[elb401]

thats awesome. I like the second group of drawings. I would never have imaged that. Pretty cool. I wish it was for real.:D

[Bayside]

buckett5425 - I can't see any of you pictures in either IE or FireFox. I wonder why. Well, I take that back ... I can see them in IE, just not FireFox.

I like your renderings ... and the A-frame on top.

Regarding the park-to-be on the old county courthouse lot, I'm all in favor of a park there. The great cities of Europe all have their piazzas and parks. This can be transformed into Mobile's version of a European piazza, or plaza.

[Bama_75]

I like that terrace drawing.

[Port_of_Bama]

Yea, I was trying to keep the colors within Mobiles "theme" of blues and greens. Here is my attempt to add an A-frame to the top of the Bank Building, at your request, haha. Is that how you envisioned it?

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/stevenb75/AmSouthBankBuildingremodel6.jpg



Yes thanks !! Nice my friend, hmmm I was just looking at pics of B-ham`s Regions tower . The "A" frame on that building is complemented with 4 little thingies on the top I don`t know what they are called pardon me.

heres the link 1st pic
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=amsouthharbertplaza-birmingham-al-usa

Are you able to work your magic with that ?


I agree a little green space would be nice but Mobile already has 4 downtown parks that need to be put into use first.I believe to realy draw and attract people downtown you need retail,retail,retail and not just a grocery store but clothing and shoes as well. Retail would certainly develop more foot traffick downtown convince to shopping and dinning will attract people to reside downtown. A few months ago someone on this thread mentioned about a TGI Fridays, RubyTuesday,Chillies,Charley`s,and Applebees, and other dinning right in the heart of downtown I believe that is a good idea for downtown Mobile. people shopping and eating downtown would be nice.One street down town (St. Louis)can feature Asian dinning,American(Royal st),Italin(Dauphin st),Spanish,some French,and as well as a little Caribbean (Canal St) I don`t see why this wouldn`t work in downtown Mobile .What is IE and firefox any way?

[elb401]

Well....I love downtown and want to live downtown. Parks are places that people sit down at and enjoy the day while they are shopping and eating. Kind of like a break from the pavement. There are only 2 parks that are close to the restaurants and little shopping and offices. Only 2. Spanish plaza and cooper riverside (water street cuts it off) are to far way from the center. Savannah has 20 something parks. I don't think downtown needs city block size parks but a lot of small and pocket sized parks. It would be nice.

[Port_of_Bama]

Barton Acadamy can be a Boarders bookstore , well I think thats what they call it lol.:previous: I agree !

[Bayside]

I agree a little green space would be nice but Mobile already has 4 downtown parks that need to be put into use first.I believe to realy draw and attract people downtown you need retail,retail,retail and not just a grocery store but clothing and shoes as well. Retail would certainly develop more foot traffick downtown convince to shopping and dinning will attract people to reside downtown. A few months ago someone on this thread mentioned about a TGI Fridays, RubyTuesday,Chillies,Charley`s,and Applebees, and other dinning right in the heart of downtown I believe that is a good idea for downtown Mobile. people shopping and eating downtown would be nice.One street down town (St. Louis)can feature Asian dinning,American(Royal st),Italin(Dauphin st),Spanish,some French,and as well as a little Caribbean (Canal St) I don`t see why this wouldn`t work in downtown Mobile .What is IE and firefox any way?[/QUOTE]

IE and firefox are web browsers.

Retail will come to downtown. The latest issue of Downtown Alliance News addresses just this. I understand that you want retail, but why build on the old courthouse lot? Once some greedy developer gets a hold of it, it's gone forever and ever, amen.

[Bayside]

http://www.virtualalbuquerque.com/VirtualABQ/CivicPlaza/CivicPlaza2.jpg

Civic Plaza in New Mexico

[bayou15]

Welcome Bayside, Your idea of is really:koko: How is the city/county geauxing to make anyprofit with a big grassy field? Maybe they can put on flag football games on the weekend and charge addmission:shrug:

Port of Bama is right....There are enough parks to geaux around already. Look at it this way....If im waiting to cruise out of Mobile onto the Gulf of Mexico for 5days, Why would I walk to a park to see a WATER fountian sounds boring to me:shrug: . I like the idea of retail even if the dont build a money maker like a condo tower.....

[bayou15]

Whereya at, Nice drawings of the bank building. I really like the one with the A-frame roof. Maybe Toomey could quit catching tarpon and talk to the owners about a exterior face lift:cheers:

Looks like u neaux what u are doing designing these buildings. Though I've got a big request/challenge for ya. See if you can draw up The new look of the Riverview Plaza Hotel with the new crown and post it on Mobile's diagram on this website. The crown is measured at 168ft the builder discussed on TV about a month ago. See what u got:tup:

[Bayside]

Welcome Bayside, Your idea of is really:koko: How is the city/county geauxing to make anyprofit with a big grassy field? Maybe they can put on flag football games on the weekend and charge addmission:shrug:

Port of Bama is right....There are enough parks to geaux around already. Look at it this way....If im waiting to cruise out of Mobile onto the Gulf of Mexico for 5days, Why would I walk to a park to see a WATER fountian sounds boring to me:shrug: . I like the idea of retail even if the dont build a money maker like a condo tower.....

Thanks for the welcome, but I respectively disagree on the courthouse square. Why does the city/county have to make money on it? Why does everyone want a high rise condo right there. Are there no other locations for these? Why no condos on the Washington Mall, or St. Peter's Square? It's moot, though, because I don't think it's going to be developed for anything other than for public space. There are never enough parks. All the great cities have them ... big ones, too.

If your waiting to cruise out of Mobile, more than likely, you are in line, sitting in your car on Canal Street waiting for the parking garage to empty. I really don't get the cruise ship idea. Now that would have been a real money making property for a condo and retail. What does the cruise terminal do for you and me? And if you are in the Gulf of Mexico for 5 days, how does Mobile get sales tax off you?:shrug:

[bayou15]

Bayside, do you live in Mobile?

[BlessedMobile]

Thanks for the welcome, but I respectively disagree on the courthouse square. Why does the city/county have to make money on it? Why does everyone want a high rise condo right there. Are there no other locations for these? Why no condos on the Washington Mall, or St. Peter's Square? It's moot, though, because I don't think it's going to be developed for anything other than for public space. There are never enough parks. All the great cities have them ... big ones, too.

