Mobile Development Thread

[eshore78]

Oh forgot to mention when... They're shooting for the beginning of football season. So early fall.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

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

I was wondering the same thing. Nothing on the Planning side that I've seen

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by eshore78

Oh forgot to mention when... They're shooting for the beginning of football season. So early fall.

That's great... please keep us apprised if possible.

[Electrical Porpoise]

That corner is owned by the baptist church right there, and will be a nice green space. They (and others) in the area have been working with Keep Mobile Beautiful and other similar organizations. Glad to see it.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

That corner is owned by the baptist church right there, and will be a nice green space. They (and others) in the area have been working with Keep Mobile Beautiful and other similar organizations. Glad to see it.

I`m not happy with the idea of making that a green space.If so then it could be a lounge for the homeless.I would rather see a health food store on that corner or cafe.

[Electrical Porpoise]

It's better than an abandoned building, another Shell station, or a CVS. So, essentially it's not a new development, rather beautifying what was already there... which is great, and severely needed down Broad.

[elb401]

The only thing that seems to give that intersection any mass is the Government Street Methodist Church. The other two corners are suburban shopping centers. Green space is better than a parking lot. While I think green space is a great idea and downtown needs more of it, I don't really think this is the best spot for it. I would like to see a building that helps anchor the intersection......green space can do the same thing with proper fencing, fountains, sculptures, etc. Just knowing that churches always want more parking to expand their congregations, I think the green space will be an interim use until they build a parking lot. I bet they plant little to no trees, no fencing, no fountains, and no sculptures. They might put a bench or two out there. In the end the intersection will have less mass and will look even more unsafe. By the way that old warehouse building they tore down was a neat looking building.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by elb401

The only thing that seems to give that intersection any mass is the Government Street Methodist Church. The other two corners are suburban shopping centers. Green space is better than a parking lot. While I think green space is a great idea and downtown needs more of it, I don't really think this is the best spot for it. I would like to see a building that helps anchor the intersection......green space can do the same thing with proper fencing, fountains, sculptures, etc. Just knowing that churches always want more parking to expand their congregations, I think the green space will be an interim use until they build a parking lot. I bet they plant little to no trees, no fencing, no fountains, and no sculptures. They might put a bench or two out there. In the end the intersection will have less mass and will look even more unsafe. By the way that old warehouse building they tore down was a neat looking building.

My thoughts exactly.I strongly doubt that the church will truly make that spot out of A nice green space.There should be an urban building code for downtown or do we have one already ? I would rather see a really nice fountain or sculpture.And I speak death to all surface lots ! If they are going to make parking out of that lot I hope it would be a parking garage that compliments the historical architecture of the church.

Mean while I have noticed several retail boutique shops opening up downtown.And that is a trend that I want to continue to see.

[Electrical Porpoise]

The old building was pretty cool, but the concrete jungle surrounding it was an eyesore. As were the weeds growing up through everything.

I highly doubt that corner has statues and tons of trees because it might be needed for use in the future. I, too, wish for some of the aforementioned ideas, but Im content with their effort to make a subtle difference, especially when they didn't have to do a thing.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

The old building was pretty cool, but the concrete jungle surrounding it was an eyesore. As were the weeds growing up through everything.

I highly doubt that corner has statues and tons of trees because it might be needed for use in the future. I, too, wish for some of the aforementioned ideas, but i`m content with their effort to make a subtle difference, especially when they didn't have to do a thing.

I agree.I feel that Broad street as a whole needs revitalization.Do you guys have any ideas of what is needed to improve Broad ? I believe that they need to start with repaving Broad street and adding some green to the side walks first then work on the neglected buildings.

[Port_of_Bama]

This article should be the motivation that he city need to push more downtown development and revitalization.


Cruise failure leaves Mobile with looming debt

Published May 07, 2012

Associated Press

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/05/07...-mobile-with-looming-debt/#ixzz1ud6mGDj7

The failure of Alabama's lone cruise port has left the city of Mobile with a looming problem: How to pay for a more than $20 million passenger terminal that's now used for dances and weddings rather than tourist embarkations.

