Mobile Development Thread - Page 255

Port_of_Bama · #**5081** Posted **Nov 11, 2010, 5:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

This is something that I know a little about. Prichard has maybe 25K residents now most of whom live east of I-65. Both Ron Davis and Earline Martin-Harris really want to solve the money shortfalls but they do come at it from different perspectives. Earline is "mostly facts and some faith" while Ron is "mostly faith and some facts"....you can see the dilemma. I don't think that today's political climate would understand the reasoning why Prichard should become part of Mobile but it will likely happen at some point because it will be a win/win for both. Taking in Prichard would enlarge our city "land area" by 22% or 26 square miles. The Prichard we know today will not grow in the area west of I-65 but Mobile management will foster tremendous growth after taking over the whole 26 square miles. This is "the expansion area" Mobile needs to extend west. FYI, Prichard has failed to adequately monitor enough federal grants that they won't be getting any more big ones for a long time; Mobile, on the other hand, can get many, many millions to fix up the infrastructure of Prichard once Mobile takes over. Another point, people who move from Prichard are coming to Mobile. All this to say....Prichard should vote to seek inclusion into Mobile and we should welcome them.

Im glad that you mentioned that I can only seee this as a positive for the both as well.....I thought prichard had 28,000 ? Adding prichard would make it Mobile the largest city in the state right ?

BlessedMobile · #**5082** Posted **Nov 12, 2010, 3:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Im glad that you mentioned that I can only seee this as a positive for the both as well.....I thought prichard had 28,000 ? Adding prichard would make it Mobile the largest city in the state right ?

I was thinking that the 28K was from the 2000 census. The 25K assumes that the population has declined further in ten years. Mobile would be close to being the largest city in Alabama if Prichard was added. As for size, Bham 230K, Mont. 202K and Mobile currently at 198k. Looking at Wikipedia for numbers I see that in land area Birmingham has 150 square miles, Montgomery 155 s/m and Mobile at 118 s/m. We need LAND to expand...people will fill it! We actually show 41square miles of water in the city limits and both of the other cities have only a couple at most. Remember now, the above LAND areas don't include the water areas. The way I see it, we need Prichard and Prichard needs us. It will be much easier to take it all in at once than let the whole city become part of the county and then have to fight with annexation.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**5083** Posted **Nov 12, 2010, 6:36 AM**

Yea, Mobile would be the second largest city. But, it would put them easily within reaching distance of first. Birmingham has started to actually grow again, but they're doing so very slowly. The city of Mobile is either growing (I haven't been paying attention to the statistics lately) or is about to be. So, if the city annexed Prichard, I think it's reasonable to say that Mobile could be the largest by 2020.

BUT, you have factor in Huntsville, which by that time is likely to have anywhere from 215,000 to 230,000 residents... Assuming that the population expansion keeps track with the way it's going right now, then adding in the urban expansion in Decatur, Madison, and Athens, I think it's unlikely that Mobile would maintain first place for more than a couple of years.

Port_of_Bama · #**5084** Posted **Nov 12, 2010, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I was thinking that the 28K was from the 2000 census. The 25K assumes that the population has declined further in ten years. Mobile would be close to being the largest city in Alabama if Prichard was added. As for size, Bham 230K, Mont. 202K and Mobile currently at 198k. Looking at Wikipedia for numbers I see that in land area Birmingham has 150 square miles, Montgomery 155 s/m and Mobile at 118 s/m. We need LAND to expand...people will fill it! We actually show 41square miles of water in the city limits and both of the other cities have only a couple at most. Remember now, the above LAND areas don't include the water areas. The way I see it, we need Prichard and Prichard needs us. It will be much easier to take it all in at once than let the whole city become part of the county and then have to fight with annexation.

Gotcha City-Data has Prichard at a population of 27 K......I was told that Mobile has to incorporate Prichard once it is dissolved is that true ?

BlessedMobile · #**5085** Posted **Nov 13, 2010, 5:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Gotcha City-Data has Prichard at a population of 27 K......I was told that Mobile has to incorporate Prichard once it is dissolved is that true ?

No...Prichard will be part of the county. I think that, if push came to shove, that Prichard would willingly become part of Mobile before it would dissolve. A few years ago the Prichard city budget was 12 million with most from property tax and sales tax in the Eight Mile area...the potential for increase is minimal. I do not know if Prichard can vote to become part of Mobile at our invitation but I bet there is a way with a negotiated deal on the little debt and taking on their pensioners. Just given that our current population density in Mobile is nearly 1700 people per sq/mile, the 26 square miles of Prichard would give us a future population growth of 44,200 people. If Mobile could get Prichard I think it would be like the Louisiana Purchase for the US...a far bigger reward for the price paid! This is all about timing.

