Mobile Development Thread

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by eshore78

Aerospace industries looking hard at the Baldwin Co mega-site. Maybe a sign people are getting word Airbus is a possibility.



http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/mar/26/b-ar-3485761/?referer=None&shorturl=http://bit.ly/GTM83f

That Bay Minette site, coupled with the GE factory site announcements in Auburn and Ellisville, MS, certainly point to a "favorable" announcement soon. Airbus would truly be a boon for this entire region.

Thanks for the link!

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Dale

Can't tell any difference with BankTrust. Looks like the same old drab building. Most underwhelming reno ever.

The above pic by Alexx isn`t an updated pic.The renovations on that build is noticeable believe me ! It looks a lot better than it did a few years ago.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Just randomly searched to see if there was new commuting data from the Census for 2010 (there was, so I did some searching) and here are the results:

Mobile
Baldwin 25.4% (MSA) Up from 25.1%
Washington 27.9% (MSA) Up from 19.1%
Clarke 13.3% (on verge of CSA) Up from 12.3%
Monroe 9.4% (x) Up from 8.3%
Escambia 9.0% (x) Down from 9.1%

Not so surprising: Baldwin and Washington would be included in the metro in the updated definitions next year.
Surprising: Clarke looks to be on the verge of being added to the CSA, if the numbers continue their upward swing.

Population:
Mobile-Baldwin-Washington MSA (2010 numbers): 612,838
Mobile-Baldwin-Washington-Clarke CSA (2010 numbers): 638,671

I knew that once Tk got on board the commuting patterns of Washington,Clarke,and Monroe County would increase.As northern Mobile County continue to grow economically I can see Monroe being added into the CSA.I still believe that our neighbors in Mississippi( Jackson,Green,and George ) will eventually be added into the CSA.There are to many Mississippi tags in Mobile to not be. I think it would be safe to say that Mobile`s CSA population would be around the 750-800k mark during the 2020 census.



Also this could eventually turn into the Mobile River walk if it is done right :http://blog.al.com/live/2012/03/groups_joined_by_vision_of_mob.html
I always wished that Mobile could have something like this : http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ in San Antonio. If they continue to clean up the areas around Three Mile Creek I can see the creek lined up with cafes,restaurants,and parks.You will have the option to canoe or rent a peddle boat.This could work in Mobile if they are serious about cleaning it up.

[elb401]

As much as I would love to have Baldwin County in the Mobile MSA that needs to be checked again. Do the numbers say where the commuters are going? Last figures showed about 3% going to Pensacola. If that figure hasn't changed then Baldwin might still be just shy of the 25% mark. Also the commuting numbers for the 2013 MSA delineation comes from the 2010 American Survey not the census; however the census numbers may come from the survey too. I would just hate to be disappointed next year. They are also getting rid of public opinion as an option…….so even though 78% of people in Baldwin consider themselves part of the Mobile Metro (Press Register survey from around 2005) elected officials asking them to be included won’t work.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by elb401

As much as I would love to have Baldwin County in the Mobile MSA that needs to be checked again. Do the numbers say were the commuters are going? Last figures showed about 3% going to Pensacola. If that figure hasn't changed then Baldwin might still be just shy of the 25% mark. Also the community numbers for the 2013 MSA delineation comes from the 2010 American Survey not the census; however the census numbers may come from the survey too. I would just hate to be disappointed next year. They are also getting rid of public opinion as an option…….so even though 78% of people in Baldwin consider themselves part of the Mobile Metro (Press Register survey from around 2005) elected officials asking them to be included won’t work.

They will be included.Washington and Clarke counties will be in CSA.

[elb401]

I hope so.

[Empire state of mind]

Visiting Mobile in a few weeks, what are some good restaurants?

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Empire state of mind

Visiting Mobile in a few weeks, what are some good restaurants?

A list of my favorite places

Downtown
Royal Scam

Royal Street Tavern

Cafe Royal

Joe Cain Cafe

Spot of Tea

Hop Jacks

Bucks Pizza

Mama`s

The Bull Cantina & Grill

Caboe

NOJA

Cafe 615

The Blind Mule

Wintzell`s Oyster House

Panini Petes

Heroes

Causeway

John Word Jazz Cafe

Tacky Jacks

Blue Gill

Original Oyster House

Ed`s Seafood

R&R Seafood

Midtown

True Midtown Kitchen (Casual) setting and cuisine

True( Formal setting and cuisine)

Callaghan`s

Fuego

[Port_of_Bama]

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs013/1101527825688/archive/1109492299271.html

I like the idea of having a community for artist.Van Antwerp should be converted into condos or apartments.I would rather see it as an apartment for artist and the Gayfer`s building need some TLC as well.


The monthly Art Walk downtown has been a huge success.Now there is an idea for a monthly Music Walk i`m looking forward to that.

[Port_of_Bama]

The carriage rides are back ! Now where is the trolly ?!

