Montgomery development news - Page 256

OCA REP · #**5101** Posted **Jun 1, 2011, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCloverdale

Roux opens tomorrow but there's a "private" party tonight...

http://www.rouxmontgomery.com/

Attended this last night and the food was excellent. Of course, most of the time, the food was not the problem at the Village Kitchen, it was the service. The chef, David Dickensauge, addressed the crowd and stressed that the food and the service both have to be outstanding... so, it sounds like they know the shortcomings of the previous tenant and will work to erase those memories.

In the next couple of weeks they will be opening the ROUX Market, where you can purchase takeout, etc. The plans look pretty cool.

Check ROUX out... it opens today!

OldCloverdale · #**5102** Posted **Jun 1, 2011, 3:01 PM**

not "development news" ... but the more events MGM brings to town, the better

a couple of HS sports related things:

The Alabama All-Star Sports Week is back in the capital city July 11-15 and will be at ten different locations: http://ahsaa.com/Portals/0/pdf/All%20Star%202006/2011venuesMap.pdf

The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic is leaving Mobile for Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. This year's game will be December 10: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/alabama-mississippi_all-star_c_3.html

hotels, restaurants, etc

OldCloverdale · #**5103** Posted **Jun 1, 2011, 4:40 PM**

Sections of Old Cloverdale are getting a facelift, but the process has been painful for some businesses there... that process is soon coming to an end.

City crews are working on improvements to the area - centered on the intersection of Graham Street and Cloverdale Road. They're widening sidewalks and planting trees in an effort to make the area more attractive and pedestrian friendly. The project should be completed by the first week of July.

For businesses in the neighborhood, including one restaurant that's about to open, that date can't come soon enough.

"It's definitely not ideal, but it is something that's very short-term," said Melissa Wall, a consultant.

The managers at Roux, which specializes in New Orleans-style cuisine, expect their opening to be a success despite what's going on outside.

"It's something where we've priced to be able to have you come in the doors, a couple of times a week, enjoy your family, enjoy your neighborhood," Wall said.

"As soon as people find out about our cuisine, I'm sure they'll be coming in the door," said Lee Ussery, the general manager for the restaurant.

The project has been delayed by weather and other factors. City leaders say once the construction is done, it will be well worth the wait.

"It's going to feel like you're in the center of a little town area or a commercial district," said Chad Emerson, Director of Development for the City of Montgomery. "It's really going to have this nice, walkable pedestrian-safe, setting."

'It's been disruptive, but most of our merchants have weathered well with it, and are very supportive of it," said Oliver Smyth, a board member for Historic Southview, Inc., a key supporter of the project. "And so, a little pain is going to go a long way toward getting to the other end."

And all of the business in the area are open, and there's actually plenty of parking once you make it through. The project is estimated cost a half million dollars. It's being paid for by federal stimulus funds.

OCA REP · #**5104** Posted **Jun 1, 2011, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCloverdale

Sections of Old Cloverdale are getting a facelift, but the process has been painful for some businesses there... that process is soon coming to an end.

City crews are working on improvements to the area - centered on the intersection of Graham Street and Cloverdale Road. They're widening sidewalks and planting trees in an effort to make the area more attractive and pedestrian friendly. The project should be completed by the first week of July.

For businesses in the neighborhood, including one restaurant that's about to open, that date can't come soon enough.

"It's definitely not ideal, but it is something that's very short-term," said Melissa Wall, a consultant.

The managers at Roux, which specializes in New Orleans-style cuisine, expect their opening to be a success despite what's going on outside.

"It's something where we've priced to be able to have you come in the doors, a couple of times a week, enjoy your family, enjoy your neighborhood," Wall said.

"As soon as people find out about our cuisine, I'm sure they'll be coming in the door," said Lee Ussery, the general manager for the restaurant.

The project has been delayed by weather and other factors. City leaders say once the construction is done, it will be well worth the wait.

"It's going to feel like you're in the center of a little town area or a commercial district," said Chad Emerson, Director of Development for the City of Montgomery. "It's really going to have this nice, walkable pedestrian-safe, setting."

'It's been disruptive, but most of our merchants have weathered well with it, and are very supportive of it," said Oliver Smyth, a board member for Historic Southview, Inc., a key supporter of the project. "And so, a little pain is going to go a long way toward getting to the other end."

And all of the business in the area are open, and there's actually plenty of parking once you make it through. The project is estimated cost a half million dollars. It's being paid for by federal stimulus funds.

I actually had calls yesterday from Matt Bamberg and Samuel King (both with WSFA) and turned them onto Oliver Smyth who could more than answer their questions. They were more concerned with covering the angle of how these improvements were having a negative impact on the local businesses. Oliver gets MANY more of those type calls than I do.

I was totally "off the hook," but wouldn't you know I ran into Matt and Samuel as I was walking over to the ROUX Preview Party! It appears, from reading what OldCloverdale posted, that they got plenty of information for their report.

