Mobile Development Thread - Page 21

elb401 · #**401** Posted **Jul 7, 2007, 4:20 PM**

Because the soup kitchen is across the street too.

bayourat 15 · #**402** Posted **Jul 7, 2007, 8:58 PM**

Verve go stand by that corner (during the week) and then tell me you would buy one of those condos. Laborfinders is a great business , but but inorder for this area to clean its image and fill in all those empty eyesore parking lots, i think it would be wise to relocate. Also all the bars and shops on Dauphin St. is a rock throw away.

Musicisright · #**403** Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 12:51 AM**

Someone was saying the exact same thing about Labor Finders in Sound Off either today or yesterday.

nimsjus · #**404** Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 1:40 PM**

PKP-Any word on your TCBY venture?

pkp · #**405** Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 2:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimsjus

PKP-Any word on your TCBY venture?

Hey hey! Thanks for asking. Application's been approved, should be finalizing my negotiations on the lease this week and then TCBY has to formally approve the site. I'm thinking 30 days before we know 100% for sure.

Musicisright · #**406** Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 5:54 PM**

It's my dream to live and open a business downtown. Congratulations.

montysano · #**407** Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 7:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verve

The people utilizing Labor Finders are folks looking for work - why would they have to be characterized as bums , homeless, and thugs - hardly the type that one would expect to be trying to get a job.

When I was coming to town to work on the tower, I'd park in that lot on the west side of Bienville Square, right near Labor Finders.

Verve, I hear what you're saying, but many of the folks I saw didn't appear to be ready to go to work. It's a dilemma: you certainly want to encourage folks to work, but not at the expense of scaring off visitors. Bienville Square is a lovely place, but a bit threatening, esp. at night.

BlessedMobile · #**408** Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 3:01 AM**

I think that I can help clarify the question of who are the people who use 15 Place (so called "soup kitchen" and LaborFinders job seekers. I am associated with a homeless assistance program that works with those who use 15 Place and other homeless related facilities. Homeless people come to 15 Place for a meal and some quick medical services...they are generally in an out within an hour at mid day. Do they hang around 15 Place?...not really, they are ALL OVER downtown. Most of the homeless aren't looking for a job so the LaborFinders office is only coincidentally close to 15 Place. It would probably be a good idea to encourage LaborFinders to relocate closer to a more westerly location downtown as this is where you are getting the early morning crowd looking for day work. The people using both 15 Place and LaborFinders are mainly the transient population..those who are passing through. I hope this has answered some of your questions and concerns.

bayourat 15 · #**409** Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 3:22 AM**

Thanks 4 the info. So why do we have 15place to start with? Isn t the salvation army/ red cross over on Dauphin and Broad Streets? Im with u on moving labor finders. Somewhere over by Bishop State would be a good spot. Maybe it is just me, but i just cant see the condos taking place . This whole block needs cleaning. If i wuz a 80year old grandmomma or a college hottie that wanted a condo id look somewhere else

Hey BlessedMobile , any news on the new Hampton ?

BlessedMobile · #**410** Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 5:02 AM**

15 Place started a few years ago by the Homeless Coalition to provide a meal and some assistance for the homeless and transients. There is a medical person there who is a part of the Jesuits and others who are paid by grant money. The Red Cross has nothing to do with the homeless, not because they don't care...it just isn't a part of their mission. Salvation Army feeds and overnights people. Most homeless would rather stay at their own place rather than stay in a shelter. LaborFinders likes the proximity to the feeding places....you fish where the fish are biting! I do think that the St. Francis street project is on the current far north side of where young people would consider buying a condo.

Verve · #**411** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 4:48 AM**

I appreciate all the comments and only took exception to the characterization of the transients and jobseekers as thugs. I understand the concerns about the transient population and I see them when I'm down there at work. Yes, they do make people feel uncomfortable but not all are threatening. As the area becomes more developed, I'm sure the building that LaborFinders is using will become more valuable for other purposes and they will locate to another area.

One thing that many downtown areas face is what to do with the transient populations that don't seem to fit in with development plans. I'm happy to see things happening in the downtown area and I hope that these new developments improve the ambiance and quality of life downtown. But, I also want the community to be tolerant and supportive of entities that provide services for those who need it such as 15 Place and LaborFinders.

bayourat 15 · #**412** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 4:59 AM**

Verve , would u live across the street in one of those condos ?

pkp · #**413** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 8:37 PM**

The homeless population seems to be growing dowtown. Since I started riding my bike or walking to work in December, I have noticed a significant increase all over downtown. And its not the same old folks I always used to see. I do not feel at all threatened by these folks, and I know that cities have and probably always will have homeless - whether by situations they can't control (most of them) or by their own free will. However, it seems that we have way a very large homeless/transient population than we should for a city of our size. Perhaps it is because of the i abbundance of services available to these folks downtown (Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, 15 Place, Waterfront Rescue Mission, etc...) or maybe I just notice it more because I live here and don't stay within the confines of a car when getting around. I have heard that more than 2/3 of the homeless population of Mobile lives in the suburbs - vacant grocery stores, etc... and actually DRIVES downtown to take advantage of the services offered to the needy.

We need to work on a long term goal to help at least some of these folks get off the streets permanently - not just overnight.

pkp · #**414** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 8:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicisright

It's my dream to live and open a business downtown. Congratulations.

The 1st one is very easy to do. We bought a place in Oakleigh - I consider it downtown. I can walk to Bienville Square in 25 minutes and ride my bike there in 10. There are a lot of houses there for sale now in every price range, the area is safe (much safer than Grand Bay - where I moved from and a lot of people are moving to) contrary to what most people believe, and its a great community. There are also some options in Church St. East now as well and De Tonti.

