Montgomery development news

[Brown Duckz]

I85/East Blvd widening was on the news. Exactly what are they going to do there?

[OldCloverdale]

Construction is underway to widen the bridge on East Boulevard at I-85.

Workers will extend the existing turn lane that feeds onto the Interstate. Lane closings that impact traffic will occur mostly during the evening.

During construction, motorists can expect intermittent lane closings, delays and heavy enforcement. Motorists should consider using alternate routes, slow their speed and use great caution as well as adjusting schedules to account for possible delays.

As the construction progresses, further advisories will be forthcoming, including the use of the ALDOT Highway Advisory Radio, which is available in the Montgomery area on 1690 AM.

The $3.14 million project by Alabama Bridge Builders of Pelham should be completed by late summer of 2009.

[thoraudio]

high water at the riverfront. Pics courtesy of The Montgomery Advertiser

[bystander1]

River Run to reopen
By Tom Ensey • January 10, 2009

The Poarch Creek Indian Tribe has put the River Run Golf Course back in business.

The 36-hole, two-course complex, located near Emerald Mountain, will reopen Jan. 19 with a new name and new owners, according to the club's general manager.

The tribe, which operates a casino in Montgomery County and two others in the state, bought the troubled property that closed last month after it ran out of money.

Cam Hardigree, who served as general manager for the previous owner, Michael Forbus, will continue in the same position.

The complex, which is next to the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation and the Tallapoosa Casino, will be renamed Tallapoosa Lakes, he said.

"The Indians are going to put the necessary money into this to maintain it at a high level," Hardigree said. "They have made a major commitment to have as nice a facility as possible. People will see many, many changes that will benefit the golfers of the Montgomery area."

The course will purchase about $750,000 in new equipment and golf carts, he said, and the facility is being rewired to accommodate 110 new battery operated carts, which will be in service by March.

The bar and grill won't be fully open on Jan. 19, Hardigree said, but it will eventually reopen as a full service dining facility.

Broken places in the cart paths on both courses will be repaved and the 1,100 or so golfers who bought membership packages will remain members under the new owners.

"The Indians will fully honor all memberships," Hardigree said. "And that's a big deal, because they are receiving no revenue from Mr. Forbus."

One member was delighted to hear the news.

"Man, that's good," said Lytle Allen. "I thought I might have lost my membership. I'm sure they'll have the resources to improve it -- it was always a pretty good place to play, and get in a reasonably priced round of golf. I've missed it since it closed."

The course has not hired back all 18 employees who lost their jobs -- along with the three weeks' back pay they're owed. But Hardigree said once all the improvements are complete, the restaurant and club would employ "45 to 55 workers."

The food and beverage manager has been rehired, Hardigree said, getting the restaurant ready to go. The course superintendent is back on board and hustling to get both courses back into playing shape with a crew of about five or six.

"We will offer a very attractive membership package later in the week," Hardigree said. "It will be the most attractive in the River Region."

The course also will allow non-members to play, as it always has.

This is the first venture into golf by the Poarch Creek Indians, whose casinos are in Atmore and Wetumpka. Calls to the cell phones of Forbus and Tim Martin, the tribe's chief financial officer, were not immediately returned.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090110/NEWS01/901100371

This happened sooner than I expected. The late Eddie Tullis, former Tribal Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, mentioned the long-range plans for the casino years ago saying that one day it would become a large resort with amenities like fine dining, golf, concerts, and a luxury hotel. That's why most of us knew that they had plans to one day buy the River Run golf course and incorporate it into their planned development...since the casino sits next to it already.

This was a good opportunity for the Creek Indians to buy the golf course right now for a very good price. But Tullis said the Montgomery casino's upgrade was planned for last--after upgrading the one in Atmore first, then Wetumpka's second.

Now that Atmore is finished, they're in the process of moving the old metal buildings from Atmore to Wetumpka to serve as a temporary gaming facility there while they demolish the current building and build a new one--along with the hotel, an arena, and possibly a dock for the riverboat.

[Brown Duckz]

I drove through the interchange tonight at nightfall on my way back from Tuscaloosa. The skyline looks super nice with the riverfront infill & is very impressive looking from the many vantage points. Montgomery needs a new tallest signature tower and some nice condo/mixed use infill. That would create a very impressive skyline for the demographics of the MGM metro. Hopefully the Alleyway and other future dining/entertainment developments will create a surge for Montgomery being a destination. This would really improve the economy and success of RSA & the convention center's mission.

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by thoraudio

Pictures from where they installed the Water Tower today at the other end of the alley.

