Montgomery development news - Page 242

bystander1 · #**4821** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 9:33 PM**

I thought you would be there to light the fuse.

The contest for the facade remake will start soon.

ExpatBaman · #**4822** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capital Heights

I am very disappointed to learn that Troy State Montgomery is going to tear down the 8-story historic structure on Montgomery Street just across from the Rosa Parks library. This is an historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places that cannot be replicated and should be saved and reused rather than be torn down for another parking lot.

About half of the building is gone now. Does anyone know what Troy U. plans to do with that corner lot?

The lousy leadership of that so-called "urban" university is not helpful to downtown at all. These idiots tear down one of the last mid-rise buildings left downtown and for what? They also have a bad habit of covering up buildings with hideous cladding.

Troy decision-makers need to visit S.C.A.D. in Savannah to see how a real urban university conducts business in a Southern city.

It's scary to think of these people getting their hands on more property downtown. As a state institution, Troy is immune from any interference or regulation from the city. They could literally buy and tear down every available downtown building and there's nothing we could do about it.

bystander1 · #**4823** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 9:29 PM**

I agree 100%. These goons are debasing the very area they pride themselves for being in. And for what? A parking lot...

rbp · #**4824** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 10:51 PM**

It is a loss, but having been in that building, I understand their choosing not to use it. The upper floors were probably less than 9 feet making getting air conditioning, plumbing and electrical in difficult. I wouldn't be surprised if Troy's hoping to get the entire block (look for the demolition of the remaining structures) and build a signature facility there.

Thedarkone1977 · #**4825** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 11:10 PM**

Nice pictures of the renovated Cramton Bowl from the Central Alabama Sports Commission's website.

http://alsportscapital.com/

Thedarkone1977 · #**4826** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 11:37 PM**

The Dexter Avenue Plaza will have a Digital Library, a Children's Museum, and a Coffee shop (Starbucks). Is it just me or is the logical private tenant a big box bookstore (Barns and Noble).

bystander1 · #**4827** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 4:00 AM**

Micheal Briddell, who's over the library system for the city, hinted at having a store of that type (Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble) as a possible tenant.

BTW, the mayor says he, the county commission, and ALDOT will hold a news conference Tuesday to make a big announcement about transportation in Montgomery. Hmm, what could it be this time? The 18th announcement on the start of the Outer Loop? ooh, ooh, maybe it's the long talked about interstate-like upgrade of 231 to Dothan? or, or maybe the long-ago planned River Parkway along the East Bank? or the...oh, I'm sorry, ...do I sound a little pessimistic?

SpawnOfVulcan · #**4828** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thedarkone1977

The Dexter Avenue Plaza will have a Digital Library, a Children's Museum, and a Coffee shop (Starbucks). Is it just me or is the logical private tenant a big box bookstore (Barns and Noble).

Since BAM is based in Alabama, it would be nice if the city approached them about a new concept or something. As far as I know, BAM doesn't have any urban locations (as in downtown), and this could be an interesting option for them to try out.

OldCloverdale · #**4829** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 2:30 PM**

did the LA Times run a story on The Alley this past weekend?

OCA REP · #**4830** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredici

Since BAM is based in Alabama, it would be nice if the city approached them about a new concept or something. As far as I know, BAM doesn't have any urban locations (as in downtown), and this could be an interesting option for them to try out.

Please NO. If anything of this nature should locate downtown, I would prefer a Barnes and Noble. We have really missed the one since it closed in Montgomery. BAM is a cheap imitation with employees that seem to have no passion for reading. With Barnes and Noble gone, I do not feel nearly as bad about loading up my Kindle...

SpawnOfVulcan · #**4831** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCA REP

Please NO. If anything of this nature should locate downtown, I would prefer a Barnes and Noble. We have really missed the one since it closed in Montgomery. BAM is a cheap imitation with employees that seem to have no passion for reading. With Barnes and Noble gone, I do not feel nearly as bad about loading up my Kindle...

