Montgomery development news

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by jklewis88

It's been interesting reading the exchanges re: Montgomery vs. Greenville. As a former nine-year resident of Auburn, AL and as a parent of a graduate of Furman in Greenville I've spent quite a bit of time in both towns (M'gomery and G'ville). And, all I have to say is: Montomery, you sir, are no Greenville, SC.

G-Man rocks!!

Montgomery has it's own history, development, and future, and doesn't need to try and be like some South Carolina city,

[g-man435]

Hi everybody.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

Montgomery has it's own history, development, and future, and doesn't need to try and be like some South Carolina city,

That's right. Cities and schools copy us, not the other way around. There're shades of Montgomery in other non-Alabama southern cities, trust me.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by g-man435

Hi everybody.

Hey you South Carolinian, you

[thoraudio]

Originally Posted by floc34

Are there any plans for renovating the old Normandale Shopping Mall, or Montgomery Mall?

Normandale was purchased last year, I believe, and the guy who bought it had some plans with townhomes and such, but I don't think anything has come of it.


As far as the Public Safety building, I think they are expanding it to match the other one.... Lurleen B. Wallace building... I think... or is it Folsom.... can't ever remember.

[thoraudio]

G-man, I don't know what your deal is. I'm happy that Greenville is growing. I think it's great. I think I posted in your thread that I had spent a year at Furman, and have family that lives near Cedar Mt., N.C., less than an hour from Greenville. Your boosterism doesn't need to infect threads on other cities.

[thoraudio]

Prattville City Fest.

I posted some pics of this last year. Took some more, but they're almost identical. So here's the article from the Advertiser, and their pics.

Prattville festival draws crowd

By Marty Roney
Montgomery Advertiser


PRATTVILLE -- Claire Teague's face and red T-shirt were covered in powdered sugar Saturday, remnants of the funnel cake she was munching on at the 21st Prattville CityFest.

"This is good. Daddy always buys us a funnel cake when we come," said the 8-year-old Prattville girl. "I like it down here. It's fun."

More than 20,000 people were expected to walk through the gates this weekend to enjoy what has become the city's signature event. From humble beginnings, CityFest has grown into a combination street party, arts and crafts show and family reunion.

Several blocks along Chestnut, West Main and Court streets, in the heart of downtown, were blocked off to make way for the fun. This year, 185 booths were set up, making it by far the largest festival in the city's history.

The event kicked off Friday night with a free concert on the Autauga County Creekwalk, just behind City Hall. About 1,500 attended.

The gates will open at noon today for the final day of the event.

Mayor Jim Byard walked along Main Street on Saturday with a big smile on his face. Locals have begun calling CityFest "Jim's Jam."

"We had a great crowd last night and a great crowd today," he said. "I've heard nothing but good comments from everybody. It looks like we are well on our way to another successful CityFest."

The layout changed a bit this year. The food vendors set up on the creekwalk, and more space was given to the booths.

"I'm a regular, and this is the best one yet," said Frances Bush of Montgomery. "It seems like there is more variety in what the vendors are selling, and I like the extra space. It's easier to get around and see everything."

One of the more popular spots was the dunking booth, set up by Leadership Autauga. Circuit Clerk Whit Moncrief donned a tie-dyed T-shirt and multi-hued wig for his stint.

"Hit Whit! Only a dollar!" the barker yelled. "Strike back at the court system."

When dunked, Moncrief would come up sputtering, to the yells and applause of the crowd.

Several of the booths were giving away cold, bottled water. Hank Gardner of Prattville and his chocolate lab, "Lady," appreciated the acts of kindness.

"I'm waiting for my wife to finish shopping," he said, pouring water in his hand for Lady to lap up. "That's all we need, more frou-frou stuff in the house. But I enjoy coming. If you walk around long enough, you'll see just about everybody you know in Prattville."

I may upload some of mine later.

[thoraudio]

article on downtown Prattville.

History lovers buy a piece of Hunt's Alley

By Marty Roney


PRATTVILLE -- There's a bit of a building boom going on downtown as people scramble to buy lots in Hunt's Alley.