If your waiting to cruise out of Mobile, more than likely, you are in line, sitting in your car on Canal Street waiting for the parking garage to empty. I really don't get the cruise ship idea. Now that would have been a real money making property for a condo and retail. What does the cruise terminal do for you and me? And if you are in the Gulf of Mexico for 5 days, how does Mobile get sales tax off you?:shrug:

I hear the voice of reason from Bayside. I know Sam Jones is going to push for the park and I now agree with him. There is a ton of property downtown where we can demolish an eyesore and put up a highrise. It would be nice if there were some great trees on the property....please no more crepe myrtles!
I'm from Savannah and the parks number around 27. Besides having more parks it would allow a more even distribution of the "park regulars" so there would be more "open space" in Bienville Square.
Bayside could not be more right about the cruise terminal. They drive in, get on the boat, get off the boat, get in their car and drive away. We get a lousy parking deck RIGHT ON our waterfront. This is prime real estate for a development and look at what we have...a parking garage! I would not allow any more expansion of the property beyond more use for the current garage.

[elb401]

Parks are about the quality of life....and its a lifestyle. Its more for the people who live there (more attractive to residence). Also parks give people a reason to linger around after they have shopped or eaten. 2 parks (the only ones close enough to the center of downtown....the other two are really out of the way) is not enough. Beinville and Cathedral are being used....everyday!! Riverside is still closed and spanish plaza is to far from anything...except the neighborhood to the west.

Parks are not about making money....its about improving the atmosphere that will bring more residence and then retail to downtown. That is what will make money.

But....i think some of the courthouse lot should be a park....not all...the retail (or, and condos) and the park can share. Besides isn't the new probate court going to take up most of government street.

[nimsjus]

Work at Brookley will move forward. Also some talk near the bottom about increased service at Mobile Regional because of newfound importance in the aeronautics industry.

Airport Authority preps for tanker assembly at Brookley
Tuesday, March 18, 2008By KAIJA WILKINSONBusiness Reporter
Despite Boeing Corp.'s protest of the U.S. Air Force's decision to buy aerial refueling tankers assembled in Mobile, the Mobile Airport Authority on Monday continued to lay the groundwork for a new $600 million complex.
The contract, valued at up to $40 billion, was awarded to the Northrop Grumman Corp.-EADS North America team Feb. 29. Should it be upheld, the companies have said they will assemble the tankers in Mobile, creating 1,500 direct jobs. Another 300 jobs are promised as EADS subsidiary Airbus also moves commercial freighter aircraft assembly to the Brookley Field Industrial Complex.
A decision on the protest is due by June 19.
"We've got a lot going on with the tanker," Executive Director Bay Haas told the Airport Authority during its regular meeting. "The protest is ongoing, but we've still got to get ready to go in case we get the notice to proceed."
To that end, the authority is working with Alabama Power Co. and the Alabama Electric Cooperative to reach out to potential suppliers, said Marc Pelham, who directs Brookley operations for the authority.
"I'm looking at it from a facilities infrastructure preparation perspective," Pelham said. "Where buildings and roads should go -- that sort of thing. I'm anticipating a heavy influx of suppliers."
The authority is meeting with engineers from Northrop Grumman Corp. and the architectural and engineering firm tapped to design and build the facility, Pelham said.
The authority is also part of the state and local team working to move utilities to make way for the plant, he added.
In other matters:
Director of Aviation Thomas Hughes, who attended a national conference early this month in San Diego, said airlines there had been "very receptive" to what's going on in Mobile. The conference kicked off two days after the Air Force announcement that the Northrop-EADS team had won the tanker contract.
He predicted the possibility of new service in the near future.
Hughes reported that the Airport Authority is close to a deal with the city of Mobile that would allow a police and fire station to be built on about 8 acres at the regional airport. The city recently annexed the airport property.
Herbert Meisler, board treasurer, told authority members that he was concerned about the length of time elapsed since the authority late last year approved a land sale to the Alabama State Port Authority. The Port Authority has agreed to pay the Airport Authority $1.3 million for 46 acres near Arlington Point. The docks plans to use the property for wetlands mitigation related to its new Mobile Container Terminal at Choctaw Point.
Hughes said the sale is tied up in the Federal Aviation Administration's approval process. Haas said he expected the approval to take another 60 to 90 days.

[Bayside]

Bayside, do you live in Mobile?

Yes, and I work downtown, within a block of Bienville Square and have a nice view looking south.

[Bayside]

spanish plaza is to far from anything...except the neighborhood to the west.

Spanish Plaza could be very important depending on how we redevelop the Civic Center property. I hope this property is addressed in the new downtown development plan. Spanish Plaza could be a gateway into that development.

[pboo74]

Parks are about the quality of life....and its a lifestyle. Its more for the people who live there (more attractive to residence). Also parks give people a reason to linger around after they have shopped or eaten. 2 parks (the only ones close enough to the center of downtown....the other two are really out of the way) is not enough. Beinville and Cathedral are being used....everyday!! Riverside is still closed and spanish plaza is to far from anything...except the neighborhood to the west.

Parks are not about making money....its about improving the atmosphere that will bring more residence and then retail to downtown. That is what will make money.

But....i think some of the courthouse lot should be a park....not all...the retail (or, and condos) and the park can share. Besides isn't the new probate court going to take up most of government street.
There's nothing wrong with more green space(parks) downtown,but we have several parks that's under used now why have another so the bums can run everybody off.For instance bieneville square,spanish plaza,cooperiverrside park's,could have art's and craft,kiosks,food vending machine,hotdog/hamburger/pizza and drink stands etc....utilize the parks you have now bottom line.You can still build condo's and incorperate a public park into the mix.

[Bayside]

....utilize the parks you have now bottom line.

How do you mean? There is something going on in Bienville Square and Cathedral Square every month. Have you not visited either? In the Spring and Fall, Bienville is used every Wednesday for brownbag in the park, and during the summer they have Kid's Day each week. You also have Mardi Gras, Bayfest, Chili Cookoff, St. Patrick's Luck of the Irish Celebration, Volunteer Mobile Annual Shrimp Cookoff. At least one 5k run has post race party there. The Walk-a-thon begins and ends there. Recently they started Fridays@5 with live music.

School kids use the park every week. School buses pull up on St. Joseph St and unload two to three buses of kids who picnic in the park.

Cathedral Square is used daily and hosts arts related events during the weekends.

How much more use do you require?

[CottonCity251]

I really do think a park or a hotel with penthouses at the top is the best option for the old courthouse property, mid-rise of course...about 13-18 floors. I don't think retail will fit in quite nice in that area. I see St. Louis Street being a better corridor for retail than anywhere downtown. A market would be better at Cooper Riverside Park than anywhere else. First the city should do trials at other areas downtown...say Bienville Square, Cathedral Square, or an empty lot...before just building a facility to accommodate a market.

