Mobile Development Thread

[WEMO]

I am sure that it will.. A lot more going on in Mobile than other places though..

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by jmbreland

Mobile's port ranking -- It'd be something else if we move up past New Orleans, which has been our competitor for centuries. The container terminal still has one more crane to add to it to complete ASDD's goal of having four cranes there. The annual tonnage will increase once the Thyssenkrupp plant is fully operational. Plus, the economy is recovering, so we will almost certainly move up in the next few years.

Van Antwerp -- I'm confident that with all the publicity that the building received lately, it will be restored and become yet another newly-polished jewel of Mobile's downtown.

My vision for the Van is for it to be converetd into affordable condos or hotel. My extreme vison for the building is to lease a few of the floors to light retail such as Lucky Brand,Foot Locker,and etc. I would love to see the building have some great lighting at night the same bright light that shine on other white buildingds downtown such as Barton and the Ben May Library. I could see that same lighting on that building !!

It`s amazing that Mobile new of such before any major city in the south could !!


I am very disappointed in the city for allowing such a gem to go down like that, that would not have happend in other cities that building is the very first sky scraper in the south !! The city should be proud to boast such title, cities such as Miami,Atlanta,New Orleans,and Birmingham aren`t able to carry that name.

[jmbreland]

Yeah, boasting the very first skyscraper in the South is quite something. ... Edit: I originally said it was a reminder of Mobile's pre-Civil War prominence, but I'm mistaken. It wasn't built until the start of the 20th century. So, now, I wonder what was the incentive to build such a building so that it's actually the first skyscraper in the South. Does anybody know??

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

We don't need a weather report to know that winter has finally loosened its chilly grip on the Gulf Coast; sidewalk cafes filled with diners is evidence enough. Spring has definitely sprung in Downtown Mobile, and the heavy event season is fully underway. The recent Chili Cookoff kicked off the spring calendar with an event that brought thousands downtown, but that's just the beginning. St. Patrick's Day will fill our parks and streets with folks wearing o' the green and the Historic Homes Tour will bring visitors from far and wide. Be sure to review the calendar of events section of the newsletter...there's bound to be multiple reasons to come downtown over the next several weeks.

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Development Buzz


The retail scene in downtown could be improving more quickly now that new incentives are in place (see article to the right), but new businesses are opening even before these options were available.
Southern Light, the fiber optic firm located on St. Anthony Street has just leased 3500 square feet in of space in the former Gwin's Printing building at 402 St. Francis Street. Owner Andy Newton will be using the building for warehouse space for this growing company.

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Two photographers have opened businesses downtown: Admoni Photography at 164 St. Emanuel Street and Lyle Ratliff Photography at 258 N. Claiborne Street.
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Financial Incentives for Downtown Businesses

In an effort to attract more independent retail to Downtown and fill more empty storefronts like the ones above, the Alliance is offering two new economic incentives.

Both new and existing retailers are eligible for the Sign Grant program, designed to create a streetscape with more interest and energy.
The Retail Forgivable Loan program is targeted to retailers who would be new to downtown, and who need a little incentive to consider locating in our dynamic city center.

Though we currently have a great variety of shopping options to offer, downtown does not yet have the critical mass to create a true shopping destination. That picture could change more quickly with these two new programs.

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Retail Happenings
Dining, Shopping and Entertainment News

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, downtown is going "green." Many of our restaurants and retailers are offering specials during this annual Irish holiday. Check out the specials at Serda's Coffee Company and O'Daly's Irish Pub, and the spring-hued merchandise at Inside Up. There's even a store-wide sale so it won't take a lot of "green" to get into the spirit of the day.

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The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center has extended its operating hours for upcoming Fridays and Saturdays due to demand for Dinosaurs Downtown. Already, more than 35,000 individuals have experienced the traveling exhibit.
Beginning March 5, the Exploreum will remain open until 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, with the exceptions of March 13, March 20, April 9 and April 10 due to already booked special events. On Fridays with the extended hours, the Dinosaurs Alive IMAX film will add 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. show times. On Saturdays with the extended hours, the IMAX film will add a 5:00 p.m. show time.

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The Little Colt to be Returned to Spanish Plaza

One of Mobile's most charming pieces of public art will soon be returned to its pedestal in Spanish Plaza. The statue of The Little Colt was a gift to the city of Mobile from the city of Cordoba, Spain in 1967, but was damaged in Hurricane Frederic and removed from the park.