Located in an area between Prattville City Hall and the Autauga County Courthouse, Hunt's Alley offers a trip back in time. History buffs Al Bock and Lenore Kirkpatrick purchased the two-acre tract about two years ago. It contained the last authentic shotgun-style houses in Prattville. The narrow, wood-framed homes were used by mill workers in the early 1900s.

The four remaining buildings were renovated and now house businesses. Garden homes are sprouting along the alley. Lots are fetching about $30,000, and the houses are priced near $160,000. About a dozen homes can be built on the property.

Susan Cranfield, a Prattville native and retired English teacher at Prattville High School, was the first to build. She grew up on Washington Street, about two blocks from Hunt's Alley.

"I used to play in Hunt's Alley as a child. There was one outside well that provided water for those shotgun houses," she said. "I love downtown -- this is where my roots are. When I heard about what Al and Lenore were planning, I knew I had to build a house here."

Bock is building a nearby home that he plans to sell. Brooks Lazenby, a local contractor, built Cranfield's home. He is now building two additional homes he plans to sell.

Autauga County Circuit Clerk Whit Moncrief closed on a corner lot this week. He's looking at starting construction sometime in the summer. From his front porch, he'll be able to see the courthouse clock tower. His morning commute will be a jaunt of about 200 yards.

"I just love the thought of living downtown, close to the courthouse," he said. "You're in the middle of town, but it's really quiet and has a secluded feeling. I'll have a front porch and a swing and a barbecue grill out back. It's ideal for me."

Mayor Jim Byard praised the new development. About four years ago the city completed a $1.1 million revitalization of the downtown business district, not far from Hunt's Alley.

"When most people think of growth in Prattville, they think of east Prattville," he said.

Byard himself lives on Washington Street in downtown. "The chamber built their new building across from the courthouse and now we have Hunt's Alley taking off. I think that shows that the downtown area is still a vibrant part of our city.

[g-man435]

Originally Posted by thoraudio

G-man, I don't know what your deal is. I'm happy that Greenville is growing. I think it's great. I think I posted in your thread that I had spent a year at Furman, and have family that lives near Cedar Mt., N.C., less than an hour from Greenville. Your boosterism doesn't need to infect threads on other cities.

What in the world are you talking about? All I did was say hi everybody.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by g-man435

What in the world are you talking about? All I did was say hi everybody.

We're just warning you, keep your Palmetto, Upstate, Clone Tigers bias out of here. We don't want a repeat of last night, got it?

[g-man435]

^^A repeat of what? I asked one question last night that had to do with skyscrapers going up in Montgomery and that's all.

[Brown Duckz]

Just quit while your ahead..... if you honestly have no idea what we are getting at, then you're an idiot. Instead of playing the innocent game, take the advice that we don't want you in our thread.

Your first post in this thread:

Yesterday, 09:19 PM
g-man435
Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Greenville, SC (g-vegas)
Posts: 516


^^That's it? Where are all the skyscraper developments and stuff?


That statement was made after sifting through a single page in this 63 page thread....... It looks like a callout to me.

[g-man435]

^^Well, thanks for proving what I just said in the post above yours.

[thoraudio]

Guys, if I may make a suggestion. Ignore G-man and his baiting...

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by g-man435

^^Well, thanks for proving what I just said in the post above yours.

The only thing I proved was your intentions once joining this discussion, now GO AWAY.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by thoraudio

Guys, if I may make a suggestion. Ignore G-man and his baiting...

Hey, we're all waiting for him to get on I-85 and ride his high horse all the way back home.

[g-man435]

^^Already did. What can I say. Montgomery is a nice city.

[EXbubba]

Folks, the best idea is to ferget the football stuff and talk about MGM growth, or the need for it in certain areas. I grew in this city and an well aware of its warts and faults - one of which is a thin skin developed over many years to "outside agitators". Best to just leave it be and continue the constructive converstations that I enjoy here.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by EXbubba

Folks, the best idea is to ferget the football stuff and talk about MGM growth,

As far as I can tell that was going along nicely before you or Mr. South Carolina showed up.

[g-man435]

Welcome to South Carolina: "Toothless faces, many dumping places."