Source = The Montgomery Advertiser

Mary Ann Neeley, noted local historian (and a friend), wrote the following Letter to the Editor which appeared in The Montgomery Advertiser on Sunday:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090113/OPINION02/901130347

Watertower site ignores history

January 13, 2009

The Lower Commerce Street Historic District is nationally recognized as one of the finest examples of late 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings in the country, and the preservation efforts of private firms, working closely with city government, have been widely noted for their endeavors.

Now, however, the recently installed water tower blocking the sidewalk on the south side of Tallapoosa Street is a major imposition upon the historic character and meticulous restorations of the past 30 years.

There were practical purposes for the water towers that once dotted the skyline of the district; they provided water for various purposes, reduced owners' insurance rates and served as identification . They have long been significant markings on the skyscape. Not a single one was in the middle of the sidewalk .

Much talent, labor and money has gone into the restoration and preservation of our historic structures and landscape, and all past and present participants are commended for their dedication to our rich heritage. It is, though, difficult to understand the reasoning behind this placement.

History, preservation and water towers deserve better.

Mary Ann Neeley
Montgomery

[bystander1]

I like you Ann, but don't forget to take your medicine.

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by bystander1

I like you Ann, but don't forget to take your medicine.

LOL. I think of all of us on here she is probably the least medicated!

She, of course, is approaching this from an almost entirely historic standpoint. I agree with her thoughts but also understand what they were going for by placing the water tower as an official entrance to the alleyway project.

I just wanted to share her thoughts since she is such a well respected historian, especially in the River Region.

[bystander1]

Jinright confirmed on WAKA that the city has been in the negotiation stages to build the aquarium along the riverwalk. Plans are also underway for the Wright Brothers museum along the riverfront near Maxwell AFB, where the riverwalk will eventually connect to.

[Brown Duckz]

What type of aquarium? How large?

Also, can someone confirm there are some new condos possibly just funished at court square? It seems that this topic hasn't been discussed at all lately.

I know Byron is doing the ones on Perry, but what other projects are going on?

Is Grandview still a go?

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

What type of aquarium? How large?

don't know...no real details given...

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

Also, can someone confirm there are some new condos possibly just funished at court square? It seems that this topic hasn't been discussed at all lately.

I know Byron is doing the ones on Perry, but what other projects are going on?

...looks like someone is renovating a building a few doors down from Byron, not sure who though.

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

Is Grandview still a go?

...from what I've heard, yes.

[hiijakd]

Alright, you guys know how to get me to respond don't you.

As far as the condos. Josh Mandel and Miles DeMott have finished the second phase of their MOntgomery Fair project. Thats what you are probably hearing about.

I have the two on Perry street still but I am working on finding the money to do them. If anyone wants to partner on one of them, I will make you a really good deal and you could make a ton of money in the long run.

The other building on Perry that is being worked on belongs to Hobson Cox. He is converting it into a residence. I am doing some of the demo work on it, but not much else there.

As for the Grandview. Kim disappeared off the radar for a long while. I happened to see him driving down Perry street and he stopped for a minute. He says he is still going to go through with it, BUT he is waiting on the economy to turn around. So we'll have to wait and see how serious he actually is about it.

Other than that, not much else happening.
I sure hope we don't build an aquarium. They are the "hot idea" of 15 years ago and since we have one in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and New Orleans, it doesn't make sense to me to build one here. How bout we come up with an original idea instead of just following 10 years behind everyone else.

Oh yeah
BERRY FOR MAYOR

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by hiijakd

I sure hope we don't build an aquarium. They are the "hot idea" of 15 years ago and since we have one in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and New Orleans, it doesn't make sense to me to build one here. How bout we come up with an original idea instead of just following 10 years behind everyone else.

I agree; let the aquarium idea drown!

I like the idea of a Wright Brothers Museum if it is done right. I do not know how large of a museum it is planned to be, but it would be great if they could work an IMAX theatre into the mix. That would be a draw that Montgomery currently does not have.

[bystander1]

Originally Posted by hiijakd

As for the Grandview. Kim disappeared off the radar for a long while. I happened to see him driving down Perry street and he stopped for a minute. He says he is still going to go through with it, BUT he is waiting on the economy to turn around. So we'll have to wait and see how serious he actually is about it.

You sound like you don't believe him...



As far as the aquarium thing, I used to feel the same way, but now I feel like it can only help as an added attraction to the riverfront district as a whole. It doesn't have to be the world's largest...

[hiijakd]

but we need something to be a regional draw. a less than the best aquarium isn't going to be the draw we need it to be. i think the resources would be better spent having the newest, most cutting edge, first of whatever we do build.

i think that the first thing we need to do is to get our tourism in better shape. it is severely lacking compared to what it could be. then we can focus on bigger stuff.

