[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
bump

[thoraudio]

good for Mobile, and good for Alabama.

from wsfa.com

Breaking News: Alabama Wins $40 Billion Manufacturing Contract
Montgomery, Al. (WSFA) -- This is a breaking news alert from WSFA 12 News.

Just moments ago, Governor Bob Riley announced that Mobile, Alabama has been selected as the third place in the world where large Airplanes will be built.

Here's the Governor's official statement:

"There are only two places in the world where large airplanes are built: Seattle, Washington and Toulouse, France. Now, there will be a third: Mobile, Alabama.

"To say this is a great day for Alabama is a monumental understatement. This will go down in history as one of our greatest days.

"This announcement is the fulfillment of a dream that began three years ago, and that dream was to bring high-paying aerospace jobs to Mobile. It was a dream to provide the men and women of our military with the best and most efficient aerial refueling tanker. Those dreams are being fulfilled and they will be made a reality in our state.

"The selection of Northrop Grumman-EADS is the result of extremely hard work by a unified team from the company, the state, the federal government and Mobile. I congratulate everyone involved and thank them for all they've done."

More information on this will be available shortly and on WSFA 12 News at 5 and 6

[BamaGrad04]

Judging by the comments from Seattle, them Boeing folks ain't too happy.....

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/353250_tanker01.html?source=mypi

[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.

Well, I apparently was wrong about Boeing. This is great for Mobile and all its surroundings!

Number four still is correct.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Mission accomplished and absolutely great for the city. I would also imagine these companies would put some pressure on the University of South Alabama and make the area easier on the eyes, from nicer signs to some vegetation with a nice entrance.

Now lets get working on things that will make everyone happy -- a loop around west Mobile. :yes:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

yea a loop, AND widen I-65 from Mobile to Saraland, so that every time there is a race at the new track, 65 won't become a dang PARKING LOT!

[HSVTiger]

Well, I apparently was wrong about Boeing. This is great for Mobile and all its surroundings!

Number four still is correct.

Easy player, while it will bring big changes to the Gulf Coast over the next 10 years it won't be an overnight thing. Boeing has 2700 employees in Huntsville
which has happened over many years so it will be a steady growth for Mobile
Comparing any city in Alabama to Atlanta is not realistic.

[jrfstone]

Electrical Porpoise, what does USA have to do with Brookley besides an outreach campus? Did you mean the Mobile Airport Authority, or something else?

[elb401]

I agree with HSVTiger about the Atlanta comment. More like Baton Rouge size. But any aways I don't want to be like Atlanta...just a little to crazy for me. But thats just me...i would still love Mobile.

But the news said once the place is built the effects will happen pretty rapidly. One news company said Airbus wants to put even more production lines here for the global market....not just the American. (I don't know if that is the freighter planes that are promised or others because it sounded plural.)

Also University of South Alabama is already feeling the pressure from these large new companies. The companies want South to provide more educational programs that will benifit their companies to provide workers. South has said that it would partner with the companies. I believe the steal plant is working on a deal to help fund a program either at South or Bishop. Not sure which though.

[Exodus]

Is it true that the water front condo is still in the works for mobile ?!It is, but it's been delayed due to a death of one of the partners involved in the project.

[SouthSky]

Easy player, while it will bring big changes to the Gulf Coast over the next 10 years it won't be an overnight thing. Boeing has 2700 employees in Huntsville
which has happened over many years so it will be a steady growth for Mobile
Comparing any city in Alabama to Atlanta is not realistic.

To all of the above responding to the Atlanta comment. I am not relating size, just growth.

[SouthSky]

I agree with HSVTiger about the Atlanta comment. More like Baton Rouge size. But any aways I don't want to be like Atlanta...just a little to crazy for me. But thats just me...i would still love Mobile.

With ThyssenKrupp, EADS/Airbus, and container terminal construction, Mobile will easily pass Baton Rouge in both city size and metro size. I'm not sure people are fully grasping what will happen in Mobile over the next 10 years.

[elb401]

Oh okay.....then I can see it if you are talking about comparing gowth rates...maybe. I do see it as a big deal.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Electrical Porpoise, what does USA have to do with Brookley besides an outreach campus? Did you mean the Mobile Airport Authority, or something else?Not Brookley itself, but USA owns all the surrounding land so maybe there will finally be some pressure to spruce up the area. Years ago it was beautiful as the historic photos suggest. Now it has roads surrounded by dirt, weeds, and trash that lead to projects.

But your aforementioned companies could certainly help.

