Mobile Development Thread - Page 271

SouthSky · #**5401** Posted **Apr 11, 2011, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredici

Can't find it online. What did it say?

Same here... but I did find the section front pdf:

Link Here - MPR

SouthSky · #**5402** Posted **Apr 11, 2011, 6:32 PM**

The full bridge article posted today:
MPR

SpawnOfVulcan · #**5403** Posted **Apr 11, 2011, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthSky

The full bridge article posted today:
MPR

Well, it's good that the businesses are coming to the table and working with the DOT instead of simply opposing it. The only way it's gonna work is if they're involved as well.

Alxx611 · #**5404** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 12:33 AM**

Pretty big tower cranes are up at the Maritime Museum site:

SouthSky · #**5405** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 12:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alxx611

Pretty big tower cranes are up at the Maritime Museum site:

I guess this means they're finally ready for some structural work.

The museum's potential doesn't excite me as much as the ferries they "plan" on running out of there. I would most certainly use it on trips from downtown to Fairhope/Point Clear. Though I'm not saying the museum will be a bust... I am just more excited by the expanded options for crossing the bay.

Next on the list: The old CSX/Amtrak terminal lot.

elb401 · #**5406** Posted **Apr 16, 2011, 1:47 PM**

With all this talk about Casinos and bingo....i wouldn't mind trying to get approval for bingo or gambling in the cruise terminal. If we can't get a ship maybe a casino might want it. the garage is built and it has some space on the water. The land to the south and west, once the I-10 ramps are removed, could hold a hotel. I don't know what do ya'll think?

CottonCity251 · #**5407** Posted **Apr 17, 2011, 12:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by elb401

With all this talk about Casinos and bingo....i wouldn't mind trying to get approval for bingo or gambling in the cruise terminal. If we can't get a ship maybe a casino might want it. the garage is built and it has some space on the water. The land to the south and west, once the I-10 ramps are removed, could hold a hotel. I don't know what do ya'll think?

Good idea!! Don't know if it'll work seeing the state is trying to crack down on electronic bingo... They need to do something about gambling in Alabama!!

Port_of_Bama · #**5408** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

fDi Magazine has ranked Mobile No. 10 among small cities of the future in the Americas.

The magazine, published by London's Financial Times, is aimed at executives and consultants who might be picking new business locations around the world. The name in an acronym for foreign direct investment.
A panel of five judges ranked Mobile No. 10 among cities with populations of 100,000 to 250,000. That group of 175 included No. 1 Richmond, Va., and No. 5 Huntsville. New York was No. 1 among major cities, while Pittsburgh, Pa., was tops among large cities. Greenville, S.C., was No. 1 among cities with less than 100,000 people.
Rankings were compiled using numbers and judges' opinion to rank cities on their chances for attracting foreign investment, economic development and business expansion.
"This ranking is further proof that Team Mobile's strategy for attracting foreign direct investment is right on track," said Troy Wayman, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce's vice president for economic development. "Being ranked in the Top 10 for strategy puts us in very good company and sets us apart from much of our competition in the nation."
Mobile ranked No. 5 for foreign direct investment promotion strategy, based on information submitted by the chamber, behind No. 1 Huntsville. It also ranked No. 9 for job creation from foreign direct investment. The Press-Register recently counted 35 foreign-owned companies in Mobile County that employ nearly 10,000 people, or roughly one in every 15 private-sector workers.

http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2011/04/mobile_ala_ranked_no_10_small.html

I Hope the city continue to invest into downtown ! The article mentioned that Mobile is aggressive when it comes to attracting foreign investments. I agree with the article but the city also need to be aggressive with downtown investments as well.

SouthSky · #**5409** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 7:32 PM**

Small news for Fairhope:

Another Broken Egg is planning to open a store there.

If you haven't been, I suggest going whenever it opens. You will not be displeased.

Electrical Porpoise · #**5410** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Small news for Fairhope:

Another Broken Egg is planning to open a store there.

If you haven't been, I suggest going whenever it opens. You will not be displeased.

I cant open their locations for whatever reason, but if they have on in Bham...its legit. Too many restaurants with similar names so I might be confused.

SouthSky · #**5411** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 2:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

I cant open their locations for whatever reason, but if they have on in Bham...its legit. Too many restaurants with similar names so I might be confused.

Yeah... it's in Mountain Brook.

elb401 · #**5412** Posted **Apr 25, 2011, 9:44 PM**

Looks like Midtown is getting a new grocery store. The lot at the corner of Springhill Ave and Mobile Infirmary Drive is under contract. The rumor was either a publix or Earth Fare, one of the largest natural food retailers in the country. They have Earth Fares in Auburn, Huntsville, and Montgomery. I kind of don't want it to be a Publix. It was in the paper last sunday. I just hope they don't give it a West Mobilish design.

Port_of_Bama · #**5413** Posted **Apr 29, 2011, 1:45 PM**

Finally there will be a law placed on downtown property owners who fail to upkeep blighted buildings...Downtown is trying to make a major comeback and i`m glad that the city will be enforcing the same laws that Charleston and Savannah are using on their property owners !

