Mobile Development Thread - Page 208

BuenaVista · #**4141** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 2:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

^Those sign bridge assemblies, along with the titled concrete pavement, give Broad Street a gritty industrial nature. They've been there for more than 25 years. I'll personally miss them when they are eventually dismantled. I should snag a few panels for my collection.

I am not so sure that a former residential street on the way back up needs a gritty, industrial aura. A paved center lane certainly gave that feeling- I thank the landscaped center medians are a vast improvement!

Port_of_Bama · #**4142** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 3:14 PM**

Since the south side of Borad is more residentual and had oak trees to compliment the new magnolia medians. I think the North should have king palms planted in the median because there are no oaks on the side. The signs could always be placed on the left and right side of both directions instead. More like the tourist directional signs downtown,if not I say go digital. I could also see brown stone type apartments on Broad.

NitekKetin · #**4143** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 4:22 PM**

^I like the idea of King Palms. To add to that, that other pocket park at the Dauphin/St. Francis/Broad intersection should be overhauled and feature more vegetation. Oh yes, the homeless/whinos/crackheads of Downtown will be surely impressed. j/k

CottonCity251 · #**4144** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 5:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

^I like the idea of King Palms. To add to that, that other pocket park at the Dauphin/St. Francis/Broad intersection should be overhauled and feature more vegetation. Oh yes, the homeless/whinos/crackheads of Downtown will be surely impressed. j/k

I agree about the little pocket park. Looks like its going to be all concrete surrounded by concrete. Hope it has some shade, if not it'll be pretty toasty these days...its been hot as hell and its just begun!

Pass by the courthouse annex today on my way back from the Original Oyster House and I really like the bulding...can't wait til its finish.

Oh yea, about a Changs location one thing we do know we'll travel from a far to eat what we want. So where ever it goes, if its as good as yall say, it'll do fine. Let just get one first!

BuenaVista · #**4145** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 7:31 PM**

Development Buzz

Much speculation still surrounds the Retirement Systems of Alabama's plans for the former AmSouth Building, including the meaning of its new name: the GM Building. We're told exciting renovation plans are still being developed and hopefully Dr. David Bronner will reveal his vision when he addresses the annual meeting of the Downtown Mobile Alliance in September (see the related article below).

Meanwhile, major announcements continue to set a remarkable pace in Downtown Mobile. Birmingham hotel developer Mike Cowart, who finished the new Hampton Inn in record time, has announced his plans for the site of the American National Building at St. Joseph and St. Louis Streets. Once again in partnership with the Edmonds family, he'll be building an 81-room Candlewood Suites Hotel, designed for the extended stay business traveler. He plans to break ground in early August, and if experience is any indication, business travelers will be able to rest their weary heads well before the end of next year. The project will feature such energy saving innovations as a solar-heated saltwater pool and solar panels to help heat water used by hotel staff.

Port_of_Bama · #**4146** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 8:09 PM**

^^^ I hope that building get a glass exterior.

bayou15 · #**4147** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

he'll be building an 81-room Candlewood Suites Hotel

WTF?

Waste of infill space between the RSA Tower and the bank building. Well at least another park wasnt mention !

SouthSky · #**4148** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 8:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuenaVista

Development Buzz

Much speculation still surrounds the Retirement Systems of Alabama's plans for the former AmSouth Building, including the meaning of its new name: the GM Building. We're told exciting renovation plans are still being developed and hopefully Dr. David Bronner will reveal his vision when he addresses the annual meeting of the Downtown Mobile Alliance in September (see the related article below).

Meanwhile, major announcements continue to set a remarkable pace in Downtown Mobile. Birmingham hotel developer Mike Cowart, who finished the new Hampton Inn in record time, has announced his plans for the site of the American National Building at St. Joseph and St. Louis Streets. Once again in partnership with the Edmonds family, he'll be building an 81-room Candlewood Suites Hotel, designed for the extended stay business traveler. He plans to break ground in early August, and if experience is any indication, business travelers will be able to rest their weary heads well before the end of next year. The project will feature such energy saving innovations as a solar-heated saltwater pool and solar panels to help heat water used by hotel staff.