For all practical purposes, the statue was lost to the city until it was discovered in the early 2000s in a private warehouse. It has been undergoing restoration thanks to a gift from the Wayne D McRae Philanthropic Fund administered by the Community Foundation of South Alabama, and is once again in the city's possession.

We will celebrate the return of this lovely statue to the Plaza with a short ceremony led by Mayor Sam Jones at Noon on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.

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New Bus Stop Work Continues



The work on the Wave Transit's newest bus stop on St. Joseph Street is nearly complete. The shelter, designed by Cummings Architects, was inspired by the street cars that once carried passengers in Mobile.

The structure is scheduled to be finished by March 19th, with a ribbon cutting soon after.

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Passenger Rail Summit Announced

The Southern High-Speed Rail Commission is hosting its second Passenger Rail Summit in New Orleans on July 15 -16, 2010. The summit will bring together local and state officials from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to hear valuable information about the fundamentals of intercity passenger rail and how it can address congestion, combat surging gas prices and reduce emissions.

Rail has helped relieve congestion in cities across the country and around the world...be a part of the discussion to develop alternatives that work for the Gulf Coast.

For more information contact:
Chris Miller or Grace Crawford at 251-433-6541, [email protected] or [email protected].

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Upcoming Events

9th Annual Luck of the Irish Celebration
Mar 13th, 2010
Festivities begin at 8:00 a.m. with the parade at 2:00 p.m.

The 9th Annual Luck of the Irish Celebration held in Downtown Mobile features fun for the whole family! First a 5k run, then an Irish Stew, and Corned Beef and Cabbage Cook-off in Bienville Square and finally a St. Patty's Parade. There will be live music and Irish dancers throughout the day and a large children's area. Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Mobile, benefiting the Exchange Club Family Center for Child Abuse Prevention in Mobile.

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Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 Saturday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Mobile Civic Center

Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance tour -- the international Irish dancing phenomenon that has performed sold out shows at theatres, arenas and stadiums in more than 45 countries -- is returning to theaters across the United States for its 11th consecutive year. More than 55 million people worldwide have seen Lord of the Dance, coming off an extremely successful and highly acclaimed four-year residency in Las Vegas - with an estimated 5 million people attending the show.

For more information, please view: www.mobilecivicctr.com/

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Azalea Bloom Out!
Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - Sunday, Mar 21, 2010 Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Theodore, Alabama
March 13 - 21, 2010 (dates may vary depending on the weather)
Admission: Adults $11, Children 5 -12 $6 and Children 4 and under are free

The azalea is the flower most often associated with Bellingrath. Visitors will enjoy the blooms of more than 250,000 vibrant azaleas in an explosion of color throughout the 65 acres of Bellingrath Gardens during March. Varieties include: 'Formosa', 'Daphne Salmon', 'Southern Charm', 'Pride of Mobile', 'G.G. Gerbing', 'George Lindley Tabor', and 'Christmas Cheer'

For more information please view: www.bellingrath.org/events.html

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Sid Phillips' booksigning at the Museum of Mobile
Sunday, Mar 14, 2010
1pm to 3pm

Author Sid Phillips, will sign his book "You'll Be Sor-ree!" at the Museum of Mobile, 111 South Royal Street in historic downtown.

Sid Phillips was born Sept 2, 1924. He enlisted in the USMC the day after Pearl Harbor at the age of 17. This is the story of how Sid stood shoulder to shoulder with his Marine brothers to discover the inner strength and deep faith necessary to survive the dark, early days of World War II in the Pacific.

For more information please view: www.museumofmobile.com/calendar.php

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Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Parade
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
11:00 a.m.

The Friendly Sons will begin the celebration of the official St. Patrick's day with a mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 10:00 a.m. and will then parade through the streets of downtown.

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Mobile Historic Homes Tour
March 19 & 20

Architecturally significant historic homes and sacred spaces will open their doors in Alabama's oldest city for the annual Mobile Historic Homes Tour this March. Mobile's diverse architectural styles are fully represented on the tours which feature Creole cottages, Greek Revival mansions, Victorian and Neo-Classic residences. For tickets or more information, please visit the Historic Mobile Preservation Society website or call (251) 432-6161.

