Mobile Development Thread - Page 220

Sulley · #**4381** Posted **Aug 10, 2009, 6:10 PM**

I hope it becomes a Westin

Branch automation? At Regions? I lol'd.

OCA REP · #**4382** Posted **Aug 10, 2009, 7:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

I hope it becomes a Westin

Branch automation? At Regions? I lol'd.

This was WELL before the R.I.N.O. Regions!

nimsjus · #**4383** Posted **Aug 10, 2009, 11:39 PM**

Saw this article on AL.com today. With the museum and that new Admiral Semmes addition, downtown will have two new fairly large scale infill developments that will make downtown that much better. Wish I was there to enjoy it.

Mobile planning to borrow $86 million for museum construction
Posted by Dan Murtaugh, Staff Reporter August 10, 2009 5:16 PM
MOBILE, Ala. -- Mobile Mayor Sam Jones plans to sell $86 million in bonds to refinance old debt and pay for the construction of the new maritime museum on the city's downtown waterfront.
The City Council has not been asked to vote on the bond issue, and at least one council member said she had reservations about taking out a loan in the midst of an iffy economy.
Jones had Moody's Investors Service rate the city's finances for an upcoming issue.
The financial service announced Monday that it will keep the city's rating of A1 -- the best it's been in recent history.
City spokeswoman Barbara Drummond said that rating was a relief for officials, who were concerned that the recession might affect Mobile's financial outlook.
"Moody's believes the city's financial position will remain stable over the near term, despite recent draw-downs of reserves," the report stated, "given a history of conservative budgeting, prudent fiscal management and a growing economic base."
Cities sell bonds to investors in order to raise a large pool of cash for projects. The cities then repay the investors, with interest, over several years.
About $63 million of the proposed bond issue would go to refinance a 2002 loan at a better rate, which will save the city $157,000, according to the Moody's report.
The remaining $23 million will go toward construction of GulfQuest, formerly known as the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf Coast.
Groundbreaking at the museum took place in April, and officials are hoping the attraction will open for business in spring 2011. The museum will include interactive exhibits, such as:
--Remote-controlled tugboats that can guide ships into port.
--A simulator that will allow visitors to navigate vessels through a virtual Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.
--A hurricane simulator that will let visitors issue warnings based on changing weather information.
Any bond issue would have to be approved by the City Council.
Councilwoman Connie Hudson said Jones scheduled a meeting with her to discuss the bond issue but then canceled it. She has not heard any details.
She said she's concerned about increasing the city's debt after Jones called for across-the-board cuts in spending and a partial hiring freeze.
"When you're cutting budgets, is it a good time to borrow money?" she asked. "I can't get excited about it, let's put it that way."

Port_of_Bama · #**4384** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 12:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogue

I think the orange is probably supposed to be representative of brick as the rest of the hotel (in the background) is also in the same color. I think the orange was chosen over a more accurate color to highlight the new building in newsprint. Personally, I like it as I think it sort of reflects the building across the street and maybe that'll help Govt. Plaza not stick out like a sore thumb. Might be asking too much of a single building though.

I think the flyway is just to connect to the parking deck. Isn't there one across the street on that side?

I agree w/ Phoenix that that pink hotel on the Causeway is hideous. Anyone heard anything about that lately? I know it's hard to sell the property b/c of insurance stuff, but you'd think that someone would've figured out something to do w/ it in all this time that it's sat empty.

From that rendering it seem as if it is connected to the Plaza and the garage is on the otherside. So I assume that maybe the artist drew the flyaway on the wrong side.

I believe the pink hotel can be replaced by a couple of trendy sea food restarunts.

BlessedMobile · #**4385** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 3:49 AM**

This is a short aside to the Admiral Semmes topic but I wanted to mention to those of you who like Facebook and would like to see old photos of the Mobile area to become a friend of "Old Mobilian." It is not really about a person but more of a moderated forum. There are a lot of interesting comments from those who know and sometimes lived the era. Check it out. I joined about a month ago and it is one of the friends I have come to enjoy most.

phoenixboi08 · #**4386** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 12:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogue

I agree w/ Phoenix that that pink hotel on the Causeway is hideous. Anyone heard anything about that lately? I know it's hard to sell the property b/c of insurance stuff, but you'd think that someone would've figured out something to do w/ it in all this time that it's sat empty.

I did hear that the owners were considering converting them into cheap "condos," but I'm not surprised it didn't happen...More than likely, we'll either see a hotel, or condos, or maybe some office space....

Too bad we don't still have THIS...

BuenaVista · #**4387** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

From that rendering it seem as if it is connected to the Plaza and the garage is on the otherside. So I assume that maybe the artist drew the flyaway on the wrong side.

I believe the pink hotel can be replaced by a couple of trendy sea food restarunts.

