[bayou15]

:previous: 1,000th post! we got a winner:tup: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[pboo74]

has anyone heard about the st.francis place that supposed to be built downtown?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

haha my first post on here was the 1000th! thats funny... ive been on UrbanPlanet's forum wondering where everyone is...then i found everyone on this one instead...

[bayou15]

Yeah, bout time u sheauxed up:worship: . Enlighten us of your knowledge and vision of Mobile. Also need some football tickets next fall. Hook a brother up:tup: Geaux Tigers!

[bayou15]

So LSUboy I see you did your homework :typing: on TOS by calling the hotel, and you neaux about the emporis info that was just updated. Your good for a rook:sly: ........keep calling .....ask for da engineer or manager.

[bayou15]

has anyone heard about the st.francis place that supposed to be built downtown?

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

haha we'll see on the tickets.... and i actually emailed emporis with the new numbers so hopefully they'll update it...

I'm no rookie...been a mobile almanac since i was like 12... Just new to forum-ing...haha

Little info on myself: I'm 20, obviously go to LSU and majoring in Construction Management...and I have lived in Mobile since i was born, and went to St. Paul's...

Geaux Tigers

[elb401]

welcome to this forum....i think I've seen you before on urban planet.

Ya'll know the city is working with several hotels that want to locate downtown.

[jrfstone]

Ya'll know the city is working with several hotels that want to locate downtown.

What's the profile of these hotels? Are we talking low, mid or high rises? Do you know any names?

[bayou15]

arrr!

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph

[MobileLSUboy2005]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

[pboo74]

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:
Thanks bayou15,Keep us updated on this please.

[Muskavon]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

I wonder the same thing these days MLSU. I'm a Pensacolian rooting hard for Mobile to explode into a great metro as my town sadly never will under the control it has combined with being under the influence of tightening of growth that the rest of this state gets (but we never got ours to start with). We won't be spending millions to get industry here anytime in the next 30 centuries as we are a town full of upity assholes. We might spend millions to build a baseball stadium for our connected friends downtown though.

Anyway...I'm hoping for more office building demand downtown Mobile. Not to be mean...but even as much as I just trashed my city (Pensacola) for being backward...I'd think damned near anyone would rather rent a room here or in Gulf Shores than stay in the City of Mobile on most days of the year. It's a city of ports and industry...which is a good thing. But not a reason to hang around if not business thing for most.

Whatever the case...I long for the day the two towns grow together and this little group of jerk offs who control this city lose it. I often wonder what this port might have been if this town was in Alabama from the start. Probably pretty damned vibrant downtown.

[bayou15]

HEY M LSU ,"IF YOU build it they will come!" (Field of Dreams)

[nimsjus]

Has the Carriage House project started coming out of the ground yet? When I was down over Christmas, they had started rennovations on the original structure, and they had poured foundations/laid plumbing for the new townhouse component of the project. If so pictures would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike06]

I imagine the hotels do well for two weeks during Mardi Gras. The Senior Bowl fills them up (600-700 scouts and coaches here all week,40,000+ attendance). The GMAC bowl always has a team from the north (Miami-Ohio,Ohio,Tulsa) were the climate is miserable in January. I've been to the last two and they bring a lot of fans. You see them throughout the week. There are a good number of smaller conventions that go on downtown that people hear little about (the knock on Mobile not having large conventions was not enough hotel rooms). I'm sure there are a good number of people that stay downtown the night before leaving on a cruise from Mobile. You also have Fort Conde, I-max, and several museums that attract folks.

I believe the hotel industry is looking into the future and they see Mobile growing. The maritime museum will be a nice addition and who knows what they have in the master plan.

[BlessedMobile]

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:

Did I say that? probably...anyway I think that general downtown development will move the temp labor places and maybe "15 Place" , the homeless food and mail headquarters out further. Money and influence tend to call the shots on such locations as the community develops. 15 Place is a small facility of maybe 5,000 s/f that can easily move but it won't be easy. Biggest problem is where would they be willing to go that the area would welcome them....I think all of you know the logical answer to that. Just as an FYI but I too was by 15 Place at 7am one Friday and agree the Labor Finders is in the WRONG place if you want to bring residents to the area.

[bayou15]

What is the moving answer? Hey Blessed nice to see ya back! So do you neaux any plans of any hotel development coming to downtown in the future?

[BlessedMobile]

Bayou...I can still make you a banner like the one Music was going to get. I gave his to one of my employees. I think I may have mentioned before that my reliable sources tell me we have about 800-1000 true homeless in Mobile. If you wonder how so many prescription drugs get to the street ask your local homeless vet. Labor Finders will eventually move because the landlord won't want the grief of mad neighbors and politicians...it's a good location for something else too. I know there are two more hotels that will be built in Tillman's Corner but downtown is a guess for me.

[BlessedMobile]

Bayou, I know of two new hotels to be built in Tillman's Corner but nothing else downtown that I know of. I did see a post about Admiral Semmes making an expansion but that has been talked about for some time now. Look for a big renovation at the now closed Airport Inn (Quality)...it's in bad shape on the interior. Hotels are a hot commodity for investors..there are many more to come especially downtown and near the eventual track.