[pboo74]

Now mobile needs to step up to add numerous of things downtown for these people thats going to be moving here ,restaurants,shopping,aqaurium,zoo,open airmall or an inclosed mall,just an idea of some attractions that could or should come to downtown.Can anyone think of any others please fell free to post,and maybe they can bring these up in the meeting they that will have later on this month about the New Mobile?Also infrastructure a loop/new bridge, light rail/street cars.Please will someone bring these ideas up in the meeting along with other input?

[Electrical Porpoise]

now mobile needs to step up to add numerous of things downtown for these people thats going to be moving here ,resturants,shopping,aqaurium,zoo,open air mall orclosed mall,just an idea of some attractions that could or should come to downtown.can anyone think of others please fell free to post and maybe they can bring this up in the meeting they will have later on this month about the New Mobile?There has been a lot of talk about a mall and shops but developers wont purchase the land until they see how well and consistent the downtown market is. Considering how housing is right now and how Mobile's condos are doing it is promising, but that property is worth a lot of money. And the store owners want to have a good feel for downtown's economy first.

Many developers want to do it right this time, and they are willing to wait on really nice businesses.

[Muskavon]

Man more awesome news for Mobile. I wonder if access to technical/engineering military types from nearby NW Florida (and Miss. too I guess) for a pool of possibly skilled workers helped in the decision?

[bayou15]

Wow great news!!.......NOW WHERE DA HELL IS THAT SECOND BOAT AT :haha: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:


You guys were right on my first hint... Waterstreet landing


The second proposal that might happen, is where many people park on Saturday nights to get sh*t faced:slob: And is where a old landmark used to stand.


The avatar i have of the condo is what is proposed for the spot.(condo/retail/office space). Maybe im wrong and hate to bring this up again, but the Old courthouse land will be a waste of time and money for the city if that park is built. Hell that property is so big , you could put a condo project (like the one in Baton Rouge) and a Mardis Gras park next to it.

Cant wait for the March 11 meeting!!! Im pumped!! WOOOOO!!!:upload_71700:

[Port_of_Bama]

Man more awesome news for Mobile. I wonder if access to technical/engineering military types from nearby NW Florida (and Miss. too I guess) for a pool of possibly skilled workers helped in the decision?


That `s a posibility because the governor of Washington said that she believed that her state has the upper hand because of experience.I also believe that the 3 billion dollar steel plant has something to do with it also becaue the steel will be made I assume right here for the tankers. Mobile has been making history for over 300 years now so whats next Lockhead Martin,may be Boieng because they were looking at Mobile in the first part of this century ? I also believe that Mobile will be getting an automobile plant soon becaue we are the only metro in the state that does not have one. I guess BMW will be eyeing us soon!!!:banana:


LoL we do need a second ship if not a larger vessel !!

[Musicisright]

It just keeps getting better and better for Mobile. My sweet little city is growing up. It's cool to see it happening before your eyes, too.

I wish I could find a shot of tomorrow's front page of the Press Register, they showed it on the news, it's so great.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I wish I could find a shot of tomorrow's front page of the Press Register, they showed it on the news, it's so great.
You can see it here (http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/default.asp)when they upload it tomorrow.

[bayou15]

Hey Musicisright, is the stump lit yet on the Riverview?

[Musicisright]

Haven't been down there to see.

[Del]

People moving downtown to work at EADS don't need an aquarium, spiffy shops, etc as much as they need decent schools for their kids. These new jobs will pay well but not enough for private school tuition for 2-3 kids. And even if you can afford it, why pay when you can live in West Mobile, send your kids to decent public schools for free, and hop on the Interstate and be at work in 15 minutes? Mobile is going to have to do something about its downtown schools and do it fast.

I had actually forgotten that USA had the Brookley campus. Yes, it would be nice to see something happen to that land. The golf course is below the flood plain so you can't build on it. Wouldn't it be great if USA & the city arranged a land swap---then we could have a downtown waterfront park?

Did everybody get the reverse-911 call from Sam Jones "personally announcing" the EADS deal? I really like the way he is putting that technology to use. At the holidays we were wondering what to do about garbage and lo and behold, the phone rings and a pleasant voice tells us to put it out on Wednesday. :)

[pboo74]

People moving downtown to work at EADS don't need an aquarium, spiffy shops, etc as much as they need decent schools for their kids. These new jobs will pay well but not enough for private school tuition for 2-3 kids. And even if you can afford it, why pay when you can live in West Mobile, send your kids to decent public schools for free, and hop on the Interstate and be at work in 15 minutes? Mobile is going to have to do something about its downtown schools and do it fast.

I had actually forgotten that USA had the Brookley campus. Yes, it would be nice to see something happen to that land. The golf course is below the flood plain so you can't build on it. Wouldn't it be great if USA & the city arranged a land swap---then we could have a downtown waterfront park?

