Mobile Development Thread

[Port_of_Bama]

We are ranked ahead of some great hotels,” Clark said. “It’s amazing and humbling.”

The hotel’s future did not always look as bright as it does now. Hurricane Katrina did terrible damage to the hotel and its amenities. The Grand underwent extensive restoration and renovation to return to its former glory. The resort fully reopened in November 2006.

“The people at the Grand worked so hard to bring it back and keep it as we’ve always known it,” said Fairhope Councilwoman Debbie Quinn.

The success of the Grand Hotel is deeply linked with the continued economic life of downtown Fairhope, she said.

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/01/grand_hotel_marriott_in_point.html

[jmbreland]

Muskavon:
THANK YOU for injecting some life into this thread. I was glad to see someone doing some substantial posting, even if it's just you. I don't live in Mobile anymore so I cannot contribute much to this thread except only to respond to others' postings. I enjoy following the postings and when it started fizzling out and the regulars disappear, I got disappointed. What happened to the big contributors like pkp?? This thread is depressing me!

Port of Bama:
Thank you for keeping this thread going. At times it seemed you were the only one keeping it going along with the occasional respondent.

Alx611:
So sorry to hear about your camera. I was crushed when my ultrazoom broke a few years ago from dropping it. The lens were fully extended and the camera landed sideways right smack onto the lens barrel and broke it.

elb401:
Thanks for posting the link to the MoonPie drop video. That is an awesome show! Goes to show what I miss out on in Mobile!

[Muskavon]

Originally Posted by jmbreland

Muskavon:
THANK YOU for injecting some life into this thread. I was glad to see someone doing some substantial posting, even if it's just you. I don't live in Mobile anymore so I cannot contribute much to this thread except only to respond to others' postings. I enjoy following the postings and when it started fizzling out and the regulars disappear, I got disappointed. What happened to the big contributors like pkp?? This thread is depressing me!

Well cool. I figured I'd only irritated everyone (or whoever is still reading the thread these days). "even if it's just you"....lol, ouch!!! Nah, I got what you meant.

I think most people, not just Mobilians or just Southeastern thread folks from this site, but practically everyone, lost a lot of their enthusiasm since 2006 for obvious economic reasons. Everyone lost interest over time. Some of it is related to a bit of entitlement, frankly. A new car or steel plant isn't threatening to build in our area every other week, even in good times...but we were waiting for the next one during crazy times. A gradual demise of readership and finally even the hangers-onners have quit, apparently. The boom is over and waiting for new developments of any significance anywhere is pretty tedious. It just took a few more years of gradual decline in interest for us to get to this point, where very few even think of coming around to check what is up. Heck, at this point, if a Family Dollar announces they are opening a store, it'll probably scroll across the bottom of your tv screen as if WKRG is giving a tornado warning...the loud beeps and everything.

Seriously though, it's just hard for most (including me for long patches of time) to get excited about coming to this site or anywhere relative to economic development or urban renewal, etc. It's almost a reminder of what was and now isn't. The money that was thrown around for real and awesomely possible projects (race tracks, stadiums, skyscrapers, townhomes, interstates, transit systems, massive redevolpment of old neighborhoods, etc) is just gone for the most part. To find excitement now, you have to find the little nuggets and really appreciate them. Frank McGillicutty finally painted his house...woooo!!!!

A case in point for me is I used to come here a few times a day (3 years ago) to check out what was going on in Atlanta. I've never lived in Atlanta nor have any ties to the place other than thinking of it as the capital of "southern" cities. Their developmnt thread was an exciting place to be. They listed on their front page about 200 under-construction or proposed skyscrapers. And 80% of them were legit possibilities. Hell, Atlanta was going to look like NYC in 5 years. Kaboom. It all fell apart. I think I've checked out the Atlanta threads about 6 times in the last 18 months. And I haven't missed very much by their standards. Go look in their Southeast sub-thread, one person has posted in the last 5 days. Atlanata!!! They'd have hundreds of posts by dozens of people in normal times (or what we once considered "normal"). That's what I mean though...its hard to come back day after day to either long for the future or gripe about the now. Especially if you aren't very big on the future. It is easy to be here when money is flowing like water and things are "popping."

