Mobile Development Thread - Page 158

10101000 · #**3141** Posted **Sep 24, 2008, 8:02 PM**

I agree, you have made a valid point.

Bayside · #**3142** Posted **Sep 24, 2008, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Nodine has his panties in a wade over the annexation ...

I don't quite understand his viewpoint on annexation. What does Nodine have to gain by keeping these areas in the county? Is he just blowing smoke for the voters?

10101000 · #**3143** Posted **Sep 24, 2008, 10:04 PM**

Might as well annex the whole county, just joking.

BlessedMobile · #**3144** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 2:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayside

I don't quite understand his viewpoint on annexation. What does Nodine have to gain by keeping these areas in the county? Is he just blowing smoke for the voters?

The only answer I can think of is the unhappy constituent. The county will not receive any less money but will in fact lessen its responsibility for roads and police. I have talked with higher ups in city gov and they feel very confident about a winning vote. PS...more to come!

BlessedMobile · #**3145** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 2:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

I agree and want another hotel down there but the hotel's preferred demographics do not necessarily match with cruisers. I suspect they would probably be staying in Daphne either way.

I assume you imply that cruisers are looking for something less expensive than our major hotels downtown and, if so, I agree. The Hyatt Place would better fit the cruiser budget and keep them downtown. Even the Hampton sees an opportunity to get some overnight cruisers. I did look at the footprint of the Hampton and where the Hyatt would be built and they are the same...half a city block. What is the Hampton...8 stories or something close. Maybe the Hyatt would top that since they are catering to the overnight rooms stays more so that the events, etc that Hampton will get.

pkp · #**3146** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 3:15 AM**

Why in God's name would anyone going on a cruise want to stay in Daphne? Honestly, I am glad about the bigger ship but I am hoping for a NICER cruise line. Me and the Mrs. are doing a 2 week Med. cruise with Celebrity in a few days - damn nice cruise line. Well, they are pretty much all nicer than Carnival, although it is better than nothing. But, you guys are right, the Carnival demographic is not the type that are generally looking to drop some bucks in an urban area. I am hoping we see NCL RC, or Celebrity in a couple of years. It's not that they are that much more expensive, but they don't cater to kids. Carnival does, and that is why we are not seeing hundreds of folks downtown on/before cruise days. You are basically dealing with a suburbanite/rural crowd that is probably afraid of the downtown area.

pkp · #**3147** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 3:22 AM**

Double post!

Alxx611 · #**3148** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 4:37 AM**

^ very good point pkp ^

I'm starting to feel now that a middle of the road hotel like the Hampton would do well at the old Water Street Landing site, as many suburbanite/rural visitors cruising on the Carnival would a hotel to stay at near the Cruise Terminal.

10101000 · #**3149** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 2:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkp

Why in God's name would anyone going on a cruise want to stay in Daphne? Honestly, I am glad about the bigger ship but I am hoping for a NICER cruise line. Me and the Mrs. are doing a 2 week Med. cruise with Celebrity in a few days - damn nice cruise line. Well, they are pretty much all nicer than Carnival, although it is better than nothing. But, you guys are right, the Carnival demographic is not the type that are generally looking to drop some bucks in an urban area. I am hoping we see NCL RC, or Celebrity in a couple of years. It's not that they are that much more expensive, but they don't cater to kids. Carnival does, and that is why we are not seeing hundreds of folks downtown on/before cruise days. You are basically dealing with a suburbanite/rural crowd that is probably afraid of the downtown area.

Because all the hotels were booked.

OCA REP · #**3150** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 2:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkp

Honestly, I am glad about the bigger ship but I am hoping for a NICER cruise line.

Dead on. I am glad someone from Mobile said this, but I have been thinking it for a while. The demographics you are attracting with Carnival, particularly with the older, smaller ship, is not conductive to staying and spending. They will get in as quickly (and as cheaply) as they can... and leave in exactly the same manner.

Any port that is in its infancy with cruise passengers has to start off small/slow and grow. We have just seen the move up in ship size/class, maybe eventually a more upper scale line will come calling. Only then would I even consider cruising from my home state. We did one Carnival sailing years ago out of New Orleans and that was enough for us. Since then we have been more than happy with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

10101000 · #**3151** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 2:53 PM**

Never thought about that. Good thought.. I am sure as things calm down a bit and this ship does well, then we will see more to come in the cruise industry.