The park is going to be built though.

By the way, do any of you who argue that there is no need for another park even go downtown? Bienville Square and Cathedral Square are used. When I was in high school our photography class went there almost everyday around lunch time and there was always a nice size crowd. Spanish Plaza is away from the central business district and is in front of an entertainment graveyard(Civic Center)...there is very little foot traffic in that area, that is why it is rarely used but nice to have.

[elb401]

:previous: :previous: I like the idea of the hotel. St. Louis street could be made into something cool.

The only hope for spanish plaza is to do something with the civic center.

I'm not saying that the whole courthouse site needs to be a park just the part facing the museum on royal street. How much of the space is going to be taken up by the new probate court?

[bayou15]

Someone tell me, why are we talking about this subject again? I thought the mayor already stated it was geauxing to be a park. Did I miss something?

[BlessedMobile]

Spanish Plaza could be very important depending on how we redevelop the Civic Center property. I hope this property is addressed in the new downtown development plan. Spanish Plaza could be a gateway into that development.

I agree that Spanish Plaza would provide a very nice park near a redeveloped civic center property. Let's be merciful and tear that money pit down. Since we won't have any sizeable trees on the civic center lot we will have an area nearby that will give residents in the multiple mid-rise condos a place to connect with the land. I hope those residents will get to overlook downtown rather than a large bridge as is likely.

[NitekKetin]

This is somewhat of an absurd question but what purpose does the Civic Center Arena serve? Large functions such as trade and auto shows seem to take place at the Convention Center and Mitchel Center. Perhaps Expo Hall could be renovated and re-purposed into a high quality performing arts theater. A smaller civic arena could be developed north of Downtown.

Oh yes, I could see a moderately dense mixed use development, featuring a full-scale supermarket and regional department store, be constructed on the Civic Center's massive site.

[montysano]

There's nothing wrong with more green space(parks) downtown,but we have several parks that's under used now why have another so the bums can run everybody off.

Compelling public space is one of the common threads of great cities (great architecture is another).

I spent time in Chicago last summer. Millennium Park occupies real estate that must be worth 100s of millions of $$$, yet I doubt you'd find many locals who would advocate ripping it up for "something that turns a profit". And that's just one of many parks and green spaces in downtown Chicago. They were jammed with people the whole time we were there, and the views of Chicago's architecture from the park are just breathtaking.

Same with New Orleans, where we lived in the pre-Katrina era. If there is anything nicer than being in Jackson Square on a beautiful day, I haven't experienced it. Same here in Huntsville with our Big Spring Park, which anchors the downtown.

Mobile has the raw materials, but it will take time and vision to pull it together. But you have to get people coming to downtown, hanging out in downtown. This requires lodging, retail, dining, architecture, and interesting public spaces. You don't yet have that "Wow, it's great to be here" public space, but you're heading in the right direction.

Re: the "bums". Huntsville recently zoned a long-standing homeless shelter out of a neighborhood, forcing it to move. It will likely move to a more industrial area. It's a tricky situation: on one hand, we all want to do the right thing and help those who are less fortunate. However, I don't believe that this should be done at the expense of an entire neighborhood, which is what happened to the historic Lowe Mill neighborhood here in Huntsville. That homeless shelter, that one building, determined the fate of that whole neighborhood for as long as I've lived here. It appears, I must say, that the same thing is happening in downtown Mobile.

What is the main source of the indigent in downtown Mobile? Is it the church that is just west of Bienville Square?

[The 251]

What happened to the NBA Development league team was stationed at the civic center arena? :shrug: I would love to come watch some of those games... I heard we won the championship (with Skip to My Lou and Jamario Moon playing, and Sam Vincent coaching) and then just quit? That is very disappointing. I hope the league decides to organize another team in Mobile in the near future.

Also.. I have looked everywhere for some photos of downtown and the bay from the top of RSA. I would gladly pay for them, if they exist. Can anyone help me out with this?

[Bayside]

Also.. I have looked everywhere for some photos of downtown and the bay from the top of RSA. I would gladly pay for them, if they exist. Can anyone help me out with this?

You might check with this photographer. Here are some pictures from within the RSA spire: Inside the spire of the tallest building in Alabama (http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop.html)

[nimsjus]

What happened to the NBA Development league team was stationed at the civic center arena? :shrug: I would love to come watch some of those games... I heard we won the championship (with Skip to My Lou and Jamario Moon playing, and Sam Vincent coaching) and then just quit? That is very disappointing. I hope the league decides to organize another team in Mobile in the near future.

Also.. I have looked everywhere for some photos of downtown and the bay from the top of RSA. I would gladly pay for them, if they exist. Can anyone help me out with this?
The Revelers were scrapped due to a complete lack of attendance. I don't know if it would even be possible to find the figures, but I want to say they averaged in the vicinity of 1-2K fans per game over the course of the season. Some games had crowds that didn't crack 1k. I think part of the problem was that Mobile tends not to be the first place to jump at something new. In hindsight it seems crazy to think that a few years ago we had a team with two NBA players(Rayford and Jamario), an NBA coach (Vincent) and a Harlem Globetrotter(Eugene Edgerson), that could not draw 1k fans. At the time though, the NBDL was new and people here were not sure what to make of it. I am a huge bball fan and I never went to a game because I didn't think any of those guys had a shot of making it to the NBA(and if they did, they would be the last guy on the bench who never plays). We didn't know if it would be like baseball, where minor league players frequently make the move to the big leagues, or like arena/semipro football, where almost noone moves up to the NFL. The only thing that was obvious was that we had a good team in a league full of above average college players, highschoolers that werent drafted/couldnt make grades for college, and street ball guys trying to make it legit. Playing in the civic center did not help the cause either. If they played at the Mitchell Center or a new arena in the city, it might have been a different story.

[Alxx611]

A few updates:

Hampton Inn:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0189.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0188.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0187.jpg

Space 301 (the glass atrium looks much smaller than I expected)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0192.jpg


Crescent Theatre construction

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0190-1.jpg

Some spires

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0183.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0184.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0195.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0197.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0199.jpg

I wasn't brave enough to climb the fire escape, too many cops roaming around the area.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0201.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0200.jpg

"Support the tanker"


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0177.jpg

[LightMangler]

My info is that the Tower lights will be tested tomorrow night.