The proposed addition is very reminiscent of the old Motor Lodge that was
across Government Street where the large parking lot is located.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=200235255182

Bogue · #**4388** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 6:55 PM**

Great picture, Phoenix. Had not seen that one before. The old electric streetcar in the picture is a nice touch.

pboo74 · #**4389** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 8:00 PM**

Theres one thing that mobile city leaders need to do for the city of mobile is to come together for once an get the ball rollin onthings for the downtown as well as the city as a hole. we need a comedy club dt,an aquarium,big chain resturant like 'hooters' parking garages,amphitheater at the riverside with tables for big outdoor concerts,new arena,lots of shopping for tourists that come for crusies an people that lives an work downtown,pedestrian bridge for water street traffic is just too fast to cross,etc... please go to other cities an u see all they downtown has to offer nashville,atl,memphis,chattanooga,list goes on an on..lets get the ball rollin..

phoenixboi08 · #**4390** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 8:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogue

Great picture, Phoenix. Had not seen that one before. The old electric streetcar in the picture is a nice touch.

It was the old courthouse. I think it was designed by a German architect. You know, I've never really thought about Mobile's streetcars before. I mean, I knew they existed, but it never occurred to me to ASK about their "demise"

WEMO · #**4391** Posted **Aug 11, 2009, 8:10 PM**

That takes time, but I can tell you they are working on it.

pboo74 · #**4392** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 12:19 AM**

I really love the rendering of the admiral semmes hotel i hope it becomes a reality?

pboo74 · #**4393** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 12:31 AM**

I really hope by doing the study downtown last year that some of the things come to fruitation..Mobile has a lot to offer if the city just come togehter,I agree that water street really needs a skyscraper or two....

Bayside · #**4394** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 7:02 PM**

[QUOTE=pboo74;4400846]Theres one thing that mobile city leaders need to do for the city of mobile is to come together for once an get the ball rollin onthings for the downtown as well as the city as a hole. we need a

comedy club you mean the city council meetings?,
an aquarium not going to happen,
big chain resturant like 'hooters' hummm
parking garages you may see one on the site of the old L&N terminal,
amphitheater at the riverside There is a small one already there that isn't used
big outdoor concerts couldn't you do this in the proposed Mardi Gras park?,
new arena don't we have the Mitchell Center?,
lots of shopping for tourists that come for crusies an people that lives an work downtown Yup,
pedestrian bridge for water street traffic is just too fast to cross, Yup

WEMO · #**4395** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 7:20 PM**

Thanks for keeping the faith.....

phoenixboi08 · #**4396** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 8:31 PM**

I think once we start to see people flocking back to the areas around Government and Dauphin St., we'll start to see the residential "perks" erected in DT. Until then, I think most development will be infrastructure, and attractions (like the Mardi Gras Park and the Maritime Museum).

Curious, why are so many of neighborhoods around DT so empty? I see so many neglected houses around Gvmt and Dauphin St. (etc). And all of them are great houses...what happened?

Electrical Porpoise · #**4397** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

Curious, why are so many of neighborhoods around DT so empty? I see so many neglected houses around Gvmt and Dauphin St. (etc). And all of them are great houses...what happened?

People moved west and a lot of the areas deteriorated, especially when downtown activity decreased.

phoenixboi08 · #**4398** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical Porpoise

People moved west and a lot of the areas deteriorated, especially when downtown activity decreased.

Yeah, but for the life of me, I don't understand how an area that was obviously once so vibrant just...died. Those are some really nice properties...

Electrical Porpoise · #**4399** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

Yeah, but for the life of me, I don't understand how an area that was obviously once so vibrant just...died. Those are some really nice properties...

Its pretty sad. I love those homes. There are people like us that love those homes, but they dont offer much more than the wood they were built with. Education, crime, commute time, etc. have all gone in the wrong direction for that area. Part of the problem is there isnt a central focus area. It isnt a specific neighborhood or gated community. Its tough to change places that have homes places in random areas. A downtown resurgence wouldnt hurt.

pboo74 · #**4400** Posted **Aug 12, 2009, 10:42 PM**

[QUOTE=Bayside;4402457]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pboo74

Theres one thing that mobile city leaders need to do for the city of mobile is to come together for once an get the ball rollin onthings for the downtown as well as the city as a hole. we need a

comedy club you mean the city council meetings?,
an aquarium not going to happen,
big chain resturant like 'hooters' hummm
parking garages you may see one on the site of the old L&N terminal,
amphitheater at the riverside There is a small one already there that isn't used
big outdoor concerts couldn't you do this in the proposed Mardi Gras park?,
new arena don't we have the Mitchell Center?,
lots of shopping for tourists that come for crusies an people that lives an work downtown Yup,
pedestrian bridge for water street traffic is just too fast to cross, Yup

New arena meaning downtown..Mitchell center isn't that in west mobile?