[10101000]

It's rumored that Mobile will be the future location of a Hyatt Place hotel. Perhaps they will choose a Downtown site.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS255408+29-Jan-2008+BW20080129

I can believe this, why not have a Hyatt? Every other metro city does, and I know there are plenty of pleople will saty. Came home last week and again, downtown looks different again. Miss the place a lot. Eastern Shore is really changing and driving in from South West on I-10 looks like development is taking place all the way out to Bayou La Batre. North Mobile, looks great as well. I was shocked to see how many people were out and about on Saturday downtown. Saw a new restaurant on Royal, looked like something out of Atlanta. Awesome changes, cannot wait to move back.

[LHG]

Here are some recent pics from the Carriage Works. All of the info is available on The Drummond Group website: www.drummondgrouponline.com/condos.asp (http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/condos.asp)

Sorry about the size of the pictures, I haven't figured out how to resize them yet.

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4969.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4970.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4971.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4972.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4974.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4975.JPG

[nimsjus]

Thanks for the photos and website. Nice info on several other projects they are working on.

[Mattmc]

Hi guys ! I am a new member , but not new to following Mobile development , I have reading this forum several years but never chimed in ....untill now .

Something I would like some input on is this .... Mobiles skyline has never looked better ... so you think you would see it when you watch the news ...
Remember the good old days when WALA 10 , had the skyline in their background , now all they have is the boring news room .

I wish that some local Station would make the move to insert the skyline to their backgound , I emailed WKRG on this subject and got no responce .
I believe this addition would speak volumes , many stations still do this .

Thanks , Matt

[bayou15]

Welcome to the board! ........:tup: Now give us all your info and your money:haha: Enjoy the ride:)

[Mattmc]

Unfortunatly... I really don't have anymore info than you guys have :(
And I barely live inside the city limits :notacrook: .... like 200 feet inside .... but I could'nt imagine living anywhere else .
I am from Jackson MS , but have lived here most of my life ... 23 out of 25 years , all of my family is from MS , and alot have found their way to Mobile .

[SouthSky]

Hi guys ! I am a new member , but not new to following Mobile development , I have reading this forum several years but never chimed in ....untill now .

Something I would like some input on is this .... Mobiles skyline has never looked better ... so you think you would see it when you watch the news ...
Remember the good old days when WALA 10 , had the skyline in their background , now all they have is the boring news room .

I wish that some local Station would make the move to insert the skyline to their backgound , I emailed WKRG on this subject and got no responce .
I believe this addition would speak volumes , many stations still do this .

Thanks , Matt

I've been thinking the same about Mobile's news stations. WPMI shows a little bit of the skyline during the weather but really nothing else. Maybe they'll start after the Riverview's spire's completion.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Maybe WPMI can start with not having a green background on a radar.

[Musicisright]

Or maybe WPMI needs to update the picture they use of the RSA Tower. The one they use during the weather still shows scaffolding on the crown. I know that's silly, but it was pretty ugly when it had scaffolding all over the crown.

[thoraudio]

Had a good mini-vacation over the weekend in Mobile. Stayed at the Riverview and ate at the Oyster House. Good to see lots of work going on in the downtown area.

I did have one question, though. Why haven't all the derelict structures on the Causeway been torn down? Some of that stuff seems like its been that way since Fredrick in '79.

[elb401]

ha yea...well.....more like Katrina. The old gas stations are all messed up. so it has been 3 years since the storm? A lot of them are starting to come down now. That old pink hotel is going to be gutted. Then the owners are going to decide whether or not to rebuild it. But still there are a few buildings on the causeway that have been messed up since before Katrina.

[Bayside]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

Yes, we need more downtown hotels. They complaint of the convention folks is that we haven't had enough downtown hotel rooms to support the convention center. Without conventions, RSA and David Bronner won't get a good return on their investments in the Battle House and Riverview.

[Del]

Re TimothynCrystal's post: I wonder what new restaurant you saw on Royal? There is a brand-new coffeeshop, only open a few weeks. They have panini and soup and stuff, and gelato!

Oh and this isn't downtown but True is open in "Legacy Village" or whatever ridiculous name they've given to the Aging Matronette stripmall at Dauphin & I-65 - oh my God, y'all, it's incredible. Better than NoJa, and it hurts me to say that. :(

[NitekKetin]

^I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

The more pretentious name of that lifestyle center near Dauphin and I-65 is "Legacy Village at Spring Hill". It's pretty much leased and will feature Justice! For Girls and Gymboree as future tenants. :)

[nimsjus]

^I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

The more pretentious name of that lifestyle center near Dauphin and I-65 is "Legacy Village at Spring Hill". It's pretty much leased and will feature Justice! For Girls and Gymboree as future tenants. :)

I know they saved back some land for future expansion if the first part leased well. I think that shopping center is the only way that Mobile lands any high-end retailers (Anthropologie, J CREW, Brooks Brothers, etc) unless another major shopping development comes to be. I don't see Springdale or Bel Air getting these types of retailers unless they do some major rennovations/redevelopment to convert to a more modern retail center (street scapes, open air shopping, etc). If these types of retailers are not courted soon they will end up over the bay or in north mobile when/if a new mall is ever built.

[NitekKetin]

I spoke with Alex Pate, one of the developers of Legacy Village, and he said that one of reasons that chains such as Anthropologie, Coach and Banana Republic haven't leased space in South Alabama lifestyle centers is because they're not really performing all that well in Alabama in general. Secondly, these higher end retailers like to concentrate on larger, stronger markets before committing to space in Mobile or Baldwin Counties.

