Mobile Development Thread - Page 28

Musicisright · #**541** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 6:25 AM**

I never know what's going on with the old CSX site...

Musicisright · #**542** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 7:10 AM**

bayou, I went against your recommendation and looked at the al.com Mobile forum. I never knew that people could be so ignorant. I won't go into detail, but let's just say I'm still angry and I'll never go to that site again.

10101000 · #**543** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 2:13 PM**

I thought that Waterstreet Landing was to be built. I saw an article in the paper that said it was still a go here recently. I try to check on this from time to time just to see what is going on, but I really have not had a chance to look in to this. I have heard some hear say about plans for condos in other parts of south Mobile county; In which I do not know if it is true or not, but Waterstreet should be built. This would be another way to bring curb appeal to the city. I drove through downtown the other night, and it seems to be doing well. I just hope that people can put aside there differences of Mobile, and move forward for what is best for the future, and the present. I would rather build something now that would attract, and motivate the city to get involved. I know that to most mobilans a condo project in D.T. is not such a motivator, but think about all the progress it would make. Think about all the life that it would bring to D.T. When I was in N.O. the other day, I spoke with a man at the Saks store in Canal Place, and he advised me that most of the stores are moving to B.R. In the back of my mind all I could think about was the VAN A.B. building. Someone could buy it, renovate it, and could be something like Canal Place. Bring shopping, food, and a movie theater to that area. If I had the money I would do it. If I had the power I would do it. It is not that I want Mobile to become the next Atlanta, or Chicago. I just want Mobile to be the main attraction on the gulf coast. For sure no Burbon, but a nice place that people would want to come to for a change. I think that it is for now, but some improvements are still needed.

elb401 · #**544** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 11:52 PM**

Dont tell those idiots from the al.com forum about skyscraperpage or urbanplanet. They are a bunch of old people that still believe Mobile is in the 1980s when times were tough. they will always complain!

BlessedMobile · #**545** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 1:07 AM**

For a while I thought the Waterstreet Landing condos would be a good idea..hey, I like all big buildings and the taller the better but I think we have a bigger treasure in sharing the view of the river for more buildings built OFF of the river. The Civic Center is a money loser; I think the city should announce that it will be demolished and that we would accept proposals for a large development featuring condos and retail. Building one high rise on the river cuts off the view of five others who could see it from a 1,000 feet away. People pay for a view downtown like suburbanites pay for an enclosed garage. If the high rise requires condo use ( read that as quick payback) or apartments ( read that long term payback) then we pursue whichever is necessary to make the development work; it will probably be a combination of apartments and condos. Retail follows the people! I think about this every time I drive by the civic center and see that big EMPTY parking lot with what could be a great view of the river (from 10 stories up).

Musicisright · #**546** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 2:53 AM**

^That would be great. Something does need to be done about the civic center. I'm not exactly sure why we can't get big name music acts there. Does anybody know why? Something more upscale would fit great there. Something like the Wharf. Hell, it could even have a ferris wheel with views of downtown and the river and bay at the top. There could be a place for shopping, a new, nicer arena, and even condos. The land seems big enough as long as you consolidate parking spaces by building a nice garage.

Verve · #**547** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 1:19 PM**

I agree with the posts about the civic center property. I think the time has come to put that property to better use and a mixed use retail/residential project would be ideal. The Dauphin Street corridor could remain the arts and entertainment area and the retail district could be the Civic Center property. A large comprehensive project would be an attraction to visitors and residents. It would complement the some of the recent downtown projects and those that are already proposed. A new state of the art performing theater could replace the existing one and continue to meet that need. It seems that it has been one of the few components of the civic center area that has been utilized recently.

nimsjus · #**548** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicisright

^That would be great. Something does need to be done about the civic center. I'm not exactly sure why we can't get big name music acts there. Does anybody know why? Something more upscale would fit great there. Something like the Wharf. Hell, it could even have a ferris wheel with views of downtown and the river and bay at the top. There could be a place for shopping, a new, nicer arena, and even condos. The land seems big enough as long as you consolidate parking spaces by building a nice garage.