Did everybody get the reverse-911 call from Sam Jones "personally announcing" the EADS deal? I really like the way he is putting that technology to use. At the holidays we were wondering what to do about garbage and lo and behold, the phone rings and a pleasant voice tells us to put it out on Wednesday. :)

Yes that is true,Mobile does need to have better schools/education,but my point i was trying to make was all the people coming from this economic boost,and for people thats already living here that will want to hang out downtown and other places in mobile,so bring some of the things that i had mention in my previous post such as dinner night cruises on the downtown river for a skylineview,zoo,aquarium,movie theatre,open air mall/inclosed mall,one of our parks like bieneville square,with kiosk and food vendors selling hotdogs,hamburgers,pizzas,drinks,etc.just somethings to attract people to come downtown.Thats all i was saying.What do you guys think?

[Port_of_Bama]

Speaking of a skyline view on a dinner cruise check out the views this will be nice at night and these pics were tooken before the spire on the hotel .love these views of Mobile it doesn`t look like Mobile or an Alabama city from these views . I agree with all of the above !!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/24301687@N06/2301619393/




http://www.flickr.com/photos/24301687@N06/2301619391/

[nimsjus]

Huge news on the tanker project! I had seen a few articles claiming EADS won in some foreign sites earlier in the week, but they looked so questionable I didn't get my hopes up. It was nice to see it plastered in the headlines of every newspaper in the state and some beyond. Nice to have one major project on the north side of town and another on the soutside. I think this tanker project will have a much more profound effect on downtown than TK and I think it will really help improve the Oakleigh/Texas St/Broad area that died after Brookley closed. This makes the Bring Back Broad project even more important now that we have a major project in that area to go along with the waterfront park and the street scape project. I think this could provide the momentum needed for the return of railcars too.

[Musicisright]

http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08096/almr549.jpg


From newseum.org

[SouthSky]

Nodine looks ridiculous. This was on the Seattle Times also...

This is definitely not the best picture to go AP Wire...

[Alxx611]

I kinda liked that photo. But I liked JD Crowe's toon better:

http://www.crowetoons.com/toons/3108bigplane.jpg



And although this one is older, i thought it would be appreciated on this forum:

http://www.crowetoons.com/toons/21008spiremanreturns.jpg

[Del]

I don't think Nodine looks ridiculous. Just really, really jubilant. That picture makes me smile every time I look at it.

[Muskavon]

Nodine looks ridiculous. This was on the Seattle Times also...

This is definitely not the best picture to go AP Wire...

Considering all the misconceptions about the south by all above an imaginary line, I'm thinking they are shocked at a black and white man shaking hands and enjoying something together in leadership. They are probably shocked. Great photo. Need more to bust down that crap.

[Port_of_Bama]

The U.S. Navy has selected Mobile as the city where its littoral combat ship Independence will be commissioned, or put into service, according to the Mobile Council of the Navy League of the United States.


http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/120436654176060.xml&coll=3

[BlessedMobile]

I think the Jones/Nodine photo is great. It is refreshing to have leaders who are excited about GROWING our city rather than hold it back (Pre-Dow). Mayor Jones is a great guy who has a vision for growth and PROSPERITY for all of our citizens. I am sure the decision to build the planes here had nothing to do directly with any of our political leaders but companies see the city they are in as the "neighborhood"...You may like the house you are in but the neighborhood makes for the quality of living! We are winning the neighborhood battle. Nodine is one of those guys who really does get fired up about growth and development; that photos is the real deal. Oh yea, as for that Jones/Nodine photo appearing in the Seattle paper think about it this way....they did it to stir up the troops but.....besides, WE WON the game and they need to know it. These are GREAT days to be living in Mobile.:tup:

[SouthSky]

Considering all the misconceptions about the south by all above an imaginary line, I'm thinking they are shocked at a black and white man shaking hands and enjoying something together in leadership. They are probably shocked. Great photo. Need more to bust down that crap.

Let them still think that. That's just their reason to underestimate this area... not a good idea.

[bayou15]

http://www.myfoxgulfcoast.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=5919851&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1



Condo towers? It doesnt take a doctor to figure this one out:haha:



He must have been reading our posts!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

So I had sent Emporis.com a message saying to change the height of the Riverview, and they said they need an 'official' site to get the data from, anyone got one?

[CottonCity251]

So I had sent Emporis.com a message saying to change the height of the Riverview, and they said they need an 'official' site to get the data from, anyone got one?

Nope. They sent me the samething when I told them the RSA Tower was completed.

[elb401]

University of South Alabama has said that it is going to sell its property at brookley. Well not the building parts just the golf course and some other land. 135 acres!!! They said they want to do whats best for the city of Mobile.

Lets just hope that the city will put in an offer for some of that land. The city is bring back arlington park... but wouldn't be great to have Monroe Park back too. Our two historic bayfront parks will be back! Ahh and more public access.