If that horrible old AmSouth building in downtown Mobile is getting a legit facelift (and I assume it still is), that's sorta exciting to me in any economy. Especially this economy. Why isn't someone posting pics of that? That was 40 years overue and sure to make the whole of downtown look 600% better while coming into Mobile from I-10 East (or West). Someone should talk about that, for starters.

[elb401]

That’s it; you hit it on the nail! I think you will see more interest as the economy improves. I would like to know about an update on the Mardi Gras Park that is planned for the old courthouse lot. Hopefully the county and city can add it to its budget next year. OH and it appears that the new urban (I wonder how closely they stuck to the new urban guidelines) community of Salt Aire might be coming back.......

http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2011/01/saltaire_may_be_coming_back_to.html

[Port_of_Bama]

Thanks man I try ! I love this city and want the best for the lady.

[BlessedMobile]

I will have to agree that the forum is quieter than before but we all know that money is the fuel for change. There is a lack of money available right now because of the poor economy or, if you are of another persuasion, there is a poor economy because of a lack of money. In our area, you can figure that the banks screwed up by getting out on a limb with shaky loans. Regions will hopefully be bought out; PNC is the 6th largest bank with HQ in Pittsburg, PA. Colonial is totally gone and BankTrust is hanging on. The Austal expansion is great but the game changer is the tanker; get it and we will likely have 50,000 more people in our area in 10 years or less. Big money follows Big Money. I know several people who have projects on hold pending the money. I did hear from a realtor friend who said that the nice condo project at the corner of Joachim and St. Francis was back on the front burner and likely to start soon. We had our best year in business last year and expect another good year in 2011. Be of good cheer my friends as Mobile's best days are fast approaching. For what it is worth, I think the tanker is ours as the Air Force likes it best, it will be less expensive, and the politics have shifted to a more favorable outcome. oh yea, another thing, the bridge is coming in 2013.

[Port_of_Bama]

Blessed it`s always good to hear from you to man. It`s like a cyber family lol.I heard that the Mobile moonpie drop wa the NUMBER 1 New Year`s Eve theme in the country !! Mobile threw the best NWE party in the state no doubt and the GoDaddy bowl was a big success our visitirs fell in love with the city,cluture,and architecture.The big winner was the Parade.Im ready to see the museum go up and the them park as well.

[BlessedMobile]

Port of Bama....We do need to stir up some posters somehow. Glad you are doing well. The moon pie drop was a success by any measure. I talked to some downtown restaurants today who said they were swamped with business on New Years. Some people can't see how good Fred Richardson's idea has become but I sure appreciate it. Fred is the number one cheerleader for Mobile. I see that they are still putting in pilings for the Maritime Museum but that will take off when the foundation is finally poured. Keep in touch.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Port of Bama....We do need to stir up some posters somehow. Glad you are doing well. The moon pie drop was a success by any measure. I talked to some downtown restaurants today who said they were swamped with business on New Years. Some people can't see how good Fred Richardson's idea has become but I sure appreciate it. Fred is the number one cheerleader for Mobile. I see that they are still putting in pilings for the Maritime Museum but that will take off when the foundation is finally poured. Keep in touch.

The mentality of some Mobilians need to change.People were complaining about the 9K he spent on the idea.Now look at what 9k has done for the city millions $$$$$ that is lol.


And to elb im glad that the Saltair development is back on again ! That development will breath more life in the area and I like the idea that shops and cafes will be included.

[Port_of_Bama]

Thye Mobile Sports Hall of Fame Museum will be in the Battle House tower now.


I read that there will be another burger joint in the Pinebrook shopping center on mcgregor and Airport it is a Frnachise out of Virginia anyone know about this place ? I love burger joints just wondering.

[spark317]

Five Guys is based in Virginia. Outstanding reviews in every city they are located. Burgers, fries, hotdogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches are all they sell.