[Del]

I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

http://www.serdascoffee.com/store2.html

Doesn't look like it, although they sure have a big website. (They started in Costa Rica - who knew?) And they got them some tasty soup. The day I was there, the choices were Wild Mushroom and Brie with Madiera, or Roasted Pepper with Gouda. I got a pint of each to take home :)

[Del]

And thanks, nimsjus, I have been trying to think of the name of the Anthropologie store for about 2 weeks now.

Springdale and BelAir have definitely lost their luster (not that I will ever lose my addiction to Teh Target, and Dillard's is still dependable). I heard a rumor a couple of years ago that Barnes & Noble was pulling out, probably moving to Airport & McGregor - anybody else heard that? They certainly haven't gone anywhere yet.

[NitekKetin]

I think when Gayfers was acquired by Dillards and eventually closed, it kind of diminished the quality of retail overall in west Mobile. Also Springdale was managed in an incompetent manner throughout the 90s and 2000s. I mean, it is strange that retailers such as Ann Taylor LOFT, Coldwater Creek and J. Jill are located in a banal strip mall instead of a healthy, rejuvenated regional center.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I think when Gayfers was acquired by Dillards and eventually closed, it kind of diminished the quality of retail overall in west Mobile. Also Springdale was managed in an incompetent manner throughout the 90s and 2000s. I mean, it is strange that retailers such as Ann Taylor LOFT, Coldwater Creek and J. Jill are located in a banal strip mall instead of a healthy, rejuvenated regional center.
I think the fact that they have 17 foot lockers in there supports your inept management theory perfectly.

[10101000]

I spoke with Alex Pate, one of the developers of Legacy Village, and he said that one of reasons that chains such as Anthropologie, Coach and Banana Republic haven't leased space in South Alabama lifestyle centers is because they're not really performing all that well in Alabama in general. Secondly, these higher end retailers like to concentrate on larger, stronger markets before committing to space in Mobile or Baldwin Counties.
Well you are kind of correct about South Alabama not performing well, however, this is not all correct as of 01/01/2008.The rent was so high at one point at Eastern Shore Centre that retailers could not afford to stay. They had to lower the rent to a more reasonable price so that retailers would stay. I believe that The MGHerring Group did not market it very well, and people were not use to a life style centre. Eastern Shore Centre has some interesting info about Apple coming not for sure when. I found that on Apples web site a while back, and of course Apple is opening a store here and they commented that they want Mobile. I am not for sure where they are going to go. Secondly, one of my friends manages a store in Bel-Air and stated that they are looking to move Target out and buy the space for more retail. They also explained that someone is looking to develop a new retail center in North Mobile, but was not for sure when are how, or even if it would be North Mobile; I think the company is Simmon, only because of the race track. I know that Macy's is coming in Mobile because the manager here in Baton Rouge said they were expanding 12-10 stores a year, but probably not until 2009 or 2010 in Mobile. LaSalle, the manager of Bel-Air knows they need to do something soon. They have the exact amount of square footage as Mall Of Louisiana, 1.3 million. Hard to believe that it is not enough. Also, mobile has had plenty of opportunity to attract these types of retailers before, but certain people did not want it to change. Since Mobile is expanding now, I know that they will soon see an influx of new retailers in the city limits. It just takes time, Susan Daniels head of down town enterprises has talked to me about a demographic that needed to be increased down town before they open new retail in downtown.

[SouthSky]

LaSalle, the manager of Bel-Air knows they need to do something soon. They have the exact amount of square footage as Mall Of Louisiana, 1.3 million. Hard to believe that it is not enough. Also, mobile has had plenty of opportunity to attract these types of retailers before, but certain people did not want it to change.

The main difference between the Mall of Louisiana and Bel-Air (besides tenants) is the aesthetics. The Mall of Louisiana is much more pleasing on the eyes and (for example) the food court is quite large.

I think this will all change in the years to come with the infusion of money into the city proper and proper management.

[nimsjus]

I have said it before here, but I think Bel Air needs to be converted into something similar to Brookwood Mall in Bham. The streetscape dela they have there is pretty cool and features some nice restaurant choices. They also have a McCormick and Schmick's and Macys there. I think it could be a really cool area to do a streetscape thing. There are lots of empty parking lots for redevelopment and they could proabably incorporate the two relatively tall buildings in as well (Regions/Marriot) to add a legitimate feel to the fake urban streetscapes. It might breathe some life into those two buildings as well.

[Alxx611]

Springdale mall has been dying for years, and has slowly evolved from a mall to merely a large shopping center with a larger than needed parking lot.

While Bel-Air mall seems to thrive for the most part, there are still many aspects of it that seem outdated, and has long been in need of a food court, and perhaps even some expansion and more diverse stores. I'm glad they removed that smelly old carpet, with tiles. it makes it feel more like a mall.

[NitekKetin]

I think Target, JC Penney and possibly Sears might eventually exit Bel Air Mall for that long gestating power center development located adjacent to Hank Aaron Stadium known as McGowin Park. This development is purported to sprawl over 60 acres.

*If* those anchors leave the mall, then Bel Air has approximately 500K square feet of retail space in its two wings to re-work into various lifestyle components and entertainment venues.