[CottonCity251]

I think a Mobile-Pensacola metro is likely by 2015.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

mmm....maybe, but doubtful...if the I-10 corridor fills completely in through baldwin co, it could happen... but even with Baton Rouge and New Orleans, which are similar distances apart, and have 100x more daily commuters and closer ties, they aren't going to be one metro any time soon...

on another note:

On Microsoft Visual Earth, they finally got "birds-eye view" option available for most of Mobile County now, whereas before it was only available in other major cities, so I've wasted about 3 hours now playing around on that! haha

[elb401]

Yea I think it is unlikely. If at best it will be a CSA....but even that i think wouldn't be possible until 2030-2040. But I am no expert.

[pboo74]

Does anyone have updated construction pics of the'Hampton Inn downtown hotel?

[elb401]

I was there this morning and it has changed that block and area of the street totally. The height is about 4 or 5 stories now, I think, but that corner looks very urban. feels like your in a big city.

[pboo74]

I was there this morning and it has changed that block and area of the street totally. The height is about 4 or 5 stories now, I think, but that corner looks very urban. feels like your in a big city.

Thanks for the update elb401

[jrfstone]

So.... what can we expect so see at the Mobile Regional Airport? Will this make a noticeable difference in passengers?

[jrfstone]

I think a Mobile-Pensacola metro is likely by 2015.
I think that the Mobile Metro will consist of Mobile, Baldwin, and Washington Counties in Alabama and Jackson and Greene Counties in Mississippi. This area, is projected to have 735,500 people by 2011. Those projections were pre-TK/NG/EADS!

[Scottybo]

Funny ya'll should be talking about our populations right now because WKRG is supposed to report tonight on a new Annexation that the city of Mobile wants to happen.

[Scottybo]

I think that the Mobile Metro will consist of Mobile, Baldwin, and Washington Counties in Alabama and Jackson and Greene Counties in Mississippi. This area, is projected to have 735,500 people by 2011. Those projections were pre-TK/NG/EADS!
With all the economic impact coming in, this should easily be in the 900,000-1,000,000 range.

[SouthSky]

So.... what can we expect so see at the Mobile Regional Airport? Will this make a noticeable difference in passengers?

I don't think you will see a notable difference until 2010 or so.

[Marrson]

So.... what can we expect so see at the Mobile Regional Airport? Will this make a noticeable difference in passengers?

:shrug: How Bout' Some Larger Jets & Direct Flights Along This Ginormous Growth???

Please Make Us Who Fly To Mobile HAPPIER!!! :banana: :jester: :cheers:

[SouthSky]

:shrug: How Bout' Some Larger Jets & Direct Flights Along This Ginormous Growth???

Please Make Us Who Fly To Mobile HAPPIER!!! :banana: :jester: :cheers:

That would be nice. Southwest or JetBlue would be a great addition. Southwest would reshape Mobile as the hub of the central Gulf Coast over Pensacola or Gulfport. We would be in dire straits if they went to either of the latter.

[bayou15]

1) THE Riverview 277ft (emporis)+the stump on top(168ft from the builders mouth)=445ft. The 3rd tallest in Alabama.

2) As far as the area's population, 1.3 to 1.5 million in the local T.V broadcasting area. Biloxi-Gulfport, Ms to Destin,Fla.

[Musicisright]

http://www.myfoxgulfcoast.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=5919851&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1



Condo towers? It doesnt take a doctor to figure this one out:haha:



He must have been reading our posts!

This is from the 3/2 Press Register:

"Overall, office building occupancy is solid and lease rates are rising, according to Gavin Bender Sr. of Bender Real Estate Group. He said that he sees a future need for additional professional office buildings, but that will be determined by construction costs, which are high.

For example, an office building he built in 2001 at $115 per square foot would cost $185 to $195 per square foot today, he said.

The 35-story RSA Battle House Tower has had "an incredibly positive impact on downtown Mobile," he said. Most of the large office buildings still have a high occupancy rate, from 88 to 95 percent, according to his surveys.

"All of us naysayers, and I was leading the pack, said the existing buildings would be desperate for tenants after RSA was built. We are thrilled to find out that the bar has been raised. Other office buildings' occupancies have stayed stable, and many have chosen to make capital improvements. We're seeing an increase in rates."

About 80 percent of the RSA Tower has been leased, with about 90 percent of the tenants local."

[bayou15]

Thanks musicisright! That was a good read. Looks like more office highrises to me:tup: 80% RSA TOWER:cheers: The will shut alot of the neysayers(sp?)up!



