Montgomery development news - Page 181

bystander1 · #**3601** Posted **Jan 16, 2009, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiijakd

but we need something to be a regional draw. a less than the best aquarium isn't going to be the draw we need it to be. i think the resources would be better spent having the newest, most cutting edge, first of whatever we do build.

Of course, the best doesn't always have to mean the largest. Riverwalk Stadium isn't the largest but it has been well documented across the nation as one of the best. The aquarium, or whatever, can be the same.

In any case, of the all the plans the city has studied--an aquarium, the railroad theme park, the water park--the goal should be to build something that will get more folks downtown on Saturdays...the biggest day for family activity and tourism travel.

ExpatBaman · #**3602** Posted **Jan 19, 2009, 3:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

Oh, and I'm all for it... but the big question will be 'how does it address Commerce St?'

Excellent question about the Commerce facade. Commerce and Dexter are the two most prestigious streets in the region, and we should be very picky about what we allow to be built there. It looks like the MainStay Suites will be on Commerce, probably with another parking entrance opposite the one visible on the far right of the Hyatt Place facade on Lee St. This is how the hotel at the convention center should have been done, with parking hidden in the center of the block wrapped with liner buildings that properly address the street. Maybe the brain trust at RSA will learn something from this.

Another question is what kind of materials will be used? This is a downtown location and should be built to last with quality materials, not the cheap junk they build these things with at interstate exits.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3603** Posted **Jan 19, 2009, 6:04 PM**

Oh, I seriously doubt this will be the standard interstate wood and brick buildings. They're looking for this to be a nice place so they can stay and make money for years to come.

OCA REP · #**3604** Posted **Jan 19, 2009, 10:08 PM**

It has not been added to the City's website yet, but I received my mailed copy of the agenda for the January 27th ARB Meeting. The first item on the agenda deals with the facade and other modifications for "The Alley" project located downtown in the Lower Commerce Historic District.

The inproper (historically speaking) placement of the water tower is listed in the "Department Comments" entered by the City. Might be an interesting meeting. I plan on attending and watching the discussion.

ExpatBaman · #**3605** Posted **Jan 19, 2009, 10:19 PM**

^ I think it was a good idea to make use of the water tower in some way, but it does kind of block the archway. Hopefully once all the painting and streetscaping work is done it'll look great there.

bystander1 · #**3606** Posted **Jan 20, 2009, 1:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCA REP

It has not been added to the City's website yet, but I received my mailed copy of the agenda for the January 27th ARB Meeting. The first item on the agenda deals with the facade and other modifications for "The Alley" project located downtown in the Lower Commerce Historic District.

The inproper (historically speaking) placement of the water tower is listed in the "Department Comments" entered by the City. Might be an interesting meeting. I plan on attending and watching the discussion.

GOOD GRIEF Review Board!! Give it a break!!! Geezzz...

bystander1 · #**3607** Posted **Jan 20, 2009, 5:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpatBaman

Excellent question about the Commerce facade. Commerce and Dexter are the two most prestigious streets in the region, and we should be very picky about what we allow to be built there. It looks like the MainStay Suites will be on Commerce, probably with another parking entrance opposite the one visible on the far right of the Hyatt Place facade on Lee St. This is how the hotel at the convention center should have been done, with parking hidden in the center of the block wrapped with liner buildings that properly address the street. Maybe the brain trust at RSA will learn something from this.

Another question is what kind of materials will be used? This is a downtown location and should be built to last with quality materials, not the cheap junk they build these things with at interstate exits.

Hopefully, we'll learn more about that when the city council meets Tuesday.
They are going to discuss more details about the project then.

OCA REP · #**3608** Posted **Jan 20, 2009, 3:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

GOOD GRIEF Review Board!! Give it a break!!! Geezzz...

I am going to take just one minute to explain something concerning the ARB and how it is supposed to work. Bystander1 and I are friends, so I know he will not be personally offended by me replying to his post.

As a resident of an historic district in Montgomery, I (and all the other residents of my neighborhood) am protected by the ARB. Any exterior work to a home or business within an historic district MUST go before the ARB to receive approval PRIOR to beginning the work. This keeps something inappropriate and not historically-accurate from being built or added to a property. If you begin work without getting approval from the ARB, a stop work order is issued by the city and you must present your plans before the next meeting of the ARB.

In my opinion, the entire Alleyway project (which I TOTALLY support) should have been reviewed by the ARB from the beginning. The project is located within the Lower Commerce Historic District. That says it all. Lots of time and money have been spent to ensure the historical accuracy of that area.