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HopsFest
March 20, 2010
4:00 - 7:00p.m.
Cathedral Square

Mobile BAYKEEPER's 1st Annual HopsFest Featuring premium beer selections from local beverage distributors. Music provided by Delta Reign Duo Pat and Benita Murphy.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please view : www.mobilebaykeeper.org

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Richards DAR House Museum Spring Garden Party
Sunday, March 21, 2010
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Delectable hors d'oeuvres, delicious desserts and a hat contest! Contest categories include:breath of spring, best hat and outfit ensemble, best vintage hat, most creative hat and funniest hat. The contest is open to both men and women. The $10.00 admission supports the work of the museum.

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"MOM is having a Garden Party"
Sunday March 21
4:00 pm - 6:30pm
Individuals are $50
Couples are $80.

Ladies, please wear your favorite Garden Hat and Come support the Musuem of Mobile at the Opening Reception for the George Washington Carver Exhibition.

The theme is "MOM is having a Garden Party," tying the Carver exhibition to the Organic Garden we have built in Fort Conde as the outdoor classroom for our students to see and experience the teachings of Dr. Carver. You and your friend(s) will be rewarded with a year long membership to the Museum of Mobile.

For more information, please visit: http://www.museumofmobile.com/

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EXPLOREUM FEATURES DISTINGUISHED PALEONTOLOGIST FOR LECTURE

Thursday, Mar 25, 2010
Dinosaurs of Alabama
The Gulf Coast Exploreum - J.L. Bedsole IMAX Dome Theater
Thursday, March 25
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center will welcome noted vertebrate paleoecologist, James Lamb, to host an one-hour evening lecture, "Dinosaurs of Alabama," on Thursday, March 25. The lecture will focus on the basics of paleontology and then delve into the major fossil finds from the state. Alabama, with its Black Belt region, is considered to be one of the best states in the southeast for discovering fossils from the Cretaceous period.

You may view dinosaurs Downtown before and after the event. Entrance will begin at 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit Exploreum.com or call 251.208.6852.

For more information, please view : www.exploreum.com/

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Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Theodore, Alabama
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Admission: Adults $11, Children 5 -12 $6 and Children 4 and under are free

The tulip is a favorite spring flower with endless color variations much like the hundreds of children at the Easter Egg Hunt. During the annual egg hunt the Great Lawn will be blanketed with children dressed in their Easter best and thousands of multi-colored Easter eggs. The Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 27th. There will be special egg hunts for children of all ages with prizes, candy and activities as well as pictures with the Easter Bunny. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.

For more information, please view: www.bellingrath.org/events.html

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Easter Sunrise Service
Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Theodore, Alabama
Sunday, April 4, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Admission: Between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. admission is free

For many, the trumpet-shaped Easter lily symbolizes purity, virtue, innocence hope and life - the very essence of Easter. Guests are invited to start their Easter Sunday on Live Oak Plaza for our Easter Sunrise Service. Admission to the Gardens is complimentary from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Easter morning.

Following the service, the Southern Belle will offer an exclusive Easter Sunday Breakfast. Guests will enjoy a breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. along scenic Fowl River. Tickets are $35 per person. Children under the age of five are free. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Alabama Cruises at 251.973.1244.

For more information, please view: www.bellingrath.org/events.html

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YoMo Spring Stroll Friday,
April 9, 2010, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Cathedral Square Arts District

YoMo is the project of a trio of senior communications students at Spring Hill College designed to connect college students and young professionals to the downtown community. The event will take place in conjunction with the Arts Alive! festival and will focus on introducing young adults to the many activities and opportunities downtown has to offer.

For more information, search "YoMo" on facebook or email Addie Brannin at [email protected].

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Arts Alive!
MOBILE'S PREMIER PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
April 9 - 11, 2010
Cathedral Square Arts District

Arts Alive! Mobile's downtown Arts Festival continues to make "art happen" once again this Spring. Scheduled for April 9, 10, and 11, the festival offers three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities.
The hallmark of Arts Alive! since inception has been it's multi-dimensional arts platform. Each festival showcases a wide selection of art genres - theater, film, visual, music, dance - all featuring local and regional talent.

Festival Chair, David Calametti explains: "Our overall goal is create personal artistic experiences for everyone who comes out. We want to de-mystify art and stir the muse within each of us."
Arts Alive! takes place in the Cathedral Square Arts District in downtown Mobile. Festival hours are Friday, 5-9pm; Saturday 2-9pm and Sunday Noon-6pm. Admission is free for the entire festival.