Also thanks LSUBOY for the birdeye's view. I have been waiting a while to see Mobile in this view. So much for doing anything at work now. ha

Images are a little old.(csx building still dare on water st.), But Y'all check out the cruise ship!

[BlessedMobile]

I think we have all heard complaints that our tanker will be built by the French. Well, according to BBC online the British are building what is sent to Mobile. I believe we would all agree that the British are one of, if not the best, ally we have. I am going to post some more links that are supportive of our win as I find them. I hope all of you will spread the news. :banana:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7272129.stm

[BlessedMobile]

Seriously, which would you choose? Our KC-45A (30) can refuel two planes at once and service BOTH Air Force and Navy planes during the same flight. Boeing does neither. When comparing capabilities there is no question which is the better multiple use aircraft. See below:


Boeing KC-767
Length - 159 ft
Wingspan - 156 ft
Max Takeoff wt - 400,000 lbs
Passengers - Up to 190
Cargo - Up to 19 Pallets
Patients - Up to 97
Boom Offload - 6,800 lbs

Airbus KC-30
Length - 192 ft
Wingspan - 197 ft
Max Takeoff wt - 513,000 lbs
Passengers - Up to 226
Cargo - Up to 32 Pallets
Patients - Up to 126
Boom Offload - 8,000 lbs

[Mattmc]

It seems funny to me the with all of the growth we should see , that we would not have an International airport .

[Alxx611]

I think we have all heard complaints that our tanker will be built by the French. Well, according to BBC online the British are building what is sent to Mobile. I believe we would all agree that the British are one of, if not the best, ally we have. I am going to post some more links that are supportive of our win as I find them. I hope all of you will spread the news. :banana:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7272129.stm

Its not that its the French that people are upset about the Air Force's decision, but that its not an American company period.. While i'm extremely glad for the local benefits of the tanker decision, I still do feel pretty guilty that once again, many potential American jobs will go to Europeans, and that the people of Boeing do have a pretty solid argument in this.

[BlessedMobile]

I got this information from a British aviation authority posting on a airliner blog. I found it very interesting and revealing. Remember, he is talking about EADS and not Airbus as to the headquarters. Read below:

EADS is headquartered in the Netherlands and operates under Dutch law.

The A330/KC-30/KC-45 has/will have wings that are designed and manufactured in the UK. The horizontal tailplane is manufactured in Spain. The vertical tail is manufactured in Germany. Fuselage sections come from Germany and France. The engines will be American. The landing gear is supplied by Messier Dowty (nose gear from France, main gear from Canada).

For the A330, France is primarily the location of final assembly - the role that Mobile, Alabama will take on for KC-45.

[Port_of_Bama]

The Birmingham area have 8 or 9 counties in there CSA with 1.2 million

Huntsville CSA has 5 counties - population 510,000

Montgomery`s CSA has 4 Counties population around 400,000 +

Mobile CSA only 2 counties population 560,000 +

Living in Mobile I notice several Greene County,Jackson County, and Harrison County Mississippi tags that work and shop in Mobile. As the city of Mobile continue to annex west our metro will sprawl over into Mississippi. The Tanner Williams area is an unincorpoareted area but it has a population of well over 60,000. Mobile County is a very close neighbor of both Jackson and Greene County , Miss

I also noticed several ,of course Baldwin County tags,Washington County,and Escambia County, Alabama Tags that work and shop heavily in Mobile as well especialy with the new industry.

The Mississippi County 2006 demographics are :

Harrison County - 193,810

Jackson County - 135,940

Green County -13,299

The Alabama 2006 County demographics are :

Mobile county -404,812

Baldwin county - 165,987

Washington county -17,773

Escambia county -38,082

Over all Mobile 6 county CSA Poulation - 967,716 it`s now 2008 and should be a little over 1 million i`m estemating around 1,020,000. What will it take for the U.S Census to include these Counties in Mobile`s CSA and what if Escambia County ,Fl (Pensacola)- 294,410 is included in Mobile`s CSA the population would be a whopping 1,262,126 .Based on the 2006 U.S Census ,but since it`s 2008 it would realy be around 1.3 million.

Somebody please inform me on this !!! :sly:

[bayou15]

hey ALXX611..........iF Boeing would have offered the right plane to build for the job i could see your point.BUT they were used to just getting jobs and not fighting for them. Boeing Leaders neaux deep down inside who really won the contest. Now they are tring to make everyone feel sorry for them. I dont feel sorry for them one bit. They pretty much called Mobile people uneducated to build anything. The time they spent putting down Mobile from the start ,they could have offered a better bid.

Sorry u feel the way u do about the outcome, But Mobile is on the move,so jump on and sit down or get the hell out of the way.:tup:




Boeing = should of , could of, would of, ......Hell, if my aunt WOULD OF had balls she'd be my uncle:shrug:

[Scottybo]

John McCain said today that the Air Force doesn't have to consider whether the contract will create new American jobs or whether this went to a foreign company...it's about the better product.