The City of Montgomery cannot expect citizens to follow a law/rule, but exempt themselves. By attempting to do this, they are telling residents/developers, etc. of all the other historic districts in Montgomery that it is not necessary to present before the ARB prior to beginning exterior work. This is not a good thing.

I hope that a compromise can be reached. I know there is some growing opposition to the placement of this water tower and several people will speak against it.

bystander1 · #**3609** Posted **Jan 21, 2009, 12:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCA REP

I am going to take just one minute to explain something concerning the ARB and how it is supposed to work. Bystander1 and I are friends, so I know he will not be personally offended by me replying to his post.

As a resident of an historic district in Montgomery, I (and all the other residents of my neighborhood) am protected by the ARB. Any exterior work to a home or business within an historic district MUST go before the ARB to receive approval PRIOR to beginning the work. This keeps something inappropriate and not historically-accurate from being built or added to a property. If you begin work without getting approval from the ARB, a stop work order is issued by the city and you must present your plans before the next meeting of the ARB.

In my opinion, the entire Alleyway project (which I TOTALLY support) should have been reviewed by the ARB from the beginning. The project is located within the Lower Commerce Historic District. That says it all. Lots of time and money have been spent to ensure the historical accuracy of that area.

The City of Montgomery cannot expect citizens to follow a law/rule, but exempt themselves. By attempting to do this, they are telling residents/developers, etc. of all the other historic districts in Montgomery that it is not necessary to present before the ARB prior to beginning exterior work. This is not a good thing.

I hope that a compromise can be reached. I know there is some growing opposition to the placement of this water tower and several people will speak against it.

No, of course I'm not offended. I've always understood the purpose and regulations of the ARB as well as the PC and the BOA. They are all necessary for orderly development...but still...GEEZZZ!

bystander1 · #**3610** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 4:56 AM**

Council authorizes Jinright to negotiate with hotel developers
By Jill Nolin • January 21, 2009

The developers behind a proposed downtown hotel development appear eager to move forward with the $30 million investment.

Developer Charles Perry told Montgomery City Council members that he was impressed with what he saw happening in downtown. The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, in particular, helped make that impression, he said.

"I'm absolutely blown away by the energy and number of activities going on in downtown Montgomery," Perry said.

In exchange for their investment downtown, the developers want a package of incentives from the city. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize interim Mayor Charles Jinright to negotiate a deal with the developers that would grant the incentives.

Perry, a Birmingham native, and business partners Courtland Dusseau and Morgan Burkett want to build a development that would include two hotels -- a Hyatt Place and a MainStay Suites -- and a parking deck. The mixed-use development also would create opportunities for retail.

The development, which would be at the corner of Bibb and Commerce streets, would bring an additional 233 hotel rooms to downtown. Officials say the extra rooms would make the city more attractive for larger conventions. And that would translate into more tax revenue and a stronger local economy for the city.

"Over a period of 30 years, we will have contributed $160 million to downtown Montgomery," Perry said.

Developers want the city to scratch their back, too.

The proposal on the table is for a portion of the lodging tax, which would be the new revenue generated by the hotels, to be used to pay for the new parking deck. The developers also would save about $608,000 by not having to pay the city sales tax on construction materials.

Less than an acre of the property involved -- which is known as the Frank Leu property even though the building, once the tallest structure in town, was demolished in 1997 -- would be donated to the project. The property has an appraised value of $782,000.

The city would have a $12 million stake in the project.

But the projected $160 million return over time -- which would come in the form of increased property values, new jobs and lodging tax revenue -- assuaged any potential reservations on the City Council.

"That's a pretty good return. I like that," Jinright said after Perry finished his presentation.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

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This is the same site where Colonial Bank was about to build their new tower but foolishly decided to leave this hot property downtown and has now isolated themselves in the suburbs. But this is probably a better use for this location anyway. I like the fact that there will be retail at the street level.

urbansouth · #**3611** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 7:28 PM**

i remember hearing that there would be space for residential condos in the new construction, not just retail and hotel. is my memory fading?

bystander1 · #**3612** Posted **Jan 24, 2009, 4:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbansouth

i remember hearing that there would be space for residential condos in the new construction, not just retail and hotel. is my memory fading?

ummm, probably memory fading...

bystander1 · #**3613** Posted **Jan 24, 2009, 5:03 AM**

County claims new development for Outer Loop project; press conference planned
January 23, 2009

Montgomery County Commissioners say they plan to make a “major announcement” about the Outer Loop project next week.