[NitekKetin]

Judging from the pictures and menu, BGR - The Burger Joint seems to be a bit more 'fast casual' than Five Guys, which itself is located less than a mile from BGR's Pinebrook site. It's glad to see new businesses locate in established shopping centers.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

oh yea, another thing, the bridge is coming in 2013.

Speaking of that bridge, what's the latest news on that? I that there were some recent town hall meetings and such, but is there any more news on ALDOT actually moving forward with this?

[Verve]

To all the posters commenting on how quiet the forum is these days, I agree that when there were a multitude of projects on the books and underway, it kept me checking each day. I still check in from time to time. I'm not living in Mobile right now, so the forum does help me get a sense of the things that are still happening no matter how small they may be. I get back to the city just about once a month and I always drive around downtown and other areas to check out the changes. Now that I don't live here, some of the changes are more noticeable.

Also living in a city (Tallahassee) that doesn't have the extensive historic districts that Mobile has, I have an even greater appreciation for our architecture, canopied streets, and southern historic charm. I'm also excited about the new buildings and structures that have been built in the last 3-5 years. It's a kick to get to stay in the Battle House when I come back on business trips. Something I wouldn't have had many chances to do living in Mobile.

So, fellow posters, continue to visit the forum and contribute when you can. There are still some of us lurking out here. Once things pick up again, I'm sure the forum will rev up again, too.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by tredici

Speaking of that bridge, what's the latest news on that? I that there were some recent town hall meetings and such, but is there any more news on ALDOT actually moving forward with this?

According to the link the new bridge will be the tallest bridge in the coutry(yes taller than SF`s golden gate). And yes plans are under way with the project.The bridge alone is a tourist attraction especially boastoing the title as the tallest bridge in the nation.



http://www.mobilechamber.com/bridge.asp

[buckett5425]

No offense to Mobile. But the Golden Gate Bridge is a stunning piece of design set within a beautiful landscape. Other notable bridges share a smilier relationship with their geographic location.

While I am sure the Mobile Bridge will be nice, I don't think being the tallest will be a big enough of a claim to fame, because of the scenery, its set within a port. The Sun Shine Bridge in Tampa shares a similar design, and I know of know one specifically taking pictures in front of it such as the Royal Gorge Bridge or Golden Gate, which are true tourist attractions.

Personally, I think it's a huge waste of money, lol

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by buckett5425

No offense to Mobile. But the Golden Gate Bridge is a stunning piece of design set within a beautiful landscape. Other notable bridges share a smilier relationship with their geographic location.

no offense to you, buckett, but this bridge will be better than the golden gate bridge. it will, however, be just a bit short of the pyramids in world rankings - that is unless we attach a beautiful moonpie drop to the top. in that case, we're at the top and its not close.

[elb401]

I don't think it will become a tourist attraction...... but I do think it is needed to help ease the growth of traffic for the next 20 years (I hate to say that). I know it will add to the street scape in the downtown area. Those images from the ALDOT video really show how the bridge will change the city scape.

[buckett5425]

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

no offense to you, buckett, but this bridge will be better than the golden gate bridge. it will, however, be just a bit short of the pyramids in world rankings - that is unless we attach a beautiful moonpie drop to the top. in that case, we're at the top and its not close.

I saw the renderings, and watched the video. It looks like every other uninspiring cable stayed bridge in the world. Sorry, but if Mobile is going to build this thing, I would hope they would choose a design that is more inspiring, than simply something that is big and tall. "just saying"

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by buckett5425

I saw the renderings, and watched the video. It looks like every other uninspiring cable stayed bridge in the world. Sorry, but if Mobile is going to build this thing, I would hope they would choose a design that is more inspiring, than simply something that is big and tall. "just saying"

Really, I don't think there's much else they can do as far as the design goes. They need to minimize that amount of exposed metal, so that means as much concrete as possible, and we all know you can just stretch a massive Bayway over the river. Cable stayed is bout the best you can do.

I really do think that the design is pretty cool. The towers splitting and those splits actually being function is pretty neat. Plus, I think it fits with Mobile. I'm sorry, but as iconic as those bridges are in New Orleans, they make the city look archaic, and dying.