Somehow the Airbus plane was better. We'll just have to wait and see what their exact reasoning was behind choosing Airbus.

[bayou15]

The Birmingham area have 8 or 9 counties in there CSA with 1.2 million

Huntsville CSA has 5 counties - population 510,000

Montgomery`s CSA has 4 Counties population around 400,000 +

Mobile CSA only 2 counties population 560,000 +

Living in Mobile I notice several Greene County,Jackson County, and Harrison County Mississippi tags that work and shop in Mobile. As the city of Mobile continue to annex west our metro will sprawl over into Mississippi. The Tanner Williams area is an unincorpoareted area but it has a population of well over 60,000. Mobile County is a very close neighbor of both Jackson and Greene County , Miss

I also noticed several ,of course Baldwin County tags,Washington County,and Escambia County, Alabama Tags that work and shop heavily in Mobile as well especialy with the new industry.

The Mississippi County 2006 demographics are :

Harrison County - 193,810

Jackson County - 135,940

Green County -13,299

The Alabama 2006 County demographics are :

Mobile county -404,812

Baldwin county - 165,987

Washington county -17,773

Escambia county -38,082

Over all Mobile 6 county CSA Poulation - 967,716 it`s now 2008 and should be a little over 1 million i`m estemating around 1,020,000. What will it take for the U.S Census to include these Counties in Mobile`s CSA and what if Escambia County ,Fl (Pensacola)- 294,410 is included in Mobile`s CSA the population would be a whopping 1,262,126 .Based on the 2006 U.S Census ,but since it`s 2008 it would realy be around 1.3 million.

Somebody please inform me on this !!! :sly:

Sounds like u did ure homework. But I think 3states joining together will be harder to convince(sp?) the census than what B-Ham is doing adding just counties. Im with you on this one, there sure is alot of Mississippi and Fla tags on I-10 these days

[Port_of_Bama]

Bayou I like the way you think my friend the hell with Boeing !!!!! The Cincinnatti,Chicago,and soon to be Dallas metro`s are expanding in otherstates Mobile is not as central as B-ham we are actuly between Fla and Miss.

[nimsjus]

More good news/publicity for Mobile. We beat out San Diego and Philly for the honor.
'Another star in the Mobile crown'
Tuesday, March 04, 2008By KAIJA WILKINSONBusiness Reporter
About 100 people gathered downtown Monday to celebrate what retired Navy Capt. Hal Pierce called "another star in the Mobile crown" -- the city's choice as the commissioning site for a new warship being built in Mobile.
Military, public, Austal USA and U.S. Navy League officials gathered at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center to formally announce that Mobile had beaten out Philadelphia and San Diego as the site where the Austal-built USS Independence will be put into service.
"It not icing on the cake -- it's more cake," said Pierce, Navy port coordinator for Mobile. He referred to Friday's announcement that Mobile would be the site for assembly of a new Air Force aerial refueling tanker, the latest in a string of positive economic announcements.
Commissioning is the final event in the life of a military ship while it is being built, marking its acceptance into the armed forces. Preceding it are the launch, christening, crew arrival and delivery -- in this case from Mobile to the ship's San Diego homeport.
Being selected for the commissioning is not only an honor, but promises to be a further economic boost for Mobile as an estimated 2,000-plus people pour into town for the events, organizers said.
Austal, as part of a contracting team led by General Dynamics Corp., is one of two Littoral Combat Ship, or LCS, builders. The other is a team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. The two offer competing designs.
Despite cost overruns on both prototypes, the Navy has said it could purchase some of the ships from each team as it moves toward a hoped-for LCS fleet of 55.
Independence is about 65 percent complete.
During the Monday event, doors to the Austal assembly bay were open, revealing the massive aluminum-hulled vessel across the Mobile River from the Convention Center. A city of Mobile fire ship sent celebratory spray skyward, and Azalea Trail Maids greeted attendees. The Murphy High School jazz band played and USS Alabama Crew Mates handed out brochures.
At the start of the hourlong event, Mayor Sam Jones, a Navy veteran, delivered the news that the Secretary of the Navy had selected Mobile as the commissioning site.
"For a Navy ship to be commissioned in the same city that it's built is an exceptional honor," Jones said. "With your help we will put on a world-class commissioning worthy of this fine ship."
Businessman and former Mayor Mike Dow will lead a 22-person committee that will help plan and promote events associated with the commissioning.
Leaders of the Navy League, meanwhile, asked for help in raising the approximately $180,000 they said will be needed to help fund the festivities leading up to the event, tentatively planned in April 2009.