Bienville Carriage Company has opened on a half acre at 863 S. Washington Ave., and will provide horse-drawn carriage service in downtown Mobile, according to Richard Mann of Prudential Cooper & Co. commercial division.

http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2012/04/academy_sports_deal_finalized.html

[Port_of_Bama]

Moorer YMCA to move to Kress building on Royal Street in 2013

Moorer YMCA to move to Kress building on Royal Street in 2013
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2012, 1:20 PM Updated: Thursday, April 05, 2012, 1:21 PM


By Michael Dumas, Press-Register


MOBILE, Alabama -- The Moorer YMCA currently located on Water Street in downtown Mobile will move into the historic Kress building on Royal Street in 2013, according to management.
The downtown branch - the 8th oldest in the country and one of 5 operated by the YMCA of South Alabama - will be a Healthy Living Center, which utilizes smaller space and a greater focus on fitness to meet the specific needs of its current and target membership.
"I think this is exciting for the community, and it gives downtown another boost," said Mark Hanke, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

http://blog.al.com/live/2012/04/moorer_ymca_to_move_to_kress_b.html



Resolution calls for the return of the Sunset Limited
By Katie Nichols
Issue#
APRIL 4, 2012

It has been five years since there has even been an Amtrak terminal in Mobile, but if Mayor Sam Jones and the City Council are successful, that could all change.

With the completion of GulfQuest and its transportation terminal and hub this fall, Mobile will have a terminal location suitable for passenger and freight train service, and in particular the Sunset Limited Amtrak service; and, whereas, the GulfQuest terminal site is ideally linked to rail, bus, water and automobile transportation; and, whereas, the GulfQuest terminal site lies adjacent to downtown Mobile and within easy walking distance of multiple first class hotels, a first class convention center, multiple fine restaurants and a vibrant arts and cultural community; and, whereas, restoration of the Amtrak train service of the Sunset Limited is very important to the economic development of our community, our state, and our country, and is an essential component of Hurricane Katrina restoration.”

http://classic.lagniappemobile.com/article.asp?articleID=5334&sid=1


Temporal City Festival 2012


Is a festival for time-based, performance, & new media art sited in unused and derelict spaces in the downtown area. scavenger- hunt style patronage of temporary works of art activate both the forgotten catacombs of the city, and the community.

http://www.facebook.com/events/279886355423646/

[SpawnOfVulcan]

The Sunset Limited really do need to be restored. Not just for Mobile, but for all of the rail traffic between Florida and California.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by tredici

The Sunset Limited really do need to be restored. Not just for Mobile, but for all of the rail traffic between Florida and California.

Yep ! And I think it is a great Idea to have the Gulf Quest Museum as a terminal for Amtrak.

[elb401]

http://www.local15tv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3408374

Heres a link to the story on new downtown businesses in Mobile from WPMI 15 News.

[Port_of_Bama]

I noticed there have been a couple of art galleries and boutique stores opening up downtown.That is defiantly a great sign and I hope this trend continue.

[SouthSky]

Update on the Maritime Musuem:

http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/stor...rtime-Museum/CqbJg8XSRUafsz-Nj6E53g.cspx

[Port_of_Bama]

Ask McGehee: A "Warehouse Disctrict" in Mobile?
A friend of mine recently bought a condo in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. Did Mobile ever have a similar area?
Tom McGehee


While it was not officially called the warehouse district, there was, beginning in the 19th century, a small city of warehouses between Water Street and the river, north of Conti Street. Buildings of all sizes and descriptions lined Water, Commerce and Front Street which actually fronted the river.

Period photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s reveal that Front Street was lined with two-, three- and four-story brick buildings, many with iron galleries and balconies overlooking the river. Railroad tracks belonging to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad were centered on Commerce Street. Water Street bridged the area to downtown Mobile.

The Rise

City directories at the end of the 19th century reveal that each street was filled with a variety of businesses that would have teemed with activity in a port city. They indicate that the blocks were dominated by warehouses for cotton and the offices of the men who made and lost fortunes on it. The area was at one time dubbed “the English Channel” for the numerous British cotton merchants at work here.

Big wholesale firms carrying such founders’ names as Cunningham Hardware, Barney-Cavanuagh and McGowin-Lyons. Big wholesale grocery firms, carrying such founders’ names as T. G. Bush, M. Forcheimer, James McPhillips and James McDonnell, operated here with multiple floors of warehouse space.


The Demise

So what happened to all this? A number of factors led to decline. This wholesale district was designed for access to the wharves and the railroad lines.

During the 20th century, the arrival of the state docks and then the dominance of trucking directed the move of many businesses towards the new highways. By the 1960s, critics described the area as “a snaggle-toothed array of vacant buildings and parking lots.”

http://www.mobilebaymag.com/Mobile-Bay/April-2012/Ask-McGehee-A-Warehouse-Disctrict-in-Mobile/

Another sad lost to the city.Mobile has lost so much over the years and 60`s was a bad era for the old port city.I was told that The Mobile`s old warehouse district stretched as far as the I-165 entrance with cobble stone streets.I can only imagine how the old city would have looked today if we still had the warehouse district with it`s cobblestone streets.

[eshore78]

named executive director of the Senior Bowl

[eshore78]

Just a follow up on something a posted awhile back. Moe's BBQ is indeed moving into the triangle building at the intersection by the OK Bicycle Shop between Springhill ave and Dauphin St. Restaurant up front and around a 400 seat music venue in the back.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by eshore78

Just a follow up on something a posted awhile back. Moe's BBQ is indeed moving into the triangle building at the intersection by the OK Bicycle Shop between Springhill ave and Dauphin St. Restaurant up front and around a 400 seat music venue in the back.

Great ! I was wondering when or if they would open in that location.

Does anyone know the plans for the lot that is across from save Alot downtown on the corner of Broad and Government ?