17th Annual Camellia Classic Car Show
Saturday, Apr 10, 2010 Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Theodore, Alabama
April 10, 2009

Admission: Adults $11, Children 5 -12 $6 and Children 4 and under are free

The camellia has been divided into four classifications: Antique (Pre World War I), Historical (World War I - 1949), Heirloom (1950-1959) and Modern (1960 to the present). Like the camellia, classic cars have been divided into several classifications that includes; Pre-World War II, Post-World War II and Modern. Visitors will be able to see hundreds of classic and vintage automobiles from the Model T to the Firebird displayed on Bellingrath's Great Lawn at the 17th Annual Camellia Classic Open Car Show. Sponsored by the Mobile Bay Mustang Club, guests enjoy entertainment throughout the day as well as a barbeque lunch on the Great Lawn.

For more information, please view: www.bellingrath.org/events.html

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Museum and Gallery News

Studio 301 Spring Class Schedule Released

Registration Now Open

Let the warmth and beauty of springtime inspire you to try something new! Classes and workshops for children this season include Ceramics, Acrylic Painting, and Wacky Watercolor. Back by popular demand, we've scheduled adult classes and workshops in Ceramics, Oil Painting, "Art with a Twist" Acrylic Painting, Bookbinding, Quiltmaking, Wire-wrapped Glass Jewelry, Figure Drawing, and Sumi-é. New offerings this term include Floral Design, Yoga, Fabric Rug Twining, Weaving with Glass, Bangle Bracelets, Glass Picture Frames, and Glass Mosaic. What more could you ask for?

Click here to view the full brochure of classes and workshops. Gift certificates are available at the reception desk or by mail. They make great gifts for Easter, or surprise your mom with an early Mother's Day gift! Call 208.5671 or 208.5677 for details.

For more information, please view: space301.com/

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An Extraordinary Man with a Mighty Vision - George Washington Carver
March 22 through July 4, 2010

Museum of Mobile

We are the architects of our own fortune and the hewers out of our own destiny.
- George Washington Carver

Best known for his work with the peanut plant, George Washington Carver became a legend in his own time. Discover the life and work of an extraordinary man, born into slavery, who used his gifts to become a groundbreaking scientist, educator, and humanitarian with a lifelong mission: to bring practical knowledge to those in need.

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The Downtown Mobile Alliance exists to support the redevelopment of downtown through advocacy, marketing and the management of BID services.

251-434-8498 - 261 Dauphin Street - Mobile, AL 36602

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Also, another great ArtWalk tonight. Perfect weather, loads of people, and several new openings if you haven't been down in awhile.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by jmbreland

Yeah, boasting the very first skyscraper in the South is quite something. ... Edit: I originally said it was a reminder of Mobile's pre-Civil War prominence, but I'm mistaken. It wasn't built until the start of the 20th century. So, now, I wonder what was the incentive to build such a building so that it's actually the first skyscraper in the South. Does anybody know??

That is a good question. What little info that I do know is that Van Antwerp was originaly from New York city and he was a pharmacist and the Royal Cafe has some of the original fixtures of the Antwerp Pharmacy.So Royal Cafe was a pharmacy years ago and that tower was his residence as well, . I was told that the Antwerp Family is in the same social status as the Carnegie and Rockefeller ! One of his great or great great grandsons from new York came to Mobile to get married because the couple wanted a southern theme to ther marrige back in 2006 I believe.

[elb401]

the van antwerp building had the first floor pharmacy and the upper floors held doctor offices and a few lawyers. It was made up of office suites rather than large companies. I have a picture of the construction in an old book. Its pretty neat looking!

[Exodus]

elb401..."the van antwerp building had the first floor pharmacy"

Ah, now I get it

[BuenaVista]

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

The terra cotta cornice was removed in the early 1960's and parts have been stored so that it can be restored if desired. The City can not be blamed for its decline. With the westward exodus of retail and offices from Downtown, the VA building with rather old fashioned elevators, floor plates, restrooms and HVAC systems lost tenants. The last interior remodeling and upgrade was in the 1950's. Several local architects also had offices in the building.

[SouthSky]

New census estimates:

Mobile County 411,721 (+2,600 over last year)
Baldwin County 179,878 (+3,600 over last year)
Jackson County/George County Miss. 155,603 (+1,000 over last year)

Link Here

For fun and games, these counties that border Mobile add up to 747,202.

