Mobile Development Thread - Page 174

BlessedMobile · #**3461** Posted **Jan 11, 2009, 7:41 PM**

I heard something the other day from a usually reliable source that sounded interesting. Searcy Hospital is closing their Mt. Vernon site but they are looking at moving to somewhere in Mobile with eyes on the old Providence. Employees were told that TK had bought the campus. Anyone confirm this?

nimsjus · #**3462** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 3:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I heard something the other day from a usually reliable source that sounded interesting. Searcy Hospital is closing their Mt. Vernon site but they are looking at moving to somewhere in Mobile with eyes on the old Providence. Employees were told that TK had bought the campus. Anyone confirm this?

I worked up there in December and there are talks of moving, but nothing was remotely close to happening. It takes money to pick up and move and there is not alot of that floating around right now. If schools are being told to cut back you can imagine what happens in less popular state agencies like mental health. I never heard the old providence as a potential site. USA owns it now and has nursing, physical therapy, and other programs there plus physician clinics and the VA. Everything I heard about a move was centered around the renting space at the long term care facility at the old Knolwood Hospital (now Infirmary West). The maintenance cost alone at Mt Vernon is far more expensive than paying rent to someone else. They are also having a difficult time getting physicians to work there because Mt Vernon is so far from Mobile and none of them want to live up there. Im sure it will face some stiff opposition from the publice no matter where they try to move it. Noone wants a mental hospital in there neighborhood.

BlessedMobile · #**3463** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 3:29 AM**

Nimsjus...thanks for your assessment. I know about the use of Providence but the Knollwood possibility is more plausible to me. I could not see Searcy closing without somewhere to go. There would be a lot of complaining by the neighbors wherever they would relocate. Please post what you hear as you sound to be much closer to what is going on than I am.

yeahwhatever · #**3464** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 6:43 AM**

i thought this was pretty cool and figured most of you would enjoy it

nimsjus · #**3465** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 3:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Nimsjus...thanks for your assessment. I know about the use of Providence but the Knollwood possibility is more plausible to me. I could not see Searcy closing without somewhere to go. There would be a lot of complaining by the neighbors wherever they would relocate. Please post what you hear as you sound to be much closer to what is going on than I am.

I'm out of the loop now as I am doing rotating internships for school and I have since moved on. That GM&O building is amazing. Where was that done? Todays paper has a great article about the potential for Mobile's Federal Courthouse Project to be included in a new public works program being discussed to stimulate the economy. Apparently our project is one of the top 5 on their list to get done. It has already been designed and land bought near Detonti Square.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1231755371171870.xml&coll=3
There was also an article on Sunday about the sale of the Amsouth Building falling through for the moment. The group that had "purchased" it ended up not ebing able to secure funding due to the absurdly tight credit market. THey said any other time they would have had no problem getting money for this project, but right now noone will lend. They are plan on continuing to try to make this project happen. Meanwhile a couple of other interested parties are touring the building and may make bids on it. Hopefully someone gets it going soon. There was also a seperate article on new RSA Tower tennants on the 32 and 33 floor. They have the highest occupied floor to date. the buidling is now 70-80% leased according to the article.

Port_of_Bama · #**3466** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

I worked up there in December and there are talks of moving, but nothing was remotely close to happening. It takes money to pick up and move and there is not alot of that floating around right now. If schools are being told to cut back you can imagine what happens in less popular state agencies like mental health. I never heard the old providence as a potential site. USA owns it now and has nursing, physical therapy, and other programs there plus physician clinics and the VA. Everything I heard about a move was centered around the renting space at the long term care facility at the old Knolwood Hospital (now Infirmary West). The maintenance cost alone at Mt Vernon is far more expensive than paying rent to someone else. They are also having a difficult time getting physicians to work there because Mt Vernon is so far from Mobile and none of them want to live up there. Im sure it will face some stiff opposition from the publice no matter where they try to move it. Noone wants a mental hospital in there neighborhood.

South`s nursing school will be moved to the new multi million dollar building Fall of 2009. The old providence location will no longer be the nursing school if you go on university you will se the new nursing school right on the corner huge building that is near complete. So it could be true that Searcy may be moving into the old providence but I do know that South`s Nursing school is moving on campus Fall of 09.

I wonder why Mobile is the top 5 I`m not complaining just wondering ? I like the rendering of the fed court house it looks very futuristic and would do that area some good. I remeber a few people was complaining about it breaking the street grid but I believe that it`s a big predestrian bridge that will connect it to another other side of the building and not just a building it self.
Hopefuly ground will bw broken to help boost the conomy and our I-10 route will be changed as well to help aid in the economy.

SouthSky · #**3467** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

There was also a seperate article on new RSA Tower tennants on the 32 and 33 floor. They have the highest occupied floor to date. the buidling is now 70-80% leased according to the article.

