Mobile Development Thread

[NitekKetin]

Improved commercial opportunities along Royal Street are always a good thing. I like that the retail spaces (somewhat of a mini-mall) on the ground floor of the old AmSouth Tower are being preserved. Hopefully, when this office building and the nearby Candlewood Suites hotel come online, it serves as a catalyst for more shopping and dining options between Bienville Square and Water St.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

Improved commercial opportunities along Royal Street are always a good thing. I like that the retail spaces (somewhat of a mini-mall) on the ground floor of the old AmSouth Tower are being preserved. Hopefully, when this office building and the nearby Candlewood Suites hotel come online, it serves as a catalyst for more shopping and dining options between Bienville Square and Water St.

True and i`m even more proud that the GM builing will provide retail and cafes on the east side of Bienville Square as well.

[SouthSky]

I went by the new Candlewood Suites yesterday and snapped a few phone camera shots. Not the best of quality, but an update nevertheless.

[CottonCity251]

Looks like they added the RSA Tower to SSP skyline at the top of the page...13th from the left.

[jmbreland]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Hey you guys I was given an oppuertunity to look at the rendering of the GM Tower.



From what I saw the parking deck suppose to have a complete up grade with some sort of upside down triangular symbol which will have lighting. There will deffinintly be Shops and cafes at the the bottom of the deck as well. I saw retail space.

From the looks of the actual building there are only light and moderate modefications to the building. The building will still have that granite white look to it but will have new window fixtures and the long elevator shaft that seem to split the building in two will no longer be seen. The granite exterior also seemed to be whiter,brighter and more glossy.So I assume they will add some sort of gloss or glaze to the new exterior. The guy who work in the office told me that there suppose to be a suprise for the roof top. The roof top wasn`t shown in the rendering. The rendering only showed the parking deck and few other floors.

I was hoping for a more drastic modification of the exterior, but according to the description above, I think the tower will look good. Hell, I would take any updates to its exterior. Anything other than how it looks right now! I have always liked the white strip going down the south facade, though, because it makes the tower unique. I have envisioned it being painted over with some simple colorful geometric pattern that would go with the Mardi Gras theme and/or using it as a background for light shows.

I'm glad the parking deck is getting a cosmetic upgrade, too. I never liked how it looks right now. Too boring. What do you mean by the upside-down triangular symbol? Is that how the light fixtures are shaped or what?

I'm thrilled to know that they will be developing retail spaces. That's always a good thing!


CottonCity, thank you for pointing that out about RSA being in the SSP skyline. That's awesome!

[jmbreland]

I just looked at Mobile's skyscraper diagram and it needs a serious update. Especially the one for the Renaissance Riverview hotel.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by jmbreland

I was hoping for a more drastic modification of the exterior, but according to the description above, I think the tower will look good. Hell, I would take any updates to its exterior. Anything other than how it looks right now! I have always liked the white strip going down the south facade, though, because it makes the tower unique. I have envisioned it being painted over with some simple colorful geometric pattern that would go with the Mardi Gras theme and/or using it as a background for light shows.

I'm glad the parking deck is getting a cosmetic upgrade, too. I never liked how it looks right now. Too boring. What do you mean by the upside-down triangular symbol? Is that how the light fixtures are shaped or what?

I'm thrilled to know that they will be developing retail spaces. That's always a good thing!


CottonCity, thank you for pointing that out about RSA being in the SSP skyline. That's awesome!

I believe it is. If I can recall I think the upside down triangle had some type of illumination around it and the light was purple or blue I think. I was ready to see more of a drastic modification to the exterior as well but compared to the old it`s still is a heck of a lot better. The new look gives the tower a more glossy or elaminated look to it instead of the dry look it has today.The tower deffinintly looked whiter compared to the still life photography photos of the old exterir which is more of an off white look. So I never noticed that the building was off white until it was next to the rendering. I still want to know what the suprise will be on the top of the building though.

[Port_of_Bama]

@CottonCity251:I see it and they must have thought a lot of the building to add it in the mix.It looks like there are only 7 buildings that are taller than ours out of the maybe 22 thats on the top. There is one in the middle that look like the Riverview tower and the building that is 2nd on the ledt looks like the AmSouth Tower,lol.So I don`t know hwat is going on but the other building is deffinintly the RSA Tower though.

@SouthSky:Only if they were taller atleast the Hampton Inn`s hight on royal would have been nice.It`s still infill so im thankful.