Target Possibly Moving:
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1191145159240390.xml&coll=3

[Mattmc]

I wish Bel air would continue to thrive .... I hate nothing more than a dead mall . There use to be a food court behind J C pennys , and Parisiennes ( sp ) but they took it out for some unknown reason .
I wish I could find some pics of the mall from the 70s .

Here is an ariel view of Bel-air

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii194/mcdilol/MallWeb.jpg

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph



HMMM!!!!!!!:banana:

[CottonCity251]

HMMM!!!!!!!:banana:

What's the breaking news bayou15?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

clearly that pic of the mall is at xmas time... the parking lot is only full one time a year! haha

I love how the Mall of Louisiana is set up - Two stories and with a real food court and stuff... i mean, sometimes i'll just go to the mall to get some fast food or something - you don't do that at Bel Air...

Also, they are adding on to the Mall of LA with an outdoor lifestyle center with higher-end stores and junk in the front of the mall in the parking lot... Its a shame Mobile hasnt been able to pick up the same business. Maybe some day... sooner than later preferably!

[Del]

If Eastern Shore Centre is an example of this streetscape model, I wish somebody would explain to me what the big attraction is. Every time I go over there, it's in and out of the car the whole time. I'm a pretty good walker but I don't see the appeal in maneuvering my weary self, weather permitting, across acres of parking lot and around big blank sides of stores to get to the next thing, all the while dodging the ladies in their SUVs. And when you are outside, they're blaring music at you from those outdoor speakers---it's like what they use to keep the loiterers away from the Blockbuster parking lot.

The last restaurant I ate in over there, California Dreaming I think it was, was such a highly-refined version of the chain genre that I kept expecting to hear our flight being called-- it was like something in an airport. There's the much-vaunted Williams Sonoma/PB and a few others, but otherwise the store lineup is pretty unexciting. Maybe it's just me, but I find every excursion over there to be enervating rather than "ooh, let's go in this exciting store and shop a little more."

A friend told me that the concept is supposed to duplicate the experience of shopping in a village street. Well, a couple of benches and a fountain do not Old Town make. It's almost like they've thrown out the advantages of both shopping environments (Mall: controlled climate, park once; Village: density, "fun" atmosphere, unique shops) and contented themselves with the worst instead.

If I'm being an idiot and this is the most successful development in South Alabama history, I apologize in advance.

[nimsjus]

If Eastern Shore Centre is an example of this streetscape model, I wish somebody would explain to me what the big attraction is. Every time I go over there, it's in and out of the car the whole time. I'm a pretty good walker but I don't see the appeal in maneuvering my weary self, weather permitting, across acres of parking lot and around big blank sides of stores to get to the next thing, all the while dodging the ladies in their SUVs. And when you are outside, they're blaring music at you from those outdoor speakers---it's like what they use to keep the loiterers away from the Blockbuster parking lot.

The last restaurant I ate in over there, California Dreaming I think it was, was such a highly-refined version of the chain genre that I kept expecting to hear our flight being called-- it was like something in an airport. There's the much-vaunted Williams Sonoma/PB and a few others, but otherwise the store lineup is pretty unexciting. Maybe it's just me, but I find every excursion over there to be enervating rather than "ooh, let's go in this exciting store and shop a little more."

A friend told me that the concept is supposed to duplicate the experience of shopping in a village street. Well, a couple of benches and a fountain do not Old Town make. It's almost like they've thrown out the advantages of both shopping environments (Mall: controlled climate, park once; Village: density, "fun" atmosphere, unique shops) and contented themselves with the worst instead.

If I'm being an idiot and this is the most successful development in South Alabama history, I apologize in advance.

Eastern Shore Centre is not excatly the kind of thing I am talking about. Im not a big fan of those types of sprawling developments. Brookwood mall is an older mall that was given a shot in the arm with some redevelopment. It is on a pretty small footprint and is two stories. It has a parking deck that is wrapped by the mall and streetscape stuff so it is out of view and eliminates the need for a big sprawling parking lot. Part of the old parking lot was converted into a small pedestrian friendly street that was lined with nice restaurants(Cocina Superior, Bria, Copper Grille, McCormick and Schmicks, etc). They took the old face of the mall and added some outdoor shopping that has entrances to the interior of the mall as well. Now they have the best of all worlds. They have recently completed a small office tower and have been mentioned as a location for a Birmingham W Hotel. All that sprung out of plain old 1970's/80's indoor shopping mall.

[pkp]

Eastern Shore Center sucks - damn near every metro area in the Southeast has a crappy lifestyle center that's the same or "better".

There is nothing more pathetic then tearing down a bunch of woods to build something that is supposed to feel like a city - why not just invest in an existing city instead if that is the feeling you are going for?

Malls, in general, suck. They are suburban creations, for the most part. This is a website about urban development, skyscrapers, etc... Lifestyle centers and sprawling mall complexes have nothing to do with that!

I want to see stores downtown - department stores, boutiques, whatever. If they need to have attractive parking decks attached - so be it. Canal Place is a pretty good example. It is a high-rise developement with no surface parking and a good streetscape. It has some pretty nice stores including a high end department store - in general, in blends in well with its urban surroundings.