I've been up in the top of the RSA Tower and if I am not mistaken, the 34th floor is occupied.

(Maybe?)

Anyone know the occupancy of the AmSouth Tower?

nimsjus · #**3468** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 6:22 PM**

I totally forgot about USA finishing up that health science building there facing university. It looks really nice. I guess that would make the old providence more available. I havent heard any news about USA getting rid of it or not.
As for the Amsouth building, I tried to go back and find the article saying the deal fell through and I could not find it anywhere. If I remember correctly it said that they were about 50% full. Toomey said that the tennants are just signing short term leases until a new owner is settled on. He said they have several prospective tennants, but none of them will get on board until they can sign a longer term lease when the new owner is established.
I went downtown last weekend. The new Hampton looks awesome. It really adds alot to that block. Also the old Neisner's Building that Hargrove Engineering redid looks really great. Ever since I can remember the big front windows of the old department store had been covered with crappy looking painted murals that looked like they were made by local 1st graders. Now it is a big open reception area with wood floors and modern fixtures. They also added an awesome balcony that is not original to the building, but looks really good. They will have a great spot for Mardi Gras now.

CottonCity251 · #**3469** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 7:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

I totally forgot about USA finishing up that health science building there facing university. It looks really nice. I guess that would make the old providence more available. I havent heard any news about USA getting rid of it or not.
As for the Amsouth building, I tried to go back and find the article saying the deal fell through and I could not find it anywhere. If I remember correctly it said that they were about 50% full. Toomey said that the tennants are just signing short term leases until a new owner is settled on. He said they have several prospective tennants, but none of them will get on board until they can sign a longer term lease when the new owner is established.
I went downtown last weekend. The new Hampton looks awesome. It really adds alot to that block. Also the old Neisner's Building that Hargrove Engineering redid looks really great. Ever since I can remember the big front windows of the old department store had been covered with crappy looking painted murals that looked like they were made by local 1st graders. Now it is a big open reception area with wood floors and modern fixtures. They also added an awesome balcony that is not original to the building, but looks really good. They will have a great spot for Mardi Gras now.

Wonder if Hargrove is moving all there offices to that one location?? I know they have two other offices in the area; one at Washington Ave. and Hank Aaron Loop and the other in the white office building up Government St. near Dollar General and the beauty supply place.
I see work is coming along on the Courthouse Annex also. I really wish Metro could be moved and something nice could be incorporated into that area.

MNT · #**3470** Posted **Jan 12, 2009, 9:29 PM**

Just wanted to include a rendering of the Safdie design for the U.S. Courthouse in Mobile. I read the article that nimsjus linked to above and was really happy to hear about some forward momentum on the project. I lived in Savannah and was going to SCAD during the design and construction of the Jepson Center at the Telfair Museum, and Moshe Safdie's design for that building was delayed over and over by historic preservation officials concerned with the placement of a modern building in Savannah's historic district. We certainly don't have that problem with this project. The new courthouse would place an amazing public building on two blocks in an area of downtown currently dominated by parking lots, in the shadow of the RSA tower.

I had the chance to meet Moshe Safdie after the Jepson Center was finished. He's an amazing architect and Mobile should be really proud to have his work in our city.

BlessedMobile · #**3471** Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 2:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CottonCity251

Wonder if Hargrove is moving all there offices to that one location?? I know they have two other offices in the area; one at Washington Ave. and Hank Aaron Loop and the other in the white office building up Government St. near Dollar General and the beauty supply place.
I see work is coming along on the Courthouse Annex also. I really wish Metro could be moved and something nice could be incorporated into that area.

I met one of the higher managers a while back and he said they intended to move everyone to the new office.

BlessedMobile · #**3472** Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 2:58 AM**

I read with surprise on al.com that Ron Johnson is a local developer selling 64 lots at distress. Ronnie works for The Mitchell Company; its their development. There was no mention of The Mitchell Company in the article. Mitchell is on hard times but surely they can man-up to selling the lots.

http://www.al.com/business/press-register/insider.ssf?/base/business/1231668936150190.xml&coll=3

nimsjus · #**3473** Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 10:26 PM**

A couple of unrelated things I meant to mention a while back and forgot about until today...
FIrst of all if you get a chance to buy or read this months issue of Mobile Bay Monthly I would recommend it. It is an Old and New Issue I guess for the New Year. It has an article with a list of the Top 10 Architectural Losses in Mobile over the years. Also an article on restaurants that have been around Mobile for a long time and have become local icons. Also a big article with lots of good picture called Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow that shows similar views/buildings at different points in time. The whole issue was pretty cool.
The other thing is my wife and I went to The Bull restaurant (downtown on Dauphin) the night of the Colbi Callait concert at the Saenger and the food was great. It is upscale Latin/Spanish Food. It was a nice change of pace from the usual offerings at many of the local places. She had a pinwheel of pork that came with some amazing potatoes and I had duck in a mole sauce. Wine was good dessert was tres leches and was pretty good. I would recommend it. We also were able to buy a gift certificate from www.restaurant.com where they sell restaurant gift certificates at discounted prices. There are 10-15 local places on the site that do similar deals. We bought certificates to Cafe Royal, The Bull, Cafe 615 and Blu Bistro over Christmas when they were running a deal where 25$ certificate cost 4$. Normally I think you get a 25$ certificate for 10$, which is still a good deal.