We seriously considered buying a condo downtown, but as most on the forum have pointed out, they are priced very high for what you get. That is, our 2600 sq ft house in Oakleigh cost the same as a 2 bedroom one bath condo dowtown. If I were single, I would have gone that route, but to be married and wanting to have kids, we couldn't justify it.

My advice - take the plunge. Screw the naysayers. I hear a lot of people BS saying they would like to live closer to downtown but can't afford it. Houses are about the same price per square foot here as they are in west Mobile. The safety issue is pure paranoia. The only issue might be schools. However, if your kids make good grades, they can attend the best public elementary and middle schools in Mobile (Council and Dunbar - magnet schools) and the best public high school - Murphy. What's to loose - I will never, ever not live in the core of a city again.

Now, the business thing is another story. Now's a good time to start one downtown, but it really is a pain in the ass. As most people know, the real estate market is cornered by a couple of families who refuse to keep their buildings updated. Give me a year and I will let you know if its worth it.

pkp · #**415** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayourat 15

Verve , would u live across the street in one of those condos ?

I would - I would be much more concerned with the actual apearance of the facilites, not to mention the nasty parking lot facing Beinville than the service provided there. It is amazing how something feels so much safer (studies show it is actually safer) when it is well kept i/o of run down. I they they call it "broken window effect" or something like that. There are homeless all over Mobile and Baldwin County - they are just easier to ignore outside of downtown.

DruidCity · #**416** Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 11:11 PM**

Quote:

We bought a place in Oakleigh - I consider it downtown.

Last month, my Mobile relatives took me to restaurant in that area called Guido's, which was really good. Are there any other restaurants "hidden" like that in the neighborhood ?

BlessedMobile · #**417** Posted **Jul 12, 2007, 3:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkp

The homeless population seems to be growing dowtown. Since I started riding my bike or walking to work in December, I have noticed a significant increase all over downtown. And its not the same old folks I always used to see. I do not feel at all threatened by these folks, and I know that cities have and probably always will have homeless - whether by situations they can't control (most of them) or by their own free will. However, it seems that we have way a very large homeless/transient population than we should for a city of our size. Perhaps it is because of the i abbundance of services available to these folks downtown (Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, 15 Place, Waterfront Rescue Mission, etc...) or maybe I just notice it more because I live here and don't stay within the confines of a car when getting around. I have heard that more than 2/3 of the homeless population of Mobile lives in the suburbs - vacant grocery stores, etc... and actually DRIVES downtown to take advantage of the services offered to the needy.

We need to work on a long term goal to help at least some of these folks get off the streets permanently - not just overnight.

Pkp...you have a lot of it right and some of it wrong. Yes, there are more around town who came here from NO and Ms. Coast. Every major city offers similar services for the homeless and transient population. These people get food and healthcare downtown but stay under bridges and in wooded areas from I-65 to downtown. Do they ride to get services...they can ride the bus for about a buck or get picked up by a few vans if it is for medical reasons. They do have enough money to do this when they wish. Homeless are very, very seldom in any commercial buildings of any kind; it is the quickest way to get arrested next to laying down on a bench in Bienville Square. Homeless don't even like to stay in the shelters very long because they know that whatever they did not carry in with them and was left at their regular place will likely not be there when they return. Stealing from each other is punishable by a "friendly" beating. The assumption that most homeless are there "by situations they can't control" is sadly wrong, though it would be nice to see it be true. Most homeless choose the lifestyle; there is NOTHING that they really need that is not provided to them FREE. Many have very little self respect and drug issues that keep them unfit for regular employment. Those of them who really want to be "off the street" can and will get off. America is a one-of-a-kind...and I thank God we are a caring and compassionate people.

pkp · #**418** Posted **Jul 12, 2007, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruidCity

Last month, my Mobile relatives took me to restaurant in that area called Guido's, which was really good. Are there any other restaurants "hidden" like that in the neighborhood ?

I live a 1 1/2 blocks from there. Callahans is another bar/resuraunt in Oakleigh, but not really "hidden" - been there nearly 70 years and got pretty popular about 5 years ago and still is - mostly pub fare and beer. In the general area, other good places that aren't really well known are La Pizzaria in the Leinkauf District and The Bakery in Dauphinway. Saucy Q is in Oakleigh and has rally good barbeque - especially ribs. The other decent restaraunts are along main roads like Government, Dauphin, and Old Shell. Other than the ones already mentioned, we frequent Butch Cassidy's, Billotis, The Pillars (it has really gotten good again), Ruth's Chris, Dew Drop Inn, Chuck's Place, Queen G's, and Janino's in midtown. Every place that is downtown is actually pretty good - they have to be to stay in business. Most are lunch place. Are favorite dinner spots are Cafe 615, NOJA, and Wintzells, which is he only good one.

elb401 · #**419** Posted **Jul 13, 2007, 12:12 AM**

I believe Tillmans corner has the most homeless in our area. The newspaper did an article on it.

PKP how long ago did you move to oakleigh? we were thinking about moving to oakleigh from across the street in the dauphin way district.

BlessedMobile · #**420** Posted **Jul 13, 2007, 2:42 AM**

Tillman's Corner got the bulk of the problem people from the Coast and NO. These are more of the criminal homeless than the wandering homeless. It is no surprise that TC would have more of those who fit the homeless definition as the definition of homeless by the government would include those who are on the street, living at someone else's home, no residence but in a shelter and even those who are being evicted. I agree TC got the short end of this stick; Maybe they would like a shelter and dining hall out there??? The homeless who would bug a downtown pedestrian are NOT in Tillman's Corner. The homeless of most interest to downtown are never more than a few miles from the next meal site. Oh yea, Wilmer has them too!