After reading the article I never knew that a public nuisance law was never placed beyond the Hank Aaron Loop downtown( The loop is areas that are in closed within Broad,Canal,and Water streets that circle is the the loop)...i`m glad that the city will soon be using the same public nuisance laws that are enforced beyond the loop(midtown).

[

Quote:

B]The law[/B]
Allowing buildings in "preservation districts” such as Downtown to exist in such shape is against the law, according to city code.

"It shall be a violation of this ordinance for an owner of a structure or site within a preservation district to fail to maintain such a structure or property to prevent the deterioration of any exterior appurtenance or architectural features,” a 1996 amendment to Mobile’s building code reads.

The ordinance, which was drawn up to enhance the public investment of more than $60 million in public monies in the then-newly constructed Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, continues to explain a minimum standard of maintenance is required for building foundations, exterior walls, roofs, windows, doors and other elements. The minimum standard of care for each specific item essentially aims to ensure structural safety and impermeability to weather to prevent deterioration.

Standard building codes, ensuring up-to-date mechanical elements such as electrical wiring, plumbing and other mechanical systems, aren’t excluded in enforcement, either.

Additionally, a section of the city code directly spells out handling properties deemed a public nuisance. The process involves issuing notices to owners of nuisance properties, holding hearings to determine whether the property should be repaired or demolished and, if the cost of repair exceeds the cost of demolition, providing an assessment for that service. If the property’s owner fails to pay the assessment the city of Mobile would then earn the right to take ownership and sell the property to recover money owed on a lien.

http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article.asp?articleID=4424&sid=1

elb401 · #**5414** Posted **Apr 29, 2011, 1:59 PM**

After reading the article, it doesn't seem the law has any teeth right now. Knowing the kind of people that we have in office, I don't think they have the guts to enforce it. It only takes one property owner or developer to cry and Bess Rich, Williams, and the others will immediately back down. They shouldn't be in public office if they make decisions that protect one person over the entire city. We have weak unimaginative people on our city council. They need to grow a pair or step down!

Port_of_Bama · #**5415** Posted **Apr 29, 2011, 4:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by elb401

After reading the article, it doesn't seem the law has any teeth right now. Knowing the kind of people that we have in office, I don't think they have the guts to enforce it. It only takes one property owner or developer to cry and Bess Rich, Williams, and the others will immediately back down. They shouldn't be in public office if they make decisions that protect one person over the entire city. We have weak unimaginative people on our city council. They need to grow a pair or step down!

Yes they need to grow them !

elb401 · #**5416** Posted **May 3, 2011, 7:39 PM**

There is a meeting at 3 tomorrow (May 4) with the architectual review board to discuss a possible Dollar store being built on the parcel of land between Etheridge street and Lafayette Street on Government street in the old dauphin way district. Its near the Winn Dixie on Government. While I'm not thrilled about a Dollar Store possibly going there, I do think this building should be built with historic character with small setbacks and rear parking. If they build it, it should conform to the Mobile Strategic Plan. The lot is in the historic district so it must have a historic design. I was hoping for more residential, like a small apartment complex.

Alxx611 · #**5417** Posted **May 3, 2011, 9:28 PM**

isn't there a Dollar Store literally a block before the proposed site?

NitekKetin · #**5418** Posted **May 4, 2011, 5:38 AM**

Yes, the Dollar General is right at the intersection of Catherine and Government, and a Dollar Tree store is located next to the site in that adjacent strip mall.

elb401 · #**5419** Posted **May 4, 2011, 1:54 PM**

Cheap retail, the dollar store type, is the fastest growing type of retail in this country right now. I'm not against it completely, I'm just a little worried that the streets in Midtown are starting to look like the main streets on the Eastern Shore and west Mobile. A lot of people live in Midtown for the urban built environment. I also understand that people need stores and amenities in the neighborhoods where they live. But, let’s not turn it into a modern suburb. I'm also a little worried that the store will eventually become trashed like the one at the Dollar General at the corner of Government and Tuttle. The Dollar Tree behind the Starbucks is not being taken care of right now. It is deteriorating quickly. I kind of want to call the corporate office and complain about it. Believe it or not, other retail stores will not want to locate near another store that is perceived to be a dump. At least the Government Street/Catherine Street corner has Starbucks, Office Depot, and the renovated Winn Dixie. I’m not against chains either, if they want to come into the market let them, just don’t let them threaten whats left of the character of the neighborhood. Its worth protecting.

What we need are those optional zoning codes in Spring Hill brought to Midtown and Downtown as not optional.

I am very disappointed in our elected city and county officials, I'm beginning to want to replace them all!

SouthSky · #**5420** Posted **May 10, 2011, 4:38 AM**

I thought I would come here to spice things up... how about a discussion on how to improve (or blow up) Airport Blvd?

An article today in the MPR brought to light one thing I've thought about for a long time: overpasses/elevated interchanges being added. What do you all think should be done with this 15 mile long parking lot?

Link to the article:
Here - Mobile Press-Register