[bayou15]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/pdf/NeighborhoodSurveyQuestionnaire.pdf



Ok...here's y'alls chance for some input. Remember Build upward (HIGHRISES) !!!!! and PLEASE NEAUX more damn parks!!!:tup:

[yeahwhatever]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/pdf/NeighborhoodSurveyQuestionnaire.pdf



Ok...here's y'alls chance for some input. Remember Build upward (HIGHRISES) !!!!! and PLEASE NEAUX more damn parks!!!:tup:

Why are you anti park?

[Port_of_Bama]

I use to be against parks also,but if there is sometype of band playing are sometype of attraction at the park i`m all for it. I dought if the city will let that happen.

[nimsjus]

The Village of Spring Hill and CVS reached an agreement to allow a store to be built at Old Shell and McGregor. CVS gave up their parking lots in front of the store and moved the store to the sidewalk. They agreed to on street diagonal spots and they also agreed to foot the bill for a clock tower "center of the community" type thing at the intersection as well. The village compromised by allowing CVS to have a few more parking spots than the zoning they are striving for will allow if passed by the city. I think this is better than what CVS wanted initially, but I still wish they would make them do mixed use/multi-story.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

WOW! thats really exciting to hear that CVS actually made a COMPROMISE! i thought that was unheard of! haha well....good to know, keep up the good work V.O.S.H....

[pboo74]

Why are you anti park?

Downtown has several under used parks as it is,Why have another one,So homeless people can claim that one too?

[SouthSky]

The Village of Spring Hill and CVS reached an agreement to allow a store to be built at Old Shell and McGregor. CVS gave up their parking lots in front of the store and moved the store to the sidewalk. They agreed to on street diagonal spots and they also agreed to foot the bill for a clock tower "center of the community" type thing at the intersection as well. The village compromised by allowing CVS to have a few more parking spots than the zoning they are striving for will allow if passed by the city. I think this is better than what CVS wanted initially, but I still wish they would make them do mixed use/multi-story.

This is a good start. It's a good thing that people take the Village's proposals seriously.

[Alxx611]

Speaking of parks, has the Cooper Riverside Park reopened yet? I thought I've heard that its been temporarily closed for like the past year, and I think it may be the nicest park downtown, despite its horrible access thanks to Water St. I think it would make for a nice view of the new spire on the Riverview Plaza Hotel.

[bayou15]

pboo74 jackpot baby:tup:


Im against any new parks. The plan needs to help the ones we have already. Like the one on the riverfront, Hell it doesnt even have a bathroom !


Like Blessedmobile stated before.....the more money that comes in Downtown better chance the bums and homeless leave.


Last summer....me and some friends were fishing Pinto Pass. All of a sudden a squall pops up. We make a run for the Convention Center to take cover. Little did we neaux after i tied the boat up and ran for cover, two bums were sleeping under the building. Me being a nice citizen I gave them 2 Coors Lite and some cheese crackers.:tup:

[nwbourg]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum. I was raised in Mobile, but I've lived in Atlanta for four years now. I have to say that it's great to see my little hometown growing up. Everytime I come home to visit my faily it seems as if Mobile has grown by leaps and bounds. Mobile really has the momentum going to become the South's next great urban core. Of course these things don't happen overnight, however, at the rate its going, in 10 years I am sure you won't even be able to recognize downtown. Great going! Now I want to invest in a piece of Mobile myself!

[lampkwp]

This is great for Alabama but a disgrace to our countries workers. If Boeing would have gotten the contract it would of created 50,000 jobs, Alabama will get 2,000 to 10,000 maybe. With our dim situation of American workers you would think we could count on not outsourcing our defense to another country. Oh, bye the way, does France even support us being in Iraq???? Our banks are hoping to get bailed out by oil rich countries, hell the whole country is practically for sale and were outsourcing our own defense.

[HSVTiger]

This is great for Alabama but a disgrace to our countries workers. If Boeing would have gotten the contract it would of created 50,000 jobs, Alabama will get 2,000 to 10,000 maybe. With our dim situation of American workers you would think we could count on not outsourcing our defense to another country. Oh, bye the way, does France even support us being in Iraq???? Our banks are hoping to get bailed out by oil rich countries, hell the whole country is practically for sale and were outsourcing our own defense.

the latest numbers are saying the deal will create more jobs than Boeing.
Northrop Grumman is part of the deal they are American.
All those foreign automotive plants in Alabama building foreign cars by Americans, Fords being built in Mexico, Chevy's in Canada:koko:
If Boeing wanted to win they should have put together a better proposal.
The EADS tanker appears to be the best plane and the best use of the taxpayers (us) money. Only the best for our troops right?
If you want to help the American worker don't buy Chinese products, can't do it can we?