Eastern Shore Center might be fine for the rubes in Baldwin or West Mobile, but I would expect folks on this site to demand more. :rant:

[Del]

I went to the Brookwood website - interesting. Esp. that some of the photos look like they could have been taken at the Eastern Shore center, but clearly there's a big difference, and it's all about what you do with the car while you're there.

And it's run by the Colonial folks! I am trying to envision a new Mobile W hotel rising out of the Bel-Air mall...perhaps to fill that vacancy when Target pulls out... but wait, Colonial doesn't run Bel-Air any more, do they?

[Del]

pkp, I am flashing on that episode of the Simpsons when Springfield gets a new mall. Somebody yells, "A Pottery Barn!" and they all run across the parking lot like lemmings... :)

[nimsjus]

Eastern Shore Center sucks - damn near every metro area in the Southeast has a crappy lifestyle center that's the same or "better".

There is nothing more pathetic then tearing down a bunch of woods to build something that is supposed to feel like a city - why not just invest in an existing city instead if that is the feeling you are going for?

Malls, in general, suck. They are suburban creations, for the most part. This is a website about urban development, skyscrapers, etc... Lifestyle centers and sprawling mall complexes have nothing to do with that!

I want to see stores downtown - department stores, boutiques, whatever. If they need to have attractive parking decks attached - so be it. Canal Place is a pretty good example. It is a high-rise developement with no surface parking and a good streetscape. It has some pretty nice stores including a high end department store - in general, in blends in well with its urban surroundings.

Eastern Shore Center might be fine for the rubes in Baldwin or West Mobile, but I would expect folks on this site to demand more. :rant:

King St in Charleston is another awesome example. There are local and national stores/restaurants intermixed in historic structures. They have intergrated several parking decks in by wrapping them in useable reatail/offic/residential space. It is one of the better setups I have seen in person. Charleston is a very trendy city with a very trendy downtown area, which is required to make this setup work. Mobile is beginning to work toward this type of stuff in very ealry stages(coffee shops, restaraunts, the new market/home and garden store). If those things thrive, then retail will consider moving in as well.

[bayou15]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/


:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[SouthSky]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/


:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Good find there, Bayou.

I just wish they could find a better skyline picture that doesn't block out half the buildings downtown.

[bayou15]

The blue shadow on the RSA looks great. The city/county government building oaught to do the same. Looks like Jacksonville.

[bayou15]

The Hmmm! a few post up is the real deal. Look for a hotel for business travelers to be announced soon!:tup:

[Del]

Must be that W we've all been looking for :)

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I'll sh*t a brick the day Mobile gets a W...

fortunately i dont think it will be in the next 10 years... but i would be willing to eat my own words if it DOES

[10101000]

Mobile gets a W...

fortunately i dont think it will be in the next 10 years... but i would be willing to eat my own words if it DOES

Guy's come on, have some faith in Mobile, seriously! Between the past two day's all I have read is mostly negative, negative, negative. With retail, all the way to "there is no way we are getting that." Starting here in Baton Rouge, when I first moved here BR only had one good place to shop and that was Mall Of Louisiana. They just built the Towne Center here and it is a lot like Eastern Shore Centre, but with less high end, it only has Whole Foods which is nice, but still Fresh Market is just as good. The only big move that started the retail bust here in BR was hurricane Katrina. Mobile " no offense to BR" is already years ahead of Baton Rouge by many aspects. Mobile is becoming a major business hub and that is the best way to start; because when you bring in business, you bring in people, nice high-end hotel's, high-end retail, and major restaurants. Mobile already has better road ways, and the beach close by, so that is a major market to start. Also, Eastern Shore Centre is not looking to target a city trend person, it is a suburban development and that was what it will remain; like I have said before it is better than dirt and just trees. Look at all the positives aspects that Mobile has now that you did not have five years ago. Give the city some time the lifestyle is already changing and you cannot see it living there, but I do and so does a lot of people that live in BR and visit Mobile, they love the change and want BR to be that way.

[Del]

TimothynCrystal, I hope I didn't sound like I was dumping on Mobile just because I don't like the Eastern Shore Center and had to have my little joke about the pillow-spray W. I am very thrilled at the many changes that have happened in the 16 or so years since we moved here. And I think we are a LOT better off than Baton Rouge, in almost every way.

[NitekKetin]

Well, I *am* dumping on Eastern Shore Centre. This vaunted lifestyle center is the biggest retail disappointment to hit the Gulf Coast in more than a decade. Not only is its vacancy rate pretty high, but its meager high end offerings are tepid, as others have pointed out. Since Sharper Image is closing 90 of their stores, in the forthcoming months, I wonder if their ESC location will be among them. The ENTIRE I-10/SR 181 interchange vicinity was better off as pine forests and cotton fields.

[NitekKetin]

The 'business class' hotel that Bayou was alluding to is probably the aformentioned Hyatt Place.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Well, I *am* dumping on Eastern Shore Centre. This vaunted lifestyle center is the biggest retail disappointment to hit the Gulf Coast in more than a decade. Not only is its vacancy rate pretty high, but its meager high end offerings are tepid, as others have pointed out. Since Sharper Image is closing 90 of their stores, in the forthcoming months, I wonder if their ESC location will be among them. The ENTIRE I-10/SR 181 interchange vicinity was better off as pine forests and cotton fields.