The turn on date is not too far off.

Keep watching the skies!!!

[Port_of_Bama]

A few updates:

Hampton Inn:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0189.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0188.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0187.jpg

Space 301 (the glass atrium looks much smaller than I expected)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0192.jpg


Crescent Theatre construction

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0190-1.jpg

Some spires

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0183.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0184.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0195.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0197.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0199.jpg
I wasn't brave enough to climb the fire escape, too many cops roaming around the area.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0201.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0200.jpg

"Support the tanker"


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0177
.jpg




A park for the old courthouse site would be good only if they agreeto bring functions to it.
There is hardley any new development near the areas where pic 9 & 10 are shot. Those are some very ugly surface parking lots and what drove the city to tear down such historic buildings for those parking lots? If I was a developer I would build condos and retail on those infamous surface parking lots. I thought the city was trying to make those things a thing of Mobile`s past ?!!!

IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0197.jpg[/IMG]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0199.jpg

[Randallg223]

I'm new to this forum, but a life long resident of Mobile. It's exciting to see the growth of downtown Mobile. I never thought I'd ever see another building taller than the AmSouth being building built in downtown. My hope now is that the attention Mobile has recieved lately will draw the attention of a few private developers to see that this area has a lot to offer and that some large condo/retail/office towers will spring up. Maybe even another RSA/David Bonner investment or two. Heck we can turn the keys of the city over to him, would be fine with me. The man has vision and knows a good deal when he see's one. And right now Mobile is HOT!!! and I think the word is out. So hopefully major developments or in our very near future.

[CottonCity251]

Great pictures Alxx611!!

[Port_of_Bama]

I'm new to this forum, but a life long resident of Mobile. It's exciting to see the growth of downtown Mobile. I never thought I'd ever see another building taller than the AmSouth being building built in downtown. My hope now is that the attention Mobile has recieved lately will draw the attention of a few private developers to see that this area has a lot to offer and that some large condo/retail/office towers will spring up. Maybe even another RSA/David Bonner investment or two. Heck we can turn the keys of the city over to him, would be fine with me. The man has vision and knows a good deal when he see's one. And right now Mobile is HOT!!! and I think the word is out. So hopefully major developments or in our very near future.


Welcome aboard my man !! I`m happy to see so many people in Mobile taking pride in the city. If every body realy supports the city come down town and spend a day ,Mobile has so much potential. All we need is vision and investment.

[bayou15]

The lastest on the site according to Downtonmobile alliance.........
The land is on the market. The developer has one offer and a second coming soon hmmm.........

Also the chamber has its latest 4/08 info out.
http://www.mobilechamber.com/view/2008/4-2008.pdf




''Have a Great Day" (Coach Miles,2007).:tup:

[Bama_75]

Went downtown and seen the test of the crown. It seems much brighter than the RSA crown.

[elb401]

I can't wait to see it!

[Alxx611]

This is an awesome view of downtown from about 10 miles out on Highway 90. I actually zoomed in with my 10x lens, but the view still looks good in person and out of zoom.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0207.jpg

[Port_of_Bama]

This is an awesome view of downtown from about 10 miles out on Highway 90. I actually zoomed in with my 10x lens, but the view still looks good in person and out of zoom.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/100_0207.jpg


Wow ! not bad put about 2 ,three or fourhundred footers to fill the gap on the left side of RSA and we are realy in there. Doesn`t look bad for a city of 198,000 people though, I personaly think that Mobile`s population is around 205,000 now the 198,000 is 2000 census estimates. Mobile Police Department jurisdiction covers 0ver 250,000 residents !

[CottonCity251]

Someone finally got the shot, great photography Alxx611.

[bayou15]

:previous: Yeah I agree (2or3 more 400footers), But we can t keep on loosing projects(Watersteet landing three towers 22stories each, Courthouse condo 24stories) . Mobile's police jurisdiction now maybe scaring 300k with the annex to the airport and the influx of people to Tillman's Corner , and Theodeaux:tup:

[Scottybo]

From Fairhope Pier:

http://www.establishedboard.com/images/179.JPG

[DruidCity]

I really like that shot from Fairhope (reminds me of the view from Sea Cliff in Daphne, where I have a condo). I also remember staying at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear when Mobile's RSA tower was under construction, and being surprised to see Mobile's skyline from that distance.

[Musicisright]

The port of Mobile just added two 240 ft tall cranes to the Mobile Container Terminal at Choctaw Point.

"Our big toys arrived today," said Brian Clark, project director for the terminal. "They are brand-new, just delivered from China. They've been about 16 months in the making."

Link to the Press Register story (http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1206110853285650.xml&coll=3)

Photos by Mike Kittrell, Press Register

http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08126/cranes1600.png


http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08126/cranes2610.png

[Port_of_Bama]

From Fairhope Pier:

http://www.establishedboard.com/images/179.JPG

Hmmm like I said before not bad at all ,put a 300 footer between the RSA and the hotel. Then put a 350 footer and a 400 footer on the left side of that sky line nice !!!

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Port_of_Bama/?action=view&current=020.jpg



http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Port_of_Bama/?action=view&current=013.jpg

[NitekKetin]

The familiarity of this storefront facade made me wonder if Abercrombie & Fitch would be relocating to Legacy Village from Bel Air Mall anytime soon. From the looks of it, it probably is some midscale national retailer new to the market. Harold's...perhaps?

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r295/NitekKetin/DSC00974.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r295/NitekKetin/DSC00973.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r295/NitekKetin/DSC00972.jpg

Getting back to Downtown, I think you can spot the new, blue cranes of the Container Terminal all the way from southbound I-165.

[Musicisright]

Riverview's crown was lit tonight. The view from I-10 Eastbound took my breath away.

[yeahwhatever]

we can t keep on loosing projects(Watersteet landing three towers 22stories each, Courthouse condo 24stories)

how can you say the courthouse condo was a lost project if it was never a project in the first place?

as for waterstreet landing, the project would still be in motion if there was a real demand for that type of residential development downtown. i know the major investor died during the planning stages, but if the development had a good chance for success someone else would have taken over. in a few years mobile will definitely be ready to support a big development like this, but it has to be a gradual process and we're just getting started.

