Mobile Development Thread

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by nimsjus

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3

Rest easy friends...I know the TK people and the project was always thought by many general contractors to be on a too "fast track" for construction. The world economy dictates that they slow the steel plant by about 6 months and the stainless plant by one year. The work is not stopping but is going at a slower and more realistic pace. There are now 3500 people on-site each day and that number will go to over 5000 in the next few months. We are doing business with them now and will do more in the future. As for wanting money back, most of the incentive package is tax breaks not cash outlay. The jobs will be there in incredible numbers in the next few years. We in Mobile aren't seeing the job numbers from them yet because many of the contractors are using their own people from out-of-town. There are probably a 1000 area people working permanently for TK and on construction. Most of you who are under 30 and a responsible adult will likely get your chance to land a very good job with TK or one of the many secondary industries that will locate here over the next 10 years. This company has already spent over 3 billions dollars and plans to spend whatever it takes to complete the project.

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by CottonCity251

The problem is the next generation...the 90s babies. Each one is worst than before and they are growing up but still babies from ages 13-18. Most of the problems deal with hood pride or where you from. LeFlore and Blount had a small zoning area, which were the surrounding neighborhoods, until they built the new school and so-called revamped LeFlore's curriculumm. Now Blount has students from Creightion, Toulminville, Trinity Gardens, and the rough parts of Prichard. How is that gon work? When I was at LeFlore other hoods came to our school to fight us...I remember a brawl before school started between Toulminville and Queens Court in Prichard, they drove up to our school. Trinity Gardens has this little gang group called MGM boys...and what do you know all are minors under 16 and they carry big heaters, you don't wanna see 'em. Vigor has its problems as well with rivalry between Plateau, Happy Hill, Alabama Village, Gulf Villiage, and behind Vigor. They have had brawls and students bringing guns there also this year. The problems don't stop at the schools...its all over the streets, the young ones are the ones we see on the news everyday for their dumb choices. Closing down Orange Grove and Bessemer Projects contributes also. Most from Orange Grove moved to R.V. Taylor Homes...straight WarZone. Like they try to come in and take over or something. Some moved to Roger Williams, where it ain't gon happen, so its no near whats happening in R.V. where people are dying over non sense. I don't look for trouble but if another man step to me like he wanna check me or something Imma defend me. I have stayed in every hood and will go wherever I please cause I represent the whole city...Mobile.

Our school board should listen to you young people who KNOW what is happening in the schools. I don't see how the board keeps pushing a square peg into a round hole and expecting it to be a peaceful union. It seems that they are always trying to consolidate school groups rather than create a good learning environment.

[nimsjus]

Good to hear all of that about TK. In other news (maybe old news to some of yall) a 5 Guys Hamburgers is opening in the old Starbucks at Old Shell and MacGregor. I posted an article a while back saying 5 Guys was going to be opening at Airport and University in the old Krystals next to Zea's. So we will have two locations locally. I hope both do well. I have never been to Five Guys, but everyone I know raves about this place. I have always thought that location in Spring Hill would do a booming business as a restaraunt. I guess I will get to see how it turns out now.

[Port_of_Bama]

I really hope this Cuban Embargo thing is lifted,it seems as if it will be a boost to the Alabama economy.

http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/1036517.html


I have never seen this view of the port, what a nice view !!!

[NitekKetin]

That is a great shot, I'm thinking they took it from the International Trade Center.

Hopefully 5 Guys Burger will be better than the overhyped Milo's.

[Muskavon]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

I really hope this Cuban Embargo thing is lifted,it seems as if it will be a boost to the Alabama economy.

http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/1036517.html


I have never seen this view of the port, what a nice view !!!

I'm probably being overly-sensitive as usual. Or very petty. But the original LA Times article in that link finishes with a line that just kills me:

"Feore, 70, is also one of a handful of older Mobilians who cherish the memory of a pre-revolutionary Havana that seemed especially magical by Alabama standards."

As if to say if you were living in an awesome place like LA or NYC, Havana would be another unmemorable yawner and wouldn't meet the standards of appreciation.

To continue the writer's direction to the absurd....."Hick Alabamians go ape sheet over Cuba though. I guess they are happy to step out of their cotton fields and see 1956 Fords driving on roads in Cuba (roads are things with pavement on them...for Alabamians)...those Alabamians probably have never seen what we modern people call "automobiles". We should probably spell automobile phonetically so Alabamians can read and pronounce the newest technology coming their way once they get running water in Mobile. Someone should import some ice so these backwards redneck people get an appreciation for the Inuit populations to their north they don't know exist. I bet they'd be amazed to see frozen water."

It just seems insulting to me. Otherwise, I like the article.

[nimsjus]

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

That is a great shot, I'm thinking they took it from the International Trade Center.