OldCloverdale · #**5105** Posted **Jun 2, 2011, 1:38 PM**

Any of y'all ever been on the Harriot II cruises? Thoughts?

http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/homePa...Calendar&venue_id=6005&cobrand=harriott2

OldCloverdale · #**5106** Posted **Jun 2, 2011, 5:02 PM**

Dunkin' Donuts announced Thursday the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with Harrison Kwan for four new restaurants in Montgomery.

The first restaurant will open in 2012 and the remaining three units will be developed by 2016, according to a news release sent to media outlets.

The release did not include any information about Kwan, his background or whether or not he is from the area. The release also did not offer any details on where the restaurants will be built.

The agreement sells out Montgomery and surrounding counties for future franchise sales.

Thedarkone1977 · #**5107** Posted **Jun 2, 2011, 9:59 PM**

Approved bill could help Brew Pub reopen
By Brian Lyman • Montgomery Advertiser • June 2, 2011

The former Montgomery Brew Pub may be a step closer to reopening after the state Legislature gave final approval to legislation lifting many restrictions on the operations of breweries and brew pubs in the state.

Click title to read the entire article.

brad0022 · #**5108** Posted **Jun 2, 2011, 11:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCloverdale

Any of y'all ever been on the Harriot II cruises? Thoughts?

http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/homePa...Calendar&venue_id=6005&cobrand=harriott2

Can seem a bit cramped on the busy nights. Food is pretty basic, nachos, hot dogs and chips, etc. The lower lounge is very cramped. Drinks in the lounge are normal price but its a chore to go up and down the stairs to get one if you're hanging out on the top section or I'm just lazy. All that said it is a good time on cooler nights. Nice and different view of the skyline. It's a great trip. I recommend it.

brad0022 · #**5109** Posted **Jun 3, 2011, 8:44 PM**

The Future Is Now event at the former Brew Pub is at 5:00-8:30 tonight. Illustrations of cool envisioned developments are on display, 4 bands, food and belly dancers will be there. Also you can get more info about the proposed Cypress Park here tonight.

brad0022 · #**5110** Posted **Jun 4, 2011, 6:07 PM**

I learned something I did not know before speaking with Tyler Caldwell yesterday. Not sure if this has been already discussed but the downtown masterplan established a height restriction of 6 stories. RSA and Troy U. are immune to this restriction since they are state organizations. Tyler said that once the RSA tower was built it sucked the potential for class A office space along Commerce away. So that's one reason there are no offices as of yet along Commerce above Bibb Street. So no none-RSA commercial high rises in the future unless that is changed in the future. The skyline will essentially stay the same for quite some time.

Also the city is negotiating with a hotel chain to move to where the parking lot is across from the Renaissance. Not sure of the name. Good news after hearing that the Hyatt and the other hotel decided to cancel their plans for that spot.

brad0022 · #**5111** Posted **Jun 4, 2011, 6:35 PM**

Details of the Cypress Nature Park. The city will work with the foundation to get this off the ground one day.

http://cypressnaturepark.org/

brad0022 · #**5112** Posted **Jun 4, 2011, 6:51 PM**

Future Is Now

The event went very well. Architectural submissions for proposed buildings were on display. None were actually ideas that will be developed for sure just ideas only. Lots of unique ideas such as buildings with movable widows which change with direction of the sun and the use of moss to cool buildings. There were several vendors such as the Museum of Fine Arts, a group that wants to organize a new marathon for next September called the Defiant Run, Alabama Roots Music Society, a group that proposes a bike rental service, etc. The event was to inform and energize people about changing the city.

2 musicians played then Mia from Mia's Studio along with her students presented belly dancing and Zumba.

brad0022 · #**5113** Posted **Jun 5, 2011, 12:53 PM**

Montgomery targets grocery stores, hotels

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/arti...ls?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|p

Hopefully a chain that is not currently located in the area will open up shop in Montgomery.

"(Chad) Emerson and Jeff Downes, the city's deputy mayor, met with about 20 representatives from national grocery stores, hotels and other businesses last month at a conference in Las Vegas to try to sell them on Montgomery's available spaces, including existing and vacant buildings and undevel oped space.

Emerson would not say what grocery store or hotel opera tors he met with, but said they are all national brands."

"He received positive feed back from those he met with about the possibility of opening grocery stores in under-capaci ty areas, Emerson said last week.

Those under-served areas in clude the downtown, Maxwell Boulevard, west Montgomery and parts of South Boulevard."

"Emerson said he sees Dexter Avenue as a likely downtown grocery store location."

"As far as places for visitors to stay, the some say there is enough demand for another limited-service hotel down town, as well as in other parts of the city. The Hampton Inn in downtown is an example of limited service in that it doesn't have an attached restaurant.

Unlike the Hampton, the new hotel downtown would probably be a new construc tion, Emerson said. He said the city doesn't have a downtown site in mind, but there are sev eral possibilities within a block or two of the Convention Cen ter. Dawn Hathcock, vice president of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Con vention & Visitor Bureau, said that the hotels closest to the Convention Center -- the Ren aissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa, Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn -- had an occu pancy rate of about 70 percent in April. "That's good -- that is what a developer is looking for."

Between those three hotels and the nearby Clarion Hotel, the downtown offers about 830 hotel rooms.