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by jmbreland

I was hoping for a more drastic modification of the exterior, but according to the description above, I think the tower will look good. Hell, I would take any updates to its exterior. Anything other than how it looks right now! I have always liked the white strip going down the south facade, though, because it makes the tower unique. I have envisioned it being painted over with some simple colorful geometric pattern that would go with the Mardi Gras theme and/or using it as a background for light shows.

I'm glad the parking deck is getting a cosmetic upgrade, too. I never liked how it looks right now. Too boring. What do you mean by the upside-down triangular symbol? Is that how the light fixtures are shaped or what?

I'm thrilled to know that they will be developing retail spaces. That's always a good thing!


CottonCity, thank you for pointing that out about RSA being in the SSP skyline. That's awesome!

I don't believe that the city wanted any drastic changes to the structure...at least that's what I read in what was the permit (I think that's what it was...somone posted it a few pages back).

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

I don't believe that the city wanted any drastic changes to the structure...at least that's what I read in what was the permit (I think that's what it was...somone posted it a few pages back).

Yeah you are right they didn`t.They wanted the building to reflcet the era that it was built in but with slight modifications.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

I don't believe that the city wanted any drastic changes to the structure...at least that's what I read in what was the permit (I think that's what it was...somone posted it a few pages back).

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Yeah you are right they didn`t.They wanted the building to reflcet the era that it was built in but with slight modifications.

Yeah what an awesome era. We need to preserve everything from that time.

I'm just happy they did something . . . I never thought I would see the it come to fruition.

[Dale]

Re: the GM Tower, doesn't 'surprise up top' imply a height increase ?

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Dale

Re: the GM Tower, doesn't 'surprise up top' imply a height increase ?

There is a good chance. I wasn`t able to see the suprising top but I can imagine so.The guy that work in the office told me that Bonner wanted to do something spectacular for the top like the RSA .What ever that mean, I just hope it doesn`t mean another spire though.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

See, what no one else knows is that "surprise up top" actually means another spire. It's a surprise because no one thought it would be stupid enough to slap another one on the skyline

Honestly though? I'm happy with anything that makes that slab of crap look better.

[jmbreland]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

There is a good chance. I wasn`t able to see the suprising top but I can imagine so.The guy that work in the office told me that Bonner wanted to do something spectacular for the top like the RSA .What ever that mean, I just hope it doesn`t mean another spire though.

If Bronner said it will be a surprise, another spire is unlikely.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

Though we never wish to profit from a disaster or anyone else's misery, the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico is keeping cash registers ringing in Downtown Mobile. A second command center along the coast was established at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center last week, bringing hundreds of government and business coordinators working on relief efforts. We wish the need for them to be here were different, but if the command must be somewhere, we're glad it's downtown.

If you've been frustrated that there doesn't seem to be a way to help, here are a couple of options. The guys from Southern Sports Supply have created a t-shirt to raise money for Mobile Baykeeper. The shirts sell for $10, with $3 of each sale going to the non-profit helping organize the clean-up effort. Shirts are available at the store at 5465 Cottage Hill Road, or call 251- 666-4602.

We would also like to acknowledge the individuals and businesses that have donated meals or money to feed the volunteers as they work virtually around the clock:

Buck's Pizza
Service Group Inc. (the Alliance's Regents & Stewards)
Nick Holmes, III
HopJack's

Andrea Moore and Rhonda Davis
LSYOCA
Mobile Gas, a Sempra Company
International Shipholding Corp.

If you'd like to help with the effort, which may go on for some time, please contact Carol Hunter at [email protected].

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Development Buzz

Even though it seems the economy in general is limping along, Downtown Mobile continues to see growth. Our retail incentive programs have generated many inquiries (visit www.downtownmobile.org to learn more), but even without the incentives, a couple of new businesses have opened downtown in the past few weeks:


The folks who are running the successful Quizno's Sandwich Shop at the Hampton Inn have just opened the Dauphin Market at 150 Dauphin Street. The retailer is offering beer, wine, spirits and tobacco products. They'll even order a special wine or beer if you don't see it on the shelf.

The night spot at 266 Dauphin Street has undergone a few ownership and name changes, but the current concept may be the best yet. Saga always has something going on, whether it's a crawfish boil, live music or just a casual night of drinking and dancing with friends. Saga also has the distinction of being the only dog-friendly night club in Mobile. It even provides the watering bowls! Bring your pooch out for a night of drinks (preferably cold water) and dancing at Saga.