(I know I'm leaving Washington and Greene county (Miss.) out but they have around 31,000 people combined as of the 2000 census)

So, if they were added, Mobile's surrounding area total would have ~778,000 people.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I think it's just a matter of time before a few of those counties fall into Mobile's grasp. Let's not forget that counties that don't directly touch Mobile County can also be added to the metro.

Anyways know about the statistics of the commuting patterns between Mobile and Pascagoula? Is there the possibility of a Mobile-Pascagoula CSA in the future? I'm not too familiar with the Mississippi Gulf Coast, so I don't know much.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

BTW, Huntsville came 5,000 short of passing Mobile in metro area size. Huntsville finally broke 400K, they now at 406K.

[SouthSky]

For 2010, commuting data does not look good for Baldwin coming back into the Mobile MSA unless the definitions are changed. As of the 2000 Census, 12,615 commuted into Mobile County from Baldwin County of the roughly 62,000 that commute to work (20%). Also, Pascagoula is already part of the GPT/Biloxi MSA so it would be tough to add Pascagoula to the metro.

Links for in depth commuting patterns:
OnTheMap 4

Statistics on commuting

[SouthSky]

Upon further fact-checking, 24.7% of Baldwin workers as of the 2008 estimates commuted to Mobile county. As my understanding is the level is ~25% there is a very distinct chance Baldwin could again be added to the Mobile MSA yet again. I'll check other counties and update my results here.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Upon further fact-checking, 24.7% of Baldwin workers as of the 2008 estimates commuted to Mobile county. As my understanding is the level is ~25% there is a very distinct chance Baldwin could again be added to the Mobile MSA yet again. I'll check other counties and update my results here.

I'm quite certain that it's 25%. By that definition, we might see one metro and a micro area dissolve by the next census. Decatur might merge into Huntsville, creating the Huntsville-Decatur MSA, and Daphne-Fairhope-Foley might merge with Mobile.

If you do find out the exact number, please let me know! I appreciate it!

[SouthSky]

as of 2008
Washington County (Ala.) 18.7%
Jackson County (Miss.) 3.0%

Originally Posted by tredici

I'm quite certain that it's 25%. By that definition, we might see one metro and a micro area dissolve by the next census. Decatur might merge into Huntsville, creating the Huntsville-Decatur MSA, and Daphne-Fairhope-Foley might merge with Mobile.

If you do find out the exact number, please let me know! I appreciate it!

It looks good for Baldwin to join with Mobile. However, I'll do some more research on Huntsville-Decatur.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

If you could actually describe the process that you used to get through to the correct info, I'd really appreciate it! I keep trying, but I can't get the same statistics for Baldwin as you are.

EDIT: I figured it out

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by tredici

If you could actually describe the process that you used to get through to the correct info, I'd really appreciate it! I keep trying, but I can't get the same statistics for Baldwin as you are.

EDIT: I figured it out

I'm guessing you were talking about the program. Yeah, it takes a while but it is a great resource.

From my research I would guess the best chances of additions to the metro are Baldwin county and Washington county. I would rate Baldwin as the better chance. However, after the TK plant finally starts going at full capacity, Washington could indeed come into the metro at some point in the near future. Maybe 2010 and definitely by 2020. They could come in at the re-evaluation in 2015.

EDIT: It looks like Jackson county (Miss.) might not be a part of GPT/Biloxi as they commute ~24.1% as of 2008.

[SouthSky]

Here are the stats in picture form for Baldwin county:



Also, it seems that Pascagoula is part of GPT/Biloxi's CSA not MSA.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

I'm guessing you were talking about the program. Yeah, it takes a while but it is a great resource.

From my research I would guess the best chances of additions to the metro are Baldwin county and Washington county. I would rate Baldwin as the better chance. However, after the TK plant finally starts going at full capacity, Washington could indeed come into the metro at some point in the near future. Maybe 2010 and definitely by 2020. They could come in at the re-evaluation in 2015.

EDIT: It looks like Jackson county (Miss.) might not be a part of GPT/Biloxi as they commute ~24.1% as of 2008.

Yea, Jackson County is the Pascagoula metro or micro, I dunno which. Do we know what the parameters for a CSA are? I've never really heard any concrete definition for what constitutes a CSA.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by tredici

Yea, Jackson County is the Pascagoula metro or micro, I dunno which. Do we know what the parameters for a CSA are? I've never really heard any concrete definition for what constitutes a CSA.

I think CSA is either 15 or 20% commuting generally. It also needs to have a center city with more than 10k. (Fairhope)