Citywide, Montgomery offers about 7,000 hotel rooms.

And the citywide occupancy rate is about 58 percent, the mayor said."

OldCloverdale · #**5114** Posted **Jun 7, 2011, 1:36 PM**

I'd like for downtown MGM to land one of these:

http://www.beerknurd.com/invest

Jefficator · #**5115** Posted **Jun 7, 2011, 2:35 PM**

Alright, so this is cynical of me, but it deserves to be said.

In the comments section of the article above about retail growth in downtown, one of the commentators says he wouldn't come downtown for fear of being "caught in the crossfire": http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/comm...Montgomery-targets-grocery-stores-hotels

And then this story appears in the paper today: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/arti...-shot?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

The Biscuits pitching coach is shot. Where? Coming out of the deadly stadium? In the dangerous parking lot? In the evil downtown?

No. In his apartment. Off Taylor Road.

When are people going to realize that the the crime is migrating east, too? How many shootings have there been on the Eastern Blvd this year?

Denial is remarkable.

thoraudio · #**5116** Posted **Jun 7, 2011, 2:48 PM**

don't read the COMMENTS! Don't ever read the COMMENTS!

you'll just fall into there trap.

The MA commenters, like those on AL.com are racists/idiots and/or trolling for a good internet squabble. I don't know why people act like that, but they do. Don't fall for it.

OldCloverdale · #**5117** Posted **Jun 7, 2011, 3:07 PM**

It's time for the City of MGM to go after the (three games) AISA state football championships ... and later go after the AHSAA's "Super Six" ... and a college football Bowl Game!

Advertiser Editorial: Win for the city

The long-overdue renovation of Cramton Bowl is already paying one dividend -- the all-star football and basketball classics that pit the best high school players from Alabama and Mississippi are moving to Montgomery.

Of course, it will take much more than this once-a-year game to make the community's investment in Cramton Bowl pay off. But the classic could prove to be a significant boon for the city. And frankly, Cramton Bowl should have had this facelift long ago, with or without new events.

The annual football contest between Alabama and Mississippi players had been in Mobile since its inception in 1988. The basketball classic games -- girls and boys -- will be played at Alabama State University. They have been held in Pelham, but will move to Montgomery in March 2012.

While the basketball games are a plus for ASU and the city, it is the football game in early December that has the most potential to have a positive economic impact on the community.

"You're going to have a ton of people for a whole week in Montgomery, Ala., in early December, when it's a dead time," Mayor Todd Strange said of the football classic, which will be on Dec. 10. "The hotels will love this."

So will the restaurants and retail stores, because many of the families of the players will be in town not just for the game, but for the entire week.

If the upgraded Cramton Bowl allows the community to capture other such sports events, the boost to the local economy could prove to be substantial.

However, even if none of this happens, the improvementsto Cramton Bowl were necessary. The stadium, which is almost 90 years old, started showing its age decades ago.

The upgrade to Cramton Bowl actually began several years ago with a new playing field. The latest improvements continue that long-range project.

For the city to keep the football classic beyond the next two years, the community needs to support it -- in other words, businesses and individuals need to buy tickets and help fill the seats. Mobile has not been very successful in promoting the football classic for the past two years.

Montgomery, we believe, can do better -- much better.

brad0022 · #**5118** Posted **Jun 8, 2011, 2:57 PM**

So what happened to the Blue/Grey game? I cannot remember now. Did it fold or move to another city?

thoraudio · #**5119** Posted **Jun 8, 2011, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad0022

So what happened to the Blue/Grey game? I cannot remember now. Did it fold or move to another city?

It lost it's sponsor in Kelly Tires, then resurfaced in Troy for a year or two as the Movie Gallery Blue/Grey, then when Movie Gallery started collapsing, it went away for good.

I liked having the Blue/Grey although it was always blacked out and I only went once.

brad0022 · #**5120** Posted **Jun 8, 2011, 3:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefficator

Alright, so this is cynical of me, but it deserves to be said.

In the comments section of the article above about retail growth in downtown, one of the commentators says he wouldn't come downtown for fear of being "caught in the crossfire": http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/comm...Montgomery-targets-grocery-stores-hotels

And then this story appears in the paper today: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/arti...-shot?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

The Biscuits pitching coach is shot. Where? Coming out of the deadly stadium? In the dangerous parking lot? In the evil downtown?

No. In his apartment. Off Taylor Road.

When are people going to realize that the the crime is migrating east, too? How many shootings have there been on the Eastern Blvd this year?

Denial is remarkable.

Exactly. Forget Montgomery crime which this year is lower than this time last. The crime in the burbs has risen. I've heard of plenty of shootings, stabbings, robberies, murders, etc. in the "preferred community", Wetumpka, Pine Level, Millbrook, etc. in the last few years. More than I have read or heard of a decade ago. I have a friend who's cousin was involved with a crazy redneck who shot someone in Prattville one year. Those commenters are full of it.

I for one have never felt unsettled or very nervous anywhere in the city but that's my experience. Just because this happened in the city doesn't mean it can't happen in Ramer or Slapout or Pike Road.