Mobile Development Thread

[jmbreland]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Fall on the coast doesn`t get any better than that.


Found an intersting article in Metro Jackosnville about downtown Mobile urbanism.The over all comments about Mobile are positive.I hope Mobile continue to go in that direction .

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-apr-elements-of-urbanism-mobile

Awesome, I live in Jacksonville now! It's nice to see that my current city of residence is looking at my hometown for inspiration. I feel proud of Mobile!

[Port_of_Bama]

Yes, I felt a little pride as well my friend. I remember the poster asking us about some points of interest and historical districts on this thread so he/she can submit them to metro Jackson. Good job

[jmbreland]

Originally Posted by Verve

Here's an article about a retail incubator that would encourage more retail in downtown Mobile.

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/09/downtown_mobile_retail_incubat.html

I've always felt something of this type would be good for downtown and would allow a mix of businesses that could band together and provide the needed retail the downtown is lacking. By using a common space and shared resources, they wouldn't have to face the high overhead of having a standalone establishment.

Hopefully, this effort will get the support and funding needed to get it off the ground.

This is exciting. I've had some retailing ambitions and get scared by the prospect of striking out on my own without any help. I hope this will be successful.

[SouthSky]

FAMU architecture students set out to expound on the "New Plan for Old Mobile"

This should be very interesting... and I hope they post this for public viewing.

Florida A&M architecture students aim to 'New Urbanize' parts of downtown Mobile
Mobile Press-Register
Published: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 8:00 AM
Click Here

MOBILE, Ala. -- A commuter heading downtown to work might look at a streetscape dotted with empty lots and derelict buildings and see decay. An urban designer, though, might see opportunity.
Mobile’s people will soon be able to see the city center’s potential from a designer’s point of view, thanks to 18 Florida A&M University architectural students focusing on the town for their senior projects.
Led by a Harvard-educated professor in Roy Knight, the students will work in pairs to conceptually...

[Verve]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

FAMU architecture students set out to expound on the "New Plan for Old Mobile"

This should be very interesting... and I hope they post this for public viewing.

This sounds great. Since I'm now living here in Tallahassee with FAMU right across town, I have a two-fold interest in seeing the outcome of this project. It'll be good to see what they come up with for my hometown.

This type of thing should be done more with students from a variety of majors. Get them involved with the development of cities and express their ideas. After all, they will be the future citizens of these urban places.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

FAMU architecture students set out to expound on the "New Plan for Old Mobile"

This should be very interesting... and I hope they post this for public viewing.

Great news !! I really see the city is embracing new urbansim !!! Also the positive side of this is that the urban designers are young,vibrant and open minded.Not saying it would be a bad thing but I would rather have a hip 23 or 25 urban designer constructing ideas than some one in there late 40`s( no offense). Also the article mentioned that the students will be in the five points area of Springhill that area is vital for development this will be iteresting come December.The city is optimistic and supportive regarding the ideas that FAMU will bring.This also shows that Mobile is more open minded also !!Downtown

Mobile is headed in the right direction....And I`m glad that the city is now focusing on the core/heart of the city.West Mobile sprawl will soon be a thing of the past. Come on Mobile--- Airbus Tanker deal,Austal,ST Aerospace,HK Motors, ,Revenge Motors,Degussa,and others lets take this city in the direction it need to be. Next on the list( Mobile River Walk and retail district or sector downtown.


Hey guys what happend to the Mardi Gra themed park with Water display ?? I see the lot is still empty with no signs of development. So I asssume that the city may have other plans for the site.A midrise condo tower maybe 10 or 12 stories(Van Antwerp hight) with retail,shops,and cafes would be perfect for that lot.

[jmbreland]

FAMU, New Urbanism --

I just read the article and it is tickling me pink! I share Port of Bama's optimism with this and I think that the FAMU students' input will serve to motivate the movers and shakers to push harder for the new plan / new urbanism.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Does anyone have the renderings of the hotel (cant remember name) that is going in on St. Louis/Royal. I remember seeing them but I cant remember what the final product looks like. The put some fleur-de-lis on the bottom of the building which was a nice surprise, but it still looks out of place.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

Does anyone have the renderings of the hotel (cant remember name) that is going in on St. Louis/Royal. I remember seeing them but I cant remember what the final product looks like. The put some fleur-de-lis on the bottom of the building which was a nice surprise, but it still looks out of place.

kind of meh, I know.

I found this on the ICH website:

The Candlewood Suites MOBILE-DOWNTOWN is now accepting reservations for arrivals after January 7, 2011.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

kind of meh, I know.

I found this on the ICH website:

Balconies would have added a little more charecter to the building !!



Prichard City Council rezones property for proposed racetrack::http://blog.al.com/live/2010/09/prichard_city_council_rez.html


I see Dow is still behind this project...... Hmmm I wonder if this development still has the potential to have wheels.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

They put some fleur-de-lis on the bottom of the building which was a nice surprise, but it still looks out of place.

