market deli combo’s. That would be nice.

philopdx · #**3408** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

lack of a grocery store is the response that most people come up with when they want to have an excuse but know nothing about the downtown area and all of the other factors involved. it is more a regurgitated argument with no real basis. there are actually three grocery stores within 3 miles of downtown. most people drive about that far from the safety of their exclusive communities anyway.
for comparison, bham has over 7000 residents and no grocery store. so that isn't really a barrier to development that people claim it to be.
OCA is right, we have a great farmers market here on madison. especially when they have white peaches in season. we need to be buying local anyway.

How about Western Supermarket, Piggly Wiggly, Family Supermarket, Chai's Asian Market, 5 points market, Kangaroo Express and South Town Market? They aren't Whole Foods by any means, but it's certainly do-able.

I think an urban core reaches a tipping point when a city becomes walkable, so you don't have to get in a car to drive three miles to get food. That tipping point may be reached in Montgomery, some sunny day...in the 22nd century

In the meantime, Montgomery should start with something small and preferably local. Even a 7-11 type place would be nice, so one could fetch skim milk and Cool Ranch Doritos on late-night jaunts through swarms of mosqutios.

Here, you can catch a glimpse of Whole Foods on the left in my adopted hometown - in a land over the hills and far, far away. This district wouldn't have happened without a herculean government effort and lots of help and support from the community. What was once sketchy is now the hippest place for the nouveau riche to live!

hiijakd · #**3409** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 5:01 AM**

i grew up in birmingham and piggly wiggly on clairmont was my grocery store. i love those kinds of places, especially the western on highland, but i don't consider those areas the downtown core. the downtown core in my opinion is from the red mountain expressway to 65 and from 4th ave s to 59 at the civic center. 5 points south, forest park the UAB campus are are not included in the 7000 residents number.
i definitely agree that we need some sort of small market but we only have about 75 residents in our downtown core so there will have to be plenty of the daytime employees to help support the market. prepared meals would be a great idea to draw those folks.

| BRAVO | · #**3410** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 12:29 PM**

hiijackd grew up in Birmingham? I had no idea.

hiijakd · #**3411** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 1:39 PM**

yep,
i lived there until i was 23.
i went to avondale elementary, avondale united methodist church, played baseball at southside, went to putnam for middle school, then went to Altamont for high school. I lived in hoover for a year after i finished my degree at BSC. so i am very very familiar with all that bham has to offer. if you are familiar with forest park, i lived on cliff rd. my entire life in an english tutor on the high side, just below the cannon on altamont.

bystander1 · #**3412** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by philopdx

How about Western Supermarket, Piggly Wiggly, Family Supermarket, Chai's Asian Market, 5 points market, Kangaroo Express and South Town Market? They aren't Whole Foods by any means, but it's certainly do-able.

I think an urban core reaches a tipping point when a city becomes walkable, so you don't have to get in a car to drive three miles to get food. That tipping point may be reached in Montgomery, some sunny day...in the 22nd century

In the meantime, Montgomery should start with something small and preferably local. Even a 7-11 type place would be nice, so one could fetch skim milk and Cool Ranch Doritos on late-night jaunts through swarms of mosqutios.

Here, you can catch a glimpse of Whole Foods on the left in my adopted hometown - in a land over the hills and far, far away. This district wouldn't have happened without a herculean government effort and lots of help and support from the community. What was once sketchy is now the hippest place for the nouveau riche to live!

Hmm, sorry Mr. sarcastic, but that doesn't look too 'hip' to me...kinda tacky looking.

| BRAVO | · #**3413** Posted **Sep 13, 2008, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

yep,
i lived there until i was 23.
i went to avondale elementary, avondale united methodist church, played baseball at southside, went to putnam for middle school, then went to Altamont for high school. I lived in hoover for a year after i finished my degree at BSC. so i am very very familiar with all that bham has to offer. if you are familiar with forest park, i lived on cliff rd. my entire life in an english tutor on the high side, just below the cannon on altamont.

Well that certainly is interesting. Our loss...Montgomery's gain.

I'll be pulling for you for mayor.

hiijakd · #**3414** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 12:53 AM**

well i appreciate that. i will need all the support i can get..

hey motown folks let me know about tuesday night at cuco's. i am going to be there. do you want to go on a tour first before it gets dark?

we could meet at perry street at 6 or 6:30 then head around the corner to eat.

kevinlpugh · #**3415** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 3:30 AM**

He could put one of his stores downtown, and that would quiet complaints of minority involvement.

OCA REP · #**3416** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinlpugh

He could put one of his stores downtown, and that would quiet complaints of minority involvement.

Who's complaining about minority involvment? And besides, Greg could not make a go of it with his store on Mt. Meigs Road... and that was about the CLOSEST grocery store to downtown, unless his one on Bell Street is a little closer.

OCA REP · #**3417** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

well i appreciate that. i will need all the support i can get..

hey motown folks let me know about tuesday night at cuco's. i am going to be there. do you want to go on a tour first before it gets dark?

we could meet at perry street at 6 or 6:30 then head around the corner to eat.

6:00 PM sounds good with some touring prior to dinner, but either works for me...

Plowboy · #**3418** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 11:05 PM**

What is Cuco's and where is it?

DruidCity · #**3419** Posted **Sep 14, 2008, 11:29 PM**

Does troubled Lehman Brothers still have a presence in Montgomery of any sort ? http://www.lehman.com/who/

Brown Duckz · #**3420** Posted **Sep 15, 2008, 1:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plowboy

What is Cuco's and where is it?

Cuco's Mexican Cafe. Local owned, awesome food. It's on Court St in the Court Square block.