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Barton Academy Open House
Help save one of Mobile's most significant historic buildings

May is Historic Preservation Month, a time when communities across the country join together to take stock of their historic assets and celebrate their efforts to preserve the past. Here in Mobile, we will do the same. An array of events have been planned to both celebrate our preservation efforts, and to advocate for preserving of one of our monumental buildings, Barton Academy.

The newly formed Save Barton Academy organization will host an open house Wednesday, May 26 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. You'll be able to tour Barton Academy and the Yerby Building, and for a $10 donation, you'll even get a close up look at the fabled dome. Be sure to bring your camera to capture some of the best views of Downtown Mobile!

Proceeds from the dome tour will go to the MHDC's Barton Academy Restoration Fund. Barton memorabilia will be displayed and information on the newly formed Barton Academy Alumni Association will be available. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by Mobile County Public School System, Mobile Historic Development Commission, Historic Mobile Preservation Society and the Downtown Mobile Alliance. To learn more about Barton and the effort to restore it, please visit the new website, Save Barton Academy.

Of course, Barton Academy is just one Mobile's many historic treasures. During May, take an afternoon to visit one of our house museums or visit the George Washington Carver exhibit at the Museum of Mobile. Stroll through a historic district that you haven't visited to see the efforts that preservationists are putting into restoring historic properties. And, tell your children the story of Mobile. It's a rich, diverse and amazing story.

We invite you to attend these additional events:

Wednesday, May 19 - Dora Finley, Walking Tour of the downtown sites on the African American Heritage Trail, Noon.

Thursday, May 20 - Historic Mobile Preservation Society's 75th Anniversary Party, 6:00 p.m., Museum of Mobile.

Tuesday, May 25 - Open House at Revolving Fund projects, 454 and 455 Chatham Street, 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

For details about these events go to Mobile Historic Development Commission or call 251-208-7281

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Park Assessment Complete

Though we are still analyzing the data, the initial information regarding the assessment of downtown parks is proving to be very valuable. More than 70 assessments were returned for our nine downtown parks. You spent time in our public squares in the day and evening, during the week and weekends, while events were happening and on average days. Thank you for taking the time to create this wealth of knowledge.

We'll be preparing a full report by the end of the month, but at first blush it appears you think most of our park infrastructure is pretty good...not fabulous, but at least not unacceptable. We have far too many more men than women in our parks at all times of the day (we're not being sexist here, but a higher ratio of women to men creates an atmosphere that's inviting to all citizens). What stands out most, however, is how much you love our parks and want them to be better places for everyone.

While we're addressing our public spaces, perhaps it's time to tackle the issue of garbage cans on downtown sidewalks. Few things generate as many complaints to our office as these unsightly, stinky cans. We can't imagine any other city in the country allowing such a thing to greet local and visiting pedestrians. Mobile has an ordinance against garbage cans on the sidewalks, but has not been enforcing it. If you'd like to serve on a task force to address this issue, contact Carol Hunter at [email protected]. Certainly restaurants and night clubs can't function without generating garbage, but just as certainly we can find a better way to handle it.

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Nominations for Alliance Boards

Being Accepted


The Downtown Mobile Alliance/Main Street Mobile and the Downtown Mobile District Management Corporation are now accepting nominations for positions on the two boards of directors. Directors of the Alliance must be business members of the Alliance and directors of the District Management Corporation must be property owners in the Business Improvement District. Visit our website to download the form or stop by the office at 261 Dauphin Street to pick one up. The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2010.



Save the Date - Annual Meeting September 2, 2010


We are also preparing for our annual meeting, set for September 2nd. You'll want to mark the date now, because one of the world's leading urban thinkers will be the keynote speaker. Andres Duany is best known locally for designing Seaside, Florida, but his reach extends to creating walkable communities around the world. There is much we can learn from his experience. To find out more about Duany and the work of his planning and design firm, click here.

We currently seeking sponsors for the annual meeting. Contact Elizabeth Sanders at [email protected] or 251-434-8498 if you are interested in sponsoring this event.

The annual recognition of individuals, businesses and organizations that are making extraordinary efforts to revitalize downtown also will take place at the annual meeting. If you would like to make a nomination for a Main Street Mobile Award, contact Carol Hunter at [email protected] or 251-434-8498.