Hopefully 5 Guys Burger will be better than the overhyped Milo's.

5 guys is more like Cheeburger Cheeburger or Red Robin (more sitdown style).

[Port_of_Bama]

I would like to see a Red Robin in Mobile.

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

That is a great shot, I'm thinking they took it from the International Trade Center.

Hopefully 5 Guys Burger will be better than the overhyped Milo's.

That was taken from the convention center. I have seen that angle. If you go to the south end of the convention center on the second floor and go outside you will see that shot. You can get there and not go inside too. There are a few other shots like that of Atlantic Marine when they are busy that would convince you this is a REAL port city.

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by Muskavon

I'm probably being overly-sensitive as usual. Or very petty. But the original LA Times article in that link finishes with a line that just kills me:

"Feore, 70, is also one of a handful of older Mobilians who cherish the memory of a pre-revolutionary Havana that seemed especially magical by Alabama standards."

As if to say if you were living in an awesome place like LA or NYC, Havana would be another unmemorable yawner and wouldn't meet the standards of appreciation.

To continue the writer's direction to the absurd....."Hick Alabamians go ape sheet over Cuba though. I guess they are happy to step out of their cotton fields and see 1956 Fords driving on roads in Cuba (roads are things with pavement on them...for Alabamians)...those Alabamians probably have never seen what we modern people call "automobiles". We should probably spell automobile phonetically so Alabamians can read and pronounce the newest technology coming their way once they get running water in Mobile. Someone should import some ice so these backwards redneck people get an appreciation for the Inuit populations to their north they don't know exist. I bet they'd be amazed to see frozen water."

It just seems insulting to me. Otherwise, I like the article.

Some Californians like to think of themselves as cosmopolitan and the rest of the country are not so sophisticated. I guess when they ask Uncle Sam to bail them out with some of the TARP money they will get an earful of what we all think of them. At least in Alabama english is still the native language.

[philopdx]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Some Californians like to think of themselves as cosmopolitan and the rest of the country are not so sophisticated. I guess when they ask Uncle Sam to bail them out with some of the TARP money they will get an earful of what we all think of them. At least in Alabama english is still the native language.

If you read the line in context, it seems clear the author is setting up the following line in the article:

Feore, 70, is also one of a handful of older Mobilians who cherish the memory of a pre-revolutionary Havana that seemed especially magical by Alabama standards.

"I visited when I was 19, and it was just the most interesting and delightful place I'd ever been," he said.

If the cruise line ever sails back that way, he said he plans to be aboard.

Federal Taxes vs. Receipts

Now, Dear BlessedMobile, you appear the think that California and other "cosmopolitan" places are a drain on the federal government by receiving a TARP handout.

Did you know Alabama is consistently in the top ten states that receive proportionately more federal expenditures than it pays in federal taxes? In 2005 alone, Alabama paid 24.6 billion in federal taxes but received 42 billion in federal spending. http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/22685.html

I find it quite ironic that a state whose citizens are so eager to cast aspersions upon recipients of federal aid is hungrily sucking the government's teat dry to the tune of $17.4 BILLION.

Now let's examine California: In 2005, the same year that Alabama received federal welfare payments of $17.4 billion, California paid $289.6 billion in federal taxes and received $242 billion in federal spending. That means California paid $47.6 billion more to the federal government than it received.

In fact, some of the other heavy lifters that allow the Heart of Dixie to build its roads and bridges are other "cosmopolitan" states you may have heard of: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois and Minnesota.

[philopdx]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Some Californians like to think of themselves as cosmopolitan and the rest of the country are not so sophisticated. I guess when they ask Uncle Sam to bail them out with some of the TARP money they will get an earful of what we all think of them. At least in Alabama english is still the native language.

So, the underlying assumption here is that somehow English is not the primary language in California, but thankfully, it is still spoken in places like Alabama.

The irony is thick here today. Yes, let's thank Jehovah that English is still spoken in a city originally named Fort Louis de la Louisiane and founded by two men by the name of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville which lies in a bay originally discovered by Diego de Miruelo, Alonso Álvarez de Pineda, Pánfilo de Narváez and Hernando de Soto and originally inhabited by the Muskhogean people.

While I don't live in California, I do live on the west coast in a place that could be classified as "cosmopolitan". My friends and co-workers include people from: Turkey, Iran, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Korea, the UK and Somalia. And the funny thing is - we all speak English! I'm not sure where this mythological, sinister place is in the United States where no one speaks English and the people are nefariously plotting to impose their new world order by depriving "real America" of their sweet tea and grits.

[Port_of_Bama]

LOL, yes this city had it`s fair share of European influences, and has been called Fort De le Mobile and Conde,Charlotte and several other names. Though I wish we were still called Fort Louis rather than Mobile, but thank you for visiting anyway my friend.