[nimsjus]

This may be what you are talking about at legacy village...
Francesca's Collection has leased 1,725 square feet in Legacy Village at Spring Hill on Du Rhu Drive off Dauphin Street and will open in June, according to Alex Pate of The Mitchell Company , the leasing agent for the center. Francesca's features women's fashions, gifts, home accessories and jewelry and has stores in 22 states.
Plus there was a great article on the renovation going on in the Neisner's and Kress buildings downtown. The buildings are two of the largest left unused in downtown. Both are former department stores that had lots of difficult spaces to use(which is why they and the gayfers buildings went unused for so long). With these two buildings being used, I think we may see more new construction infill(midrise/highrise) if more space is desired downtown.
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/120626380595580.xml&coll=3

[phoenixboi08]

Does anyone know whether or not there is any public space in the RSA? I was really disappointed that they didn't create a public observation deck.
http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-9_site.jpg http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-1_site.jpg
http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-7_site.jpg http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-4_site.jpg
http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-8_site.jpg http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-5_site.jpg
http://www.michaelmastro.com/photo_rsa-rooftop/rsa_rooftop-3_site.jpg
Also, I remember hearing talk of moving the metro jail a few years ago but it was shot down. I think it would be nice if the jail was moved. It would open up a LOT of space. I think a rather large park could be placed there (among other things...:D )

Oh, and now that I think about it, what's the deal with all the land just west of downtown? Everyone's fighting for a park on the old courthouse site, but a park maybe TWICE the size of Central Park could easily be placed there (not that I think we need a park quite THAT large :P)

And last but not least, does anyone know how much the tanker deal will affect service at the MRA?

[SouthSky]

And last but not least, does anyone know how much the tanker deal will affect service at the MRA?

In the short term, increased travel. In the long term, more destinations. For example, Northrop Grumman is based in LA and there probably would be enough travel between Mobile and LA to add direct flights.

I could see more density on routes already offered too.

Also, maybe a DC flight as EADS NA is based in Arlington, Virginia.

[bayou15]

Yeahwhatever........The courthouse condo was looking to happen. The city had neaux voice in the project and could do nothing to stop progress.......

But then the steelmill came along and the county and city struck a deal. The city gave millions to support the mill. Which the county said, geaux ahead and build your homeless shelter(park).


The waterstreet landing project is on the market, from my sources their are at least two developers looking to buy. But who neaux what will become of it.

[BlessedMobile]

I once thought that the more parks we had the more street people would inhabit them. My friends in my hometown of Savannah tell me that they don't have that kind of problem because of all the "occupied" buildings. When we have that and we are getting there we will have fewer of the problem people downtown. Someone said something the other day that made a lot of sense; they said that as rents and sale prices go up that the buildings catering to the homeless would be replaced by those willing and able to pay more money. It is just a case of simple economics. oh yea, I was downtown Sunday morning and there were a ton of people everywhere.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Green spaces are what give a city or downtown its attractiveness...sure you need nice buildings and shops and places to eat, but green space is really what makes it pop - look where the highest rent districts are in NYC... PARK avenue! or anywhere else for that matter! near green spaces! Mobile needs to take note...Bienville and Cathedral Squares don't do NEAR enough!

[10101000]

http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2007-01.html

Shows that both Mobile & Baldwin counties have increase, new figure is 576,172. I am sure when the 2010 census is done that more numbers will show.

[Port_of_Bama]

http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2007-01.html

Shows that both Mobile & Baldwin counties have increase, new figure is 576,172. I am sure when the 2010 census is done that more numbers will show.


Hmmm not bad I see Mobile county has grown nearly 8,000 in the past 4 years.I wonder how they do the census ? I`m still convinced that Mobile County was undercounted. I realy think that Mobile County is around the 430 or 440 thousand mark, we came from 402,000 + in 2006 to 404,000 + in 2007 based on the census I say 430,000 not in growth but just in general. Timothy Crystal I was shocked to see that Mobile was in the 400,000`s along with Baton Rouge and New Orleans !! I thought they both were around the 700,000 range as for county population that is East Baton Rouge and Jefferson Parishes were both in the 400,000`s.

My guess for the 2010 CSA population for Mobile may be knocking at the door around 700,000 but if they include the Mississippi counties of jackson,Gereene,and Clark county and as well as Washington and Escambia county Alabama Mobile`s CSA can very well be around 1.3 or 1.4 million in 2010. If you include those counties as of now 2008 it`s already around 900,000 + now.Baldwin County continue to fill in the gaps between Mobile and P-cola the Mobile Pensicola CSA population for 2008 is alreday around 1.3 million now in 2010 it can very well be around 1.7 million !!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Hmmm not bad I see Mobile county has grown nearly 8,000 in the past 4 years.I wonder how they do the census ? I`m still convinced that Mboilecounty was undercounted. I realy think that Mobile County is around the 430 or 440 thousand mark, we came drom 402,000 + in 2006 to 404,000 + in 2007 based on the census I say 430,000 not in growth but just in general. Timothy Crystal I was shocked to see that Mobile was in the 400,000`s along with Baton Rouge and New Orleans !! i thought they both were around the 700,000 range as for county population that is East Baton Rouge and Jefferson Parishes were both in the 400,000`s.

My guess for the 2010 CSA population for Mobile may be knocking at the door around 700,000 but if they include the Mississippi counties of jackson,Gereene,and Clark county and as well as Washington and Escambia county Alabama Mobile`s CSA can very well be around 1.3 or 1.4 million in 2010. I f you included thsoe counties as of now 2008 it`s already around 900,000 plust now.Baldwin County continue to fill in the gaps between Mobile and P-cola the Mobile Pensicola CSA population for 2008 is alreday around 1.3 million now in 2010 it can very well be around 1.7 million !!

well East Baton Rouge Parish is quite small in land area compared to Mobile County, you have to look at its adjacent parishes...Ascension of 99,000 and Livingston of 116,000, Ibverville of 32,000 and West Baton Rouge of 22,000 you do get a total of over 700,000... thats why - same for Jefferson Parish- if you include Orleans, St. Tammany, Jefferson, and Plaquemines all which are def. part of the metro, you get over 900,000....the difference here is that the Parishes are much smaller than our counties

[10101000]

This is not about Louisiana, this is about Mobile

[buckett5425]

Yall's estimates just seem grossly out of control, 1.3 million? Mobile is NOT that large of a city. I have been there, and seen it first hand. Memphis has a MSA of 1.2 million as does New Orleans. Now compare those two cities to Mobile. Does Mobile seem equal to them? No!....Now I agree, loving your city is a great thing, but lets get with reality here. First it was "we need a trump tower" to now our MSA over a million. Get with reality, please. Mobile is only going to continue to grow and prosper, but im sorry, the city isnt as great as memphis and nola....atleast not for a couple of more years ;-).


