Mobile Development Thread

[Port_of_Bama]

Zoo !!! what a great idea Nitek that would be nice.

[nimsjus]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I know the guy who was trying to lease the Smokey Bones and he explains that the owners are likely to demolish it and extend the strip center which they also own. That location has never been very good for restaurants. PF Changs likes to be around style and class...none of which you will find around Chili's or the Smokey Bones. Stix in the ESC probably has an exclusive on upscale Asian food for the center. I mentioned earlier that "I KNOW" PF Chang's wants to come to Mobile as in "not Eastern Shore". I'll ask my friends with Mitchell about Legacy Village..I'll report back soon.

I think Legacy village is probably the most likely place in Mobile for it to happpen. I would like to see one in a location like the one 5 Guys is going into at Old Shell and Mcgregor. Changs would probably like to see something on a bigger road with more traffic, but selfishly I would like one in that area because it could really jumpstart the conversion of Spring Hill into the village style thing they are going for if it was done right or went into the right building there.

I like the Zoo idea for somewhere near downtown/midtown. Montgomery and Bham both have pretty nice zoos that provide people with something to do while they are in town visting, plus locals and schools use it too. Bham's is tied into their botanical garden. It would be like if Mobile took a chunk of Langan Park near the botanical gardens and made it a zoo near SpringHill. It could be a real shot in the arm for the SpringHill Avenue/Ziegler Corridor that has started to fall off in recent years. It would also probably be beneficial to the Toulminville area along the creek if located there as mentioned earlier. I think the creek area, especially between USA Med Center and Children's and Women's/Cancer Center would be a cool place, but the surrounding neighborhood would have to be cleaned up a bit (no more shootings) before anyone will invest in that area. The "zoo" that we currently have in Wilmer/Semmes is a joke and I laugh everytimes someone calls that a zoo.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

Yes unfortunately our zoo in Wilmer isn't too great. You just have to know that the guy does all he can. I, personally, am good friends with the owner and have helped out there in the past. I say that we move it down here (Orange Grove) with nicer facilities and then add on to the collection (more exotics, endangered animals?) Even though zoos do take up a large amount of space, I think it could be incorporated into the Orange Grove area up to the creek with additional attractions (Riverwalk, stadium, Atlantic Stn type place...?).

In other news, I was downtown today. Ate at Buck's (really good, by the way), then walked down to Three George's and got a few goodies (they were doing a little work to the outside, I think adding additional smaller signs) and then walked around some more. Even for the odd time I was down there (ie not lunch-time), there were plenty of people walking around/ relaxing in the park (no, not the homeless)/ hanging out in Three George's. But here's the news: Hopjacks is open! I didn't know that they had, and I don't think anyone on here has said that they were. The menu was mostly pizza and bar food; I'll have to try it some day.

[BlessedMobile]

I think one of the problems with a zoo in downtown or near any residential area is the noise. I have heard that is a major source of complaints. Personally, I would prefer an aquarium displaying our Gulf and Delta aquatic life. We could do this easily in the downtown area on the North side where we have plenty of land. On another note, I feel certain the Orange Grove area is going to be full of Hope VI housing and a senior home; not a likely change since this belongs to the Housing Board who has already heard complaints that those who had to move out can't afford to move back in. PS..I think it is not right to look at the people who live in public housing as being a tool when talking about economic development. Getting people to move to improve their lives is one thing but not so if it is because we want the land.

[Port_of_Bama]

^^^ Blessed you`re right my friend. There is still enough land(wooded) areas around Orange Grove to develop what ever you want to. Yes we do have plaenty of land in the north to have an aquarium. The problem is Birmingham ,Montgomery ,Auburn ,and maybe Huntsville are all trying to build one. Then again they all have zoos,I believe our aquarium would be more appealing because we are on the Gulf Coast and the region,climate,and culture run hand and hand with a development such as this.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

I agree; you're right. I would never try to force them out just for the sake of development. I am just speaking hypothetically or if the housing were relocated later on. But, as Port said, there is still plenty of undeveloped land that actually could be turned into something potentially. Also, I'm not that concerned about the others cities getting aquariums. We would just make ours better . Really, our location and connection with the water makes it almost silly to not have one.

[Port_of_Bama]

You`re right Nouveau it would be very very silly to not !

The new court house extension is coming along pretty fine, it looks a little better than the rendering.I`m waiting on our new elaborate federal court house !

[Verve]

Originally Posted by nimsjus

I think Legacy village is probably the most likely place in Mobile for it to happpen. I would like to see one in a location like the one 5 Guys is going into at Old Shell and Mcgregor. Changs would probably like to see something on a bigger road with more traffic, but selfishly I would like one in that area because it could really jumpstart the conversion of Spring Hill into the village style thing they are going for if it was done right or went into the right building there.

There's a big parcel of land (mainly parking lot) next to the Burlington end of Springdale and behind Macaroni Grill (or even next to Macaroni Grill where Hooter's used to be) that would be a good place for Changs. It would give them more visibility and higher traffic if on the Airport Blvd corridor. Legacy Village is still a good idea if the Springdale spot doesn't work. I feel that the restaurants work better when they are nearer to each other.