I was suprised about the fleur-de-lis also.Then again the hotel isn`t that far from the De Tonti Historic district so I assume they were trying to accomodate De Tonti but they did a bad job trying.

[buckett5425]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

I was suprised about the fleur-de-lis also.Then again the hotel isn`t that far from the De Tonti Historic district so I assume they were trying to accomodate De Tonti but they did a bad job trying.

This is a prime example for why the public, developers, and architects should stop attempting to imitate the past. We simply don't build the same way anymore and can't make contemporary building techniques look original to that era. They should have gone with a contemporary design.....

[elb401]

I don't think they attempted to make the hotel look historic at all. If they did.....then ya'll are right....they did a horrible job. They did try to make it more urban than their typical suburban hotel. Even for an urban area the ground floor looks uninviting. I would rather see a more intresting looking building.

Whatever, maybe Mobile can land some bigger conventions with the additions of rooms in the downtown area.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

kind of meh, I know.

I found this on the ICH website:

Thanks, I think if they put some awning-type-thigys on the bottom you could make it look nicer. They just need to break up that flat wall.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

Originally Posted by buckett5425

This is a prime example for why the public, developers, and architects should stop attempting to imitate the past. We simply don't build the same way anymore and can't make contemporary building techniques look original to that era. They should have gone with a contemporary design.....

I completely agree. This hotel, the new courthouse, et al are embarrasing. While I love the idea of expanding Fort Conde village and the area south of the Civic Center, I hope the city doesn't succeed in implementing its plans for the construction.

Also, that moonpie rig on the Banktrust Building is ridiculous.

But to be more optimistic, we are definitely making some good progress, too. The business incubator should be great, and it would be even better adjacent to Cooper Riverside Park and combined with a market. Other business openings are just as encouraging.

I'm cautiously optimistic about these kids from Tallahassee drawing up new plans for the city. I know they will have good intentions, but I don't know what training they have or the quality thereof. And it sounded like they were architecture majors, not urban planning majors? The two aren't exactly synonymous.

Now of only we could snag a few of these contracts floating around, maybe we could tip the scales for the good, so to speak, and begin to realize our full potetential. The foundation is there now.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Well, it's very much possible to build a historically accurate building. UA does it all the time, but of course, you have to be willing to invest the money...

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by tredici

Well, it's very much possible to build a historically accurate building. UA does it all the time, but of course, you have to be willing to invest the money...

How does the nursing school look?

[Verve]

Originally Posted by nouveau_Mauvilla

I'm cautiously optimistic about these kids from Tallahassee drawing up new plans for the city. I know they will have good intentions, but I don't know what training they have or the quality thereof. And it sounded like they were architecture majors, not urban planning majors? The two aren't exactly synonymous.

I'm sure what they come up with will be concepts and ideas of things that can be done in Mobile. Who knows, it could be just as good or beneficial as paying a consultant $$$ to develop conceptual plans.

In my area here, a group of architecture students from Univ of Georgia have been doing similar activities with local communities over the last few years. They came up with conceptual plans for some of the small communities in NW Florida and south Georgia. They presented ideas that were as simple as signage and as ambitious as things that would require major investments. Some of those proposed ideas have become reality in places like Apalachicola, FL

I'm excited to see what they will come up with especially from the perspective of a younger generation.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Verve

I'm sure what they come up with will be concepts and ideas of things that can be done in Mobile. Who knows, it could be just as good or beneficial as paying a consultant $$$ to develop conceptual plans.

In my area here, a group of architecture students from Univ of Georgia have been doing similar activities with local communities over the last few years. They came up with conceptual plans for some of the small communities in NW Florida and south Georgia. They presented ideas that were as simple as signage and as ambitious as things that would require major investments. Some of those proposed ideas have become reality in places like Apalachicola, FL

I'm excited to see what they will come up with especially from the perspective of a younger generation.

Same here !!

[Dyingyak]

Originally Posted by Verve

I'm sure what they come up with will be concepts and ideas of things that can be done in Mobile. Who knows, it could be just as good or beneficial as paying a consultant $$$ to develop conceptual plans.

In my area here, a group of architecture students from Univ of Georgia have been doing similar activities with local communities over the last few years. They came up with conceptual plans for some of the small communities in NW Florida and south Georgia. They presented ideas that were as simple as signage and as ambitious as things that would require major investments. Some of those proposed ideas have become reality in places like Apalachicola, FL

I'm excited to see what they will come up with especially from the perspective of a younger generation.

Auburn has been doing the same thing all over Alabama for years with Small Town Design Initiatives. They are great learning tools for students and great marketing pieces for the communities but the implementation of the plans is somewhat limited. The students lose connection with the community after they finish the project and carrying out the ideas and recommendations loose all the momentum. Most of those communities understand what the plan is proposing to do, but on the flip side those communities don't understand how to complete many of the steps to follow through on the recommendations. A consultant is able to help the community to follow-through on many of the recommendations and implement the plan.