Where did you get this information?

BuenaVista · #**4149** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 9:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Where did you get this information?

Carol Hunter with the Downtown Improvement District, of which i am a member

BuenaVista · #**4150** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou15

WTF?

Waste of infill space between the RSA Tower and the bank building. Well at least another park wasnt mention !

The propsed hotel is three blocks from the RSA tower! I believe the hotel itself would be called infill! Odd comment

BuenaVista · #**4151** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CottonCity251

I agree about the little pocket park. Looks like its going to be all concrete surrounded by concrete. Hope it has some shade, if not it'll be pretty toasty these days...its been hot as hell and its just begun!

Pass by the courthouse annex today on my way back from the Original Oyster House and I really like the bulding...can't wait til its finish.

Oh yea, about a Changs location one thing we do know we'll travel from a far to eat what we want. So where ever it goes, if its as good as yall say, it'll do fine. Let just get one first!

the vacant land at Dauphin/ St. Francis and Broad is scheduled to become a park. the only thing lacking is funding.

SouthSky · #**4152** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 9:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuenaVista

Carol Hunter with the Downtown Improvement District, of which i am a member

Great... when do you think they will release this information publicly?

BuenaVista · #**4153** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 9:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Great... when do you think they will release this information publicly?

Here is the link to their site. You do not have to own a business downtown to join- they have various categories of membership:
http://www.downtownmobile.org/membership.html

http://www.downtownmobile.org/news.html?category=Downtown%20Alliance%20News

nouveau_Mauvilla · #**4154** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 10:15 PM**

BuenaVista, you beat me to it. I was going to post that info.

But, on a more serious note, how large would an 81 room hotel be? I can't really picture it, but I'm thinking not too tall? At least it's going to be (at least partially) green!

Port_of_Bama · #**4155** Posted **Jun 18, 2009, 10:25 PM**

I hope it`s atleast a 12 story midrise.

NitekKetin · #**4156** Posted **Jun 19, 2009, 2:12 AM**

Candlewood Suites appears to be a quality brand, so it's not like they're introducing a potential Budget Inn in the heart of the City's business district. Besides, an increase in the number of hotel rooms Downtown can only be a good thing...right? Hopefully, this development will feature some ground-level restaurant/retail space.

bayou15 · #**4157** Posted **Jun 19, 2009, 3:40 AM**

Yeah, i can see it helping our skyline

BlessedMobile · #**4158** Posted **Jun 19, 2009, 3:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuenaVista

It IS a loss to the historic fabric of Downtown Mobile

I don't think that "old" entitles a building to contribute to the "historic fabric" of Mobile. That place was nothing more than a facade; there was nothing inside that even remotely could be thought to have any architectural or cultural significance. Surely, even a replica of a real historic looking building would be an improvement over what that place showed. Sometimes the new stuff is better than the old stuff even if the old stuff has experience.

bayou15 · #**4159** Posted **Jun 19, 2009, 3:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuenaVista

The propsed hotel is three blocks from the RSA tower! I believe the hotel itself would be called infill! Odd comment

Was talking about the overview of Downtown's skyline. Wish it was taller than proposed!

Odd Comment? ......Thanks ! Im an odd person

BlessedMobile · #**4160** Posted **Jun 19, 2009, 4:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou15

Was talking about the overview of Downtown's skyline. Wish it was taller than proposed!

Odd Comment? ......Thanks ! Im an odd person

You got that right Bayou. The Hyatt Place rumored to be coming to the same location would have been six stories...this thing has only 3 and is part of a small chain. Check out the Wikipedia on them. This should say it all. That is prime property for something this small.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlewood_Suites