I think it depends on who you're hiring. I've had better experiences with BAM than Barnes and Noble. I have to believe that when looking at people to hire at a downtown book store next to a library, you're gonna be more picky and selective when considering who to hire.

thoraudio · #**4832** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCloverdale

did the LA Times run a story on The Alley this past weekend?

There's an article on 150th anniversary of J.D.'s inauguration, and how the Confederate themes are slipping away, but nothing specifically on the Alley.

The Heights · #**4833** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpatBaman

About half of the building is gone now. Does anyone know what Troy U. plans to do with that corner lot?

What a silly question. Surface parking of course! That's what we really need more of in downtown Montgomery.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13504707

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpatBaman

The lousy leadership of that so-called "urban" university is not helpful to downtown at all. These idiots tear down one of the last mid-rise buildings left downtown and for what? They also have a bad habit of covering up buildings with hideous cladding.

I hated to see the building come down, but what really peeves me is that there was no effort to do any salvage and reuse of materials. The building had some nice stonework that could have been salvaged. Oh well.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**4834** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 6:32 PM**

BTW, it was announced today that $100 Million has been approved for the outer loop. Supposed to be the first part of the I-85 extension.

thoraudio · #**4835** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredici

BTW, it was announced today that $100 Million has been approved for the outer loop. Supposed to be the first part of the I-85 extension.

I'll say it again. Why are we excited about giving people a quicker way to avoid Montgomery?

The Heights · #**4836** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:27 PM**

Quote:

*removed*

That means that they'll have a half-dozen "crape murdered" crape myrtles planted on the edges of the parking lot.

ExpatBaman · #**4837** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

I'll say it again. Why are we excited about giving people a quicker way to avoid Montgomery?

Yeah, this is very bad news for the city. The outer loop is nothing but a means to establish a new sprawl corridor so that certain rich real estate interests can get even richer littering the countryside with more Wal-marts, Waffle Houses, and "subdivisions" full of characterless cookie cutter carports with attached living space.

The last thing we need is another bypass. Development money will be wasted along the loop, mostly outside the city, and the blossoming efforts toward redevelopment in real neighborhoods inside the existing bypass will be nipped in the bud. Hello little Detroit. We want to empty out the city just like our neighbors up I-65 did with their interstate loop.

OldCloverdale · #**4838** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredici

BTW, it was announced today that $100 Million has been approved for the outer loop. Supposed to be the first part of the I-85 extension.

A major announcement was made Tuesday concerning Montgomery's Outer Loop.

The Alabama Department of Transportation announced it will begin construction on the next phase of the project, and that the Outer Loop will serve as the first leg of the Interstate 85 extension through West Alabama.

For years commuters have driven along I-85 right past several mounds of dirt, the only construction so far. In the next few years major changes will take place, and eventually the Outer Loop will become I-85, paving the way to extending the interstate to touch I-20/59 near the Mississippi line. A lot of work will need to be done, however.

Phase 1 is to connect the interstate to Vaughn road. That's expected to take at least 2 or 3 years to complete.

Then work will continue to connect the loop to I-65. When that is complete, what is now I-85 will be renumbered to I-685 between the outer loop and its connection to I-65.

ALDOT will take bids on the project in late May, and it will take several months after that before construction actually begins.

It will be at least late summer before any dirt is turned over.

ALDOT estimates Phase 1 of the project will employ 3,000 to 4,000 people.

ExpatBaman · #**4839** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbp

I wouldn't be surprised if Troy's hoping to get the entire block (look for the demolition of the remaining structures) and build a signature facility there.

Oh joy, so Troy wants to tear down the Jefferson Davis Hotel too? Wonderful. I can't wait to see what they mean by a "signature facility". Maybe a nondescript fortress building in the middle of the block surrounded by an ocean of parking?

rbp · #**4840** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Heights

I hated to see the building come down, but what really peeves me is that there was no effort to do any salvage and reuse of materials. The building had some nice stonework that could have been salvaged. Oh well.

When they were tearing off the western end of the building, I hoped that was what they were doing.