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Downtown Doings
Events in and around downtown

Sippin' at the Space! - Clock Out, Stroll In, Wind Down, Drink Up!
Every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
(Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 - Wednesday, Jun 23, 2010)
Space 301 - 3rd Floor Terrace
The corner of Conti Street and Jackson Street

Must be 21 or older to enter

Happy Hour takes on a new meaning with Sippin' @ the Space. Relax after a long workday with an incredible view and venue on the Space 301 Terrace, featuring live music, specialty drinks and appetizers! Each month features a specialty cocktail, beer and wine.

For every $5 donation, you get a choice of two drinks and a chance to join new and old friends!

April and May feature Margaritas
June will feature Daiquiris

For more information, contact Linda Mayson:
[email protected]
251.208.5660

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May 2010- CSG Celebrates 15th Birthday- Fundraiser Party
Friday, May 14, 2010 - Monday, May 31, 2010
Cathedral Square Gallery
612 Dauphin Street across from Wintzell's


Monday- Saturday 11a.m.- 5:00p.m.
Sunday 11:00a.m.- 3:00p.m.
251-694-0278

Art Walk Reception - Wine Tasting & Hors d'oeuvres
May 14, 2010
5:30-8:30

Open Studio each Sunday - Enjoy a mimosa and view working artists
11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

"What About Photography?"
second & fourth Friday
Noon
For more information, please contact [email protected]

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Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival Benefit: "Jazz/Rock Pile-Up"
Saturday, May 22, 2010
6:00 p.m.- Until
The Blind Mule - 57 N. Claiborne St.
Tickets $25 in advance - $30 at the door. Includes beer-wine-food.
Tickets available at The Blind Mule and the Crescent Theater.


Come hear all the best Mobile Bay area rock bands challenge and stretch themselves by playing jazz and jazz standards. A one-of-a-kind event.

Proceeds to benefit Mobile's Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival.

For more information, please view: www.gcehjazzfest.com
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Restore Mobile Presents: "Boards, Beer and Brackets"
May 25, 2010
Open House at 454 & 458 Chatham Street
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Admission $5

Come be apart of ongoing restore mobile projects. Enjoy an open house in the Oakleigh Garden District with beer and wine.

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Wonderful Wednesdays!
Every Wednesday June 2 - July 28
10:30 - 11:30 AM
$11.00 for adults
$6.00 for children 5-12
Additional charges to tour the Home and/or to take the River Cruise

Who knew Wednesday could be so wonderful? Every Wednesday, enjoy a special program about Bellingrath Gardens and Home, gardening, local history and nature. Wonderful Wednesdays at Bellingrath is the perfect place to bring a friend and spend time among 65 acres of blooms!

-June 2 - Summer Garden Walk With Barbara Smith.
-June 9 - Cool Container Gardens for Hot Summer Months with Melanie Lobel, Landscape Designer at Zimlich's Patio & Garden.
-June 16 - Lost Gardens of Mobile by Tom McGehee.
-June 23 - Cascade Mums with Chuck Owens
-June 30 - No Program

Call 251.973.2217 ext. 110 for reservations.

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2nd Annual Gumbo Cook-off
Saturday, Jun 05, 2010 Bienville Square in downtown Mobile
11:00am - 3:00pm

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and can be purchased at Woodlands Bank branches in Mobile County.
Tickets will be $15.00 at the gate.
Children age 10 and under get in free.

Live entertainment will be provided.
Kids can enjoy a jump on the moonwalk while mom and dad get to taste some mouth-watering gumbo from 9 different teams.

The judges include Carmen Brown from Cumulus Radio and WKRG Chief Meteorologist Alan Sealls among others.


For more information, call (251) 436-7909.

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Duel on Dauphin!
Sunday, Jun 06, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm
Admission: $5 or 5 can goods
All cash and can goods will be donated to Bay Area Food Banks.

Make it a Sunday Funday downtown! LoDa bars, Hayley's, Pat's, Hopjack's and Saga's will battle it out for who has the best crawfish! Local celebrity judges, chosen from print, TV and radio, will select who has the best tasting crawfish on Dauphin Street. There will be raffle tickets with prizes donated by local area businesses.