[skycaptain]

It would be terrific if an infill building could be constructed on the north end of the Embassy Suites parking lot. That is under-utilized piece of urban land if there ever was one. Perhaps a two or three-story building with street-level retail and condos or apts. on top? That corner is a major gateway to the riverfront. It should look the part.

[OCA REP]

The announcement was finally made for the hotel development at the corner of Bibb and Commerce.

From The Montgomery Advertiser:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090116/NEWS01/901160321&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Plans for 2 Hotels Moving Forward

By Jill Nolin • January 16, 2009

Two hotels and a parking deck are being planned for downtown Montgomery at the corner of Bibb and Commerce streets, but if they are to be built, the City Council must first allow the interim mayor to handle the negotiations.

The project, which city officials say would make the city's downtown even more attractive to large conventions, has been in the works for several months and is now ready for the "next level," according to executive mayoral assistant Jeff Downes.

"Suffice to say that we're excited about the potential of the private sector coming in and making what might be and could be a $30 million to $35 million investment in downtown Montgomery and further adding to our redevelopment efforts," Downes said late Thursday afternoon.

But before Mayor Charles Jinright can start that process, he must first get authorization to do so from the City Council, according to Downes. The council is expected to vote on it Tuesday night.

The proposed development is for two hotels -- a Hyatt Place and a MainStay Suites -- and a parking deck across the street from the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, but the mixed-use development may not come without compromise on the city's part.

The city would contribute less than an acre of public property, which is where the old Frank Leu building once stood but is now a 66-space parking lot. The city may also use a portion of the lodging tax to pay for the parking deck.

These are the details that Jinright would work out with out-of-town developers Courtland Dusseau, Morgan Burkett and Charles Perry, according to Downes. The developers, who have Alabama connections, most recently built a Hyatt Place in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Jinright said that while the city is researching the possibility of using the lodging tax for the parking deck, it had not yet been determined what the city's return would be for that kind of investment.

The city has contributed far more to partner with other downtown developers. It invested $29 million and city property into the Renaissance project.

The project would put more than 200 hotel rooms right next to the Renaissance. That would pay off when the city competes for large conventions, according to Downes.

Jinright used the Air Force Information Technology Conference as an example of the impact that major conventions have on the local economy. That particular conference brought more than 5,000 people to downtown.

Downes said the project could be completed by 2011 if everything goes smoothly. That includes the sale of the property, which is mostly owned by Colonial Bank.

"It should help attract some larger conventions and open us up to additional markets ... In addition to that, it continues the effort of downtown revitalization and rebuilds what is currently an empty half block of downtown Montgomery," Downes said.

Downes said the developers are also willing to work with city planners to ensure that the appearance of the building matches the rest of downtown.

"It's going to be a great addition. It complements what we've got and fills a void," Jinright said.

[thoraudio]

Picture from The Montgomery Advertiser.



And that's a really bad rendering.... wrong buildings all over the place. They've got Commerce buldings on Lee St.

Oh, and I'm all for it... but the big question will be 'how does it address Commerce St?'

[rbp]

Originally Posted by skycaptain

It would be terrific if an infill building could be constructed on the north end of the Embassy Suites parking lot. That is under-utilized piece of urban land if there ever was one. Perhaps a two or three-story building with street-level retail and condos or apts. on top? That corner is a major gateway to the riverfront. It should look the part.

At some point there was talk about this being green space and I think that would be much better use of the space. Embassy Suites blocks enough of Union Station, a building that was meant to be appreciated at a distance.

[thoraudio]

Originally Posted by rbp

At some point there was talk about this being green space and I think that would be much better use of the space. Embassy Suites blocks enough of Union Station, a building that was meant to be appreciated at a distance.

I agree with you, somewhat. I've always thought the Embassy was in a horrible location.

But.... there was a link on here a while back about why some places work for public/green space, and some don't, and it really clicked with me.

Destination public/green spaces don't usually work. By destination, I mean, that the public/green space is the only reason to go there. I think this is the reason that the beautiful Riverwalk is usually deserted. It's not convienent or easy to get to, and there is no other reason to go.

Now, imagine a green space in the parking lot. Who is going to go? A few people from the lawyers offices for a sack lunch? Is somebody going to drive all the way down there to throw a frisbee?

Imagine a mall food court with no restaurants. A nice bright, open space with plenty of seating.... is anybody going to sit there?

My vision would be small 2 story brick buildings with retail/restaurants facing Commerce. That would give lower Commerce a great feel (very unbalanced and disjointed now), AND give people a reason to go to the Riverwalk.

they would be small enough that there could be green space behind them, maybe combined with the Embassy parking lot (make them park in the new, underused deck).