But County Commission spokeswoman DiDi Henry would not say anything beyond what was printed in a brief press release that was sent out this morning.

A press conference is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Monday, with it immediately following the County Commission’s regular meeting.

Interim Montgomery Mayor Charles Jinright said Friday that he is familiar with the development but would not comment on the details because it does not directly involve the city.

Jinright, who plans to attend the Monday press conference, said that he believes the announcement is “going to be a very good (one) for the city.”

“Let’s wait till Monday and see how major ‘major’ is,” Jinright said earlier today.

Jinright did say that the development in the project does not involve any “local funding.”

The Outer Loop has been on the local agenda for at least two decades, but with limited federal dollars available for new road construction, the $400 million project has been seemingly out of reach.

-- Jill Nolin

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

Any ideas? ...like why this wasn't even submitted as a project for possible Federal stimulus funding?

neilson · #**3614** Posted **Jan 24, 2009, 6:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

County claims new development for Outer Loop project; press conference planned
January 23, 2009

Montgomery County Commissioners say they plan to make a “major announcement” about the Outer Loop project next week.

But County Commission spokeswoman DiDi Henry would not say anything beyond what was printed in a brief press release that was sent out this morning.

A press conference is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Monday, with it immediately following the County Commission’s regular meeting.

Interim Montgomery Mayor Charles Jinright said Friday that he is familiar with the development but would not comment on the details because it does not directly involve the city.

Jinright, who plans to attend the Monday press conference, said that he believes the announcement is “going to be a very good (one) for the city.”

“Let’s wait till Monday and see how major ‘major’ is,” Jinright said earlier today.

Jinright did say that the development in the project does not involve any “local funding.”

The Outer Loop has been on the local agenda for at least two decades, but with limited federal dollars available for new road construction, the $400 million project has been seemingly out of reach.

-- Jill Nolin

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

Any ideas? ...like why this wasn't even submitted as a project for possible Federal stimulus funding?

2 Words: Tim James.

Well.........ok maybe not Tim personally but somebody's gonna build a toll road.

bystander1 · #**3615** Posted **Jan 24, 2009, 3:37 PM**

Toll road is what I'm thinking too. I'm just so ready for something to finally happen with that half-done highway that I hardly care if it's a toll or not anymore.

bystander1 · #**3616** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 2:22 AM**

I know Montgomery likes to claim it doesn't like to wait for the state or federal government to get things done, but this is a project that they should have at least put on the federal stimulus list first. Go ahead and beg for the money...the worst they could say is "no".

Could the outer loop become a reality?

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Motorists who are trying to avoid congestion in the capital city will be happy with this news. For years commuters have been waiting for the outer loop to be built around Montgomery, connecting Interstate 65 at Hope Hull to Interstate 85 at Mitylene.

On Monday the Montgomery County Commission partnered with Focus 2000 to begin a feasibility study, and one big difference this time - it's a private project. There are to be no state, federal or local funds involved.

County officials say six to eight months is the expected time it will take to complete the study, with construction beginning not long after.

Montgomery County officials, along with the attorney for Focus 2000, are convinced if the outer loop is going to be built, this is the way to go; the public-private route and not the road to Washington.

"Government has not been able in the past...to come up with the several billions of dollars," said Montgomery County Commission Chairmen Todd Strange.

"Focus 2000 is a non-profit, set up to take advantage of the laws that allow us to use tax-free bonds," said attorney Luther Strange.

Commissioner Strange says Focus 2000 is backed by a company called KUD International.

Both men say they have no idea how much it would cost to build the outer loop. That's part of the feasibility study and that study should indicate where the loop will connect with I-85 and I-65. One government estimate had the outer loop costing $400 million, though that estimate was made quite some time ago.

Another long term goal; if the loop is built, then there would be another analysis on building a road that would extend from the outer loop and go all the way through the wiregrass and hook up with I-10 in Florida.

"We want to dispel all the rumors that no route is clearly established..." said Commissioner Strange.

With a public-private partnership, the outer loop and the I-10 connector would become toll roads. Up until today, the state had already spent more than $50 million studying and buying right-of-ways, money that would be paid back to the state if this project comes together.

Meantime, no one is predicting just when bulldozers will start paving the way for the outer loop, but they are certain the loop is closer to reality than ever before.

"What Wall Street is waiting for is a good project, a good project that makes sense," said Luther Strange

"Just think, over a 20 or 30 year period what a boon it would be to our area to have everyone coming out of Central Florida.." added Todd Strange.

http://www.wsfa.com