Port_of_Bama · #**5086** Posted **Nov 13, 2010, 10:16 PM**

44 K + ? wow that would be great...... I think Mobile is most dense city out of the major 4 fyi.....I hope the incorporation does follow through.

Port_of_Bama · #**5087** Posted **Nov 16, 2010, 1:12 PM**

It`s rumored that HHGREGG will be coming to the festival centre

SouthSky · #**5088** Posted **Nov 16, 2010, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

It`s rumored that HHGREGG will be coming to the festival centre

Yeah it was in the Real Estate section of Sunday's MP-R. Also, Dick's Sporting Goods is setting up in Daphne.

Also, it seems Mobile got a major international convention for 2014. Supposedly it is going to bring upwards of 4,000 delegates.

NitekKetin · #**5089** Posted **Nov 17, 2010, 2:26 AM**

There is so much development potential around Wilson Avenue and down towards Three Mile Creek, so I hope Prichard becomes a more stable geographic entity in the long term.

Also, I'm glad that the Festival Centre is still attracting new to the market retailers. Although it isn't as glamorous as an upscale supermarket or a relocated book store, this hhgregg will provide a nice counterbalance to Best Buy's offerings. Now, if only a casual dining restaurant will occupy that old Chili's location.

jmbreland · #**5090** Posted **Nov 18, 2010, 6:26 PM**

I've always envisioned how much better Mobile's Festival Centre would attract businesses and customers by improving its landscaping and updating its look. Ideally, the structure could sport a Spanish look and the landscaping to include palms, especially the tall date palms from California like at The Wharf. The parking lot should be torn up to incorporate lushly landscaped islands. This will go a long way in enhancing its appeal.

Port_of_Bama · #**5091** Posted **Nov 18, 2010, 8:20 PM**

Man what a great idea !!

NitekKetin · #**5092** Posted **Nov 19, 2010, 3:37 AM**

Although done to death in South Alabama, Mediterranean-style commercial architecture would look great enveloping the Festival Centre complex. Tower elements in particular would give smaller tenants more prominence in the retail buildings. The signature amenity, located in the massive lot fronting Virgina College, could be a heavily landscaped, brick paved common area flanked by food carts and seating areas all accented by a massive central water feature.

Alxx611 · #**5093** Posted **Nov 24, 2010, 6:32 PM**

http://video-embed.al.com/services/player/bcpid619299288001?bctid=679067444001

awesome timelapse of downtown

SouthSky · #**5094** Posted **Nov 24, 2010, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alxx611

http://video-embed.al.com/services/player/bcpid619299288001?bctid=679067444001

awesome timelapse of downtown

Great video! Thanks for posting...

jmbreland · #**5095** Posted **Nov 28, 2010, 9:10 PM**

Awesome video!

Port_of_Bama · #**5096** Posted **Nov 29, 2010, 10:53 PM**

Nice view of Mobile`s skyline !!

jmbreland · #**5097** Posted **Dec 3, 2010, 8:38 AM**

That's a nice shot there, Port of Bama.

So...

Not much going on over there, eh? What happened to all you guys? Did a new Mobile thread start up somewhere and I'm missing it?

Port_of_Bama · #**5098** Posted **Dec 4, 2010, 2:28 PM**

LOL....There are developments going on but not on the level as it was three years ago.I think Mobilians are RSA spoiled.

The garage of the former Am South tower has a new exterior/facade from the rendering.And they are adding lights to it.

The foundation of the Gulf Quest is coming along fine.I havn`t seen any work on the Mardi Gra park as of yet. Ther are a couple of new shops,restaraunts,and bars downtown. Also I believe upgrades on the Ramada will start soon.

elb401 · #**5099** Posted **Dec 4, 2010, 5:16 PM**

What are they doing to the Ramada? I heard a bbq place opened up in the building on the church street side. has anyone been there?

Alxx611 · #**5100** Posted **Dec 4, 2010, 6:03 PM**

I think he might be refering to the former Radison, which is under new management and now just the Admiral Semmes Hotel. The Ramada is the Mobile Bay Adventure Inn and they did open a bar, but i can't remember what its called. I have many new photos of development coming soon..