On another note, I heard an add for the Air Force Tanker project on the radio in Baton Rouge yesterday. The ad explained the the legislators are working hard to bring this project to mobile, and that it will help all of the deep south, with all the the vendors and distributors that will also be involved in the project. I found it really interesting that they were advertiseing in baton rouge, but the message stressed that we too, need to call our legislators to help mobile, keep a project that was rightfully theirs, and that Boeing was just a bunch of sore losers.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

LOL...right on Buckett - well i never was saying that mobile was 1.3 mil...that is retarded, since birmingham isnt even that big! but i mean, i guess if you're trying to do CSA stuff its different than MSA, but the lines on the gulf coast are so hard to draw since its kinda just one big blob of population between new orleans and panama city... what i was saying is that when you are looking at the numbers of the metro areas of the south, you have to compare areas of different sizes, which in different states may include more or less counties or parishes

i still think its funny they are playing the radio ads for the air force tankers here in BR, but im really glad they are! Mobile's all psyched about this and we really need this contract to pull through!

[phoenixboi08]

Well, let's hope that we don't push 1 million too soon. I'm not knocking growth, but I think Mobile's finally in a state where it's begining to learn how to promote growth and sustain it. Too much too soon will ruin the balance...Or who knows? Maybe I'm wrong (and god do I hope I am. 1 MIllion...:worship: )

[Scottybo]

I'd hate to see Airport Blvd in 3-7 years.

[phoenixboi08]

I hate it now:D Mobile really needs to invest in expanding the highway (when the time comes of course...)

[Port_of_Bama]

Yall's estimates just seem grossly out of control, 1.3 million? Mobile is NOT that large of a city. I have been there, and seen it first hand. Memphis has a MSA of 1.2 million as does New Orleans. Now compare those two cities to Mobile. Does Mobile seem equal to them? No!....Now I agree, loving your city is a great thing, but lets get with reality here. First it was "we need a trump tower" to now our MSA over a million. Get with reality, please. Mobile is only going to continue to grow and prosper, but im sorry, the city isnt as great as memphis and nola....atleast not for a couple of more years ;-).


On another note, I heard an add for the Air Force Tanker project on the radio in Baton Rouge yesterday. The ad explained the the legislators are working hard to bring this project to mobile, and that it will help all of the deep south, with all the the vendors and distributors that will also be involved in the project. I found it really interesting that they were advertiseing in baton rouge, but the message stressed that we too, need to call our legislators to help mobile, keep a project that was rightfully theirs, and that Boeing was just a bunch of sore losers.


I know Mobile`s CSA isn`t 1.3 million my friend, but I do know that other counties should be included in the CSA population. Any body with good sense can see that Mobile does not have a CSA population of 1.3 million and you have good sense and you can see that. I used the population counts from counties that surround Mobile County from Jackson County ,Miss to Escambia County ,Fla there is around 1.3 million people thats what I got the numbers from. My hope is that if they decide to combine all 8 counties which make up a population of 1.3 million it would become a megalopolis if i`m not mistakin. Just like your friend said before there is a huge dense population between N.O and Panama and it would be hard to just single it out as 1 big CSA N.O, Mobile and P-cola it would be hard to define.

[eastbayblu]

The new Hampton Inn site and some pics of the skyline.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200054.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200051.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200036.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200041.jpg

[Port_of_Bama]

The new Hampton Inn site and some pics of the skyline.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200054.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200051.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200036.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn176/eastbayblu2/P3200041.jpg


The hotel has added some density to that block and urbinity.I wish it had a little more hight to it though around 200 feet.

[bayou15]

Did anyone figure out which one is taller, the Riverview hotel or the tomb stone(bank building)? Can t tell from the pic above.

[Scottybo]

Did anyone figure out which one is taller, the Riverview hotel or the tomb stone(bank building)? Can t tell from the pic above.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3431578&postcount=1346

ABB by a few stories.

[Bama_75]

The hotel does add a lot to the block...good pics.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I'd hate to see Airport Blvd in 3-7 years.

i hate to see airport blvd now...

not just the traffic, but damn...its ugly as hell!

[10101000]

Yall's estimates just seem grossly out of control, 1.3 million? Mobile is NOT that large of a city. I have been there, and seen it first hand. Memphis has a MSA of 1.2 million as does New Orleans. Now compare those two cities to Mobile. Does Mobile seem equal to them? No!....Now I agree, loving your city is a great thing, but lets get with reality here. First it was "we need a trump tower" to now our MSA over a million. Get with reality, please. Mobile is only going to continue to grow and prosper, but im sorry, the city isnt as great as memphis and nola....atleast not for a couple of more years ;-).


On another note, I heard an add for the Air Force Tanker project on the radio in Baton Rouge yesterday. The ad explained the the legislators are working hard to bring this project to mobile, and that it will help all of the deep south, with all the the vendors and distributors that will also be involved in the project. I found it really interesting that they were advertiseing in baton rouge, but the message stressed that we too, need to call our legislators to help mobile, keep a project that was rightfully theirs, and that Boeing was just a bunch of sore losers.


http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2007-01.html

Well, I hate to break it to you, but you need to look at the NOLA figures again. New Orleans is not as big as it use to be, Orleans parish as of July 07 was 239,124, and the metro dropped too; take a look at the link above. The rest moved to Livingston. The rest of the people in this thread (Mobile), please do not make anymore accusations about Louisiana and Alabama, because it starts complications with others looking at how we, as a city, act, even though most are not living in Mobile. However, my intention was to post how the city and metro has grown. Oh, and Bucket I heard the ad, it did not say anything about Boeing being a bunch of sore losers, where did you get that from?

Last, some fellow took some awesome pics of Mobile, check out this link.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=148081

[Port_of_Bama]

Airport west of Florida street has no charecter just traffic and a big strip mall. I love the photos especialy the one black and white one. My favorite part of downtown is The Fort Conde Village and see that the poster was interested in it. ThAt Part of Mobile realy reflects what Mobile truely is and was. I wish they would redo those buildings in the Frt Conde area and replicate some other area in Mobile just like it brick streets, gas lit street lights and Spanish architecture the whole works. I agree that we need to fill all the buildings downtown first then build up. When they build up I hope they fill in the west and north side of downtown most development is in the east and south. downtown Mobile is pretty big in terms of land size the hank Aron Loop which is the Broad,Water,and Canal street connection. That is a large area but some people think of downtown as just the Bienville and entertainment district area.The north east portion of Broad street needts infill the most around the Orange Grove area redo the historic houses in the area and tare down the junk and build new houses to blend in with the historic houses.


