Montgomery development news - Page 244

thoraudio · #**4861** Posted **Feb 16, 2011, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Mayor says property's discounted price an incentive for development

With one piece of property now sold, Montgomery officials now wait to see how -- and if -- the other proposed projects along the historic street will pan out. But the first project, which calls for a cantina, is an encouraging sign, officials say.

Aside from encouragement, the real estate transaction done Tuesday night presented an opportunity to see how such transactions would be conducted between the city and developers. The property sold Tuesday night, which is a corner lot located at 78 Dexter Ave., was appraised at $102,000 but sold for $60,000.

Mayor Todd Strange said after the meeting that he viewed the discounted sale price as an incentive for economic development.

Rest from Montgomery Advertiser

bystander1 · #**4862** Posted **Feb 16, 2011, 11:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoraudio

If 78 Dexter is the one I think it is (was going to be a pizza/sub shop about 10-15 years ago), then $60k is a great price. When I looked at it 5 years ago, the seller (who owned Kress and most of lower Dexter) wanted $280K!!!!!

Yes, that's the building. And for $60K I would've bought it!

...may not have been able to renovate it though...

bystander1 · #**4863** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 12:50 AM**

Any idea what "Big" announcement the mayor will announce tomorrow, besides this:

Quote:

Local Leaders to Unveil Plan for New Learning Facility
City of Montgomery, Alabama
Posted Date: 2/15/2011 11:00 AM

A joint news conference presented the by City of Montgomery, the Montgomery County Commission, the Montgomery City-County Public Library and The Children’s Museum of Alabama will be held on Friday, February 18th at 10 am. The news conference will be held on the third floor of One Court Square. All media should enter the building off of Montgomery Street, a few doors down from Cool Beans Coffee. Directional signage will be posted.

Please join Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, Montgomery County Commission Chair Elton Dean and friends and representatives from the Montgomery City-County Public Library and The Children’s Museum of Alabama as they unveil plans for an exciting new facility that will transform learning in our community.

WSFA News said the mayor also hinted that he could make an announcement for companies that will bring 700 and possibly another one later for 1500 jobs. Of course, he couldn't say much more.

I'm pretty sure the above announcement is neither one of them.

thoraudio · #**4864** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 1:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

Any idea what "Big" announcement the mayor will announce tomorrow, besides this:

WSFA News said the mayor also hinted that he could make an announcement for companies that will bring 700 and possibly another one later for 1500 jobs. Of course, he couldn't say much more.

I'm pretty sure the above announcement is neither one of them.

I'm under the impression that One Court will be the new Library.

bystander1 · #**4865** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 3:13 AM**

Yes, a Public Library/Childrens Museum combo, but what's with the 700 job announcement?

Jefficator · #**4866** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 3:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander1

Yes, a Public Library/Childrens Museum combo, but what's with the 700 job announcement?

Call center.

bystander1 · #**4867** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 7:06 PM**

I went to the press conference.

The mayor renamed One Court Square to Dexter Plaza and the children's museum will be called Questplex. The library will be mostly electronic media but will still carry some books for checkout. The building is big enough that the city wants to use 50,000 sq ft for retail and restaurant space. It won't be like any other library and said it should be an attraction for the Southeast went complete.

thoraudio · #**4868** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 7:48 PM**

Is it still butt ugly?

bystander1 · #**4869** Posted **Feb 18, 2011, 9:33 PM**

I thought you would be there to light the fuse.

The contest for the facade remake will start soon.

ExpatBaman · #**4870** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capital Heights

I am very disappointed to learn that Troy State Montgomery is going to tear down the 8-story historic structure on Montgomery Street just across from the Rosa Parks library. This is an historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places that cannot be replicated and should be saved and reused rather than be torn down for another parking lot.

About half of the building is gone now. Does anyone know what Troy U. plans to do with that corner lot?

The lousy leadership of that so-called "urban" university is not helpful to downtown at all. These idiots tear down one of the last mid-rise buildings left downtown and for what? They also have a bad habit of covering up buildings with hideous cladding.

Troy decision-makers need to visit S.C.A.D. in Savannah to see how a real urban university conducts business in a Southern city.

It's scary to think of these people getting their hands on more property downtown. As a state institution, Troy is immune from any interference or regulation from the city. They could literally buy and tear down every available downtown building and there's nothing we could do about it.

bystander1 · #**4871** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 9:29 PM**

I agree 100%. These goons are debasing the very area they pride themselves for being in. And for what? A parking lot...

rbp · #**4872** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 10:51 PM**

It is a loss, but having been in that building, I understand their choosing not to use it. The upper floors were probably less than 9 feet making getting air conditioning, plumbing and electrical in difficult. I wouldn't be surprised if Troy's hoping to get the entire block (look for the demolition of the remaining structures) and build a signature facility there.

Thedarkone1977 · #**4873** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 11:10 PM**

Nice pictures of the renovated Cramton Bowl from the Central Alabama Sports Commission's website.

http://alsportscapital.com/

Thedarkone1977 · #**4874** Posted **Feb 21, 2011, 11:37 PM**

The Dexter Avenue Plaza will have a Digital Library, a Children's Museum, and a Coffee shop (Starbucks). Is it just me or is the logical private tenant a big box bookstore (Barns and Noble).

bystander1 · #**4875** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 4:00 AM**

Micheal Briddell, who's over the library system for the city, hinted at having a store of that type (Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble) as a possible tenant.

BTW, the mayor says he, the county commission, and ALDOT will hold a news conference Tuesday to make a big announcement about transportation in Montgomery. Hmm, what could it be this time? The 18th announcement on the start of the Outer Loop? ooh, ooh, maybe it's the long talked about interstate-like upgrade of 231 to Dothan? or, or maybe the long-ago planned River Parkway along the East Bank? or the...oh, I'm sorry, ...do I sound a little pessimistic?

SpawnOfVulcan · #**4876** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 8:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thedarkone1977

The Dexter Avenue Plaza will have a Digital Library, a Children's Museum, and a Coffee shop (Starbucks). Is it just me or is the logical private tenant a big box bookstore (Barns and Noble).

Since BAM is based in Alabama, it would be nice if the city approached them about a new concept or something. As far as I know, BAM doesn't have any urban locations (as in downtown), and this could be an interesting option for them to try out.

OldCloverdale · #**4877** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 2:30 PM**

did the LA Times run a story on The Alley this past weekend?

OCA REP · #**4878** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredici

Since BAM is based in Alabama, it would be nice if the city approached them about a new concept or something. As far as I know, BAM doesn't have any urban locations (as in downtown), and this could be an interesting option for them to try out.

Please NO. If anything of this nature should locate downtown, I would prefer a Barnes and Noble. We have really missed the one since it closed in Montgomery. BAM is a cheap imitation with employees that seem to have no passion for reading. With Barnes and Noble gone, I do not feel nearly as bad about loading up my Kindle...

SpawnOfVulcan · #**4879** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCA REP

Please NO. If anything of this nature should locate downtown, I would prefer a Barnes and Noble. We have really missed the one since it closed in Montgomery. BAM is a cheap imitation with employees that seem to have no passion for reading. With Barnes and Noble gone, I do not feel nearly as bad about loading up my Kindle...

I think it depends on who you're hiring. I've had better experiences with BAM than Barnes and Noble. I have to believe that when looking at people to hire at a downtown book store next to a library, you're gonna be more picky and selective when considering who to hire.

Jefficator · #**4880** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thedarkone1977

Nice pictures of the renovated Cramton Bowl from the Central Alabama Sports Commission's website.

http://alsportscapital.com/

It looks like it has been designed to evoke the Armory building?