I`m thinking that the surplus comes from the expensive hurrican aid we recieve each year I assume, we average about 3 to 4direct hits a year.

If you know of any different please inform me my friend.

[BlessedMobile]

I never said California WAS cosmopolitan and I sure would NEVER say Oregon is cosmopolitan. I don't see any point in debating your numbers as we here agree about the debits and credits to Alabama. Sadly, a lot of the federal money is to help the many poor with their needs and the military retirees. Thanks for lurking in the Mobile thread. Next time you're in Alabama stop by and have a nice glass of sweet tea and some fried chicken; it'll do you some good.

[nimsjus]

A couple of downtown related updates from Kathy Jumpers realestate coumn.

"The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation paid $1.5 million for a 5,000-square-foot office building and parking lot at 456 Civic Center Drive, according to court records. Trinova, an engineering firm, sold the building and plans to relocate, according to Leigh Perry Herndon, a chamber spokeswoman. The building has also been home to Trinity's, a popular nightclub. The chamber will use the parking lot, but has no immediate plans for the offices, she said. The purchase was funded by chamber money, private grants and gifts, she said."
also...
"Planet Cellular has leased 3,300 square feet at 2 S. Water St. downtown and will open a corporate office and training center in September, according to Holly Shirley of Prudential Cooper & Co.'s commercial division, who worked for the tenant. Watson Realty represented the landlord."
and...
"Interior work and renovations to turn the 1830s Hall-Ford House at 165 St. Emanuel St. in Fort Conde Village into a bed and breakfast retreat are estimated to cost $1.14 million, according to building permit records. The adjacent circa 1857 Spear-Barter House has been restored as office space, according Larry Posner, the developer restoring the village structures off Royal Street."

Not downtown, but cool that he is investing in his hometown and not running off now that he has cash...
Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell paid $1.15 million for a 5,000-square-foot house and 5 acres on Dog River, according to court records. The property has 350 front feet on the river. Spencer Ruggs of Diamond Properties represented Russell, a Mobile native and former No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Kym Trest of Roberts Brothers worked for the seller. Surety Land Title handled the closing.
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/kjumper.ssf?/base/business/124259685089240.xml&coll=3

[BlessedMobile]

"Interior work and renovations to turn the 1830s Hall-Ford House at 165 St. Emanuel St. in Fort Conde Village into a bed and breakfast retreat are estimated to cost $1.14 million, according to building permit records. The adjacent circa 1857 Spear-Barter House has been restored as office space, according Larry Posner, the developer restoring the village structures off Royal Street."

At one time Larry was going to develop the two houses as one B&B but it was going to cost way more than the $1.14 million. Office space in Fort Conde has always been at a premium so I guess he went with the numbers. His drawing of the proposed B&B which I saw was very attractive.

[Port_of_Bama]

I hate that the city allowed others to destroy the other sections of the old village. That particular section of Mobile is the most attractive to me even in the restoration state it is in now. I`m not biting off of New Orleans` French Quarter, but if Fort Conde Village was still as large as it was in the past .It would be on the same scale if not more attractive than the quarter in New Orleans. That is a very old French neighborhood the first in Mobile, origianlly called Fort de la Conde Charlotte and Fort Louis de la Louisiane. One could only imagine what tourist attraction that neighborhood would have been and could still be to day.

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

I hate that the city allowed others to destroy the other sections of the old village. That particular section of Mobile is the most attractive to me even in the restoration state it is in now. I`m not biting off of New Orleans` French Quarter, but if Fort Conde Village was still as large as it was in the past .It would be on the same scale if not more attractive than the quarter in New Orleans. That is a very old French neighborhood the first in Mobile, origianlly called Fort de la Conde Charlotte and Fort Louis de la Louisiane. One could only imagine what tourist attraction that neighborhood would have been and could still be to day.

The few remaining buildings to be renovated are in very bad shape. Larry Posner has made a silk purse out of a sow's ear in Fort Conde Village. The buildings are mostly law offices with a basic interior look. We probably aren't that far away from new construction on the vacant land inside the Village. I think Larry has done the restoration of Fort Conde Village more as a labor of love than of money. He has a lot of other irons in the fire but he personally handles Fort Conde. He is one New Yorker who has fallen in love with Mobile and commutes from NY to work on the Village during the week. We are fortunate to have Larry in our area.

[BlessedMobile]

Maybe I missed this announcement but I heard the other day that Serda's is going to open a shop on Hillcrest near Airport. Can someone tell me more about this. I love that place....hello Serda's ....good bye Starbuck's.

[NitekKetin]

They could have occupied that former Starbucks location in that (vacant?) strip mall adjacent to Providence Hospital. That former coffee shop even features a drive up window.