TimothoynCrystal I for one know that you didn`t post the census to compare it just shocked me that Mobile county was in the same ball park with Lousiana`s largest parishes. I thought that they both were in the 500,000 or 600,000 `s I know that N.O and B-ham are the same as in CSA population and I thought that Orleans Parish ,well in the past like 2005 was in the 600,000`s like Jefferson county, hell my bad if I offended anybody about there city.

Back to Mobile ! oh yeah TimothynCrystal do you know were the painting on the wall is on those pics I have never seen those before.

[phoenixboi08]

i hate to see airport blvd now...

not just the traffic, but damn...its ugly as hell!

I KNOW! I think that that area is where Condo investments should be made....kinda like the Bankhead area in Atlanta...I don't know...I really wish something could be done about it:yuck:

[10101000]

Airport west of Florida street has no charecter just traffic and a big strip mall. I love the photos especialy the one black and white one. My favorite part of downtown is The Fort Conde Village and see that the poster was interested in it. ThAt Part of Mobile realy reflects what Mobile truely is and was. I wish they would redo those buildings in the Frt Conde area and replicate some other area in Mobile just like it brick streets, gas lit street lights and Spanish architecture the whole works. I agree that we need to fill all the buildings downtown first then build up. When they build up I hope they fill in the west and north side of downtown most development is in the east and south. downtown Mobile is pretty big in terms of land size the hank Aron Loop which is the Broad,Water,and Canal street connection. That is a large area but some people think of downtown as just the Bienville and entertainment district area.The north east portion of Broad street needts infill the most around the Orange Grove area redo the historic houses in the area and tare down the junk and build new houses to blend in with the historic houses.


TimothoynCrystal I for one know that you didn`t post the census to compare it just shocked me that Mobile county was in the same ball park with Lousiana`s largest parishes. I thought that they both were in the 500,000 or 600,000 `s I know that N.O and B-ham are the same as in CSA population and I thought that Orleans Parish ,well in the past like 2005 was in the 600,000`s like Jefferson county, hell my bad if I offended anybody about there city.

Back to Mobile ! oh yeah TimothynCrystal do you know were the painting on the wall is on those pics I have never seen those before.

You did not offend me, I just hate when others make comments about us Mobilians, without looking in to their region. About the pics, I have no idea where those are, I was wondering the same thing.

[Port_of_Bama]

I KNOW! I think that that area is where Condo investments should be made....kinda like the Bankhead area in Atlanta...I don't know...I really wish something could be done about it:yuck:


condos on Airport not bad, do you guys think tha a brownstone development would be nice on sirport or it wouldn`t fit that area ? and I see were you are coming from TnC well I love to dream big about my city I have treveled to many places but just for some crazy reason I love Mobile so much. Our shopping sucks to me for a city our size but I love it any way ,Mobile is in my heart and that will never change.

[nimsjus]

You did not offend me, I just hate when others make comments about us Mobilians, without looking in to their region. About the pics, I have no idea where those are, I was wondering the same thing.

They are in an alley way between two buildings off of Dauphin. If you are coming from the west on Dauphin, they will be on your left in the vicinity of the Cathedral. I have noticed them for years and thought that more things like it would add to the character of Mobile(especially the arts scene).

[10101000]

They are in an alley way between two buildings off of Dauphin. If you are coming from the west on Dauphin, they will be on your left in the vicinity of the Cathedral. I have noticed them for years and thought that more things like it would add to the character of Mobile(especially the arts scene).

I like it.

[Port_of_Bama]

They are in an alley way between two buildings off of Dauphin. If you are coming from the west on Dauphin, they will be on your left in the vicinity of the Cathedral. I have noticed them for years and thought that more things like it would add to the character of Mobile(especially the arts scene).

yeah that would add on to the charecter of Mobile and color whouldo it also. I saw a pic of downtown Mobile on the frontpage of Mobilebay magizine and it showed Dauphin street and the RSA tower and it it seemed to have full of charecter and culture from just that 1 shot clors and all. It seemed like a carribean city a little.



Not downtown related : Does anybody know of any small IT(Information Technology) firms in Mobile , Please help thanks ?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

...and I see were you are coming from TnC well I love to dream big about my city I have treveled to many places but just for some crazy reason I love Mobile so much. Our shopping sucks to me for a city our size but I love it any way ,Mobile is in my heart and that will never change.

yea...i've traveled all over the place, and while i'll stay in baton rouge for several years after i graduate most likely, i still love mobile dearly, it just needs like you say...more shopping/dining

plus, to all the stuff about the AL/LA comparisons, what I was saying was that the numbers in the spreadsheet may be a little deceiving - since you cant only take into consideration Orleans Parish when trying to show the size of New Orleans, since more of the population was/is in Jefferson Parish just across the canal (in Metarie and Kenner) and the northshore/slidell area in St. Tammany Parish... Its just that in Alabama, Mobile & Baldwin Counties are so big that u can have a Metro the size of Mobile's within two counties easily...altho, like i had said earlier, the Miss. and Fla. gulf coasts are pretty integrated into our Metro, which is why we probably shouldn't even consider a metro, but a Combined Statistical Area, instead.

[SouthSky]

Not downtown related : Does anybody know of any small IT(Information Technology) firms in Mobile , Please help thanks ?

http://information-technology.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobresults.aspx?argv0=Alabama_Mobile&argv1=&ArgURL=/it.ic/Alabama_Mobile/%3F&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=d0b2f040596249e185d3265bc096fcd1-259773375-VB-4&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_information_technolog_

Full link: (add the http:// here)information-technology.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobresults.aspx?argv0=Alabama_Mobile&argv1=&ArgURL=/it.ic/Alabama_Mobile/%3F&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=d0b2f040596249e185d3265bc096fcd1-259773375-VB-4&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_information_technolog_

[10101000]

If anything, all that needs to happen is grow the two counties, no worries, this will happen. Have they mounted the new crains?

[nimsjus]

Most recent e-newsletter from the Downtown Mobile Alliance
http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/march_2008_enews.pdf

[MobileLSUboy2005]

If anything, all that needs to happen is grow the two counties, no worries, this will happen. Have they mounted the new crains?

i dunno, but when they do, will someone go take a pic and post it for me since i wont be in mobile for a few more weeks?