I agree about ESC...its pretty disappointing... and my point is that, for a city the size Mobile already is, it SHOULD have a lot more to offer than it does... but yes, its changing...

Yea i mean, i've lived in Mobile for 20 years, and Baton Rouge concurrently the last 4 years, and of course Katrina had a lot to do with it, but a lot of the BR development was in the planning before-hand. I mean, just look (for those who are familiar with BR and Mobile) at the much larger number of shopping centers (albeit many are just small crappy ones) but there are just flat out soo many more retail options in BR than Mob. I think one of the main reasons for all that is LSU though, I mean, the city is supporting an extra 28,000+ people who aren't included in the city data, and many who stay after graduation just add to the affluent population of BR. Mobile is just plain lacking in that department, but i think its becoming a little bit of a tourist stop (not yet destination), and Baton Rouge doesn't have that...but then they have the capitol stuff... And I'm not saying Mobile [I]couldnt[I] get that stuff, its just that they havent haha...Sooo i dunno, i mean, i could have a whole thread on comparing the two cities - and don't get me wrong, i love both dearly, i mean...Mobile IS my home, but now that im having the choice of living in either...there's no doubt, i'd rather live in Baton Rouge because it just has more to offer in the areas of shopping/dining. I would so much rather have the street layout and (lack of) traffic that Mobile has though...

Haha oh yea, and Timothyncrystal: i have to disagree with Fresh Market being as good as Whole Foods... haha totally different animal! I can go and have an entire meal prepared for me fresh by cooks and eat it in the store - including coffee and gelato at Whole Foods...don't think Fresh Market offers all that - wish they did though! I have been meaning to send Whole Foods a suggestion that they need a Mobile location (Spring Hill or Eastern Shore - altho i would prefer Spring Hill since I live nearby)

If Mobile gets better shopping/dining, and Baton Rouge gets an entire new street and public transit system...then the two cities would be just perfect! But I would have to choose Mobile then because it has a little bit of topography and great proximity to the bay/coast! -- this was a really, really long post... sorry haha

[NitekKetin]

Mobile lacks that major affluent 'hook' that attracts upscale retailers in substantial numbers. Perhaps after these major industry projects positively impact the local economy in the next couple of years, then South Alabama will start appearing on the radar of higher end retailers. I could see Bailey Banks and Biddle, Bakers Shoes and Eddie Bauer re-entering the market. Also, our regional shopping centers need to be under the management and direction of strong REITS like GGP, Cousins, Bayer, Simons and even Jim Wilson and Associates. These firms would be able to use their strong relationships with various retailers to mold our shopping centers into interesting destinations.

[Del]

NitekKetin, I remember years ago, listening to someone from the Chamber patiently explaining to a couple of the Oakleigh ladies that in spite of what they wanted to see in the neighborhood, we simply didn't have the demographic to support a row of "cute little boutiques" on Government (where the Storage Max ended up).

LSU boy, I agree about Whole Foods. Fresh Market is like the Epcot version. Whole lot better than nothing at all, though.

[fla_tiger]

And I think we are a LOT better off than Baton Rouge, in almost every way.

hmmmmmmmmmm. you are entitled to your opinion,LOL.

Seriously, Mobile has a lot to offer, it has always been one of my favorites. Mobilians (sp?) need to appreciate the city for what it has become and stop worrying about how it stacks up against New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Birmingham.

[nimsjus]

Living in Auburn I came across this article. It is just a "pork barrel" project for the local senator. If it comes to fruition, wouldnt this project be much more successful in Mobile. AU already works out of Dauphin Island as well, so they have fisheries people in the area anyway. Auburn is only about 1 1/2 hours from the largest aquarium in the US(Atlanta) and not too far from Chattanooga as well. I know Mobile is pretty close to NO, but if you are going to put another Aquarium in the Southeast, I think it would make alot more sense in a big metro like Mobile from a visitors standpoint. From an educational standpoint, I think it still makes sense because AU has some connections at DI Sea Lab. Thoughts???

The Alabama Aquarium organization is angling to bring an education and research facility to the state. One possibility could result in Auburn University reeling in the education destination.


By William White
O-A News
February 21, 2008

A fish tale it’s not.

The prospect of bringing the 6 million gallon Alabama Aquarium to Auburn University is part of a vision that sets a comprehensive public facility for aquatic and environmental education on a 100-acre site at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center on North College Street.

Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers was introduced to the idea of having The Alabama Aquarium in Auburn and presented a copy of a related proposal by District 2 Lee County Commissioner Johnny Lawrence Wednesday.

“There is a group called The Alabama Aquarium, and they want to build a world-class aquarium in Alabama,” Lawrence said. “Right now they are looking at Auburn University and its fisheries program.”

The county commissioner said the group wants to build an aquarium with education as its primary focus.

“Not just for the children and parents that come there, but this could become the training center for aquariums all over the country and the world for that matter.

“They are preparing this (proposal) to go to the (AU) president,” Lawrence told Rogers. “We want to make you aware that this proposal is on the table.”

Pointing out the locations of a new aquarium, Auburn University and the Celebrate Alabama project in Opelika, Lawrence said, “You have AU here, Celebrate Alabama project here and then add an aquarium here, then Auburn, Opelika and Lee County become a place for people to come and stay for the weekend and boost tourism for the area.