Mobile has some type of ticket/event tax that is levied on concerts and such. Pensacola/Biloxi either do not have or have a much lower equivilant to this tax. Therefore bands, production companies, and the venue make more money off the event by having in one of those two venues vs Mobile. I believe some group recently(last two years) asked Mayor Jones to make this tax or whatever it is more competitive with the other regional venues, but he declined. Plus people claim that Pcola civic center is a better concert venue, but having been there several times I just don't see much of a difference. I agree about something needing to be done with MCC. USA building the Mitchell Center didn't help the cause. We really havent show anythign can do well in a downtown arena, so I am tempted to say just scrap it and don,t rebuild. On the other hand, I feel like having a downtown arena is part of a vibrant downtown. I can't decide whether it is worth it to build a new arena downtown or just scrap it all together. One thing is for sure, that land could be very valuable for a major retail/residnetial/office development.

bayourat 15 · #**549** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 1:57 PM**

So did the county get the civic center land ? Since the mayor got his park?

thoraudio · #**550** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 2:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicisright

bayou, I went against your recommendation and looked at the al.com Mobile forum. I never knew that people could be so ignorant. I won't go into detail, but let's just say I'm still angry and I'll never go to that site again.

the AL forums are an insult to intelligent people everywhere....

hell.... they're an insult to the short bus crowd too...

bayourat 15 · #**551** Posted **Aug 31, 2007, 8:25 PM**

BlessedMobile · #**552** Posted **Sep 1, 2007, 3:21 AM**

Some of the Civic Centers problem is its old image as a place where promotors were extorted by management. Several of the CC managers and staff went to prison over the mess. I didn't know about any special tax we have but, if so, let's drop it. Mobile has long had a reputation among promotors as a place where we buy tickets at the last minute...this is such a fun place that we have lots of entertainment options (sound about right?) Let's develop that land!

bayourat 15 · #**553** Posted **Sep 1, 2007, 1:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Some of the Civic Centers problem is its old image as a place where promotors were extorted by management. Several of the CC managers and staff went to prison over the mess. I didn't know about any special tax we have but, if so, let's drop it. Mobile has long had a reputation among promotors as a place where we buy tickets at the last minute...this is such a fun place that we have lots of entertainment options (sound about right?) Let's develop that land!

im with you on develop.

At least they can turn the lights on the dome at nite

bayourat 15 · #**554** Posted **Sep 1, 2007, 1:23 PM**

http://www.mobilebaytimes.com/roundup83107.html

bayourat 15 · #**555** Posted **Sep 1, 2007, 1:31 PM**

The skyline at night just got brighter

The Merchant (sp?) Bank Building ,the one with the green A pitched roof, looks awsome! It now shows a orange/red
shadow going up its 4 corners to the green lit roof. kind of mirrors the RSA tower! Looking goooood baby

Musicisright · #**556** Posted **Sep 2, 2007, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayourat 15

The skyline at night just got brighter

The Merchant (sp?) Bank Building ,the one with the green A pitched roof, looks awsome! It now shows a orange/red
shadow going up its 4 corners to the green lit roof. kind of mirrors the RSA tower! Looking goooood baby

Cool. Yeah, during the Fourth of July holiday, I noticed it was lit up red & white and matched RSA.

bayourat 15 · #**557** Posted **Sep 5, 2007, 1:37 AM**

http://www.mobilebaytimes.com/annexationcityresponse.html

In order for a garden to grow, You have to pull a few weeds!!

The few that are against it should just move to Baldwin County like the many that has done before. Im all for Mobile in this one!

pkp · #**558** Posted **Sep 5, 2007, 2:11 AM**

I could never find who the plantiff is in the article. The election is a moot point. The city has built police and fire facilities within this area, and by state law, is able to annex that area without vote in a year.

That being said, the retail businesses in the area are the only ones that should care (unfairly) about being annexed into the city. Residents are already getting some police and fire protection and aren't really paying for it. Once annexed, they will get:

Increased police and fire protection = lower insurance premiums
Free garbage pick up - over $200 per year
Free trash pick up - a trip to the dump, if you do it, is $15 per trip

These items allow will far outway any increased property taxes paid by these residents.

The real change will come in the couple of percent increase in sales tax. The only reason these business are where they are (also businesses in Tillman's Corner) is a state technicality. Cities must provide police and fire protection 3 miles past the city limits. These business were able to build in an area where they receive this protection, yete offer lower taxes to their customers. Is this really fair? People in the city are getting screwed because someone wants to save 2% at Wal-Mart.

Get over it.

bayourat 15 · #**559** Posted **Sep 5, 2007, 2:34 AM**

here you go cuz

http://www.mobilebaytimes.com/annexationsuit.html

bayourat 15 · #**560** Posted **Sep 5, 2007, 2:59 AM**

you make great points!

They don t get the money they will save. Also the mayor is giving no sale tax for five years, I think ?

Question of the day..............If the city does get area A, and say next year gets the airport . Will air travelers benefit by the city running the place?

Maybe lower airfares and most important given it a modern facelift ?

I feel ashame when i have to geaux to Biloxi to flyout. That a metro area of 700,000 (Jackson,Mobile &Baldwin Co.) can't get a big time airport . One would think with all these jobs and new development coming to town a major airport is a must.

In somewhat , I think annexation of the area can't hurt , but help!

The city did give the county 33million and a piece of prime property in downtown in help for the steelmill. In swap at least the city can get area A AND THE AIRPORT!