[NitekKetin]

^Springdale Plaza probably wouldn't be considered 'classy' or 'upscale' enough for the PF Chang's operation. That being said, I think the parking lot immediately west of Macaroni Grille, with the hulking Springdale sign in it, would be a better location for another casual dining restaurant. The old Hooter's site itself isn't big enough.

[NitekKetin]

Legacy Village doesn't have another restaurant outparcel, so PF Chang's will probably be costructed farther down Du Rhu (what does that mean) Drive. I've noticed that there is a wooded parcel of land adjacent the back of Morgan Keegan and Whitney Bank. If a high end restaurant was constructed there, it could capture the daytime office worker crowd.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

^Springdale Plaza probably wouldn't be considered 'classy' or 'upscale' enough for the PF Chang's operation. That being said, I think the parking lot immediately west of Macaroni Grille, with the hulking Springdale sign in it, would be a better location for another casual dining restaurant. The old Hooter's site itself isn't big enough.

I second that, especially since that side of Springdale is half-dead. Come to think of it, there aren't that many nice, "upscale" locations that I can think of besides Legacy Village. Maybe someone should create a new one.. downtown.

Port, the new courthouse is looking good. I really like that plaque or whatever you want to call it. I was scared it might look too boring, but it's going to be a nice addition to the area.

Also, I got a tidbit of "inside" info. Pardon me if y'all already knew, but I learned that if the new bridge is constructed, interior lanes will be added to the Bayway. I know a lot of us were concerned about it bottlenecking and only going to the current lanes of the bayway, and wondering how it would help at all. That makes so much more sense. Also, I heard that if it's built where the mayor wants it to be built, then it will block the view of the skyline from the Eastern Shore, something I really enjoy looking at.

[NitekKetin]

^Something should be done with the old Rousso's restaurant at Fort Conde Village. I think a steakhouse was interested in the building, at one point. Perhaps PF Chang's could do an adaptive use. Wishful thinking in my part, lol.

[nouveau_Mauvilla]

Yes, that area could make a fantastic area for dining and shopping, I think. It really doe have its own cool "vibe." By the way, has anything happened with the B&B(s) in there?

[BlessedMobile]

Originally Posted by nouveau_Mauvilla

Yes, that area could make a fantastic area for dining and shopping, I think. It really doe have its own cool "vibe." By the way, has anything happened with the B&B(s) in there?

I think that is an ongoing project from Larry Posner the developer. He has talked about the B&B for years. I remember him proudly showing me the rendering about 3 years ago. Bob Baumhower has the old Roussos's...go figure what he will do with it....Wings anyone?

[CottonCity251]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I think that is an ongoing project from Larry Posner the developer. He has talked about the B&B for years. I remember him proudly showing me the rendering about 3 years ago. Bob Baumhower has the old Roussos's...go figure what he will do with it....Wings anyone?

That will fit in nicely downtown.

[Port_of_Bama]

Wings downtown, oh yeah !!

Tha Fort Conde Village would also be a nice spot for Changs as well, I saw one complete B&B in that area. Fort Conde has a very strong vibe to it ,it`s very cultural !!!

I`m glad to hear that the bay will be having additional lanes,the view of downtown from the Fairhope Pier is nice.

Oh yeah does anyone know of or have any renderings of what the new Unity Park at the intersection of Broad and Springhill will look like ?

At first I thought it was going to have a water display, but now it looks like they are going to place a statue in the park. I hope it will a nice color theme at night.

I drove down the south side of Broad and it`s funny how a median with magnolias or what ever they are could just completely change an area around. That part of Broad is looking good,now it`s time to move on in progress with the other half of Broad.

[BuenaVista]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Wings downtown, oh yeah !!

Tha Fort Conde Village would also be a nice spot for Changs as well, I saw one complete B&B in that area. Fort Conde has a very strong vibe to it ,it`s very cultural !!!

I`m glad to hear that the bay will be having additional lanes,the view of downtown from the Fairhope Pier is nice.

Oh yeah does anyone know of or have any renderings of what the new Unity Park at the intersection of Broad and Springhill will look like ?

At first I thought it was going to have a water display, but now it looks like they are going to place a statue in the park. I hope it will a nice color theme at night.

I drove down the south side of Broad and it`s funny how a median with magnolias or what vere they are could just completely change an area around. That part of Broad is looking good,now it`s time to move on in progress with the other half of Broad.

We need to thank Palmer Hamilton for the Broad Street improvements. He is working on getting the "interstate" directional signs that span Broad, Government and Spring Hill Avenues removed. ALDOT does not want them removed, of course!

[NitekKetin]

^Those sign bridge assemblies, along with the titled concrete pavement, give Broad Street a gritty industrial nature. They've been there for more than 25 years. I'll personally miss them when they are eventually dismantled. I should snag a few panels for my collection.

[BuenaVista]

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

I was downtown tonight and drove up St. Francis looking for the site of the demolished building. That was the old House of Specialties building. In my opinion it is no loss for the city. I could see that they had salvaged the old brick. I can tell you for sure that the inside looked like a rundown rental house the last time I was there. With the adjacent parking lot and the land of the building there is at least room to build something much better. I don't know what is planned for the site.

It IS a loss to the historic fabric of Downtown Mobile

[Port_of_Bama]

Well it makes since to not remove them, I just think the signs could look different.


I`m thinking the structures that are holding the signs could be replaced or colered blue and green you know the wave colors ,also the signs could go digital !