Rogers asked who served on the group’s board and finished with, “It’s a great idea.”

The internal proposal, which suggests AU as a potential site, hasn’t gone to the university’s president for consideration of committing 100 acres of university land at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center for the site.

In a telephone interview, the executive director for the organization said the non-profit The Alabama Aquarium was formed in 2002, and has a seven-member board made up of an attorney, educators, a judge and a city councilman. Locally, Dr. John Jensen of Auburn serves on the board.

While the aquarium’s future waters may be muddy now, The Alabama Aquarium’s vision is clear.

“Jensen came to me and asked me if we wanted to look into Auburn as a possible site,” said Dr. R Will Vanoy, executive director for The Alabama Aquarium. “Just looking at the tie-in of what we have planned for The Alabama Aquarium and just some of the remarkable potential in partnering with Auburn University is intriguing and something we want to pursue.

“We are looking at other areas,” Vanoy said.

He said he hopes the white paper, or proposal, will be presented to AU’s president in the next few weeks.

“I am hopeful. I am intrigued by Auburn,” Vanoy said. “I am very interested in pursuing that location.

“I think it would be a wonderful, wonderful place for us, but we are looking at some other areas as well and very soon will send out requests for proposals to various cities throughout the state of Alabama.”

Asked about the vision, Vanoy said the concept is Alabama’s waters all the way to the Gulf of Mexico — rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

“The concept of this aquarium came many, many years ago and the purpose behind it was Alabama has the most natural resources of water among any state in the United States with more than 77,000 miles of navigable waters in our state.

“Alabama seems like the no-brainer place to discuss natural resources,” he said.

“The goal for The Alabama Aquarium is that of an educational facility foremost,” Vanoy said. “A tie-in with Auburn University, a partnership with them, really strengthens the education concept of the aquarium.”

Vanoy said, “The exciting thing for us and for Auburn University really should be how this project affects all of the departments,” The proposal suggests that the aquarium would benefit the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures by allowing AU to develop new teaching, research and outreach programs in aquatic sciences and possibly establish a Center for Advanced Studies in Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture as well as business, architecture, building science, education, engineering, vet medicine, forestry and wildlife sciences, and others like all of the arts.

“There is a huge impact the university can have on us, and we can have on the university,” Vanoy said.

He said the impact of the two of us partnering together can have on this state and nation are enormous.

“The more I talk about it the more excited I get,” the executive director said.

The proposal suggests there is a strong local interest in the aquarium and a willingness by Lee County and the city of Auburn to fund a $30,000 to $50,000 market survey to assess the feasibility of the project.

The Alabama Aquarium is expected to be an $120 million dollar investment that includes the main aquarium, an education center and an amphitheater.

By the Numbers:

The Georgia Aquarium:
- 3.6 million visitors the first year
- 50,000 students in education programs
- largest by gallons of water (8 million gallons)
- world’s largest by number of animals
- a non-profit organization run by a board of directors
- a $250+ million gift to Atlanta

The Tennessee Aquarium:
- a million visitors a year
- 100,000 students in education programs
- opened in 1992 as the world’s largest freshwater aquarium
- in 1999, 20,000 of the visitors were international
- research arm in the Tenn. Aquarium Research Institute

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (Mobile):
- Mobile’s fourth most-well attended tourist attraction in 2003, hosting 77,475 visitors
- 16 of the 22 member universities sent undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. candidates
- Summer programs attracted K-12 academic classes, teacher workshops and summer programs for middle and high school students.
- includes The Equestarium, an education facility highlighting the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and Northern Gulf of Mexico.

[Musicisright]

Today I was informed by a very trustworthy little birdie that within the next week the crown on the Riverview will be lit.

I wonder if the same company that lit the RSA Tower is doing the work on the Riverview? If that's the case, we're in for a treat.

[CottonCity251]

I hope the same company does the lighting to. I guess that's a question for montysano, if I remember his name correctly.

The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf

[Port_of_Bama]

I realy hope Mobile wins that tanker contract if so that will be our second fortune 500 company besides the German steel company !! The downtown alliance web site mentioned retail I would love to see a bana republic, guess,and a whole foods etc downtown. On the website they are planing on recruting retail downtown this year, I`m going to keep my fingers crossed. It would be nice if the new hotel can be 350 - 400 feet tall with ground floor retail.

[nimsjus]

I hope the same company does the lighting to. I guess that's a question for montysano, if I remember his name correctly.

The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf

That gayfers rendering is completely different from the original proposal seen here: http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/major_investment_report6_copy.pdf
I think the newer concept fits into downtown mobile a little better architecturally.

[Port_of_Bama]

So far there has been over 425 million dollars invested into downtown if you include the Maritime Museum ($40,000,000 ) and the proposed new federal court house we will be getting hopfuly one day ($ 75,000,000). If you include those 2 future additions to Mobile thats around 540,000,000 million dollars being invested in downtown Mobile alone.

[bayou15]

[The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf[/QUOTE]

Damn, Lucky guess on that one.

[DruidCity]

I passed through Mobile a couple days ago coming back from Gulf Shores, and especially like the new crown on the Riverview. The construction on the Bass Pro in Spanish Fort is coming along, but most of that development is a giant dirt pile. How is the Alabama Motorsports Park project coming along ?