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16th Annual Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour®
June 11th, 2010
Noon - 7:00 p.m.
Streets of Downtown

The 16th Annual Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® presented by GM Performance Division arrives in Mobile on Friday, June 11th when the streets of downtown will explode with the action of the nation's most well known traveling hot rod tour. Over 4,000 participating cars and 65,000 spectators are expected for the tour. This is the American car lovers dream come to life: with sightseeing, exploring back roads, sharing tales of the Tour with fellow participants, and becoming stars-for-the-day in each car-crazy town along the route. Stroll among one of the world's finest rolling displays of all makes and models of high-end hot rods, street rods, custom trucks, muscle cars, sport compacts, and street machines. Registration is open to any year, make or model of vehcile in every city. Pre-register through Friday, May 24, 2010 by visiting the website listed below or call 1-(877)-413-6515.
Hot Rod Power Tour

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Red Dress Sashay
Saturday, June 12, 2010
10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Streets of Downtown Mobile

Join hundreds sashayers as they stroll through the streets of Downtown Mobile to raise money for the American Heart Association. This is a fundraiser with a twist...all entrants, men and women, must wear a red dress! There will be complimentary food, beer and fun along the two-mile route with music and more food at the finish line in Bienville Square. Register on line at Red Dress Sasahy.

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Gallery and Museum Exhibits

Gulf Coast Memories
Mobile Art Council
Month of May 2010

Gulf Coast Memories is a retrospective of paintings by Dr. Henri Rathle, organized by two of his children, Marcelle Rathle Naman and Andre Rathle.

The paintings in this exhibition feature people and places from Mobile to New Orleans and stops in between. Viewers will experience days of old, as there is a painting of Civil War soldiers and one of Mobile's former Courthouse, now home to the Mobile Museum.

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Two Rivers - Two Lands: An American Passage Series
Space 301
Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - Tuesday, Jun 08, 2010

This exhibition of at least 27 works feature nationally recognized nature photographer and painter Lew Wilson. The Series began with two North Florida rivers called the Aucilla and Apalachicola and grew to include both intimate and majestic images of the Everglades, the Hudson River Valley, Yosemite for the Wild and Scenic Merced River, the High Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and most recently the Tensaw River Delta. Water is the central theme of the series.

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George Washington Carver Exhibit
Monday, Mar 22, 2010 - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 The Museum of Mobile
111 Royal Street
Mon. - Sat. from 9:00a.m. to 5p.m
Sun. 1p.m. to 5p.m
Admission: $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors, $3.00 for students, free for children under 6

George Washington Carver was an environmental scientist long before there was a word for it. Carver blazed a trail for the development of products from plants. Today's accelerating research on plant-based fuels, medicines, and other products is rooted in Carver's work. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about this amazing man at the George Washington Carver Exhibit.

www.museumofmobile.com

[Alxx611]

As a worker at the Ft Conde Welcome Center downtown, working about 3 days a week or so, I have a few complaints:


The Cruise Terminal:

Although Mayor Jones claims this is one of the most user friendly terminals in the country, I find that so ironic because that seems to be one of the biggest complaints from out tourists

-There is no dropoff or pickup lane for dropping off or picking up passengers
by car
- The terminal is located behind the railroad track and next to the Interstate Exit, so when the train comes, traffic is backed up well into I-10
- There is not enough parking spaces anymore, and it is really expensive
- Area around terminal is not pedestrian friendly, for passengers who arrive early and want to walk around, ship arrives late, or if they park elsewhere.
- There is additional parking at the Civic Center, but the shuttle that runs there is unreliable and has left people there in the rain.
- Inside the facility is too crowded, need for concessions, things to do while waiting.
- Right next to hideous interstate Bridge


Ft Conde Welcome Center


The city has left the Welcome Center for the birds. Even on a weekday, we have hundreds of people come in. Our colonial soldiers and custodians have been laid off. My boss, and various workers have had to take off a lot from work for personal things coming up (very understandable though i promise), and many volunteers dont show up anymore. Basically myself, a 19 year old, is left to clean the undersized restrooms, do the landscaping, upkeep the center, and even closeup on my own on some days. This Welcome Center is a HUGE asset to our tourism.

When this budget crisis gets fixed, we need to really invest more, and in a wiser way, towards tourism and downtown. No innovation, no motivation, no responsibility, and too much conservative brain-storming.

[jmbreland]

Alxx611, make sure your view is heard by the city leaders! Write to them! They need to hear from people like you.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I went and walked around the cruise ship during boarding time for the first time this past Saturday...

It is truly an awful setup. I know they did what they could at the time, but we need to change something. Having hundreds park under an interstate in a 50 year old parking lot is absurd. Other than that the people seemed to be having a great time. Royal Street was also packed and looked great.

[NitekKetin]

Perhaps a parking structure, no taller than the Museum of Mobile/Exploreum, should be constructed on the surface lot just south of it. A series of bridges could connect it to the Maritime Museum and on to the Cruise Ship Terminal.