Electrical Porpoise · #**3152** Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I assume you imply that cruisers are looking for something less expensive than our major hotels downtown and, if so, I agree. The Hyatt Place would better fit the cruiser budget and keep them downtown. Even the Hampton sees an opportunity to get some overnight cruisers. I did look at the footprint of the Hampton and where the Hyatt would be built and they are the same...half a city block. What is the Hampton...8 stories or something close. Maybe the Hyatt would top that since they are catering to the overnight rooms stays more so that the events, etc that Hampton will get.

That is what I meant, especially with Carnival being here -- some others have touched on Carnival's demographics on this page, which is what i was referring to.

As for staying in Daphne: Most cruisers aren't looking to stay in Mobile for extra days and when looking for hotels online they will see that Daphne is closer than most hotels, cheaper, and has plenty of restaurants and shops.

nimsjus · #**3153** Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 5:25 PM**

I stayed at the Riverview last night courtesy of the wife's employer. It really is a great hotel. Not quite the charm of the Battlehouse, but very impressive. Huge improvement over the pre-Renaissance Riverview. I got a few shots of the port and a few of downtown from our 26th floor room. I also snapped a few of the Hampton and the Crescent Theater while we were walking around. All the photos are on my wifes camera, so I will upload them later tonight.

SouthSky · #**3154** Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

I stayed at the Riverview last night courtesy of the wife's employer. It really is a great hotel. Not quite the charm of the Battlehouse, but very impressive. Huge improvement over the pre-Renaissance Riverview. I got a few shots of the port and a few of downtown from our 26th floor room. I also snapped a few of the Hampton and the Crescent Theater while we were walking around. All the photos are on my wifes camera, so I will upload them later tonight.

Awesome, I can't wait for those snaps. The Crescent should open in a couple of weeks and the Hampton starts taking reservations in mid-January. Both of these are welcome additions downtown.

nimsjus · #**3155** Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 7:56 PM**

An update from the Downtown Mobile Alliance...
http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/sept._08.pdf
Lots of good info on upcoming events, some development news, and a few other things. Pretty good info here. I think I am going to try to make it to the downtown living tour just to see where all they take us this year, even though I will be moving away again in May. Pictures of the Hampton still to come...

bayou15 · #**3156** Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 8:05 PM**

hotel on da way

http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article/1721

Verve · #**3157** Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 11:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobiMan

If what they are gonna build is the Hyat Hotel i seen posted a few pages back that just doesnt fit DT
The exterior is cheap looking

it figures we will get some 5 story cheap Hotel

i wish RSA would do something else
but please no more of the same spires
i love what we have on the RSA Tower but the Hotel looks unfinished
looks good but unfinished

so please no more of the same
and please no cheap looking Hotels

The Hyatt Place is a new brand by the Hyatt chain and is positioned to compete against the Hilton Garden Inns and Marriott Courtyard mid-scale brands. They feature 42-inch plasma televisions and fashionable decor in the rooms and lobby.

I'm not sure about the picture that was posted earlier but I don't think the Hyatt Place brand will be considered "cheap." I think it will fit the mix of hotels in the downtown area and offer additional choice to business travelers and tourists.

MobiMan · #**3158** Posted **Sep 27, 2008, 7:34 AM**

ok i dont care what they charge to stay a night , that is a very cheap looking hotel, it has no class for a historic DT, and where did it say they were going to put that DT anyway, maybe its going by the airport they have some newly cleared off land there that would be perfect for such a Hotel

very bad choice for DT, we need another highrise Hotel to fill in the skyline
our skyline is nice but it lacks,

I love Mobile and i only want the best for our great city

elb401 · #**3159** Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 2:41 PM**

I have some friends that are looking to buy this house on Broad in Oakliegh..... it is great! Palmer Hamilton renovated it in 1998. All the windows and the balcony in the master suite over look the giant oaks and the house is high enough over the trees to see a clear view of the skyline. It was beautiful last night.

Bayside · #**3160** Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 8:19 PM**

I'm glad to see that there is interest in developing a hotel on the old CSX property. This is much better for Mobile than a high rise condo. The condo thing never appealed to me.

A hotel on that site could tie into a new pedestrian walkway over Water Street. Parking could be an issue though.