[bayou15]

1) From the angle I saw last night , looked like the stump was lit on the Riverview :shrug:


2) Ok....Did some homework.... Cant tell all my info ,but here some hints:cool:

a) A fourth tunnel for downtown (not water related). This is a major fill in. Project not dead yet ,but on life support.

b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

[SouthSky]

1)
b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

But isn't your avatar of a high rise under construction in Baton Rouge?

[bayou15]

yeah, it is. Looks vibrant, wouldnt you agree? And a maybe for Mobile also! hmmm....

[SouthSky]

http://www.riverplacebr.com/images/RiverRoad_ariel_baton.jpg

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Bayou, your avatar is of Lafayette Place in Baton Rouge...whats that gotta do with Mobile development anyways?

[bayou15]

HELLO, think McFly,think

[MobileLSUboy2005]

wait... im so confused....is there some ACTUAL talk of us getting a similar development or is this just wishful thinking

haha...umm PS... you know theres a new (cooler) rendering of it now anyways right? lol go look on urban planets BR site...

[bayou15]

bingeaux!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

where are you hearing all this information, since its no where else to be found?!

[bayou15]

Tell ya , have to kill ya:yes: .....................:haha:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

lol weeeellll till theres hard proof... i dont belive it! sorry! haha

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph

ok........(post#1012)........The Rat knows! Bo don't know sh*t ;)

[Port_of_Bama]

I hope your right bayou , we need about 2 or 3 more 400 footers downtown and somebody needs to redo the exterior of that ugly bank building and put an "A" frame on the top.

[CottonCity251]

Damn, Lucky guess on that one.
???

1) From the angle I saw last night , looked like the stump was lit on the Riverview :shrug:


2) Ok....Did some homework.... Cant tell all my info ,but here some hints:cool:

a) A fourth tunnel for downtown (not water related). This is a major fill in. Project not dead yet ,but on life support.

b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

Could you stop hinting and spit it out bayou...

[SouthSky]

Some things about the upcoming tanker announcement:

Boeing is the runaway favorite. Boeing most likely wins the contract to build these tankers. They have done so much business with the government it would be hard to change it now... (especially with the nature of this order)
Regardless of the winner of the contract, the loser will appeal. EADS most likely WILL get tanker orders with the appeal. The KC30 has more capacity and will lend itself to the government as a better long range, long lasting option. Boeing's option will be less advanced technology-wise but will provide the government and the armed forces with a familiar option. Depending on the selection and appeal process the order for EADS/Airbus will be in flux as the government will inevitably adjust the order in the end.
This is from varying sources and an opinion to which I subscribe: EADS/Airbus is using the freighter plant for the A330 (a totally different beast) as a bargaining chip for the government and a public relations coup for the "storm-ravaged" Gulf Coast. Regardless of the tanker decision and subsequent appeal process, Mobile will see an Airbus plant on site. Airbus is using the addition of a separate contract (contingent on the US government's decision in name only) to sweeten up the deal for the public and thus the government. If Mobile loses all of the tanker contract, we still SHOULD (if all things transpire like what I've been told) get the A330 freighter line in Mobile. P.S. - Even if EADS gets nothing after an appeal, the aforementioned events should transpire.
If all happens like I think it will, Mobile will be the Atlanta of the south in the 90's. GUARANTEED.

[Exodus]

http://www.riverplacebr.com/images/RiverRoad_ariel_baton.jpgThat would be great to have something like this downtown. I imagine something this big would be mixed use, because downtown already has plenty of hotels. So it could end up something to the Millender Center in Detroit that has condos, hotel, and even retail. Then add the waterfront condos on to that, and downtown would have an even grander skyline than it does already. I like the fact that it makes use of a little bit of greenspace around it. It looks cozey and plush.

[Port_of_Bama]

Is it true that the water front condo is still in the works for mobile ?!

[CottonCity251]

Is it true that the water front condo is still in the works for mobile ?!

That must be what bayou is talking about...

[Port_of_Bama]

That must be what bayou is talking about...


I would rather see the condo on bayou`s avatar on the river rather than that big hudge bulky eastershore looking thing, it`s nice but bulky. The fisrt building 350 `, 2nd 400` and the third tower being 450`right on the river and all three will be connected with a sky bridge. Of course the other 2 will be in future planing as Mobile will become the Atl of the 90`s like an earlier poster said !!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

The picture Bayou has listed is of RiverPlace Condominiums in Baton Rouge
http://www.riverplacebr.com/batonRouge.html

even though thats the one on the website, there is actually a new rendering out for that project which will be announced in Baton Rouge in the next sixty days i believe by the developer over whether or not its going to happen (in baton rouge).

[HSVTiger]

Congrats Mobile on the winning the tanker contract

http://blog.al.com/live/2008/02/wsj_reports_northropeads_wins.html

It's a big win for the state
Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker supply base in Alabama will include:



* Engelhard (BASF), Huntsville, Ala. -- Ozone Converter
* GKN-Westland Aero, Tallassee, Ala. -- Wing Panels
* PPG Industries, Huntsville, Ala. -- Windshield & Glass
* EADS NAT, Mobile, Ala. -- A330 Assembly
* Goodrich Aerospace, Foley, Ala. -- Engine Sub-Assemblies
* Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Mobile, Ala. -- Program Support

[BamaGrad04]

Huge news, thanks for the update!