For years, parking charges and other fees paid by cruisers covered debt payments of about $2 million annually for the Alabama Cruise Terminal. But those funds will run out at the end of the current fiscal year, leaving promoters and city officials only six months to either secure a new cruise ship or figure out another way to pay for the 65,000-square-foot building.


"The mayor and the Cruise Commission are still in active recruitment and trying to get a cruise company to come back to Mobile," she said. "They've had a couple of offers, but nothing concrete."

But cruise industry watcher Carolyn Brown said inadequate marketing is a big part of Mobile's problem in luring another ship to replace Elation, which made its final trip from Mobile last fall. The domestic cruise industry is getting more competitive as companies relocate ships overseas, and Mobile has not done enough to promote itself as a potential home port or destination, said Brown, chief editor of cruisecritic.com.

"I think unless you already know about Mobile you don't know about Mobile, and that's the problem," she said.

The city has long lived in the shadow of New Orleans, its neighbor 150 miles to the west. But Brown said Mobile is not aggressive enough in trying to promote its attractions, which include the battleship USS Alabama; scenic Bellingrath Gardens; nearby Gulf Coast beaches; and a vibrant downtown that resembles a small French Quarter.

"We cover ports and we never hear from them," Brown said.

Copeland said a consultant hired by the city is making inroads with the industry, and he expects Mobile to have another cruise ship soon enough that paying the debt is a problem for only one year.

Among other things, Copeland said, the city is offering incentives to a potential suitor including free advertising and free tickets to a new maritime museum being built. City leaders hope that can help win another ship and pay the terminal debt before it gets out of hand. Copeland said he cannot name the company being offered the incentives, but a deal is close.

"I know it's going to happen, but I can't say much more," Copeland said. "The negotiations have been under way."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/05/07...-mobile-with-looming-debt/#ixzz1ud7mWlfi

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/05/07/cruise-failure-leaves-mobile-with-looming-debt/

[Verve]

There's been discussions about things needed to revitalize downtown Mobile and some things have started to occur. However, Mobile seems to lack a main focus that would stimulate visits to downtown and further investment in downtown.

Some of what is already downtown only appeal to certain demographics and age groups such as the museums, historic districts, the Battleship, etc. Other things that are missing would draw in more people are things such as a marketplace similar to that in New Orleans, Charleston, or Savannah where you have street performers, artists and a wider mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Other cities have venues that attract the younger crowd such as sporting/entertainment/shopping complex that is the centerpiece of the downtown experience.

To those on this forum, what do you feel would be a great focal point that would be ideal for Mobile to make it become a more vibrant downtown that would eventually attract more tourists, more residents and more investment? What would it take to make Mobile a unique place to visit without trying to duplicate the New Orleans and Charlestons that I mentioned above? If we do get another cruise ship, what would be that attraction, facility, entity that would make visitors stick around or come early to enjoy?

[BubbaGump]

Originally Posted by Verve

There's been discussions about things needed to revitalize downtown Mobile and some things have started to occur. However, Mobile seems to lack a main focus that would stimulate visits to downtown and further investment in downtown.

Some of what is already downtown only appeal to certain demographics and age groups such as the museums, historic districts, the Battleship, etc. Other things that are missing would draw in more people are things such as a marketplace similar to that in New Orleans, Charleston, or Savannah where you have street performers, artists and a wider mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Other cities have venues that attract the younger crowd such as sporting/entertainment/shopping complex that is the centerpiece of the downtown experience.

To those on this forum, what do you feel would be a great focal point that would be ideal for Mobile to make it become a more vibrant downtown that would eventually attract more tourists, more residents and more investment? What would it take to make Mobile a unique place to visit without trying to duplicate the New Orleans and Charlestons that I mentioned above? If we do get another cruise ship, what would be that attraction, facility, entity that would make visitors stick around or come early to enjoy?

I think it would be a great to bring back the old Southern Market but at the empty lot across from the original Southern Market/Museum of Mobile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_Hall_(Mobile,_Alabama)

Have part of the property as the propsed Mardi Gras park and part as a covered, open air pavalion that resembles the old Southern Market/City Hall. It's centrally located to Museum of Mobile, Mardi Gras Museum, GulfQuest, Cruise Terminal, Convention Center, Hotels, Parking, Royal St., Dauphin St.... Kind of brings all that area together.