Electrical Porpoise · #**3474** Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 10:46 PM**

Why is is so hard to design courthouses for Mobile? Dont get me wrong, its a cool looking building and is well designed, but we need something more historic looking.

BlessedMobile · #**3475** Posted **Jan 14, 2009, 2:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

A couple of unrelated things I meant to mention a while back and forgot about until today...
FIrst of all if you get a chance to buy or read this months issue of Mobile Bay Monthly I would recommend it. It is an Old and New Issue I guess for the New Year. It has an article with a list of the Top 10 Architectural Losses in Mobile over the years. Also an article on restaurants that have been around Mobile for a long time and have become local icons. Also a big article with lots of good picture called Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow that shows similar views/buildings at different points in time. The whole issue was pretty cool.
The other thing is my wife and I went to The Bull restaurant (downtown on Dauphin) the night of the Colbi Callait concert at the Saenger and the food was great. It is upscale Latin/Spanish Food. It was a nice change of pace from the usual offerings at many of the local places. She had a pinwheel of pork that came with some amazing potatoes and I had duck in a mole sauce. Wine was good dessert was tres leches and was pretty good. I would recommend it. We also were able to buy a gift certificate from www.restaurant.com where they sell restaurant gift certificates at discounted prices. There are 10-15 local places on the site that do similar deals. We bought certificates to Cafe Royal, The Bull, Cafe 615 and Blu Bistro over Christmas when they were running a deal where 25$ certificate cost 4$. Normally I think you get a 25$ certificate for 10$, which is still a good deal.

Nimsjus...thanks for the tip about the restaurant coupon site. Those are some very good deals. I am going to send this to some of my "restaurant going" friends.

MobileLSUboy2005 · #**3476** Posted **Jan 14, 2009, 10:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

Why is is so hard to design courthouses for Mobile? Dont get me wrong, its a cool looking building and is well designed, but we need something more historic looking.

haha seriously! i know so many people from Mobile and not that think we have a serious issue with designing courthouses....mainly the Government Plaza....sheesh...i keep hoping a hurricane will blow those ridiculous sail-looking roof panels right off!

CottonCity251 · #**3477** Posted **Jan 15, 2009, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobileLSUboy2005

haha seriously! i know so many people from Mobile and not that think we have a serious issue with designing courthouses....mainly the Government Plaza....sheesh...i keep hoping a hurricane will blow those ridiculous sail-looking roof panels right off!

I like the design...I wish they would have went upward so it could only take one city block. Looks modern with a historic touch with the columns and all. Everything downtown doesn't have to be historic you know, we need a little diversity. I say preserve what we already have and build today's architecture also...more of the New South, less of the Old South.

Also, when I went downtown yesterday I noticed how better N. Royal St. looks with the addition of the Hampton and Hargrove's office. Ft. Conde Village really has enormous potential...could be Mobile's French Quarter, it is the oldest neighborhood in the city dating back to the founding. The exit ramp off I-10 really hampers what it really could be. Hope more people jump on the wagon to get that demolished. I went by the old American Bank Building lot that Mike Cowart, developer of the downtown Hampton, now owns and it is fenced in with two rig trailers, a portable, and material on the ground...thought it was suppose to be a parking lot until further notice??...anybody?

Verve · #**3478** Posted **Jan 15, 2009, 3:32 PM**

I agree about the design of the new federal courthouse. It is very forward-looking and is a design by a renowed architect. If we stuck with the traditional historic design, we'd never get past the Georgian style and architecture would never advance.

Despite what people think about the Government Plaza building, years from now that design will be something valued for being different. That sentiment might not occur in many of our lifetimes but there are a lot buildings that we treasure now that were not so well received in its day.

Electrical Porpoise · #**3479** Posted **Jan 15, 2009, 5:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verve

Despite what people think about the Government Plaza building, years from now that design will be something valued for being different.

Hopefully that different will be because it burned down.

MobileLSUboy2005 · #**3480** Posted **Jan 15, 2009, 7:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

Hopefully that different will be because it burned down.

hahahaha yeaaa

well, i dont dislike the new courthouse design, but I too wish it would've gone vertically so that it could be seen in the skyline and not take up 2 blocks....i am all for modern architecture; i wasnt suggesting i didnt like the ideas they had