[bayou15]

:previous: :previous: If I wanted to hear more bitching, I would have stayed at work:breakcomp:

[BlessedMobile]

Lampkwp....If it makes you feel any better and it probably won't...I was against it before I was for it! That may sound similar to what someone else said but for me it was true. I thought it would be best to build our plane in the US rather than a foreign country until I found out that Boeing outsources a lot of the 767 to Asia and then assembles it in Washington state. Why can't we build the plane in Britain, Spain and Germany and assemble it in Mobile? France is where they assemble Airbus planes but we will be doing that. Besides, the Air Force thinks the Northrup Grumman plane will be better and they should know. Boeing offered a plane which was designed 27 years ago and claims to be an experienced maker of refuelers with the last one being the KC-135 over 50 years ago...you think any of those guys are still around? nope..not one. Build the better plane in Mobile and have NG outfit it for military use. Mobile Alabama... Big Steel...Big Planes

[MobileLSUboy2005]

^^^who cares if france supports us being in iraq.... more than half of AMERICA doesnt support america being in iraq....

[elb401]

I heard someone complaining about it being a national security problem. they shut up quickly when they found out that all military technology will be provided and installed by NG, an american company,only a few parts will be built in Europe some in America, engines will come from North Carolina, and the plane will be assembled in America.

But anyways this is dumb and I'm sick of hearing all the complaining by "poor" corrupt Boeing and its supporters. Lets talk about something else here.....lets talk about more Mobile development news!! if there is any.

[bayou15]

:previous: :previous: i agree!:dead:

[bayou15]

just browsing the web.http://www.mobilechamber.com/weekly/weekly.html

[Musicisright]

Anybody seen if the Riverview crown is lit up yet? I'm wanting to get down and get some pictures.

[bayou15]

Just called the hotel(251-438-4000) .You better hurry up, it is lit up tonite.:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[Musicisright]

Ooh! I'm off to get some shots! See y'all down there.

[bayou15]

Hope u get some of ure great photos before it rains:tup:

[montysano]

Ooh! I'm off to get some shots! See y'all down there.

We're waiting..... :whip:

:jester:

[Bama_75]

:haha: :haha: He did not make it! I hope y'all did not wait up.

[CottonCity251]

Anybody seen if the Riverview crown is lit up yet? I'm wanting to get down and get some pictures.

I think they were just testing the lights last night. I saw it lit for a minute, almost had a wreck, then it was off and the RSA Tower was still lit, in blue. The colors looked brighter than the RSA Tower. Anyway, bout time I turned around to come back down MLK Ave. it was off. The thing was I had just came down I-165 and it wasn't lit, then when I got downtown and rode around it wasn't lit, but when I got on Broad st. going towards MLK(going home) I saw it but it didn't last long.

[CottonCity251]

Saw this article in the Seattle Post on Mobile while browsing Downtown Mobile Alliance's website. Check it out....http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/353621_mobiletanker04.html

[Bama_75]

Most sound pissed...lol

[Del]

BTW I am certainly not the "Del" on that thread...

And yes, they are a pissed-off bunch, aren't they? "If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going." Maybe that commenter can get the job of standing on the tarmac waving the orange flashlight.

[montysano]

Although I'm not from Alabama, I've lived here since 1980, except for a lovely 6-year stint in New Orleans (pre-Katrina). During that time, I've often heard Alabama mentioned as the butt of all manner of jokes. I never really minded the jokes; I had travelled the USA extensively and thought Huntsville was the best kept secret in the country. I thought the negative publicity would keep East and West Coasters from moving here :tup:

Fast forward to 2008: while the national economy has, I'm afraid, some very dark days on the horizon, Alabama may be the best state in the Union in which to ride it out, and if anyone is still cracking wise about us.......... well, as they say, the laugh last is always the best.

Kudos to Gov. Riley, David Bronner, Mobile's leaders, et al for their hard work and vision. :cheers: :worship:

[Musicisright]

I did get some shots last night, and they'll be up in about 30 minutes!!!

It was hypnotizing!

Sorry I didn't post last night, I stayed at a friend's house.

[Musicisright]

Downtown Mobile lit up last night!!!

Congratulations to TLS, who did a hell of a job lighting the crowns.

I was really impressed with how both buildings coordinated color schemes. I stood for an hour taking shots and just staring.


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http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/18119.jpg

Sorry if there are any similar shots, I wanted to show every color scheme.

[bayou15]

DAMN SMOKEY!!! Thanks for the pics! U did a helluva job!!

[Bama_75]

Kudos to the pics!

Kudos to those that worked on the crown and lights!

It looks great!

[CottonCity251]

Superb photos Musicisright!! The new crown looks great...