So what if it's similar to the French Market in N.O.?! Southern Market is original to Mobile and would be an attraction for locals and visitors. Call it the Historic Southern Market at Mardi Gras Park or something along those lines. Mobile needs more shopping and a place to sell items unique to Mobile and the region.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Verve

There's been discussions about things needed to revitalize downtown Mobile and some things have started to occur. However, Mobile seems to lack a main focus that would stimulate visits to downtown and further investment in downtown.

Some of what is already downtown only appeal to certain demographics and age groups such as the museums, historic districts, the Battleship, etc. Other things that are missing would draw in more people are things such as a marketplace similar to that in New Orleans, Charleston, or Savannah where you have street performers, artists and a wider mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Other cities have venues that attract the younger crowd such as sporting/entertainment/shopping complex that is the centerpiece of the downtown experience.

To those on this forum, what do you feel would be a great focal point that would be ideal for Mobile to make it become a more vibrant downtown that would eventually attract more tourists, more residents and more investment? What would it take to make Mobile a unique place to visit without trying to duplicate the New Orleans and Charlestons that I mentioned above? If we do get another cruise ship, what would be that attraction, facility, entity that would make visitors stick around or come early to enjoy?

I have notice that there has been a few boutiques opening up downtown but I would say that downtown Mobile is missing a entertainment/shopping complex.

I feel that the Mobile convention center could be used as a entrainment complex . I think it would be cool to turn the civic center into an entertainment/shopping complex also. I can also see an open air mall that resembles Fort Conde Village downtown with the red cobble stone streets that are for pedestrians only. Mobile should have an aquarium that is unique to Mobile. And since downtown is surrounded my charming historic districts such as the Church street ,Detonti, and Oakleigh the city should offer carriage tour rides through the city`s vibrant and charming historic districts.

I also noticed that there is a rising art community/presence downtown.I think the city needs to grab hold of this movement and implement more art downtown. I would like to see more murals,monuments,and sculptures along the historic downtown walking tour.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by BubbaGump

I think it would be a great to bring back the old Southern Market but at the empty lot across from the original Southern Market/Museum of Mobile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_Hall_(Mobile,_Alabama)

Have part of the property as the propsed Mardi Gras park and part as a covered, open air pavalion that resembles the old Southern Market/City Hall. It's centrally located to Museum of Mobile, Mardi Gras Museum, GulfQuest, Cruise Terminal, Convention Center, Hotels, Parking, Royal St., Dauphin St.... Kind of brings all that area together.

So what if it's similar to the French Market in N.O.?! Southern Market is original to Mobile and would be an attraction for locals and visitors. Call it the Historic Southern Market at Mardi Gras Park or something along those lines. Mobile needs more shopping and a place to sell items unique to Mobile and the region.

I think it should be named Cadillac square and the reason why I say that is because Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac founder of Detroit, Michigan lived in Mobile on the corner of Conti and Royal streets. On the side of the corner store that is on the corner of Conti and Royal you will see a historical marker with his name on it and info regarding his residency in Mobile.He also spent some time in Dauphin Island as well they have already named one of there parks after him.

[SouthSky]

A market downtown would be great... along with new residential developments. I think downtown is primed for a boom of sorts.

On a different note, I just noticed a little blurb in Aviation Week regarding an Airbus assembly line at Brookley Field:

LINK
By Robert Wall, May 16

What is more, Ring confirms that there continue to be “contacts” with officials in Mobile, Alabama. Airbus has long considered establishing a U.S. final assembly line (FAL) and was going to do so if it won the U.S. KC-X tanker competition which eventually landed with Boeing...

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

A market downtown would be great... along with new residential developments. I think downtown is primed for a boom of sorts.

On a different note, I just noticed a little blurb in Aviation Week regarding an Airbus assembly line at Brookley Field:

LINK
By Robert Wall, May 16

Great news ! It`s time to bring Brookley back to the days of glory.

In regards to residential I think it would be a great idea to turn the 6 story brick AT&T building that is on St.Michael and Franklin (I think)into apartments would be a great idea.And the building that is across the street from the AT&T building could be converted into a parking garage. A skyway is connecting the two buildings so the foundation is already in place.All is needed is investment and some polishing or it could be converted into a hotel. What do you guys think ?

[eshore78]

The negotiations come at a particularly interesting time as EADS will host its annual meeting in Amsterdamon Thursday morning. The company’s future plan for expansion into North America is expected to be addressed.


http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/may/30/alabama-makes-offer-eads-expansion-ar-3885620/

[Muskavon]

Eshore78, thanks for the heads-up (as this would be the biggest thing that could happen to the Gulf Coast within reasonable imagination). After seeing your post, I checked around and every local TV station, paper, etc. reported what you linked. But like usual, none ever follow up. Took a day and a half to find anything that'd refer to Mobile and EADS at this meeting...this link (local) to fill us in on what actually happened at the meetings:

http://classic.lagniappemobile.com/article.asp?articleID=5498&SID=1

Obviously nothing wonderous was stated for our area in the immediate future. Of course, you knew that by now as WKRG, etc aren't running full time news flashes about a great announcement. It just bugs the hell out of me when our local mainstreem guys run a story about what "might" happen (get this with media here in Pensacola often), and just move on when they know it didn't...no follow up. You and I die hards have to go look thru every Euro newspaper trying to find reports of what was said at an Airbus annual meeting. Ridiculous! Local reporters: Just follow up your own stories! For once! Be men (or women) and admit to us what the hell happened so I don't have to Google for hours looking for reality.

Anyway, beyond that rant, this isn't really bad news. The large Euro air show is this month and speculation is any notification of intent of such would be there and not here. In another article I read that, even if EADS was planning such a move, they could not announce it right now for political reasons (the French aren't ready to hear it with a new leader promising new jobs). Obviously the French believe in a zero sum game. Growing their business here means a loss of jobs for them I guess. Or so they figure. But what is new with the French? I guess they've never heard of any of a dozen Asian automakers who do well putting stuff together in the US.

[Port_of_Bama]

Derelict hotels on Causeway to be demolished; new attractions in the works
Published: Friday, June 08, 2012, 1:49 PM Updated: Friday, June 08, 2012, 4:04 PM
Emily Hill -- Press-Register By Emily Hill -- Press-Register

Two eyesores on the Causeway are scheduled to be torn down by early next year, opening room for new establishments offering food and fun on the highway that crosses Mobile Bay.

The former Ramada Inn will be demolished by Jan. 31, while the old Woody’s Motel is set to be cleared away by April 15, according to Bruce Renkert, building and zoning official for Spanish Fort, which has municipal jurisdiction along the road.

Mayor Joe Bonner described the demolitions as a "win-win" for "a very beautiful spot."

"Both owners are partnering up with us to get things done as we’ve asked. It’s going to enhance their investment as well," he said.

In 2011, Spanish Fort’s City Council approved a zoning change urged by Bay Point LLC, which owns the Ramada property, to jump-start creation of a new hotel there.

"Last year, we tried to get everything together for a hotel development. That obviously did not take off," said David Diehl, senior planner at Preble-Rish Consulting Engineers and Surveyors.

Diehl said that surveys were conducted of boundaries and topography of the property, but nothing further was done.

The former Ramada -- a battered pink shell of a building that’s visible to travelers along the Interstate 10 Bayway -- received severe damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

After demolition, the property will be empty for the time being, according to Jacob Cunningham, one of the Bay Point principals.

Potential buyers have approached Bay Point LLC with various concepts for the property, although nothing is definite, Cunningham said. "Three of the ideas that have been proposed are a hotel, restaurant and amphitheater," he said.

The boarded-up Woody’s has also been closed for years, and has even been the focus of city nuisance concerns.

http://blog.al.com/live/2012/06/demolitions_offer_new_boost_fo.html#comments


It would be cool to put a newer more sturdy hotel and visitor center on the causeway.