[buckett5425]

http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2007-01.html

Well, I hate to break it to you, but you need to look at the NOLA figures again. New Orleans is not as big as it use to be, Orleans parish as of July 07 was 239,124, and the metro dropped too; take a look at the link above. The rest moved to Livingston. The rest of the people in this thread (Mobile), please do not make anymore accusations about Louisiana and Alabama, because it starts complications with others looking at how we, as a city, act, even though most are not living in Mobile. However, my intention was to post how the city and metro has grown. Oh, and Bucket I heard the ad, it did not say anything about Boeing being a bunch of sore losers, where did you get that from?

Last, some fellow took some awesome pics of Mobile, check out this link.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=148081


Timothy, I am sorry if you were, at all, upset about the comparisons, I really don't think that was any one's intentions. SSP, as you know is a forum, where dialog can be created, and everyone can express their opinion about developments and cities. I personally believe comparing cities is a great way to share in that dialog, and to see where cities have been, where they are going, how they can improve, and where they stack regionally. I have taken a great interest in Mobile developments, which is why I have been recently sharing in this dialog. If my comparison of Mobile to other cities offends you, because the numbers just don't add up in Mobile's favor, then I apologize. My comparing Mobile to other cities, isn't to knock the city, or poke fun at it, its simply to provide a perspective. I am positive you weren't upset when Forbes compared Mobile to other cities in the US, and decided it had the fastest growing economy.

As for New Orleans, I did not feel it was necessary to report that the New Orleans metro had lost about 150,000 people, because historically, it has been a city of 1.2 million, and I made the assumption people new that. As for how comparing cities gives a bad rep for mobilians, baffles me. If anything, one would assume Mobilians "dream big", especially if they had read the "trump" thread.

I really think Port of Bama summed everything up in the best possible way. The Deep South is growing so fast, period, that it is hard to pinpoint a specific metro along the gulf coast. You cant simply call it all of New Orleans, or Mobile, or Pensacola, and I agree completely with Port of Bama.

About the tanker ad, again Tim, you were being highly critical. Of course they did not use the lingo I did, about calling Boeing "sore losers." I can not remember specifically the words they used, but that phrased summed it up. But I can tell you I do remember them, in a very professional way, knocking Boeing for challenging the Air Forces decision. I hope that clears it up for you.

[10101000]

Thank you it does, and I am not offended, promise, life is too short for that, I am ready to go to the house, but school calls, all have a great evening and WAR EAGLE!

[mobile]

i've always thought that it would be cool to have casinos in mobile! if we could find a way around the system. like if a part of dauphin island was, or could be turned into an indian reservation, or if that could happen to some large part of southern mobile county. i think another great place maybe the best place would be on battleship parkway. i know you could fit at least 12 high rise casinos on battleship parkway.

[Del]

I believe those pictures are on the wall of the courtyard in the property that used to be John Word's---am I naming it right? On Dauphin, a few blocks west of Bienville Square. That restaurant closed before my time and has been several other things since---the pictures went in during one of its various incarnations as a New Orleans style restaurant IIRC. I THINK it's trying to be a home furnishings store now.

Edit: I'm sorry nimsjus, I didn't see your answer before I posted. This thread is moving so fast lately!

[nimsjus]

New Lagniappe...
http://www.lagniappemobile.com/

[Electrical Porpoise]

i've always thought that it would be cool to have casinos in mobile! if we could find a way around the system.I think they should tear down the First Baptist Church downtown and build it right on top of it.

[SouthSky]

I think they should tear down the First Baptist Church downtown and build it right on top of it.

Cheers.

[Port_of_Bama]

preciate the info sky, I hope the developer of the water street landing build some type of retail there. I will be glad when they finaly break ground on that Maritime museum thing sounds boring to me but what the heck it`s something. Atmore getting a casino that just suprises the heck out of me !! When they first built the convention center downtown thats what people thought it was going to be. I`m not a gambler but casinos on Mobile`s water front would have been interesting. Hmmm maybe thats what the developer of water street landing may do if thats possible. I would love to see a Hard Rock Cafe downtown.

[Del]

I think they should tear down the First Baptist Church downtown and build it right on top of it.

Sure, and Government Street Presbyterian while they're at it. Neither church brings in as much revenue as a casino would. All this about so-called "architectural treasures" is a lot of hooey.

[Musicisright]

I believe those pictures are on the wall of the courtyard in the property that used to be John Word's---am I naming it right? On Dauphin, a few blocks west of Bienville Square. That restaurant closed before my time and has been several other things since---the pictures went in during one of its various incarnations as a New Orleans style restaurant IIRC. I THINK it's trying to be a home furnishings store now.

Edit: I'm sorry nimsjus, I didn't see your answer before I posted. This thread is moving so fast lately!

I know it was called Mario's back like 5 years ago or so. Had some good New Orleans-style food.

[MobileMoving]

Sorry, not directly development related...but:

Big news to be released soon concerning a large Young Professional initiative in Mobile. Jobs, Networking, Community affairs, etc.

Stay tuned to www.maypa.org for more info! :cheers:

[nimsjus]

Do any of you guys read Lagniappe often? I read it regulalry and recently the real estate column has gone down hill. I think they may have changed writers. It used to be a good source for information on what was being built, being proposed, and being sold downtown. Now that downtown is booming it should be easy to write a bi monthly column on what is new , but instead the columns lately have been about the writers friend moving from California to Mobile. Just wanted to see if anyone else noticed a difference.

[Del]

Do any of you guys read Lagniappe often? I read it regulalry and recently the real estate column has gone down hill. I think they may have changed writers. It used to be a good source for information on what was being built, being proposed, and being sold downtown. Now that downtown is booming it should be easy to write a bi monthly column on what is new , but instead the columns lately have been about the writers friend moving from California to Mobile. Just wanted to see if anyone else noticed a difference.

I also read Lagniappe regularly, and I agree that what Ms. Egan is currently writing is not what I want to see in a real estate column. (I think she's written that column all along, btw, but I could easily be wrong.) Maybe she thought it would be interesting in the same way those shows on HGTV can be. (I did briefly become engaged when I read that the friend wasn't interested in Midtown because, since the streets all have a different character, she would have had to look at every house. Well, yeah, wouldn't you want to do that anyway? Unless perhaps she's buying a house sight-unseen from CA.)

[LHG]

West Mobile with all of its attributes should make her feel right at home...

[BlessedMobile]

I know it was called Mario's back like 5 years ago or so. Had some good New Orleans-style food.

"John Word's" as it was called had great food and a piano bar on the second floor. The atmosphere was what we all like about downtown restaurants ...warm, rustic ambience. Things were not hopping in the early 80's like they are now. He just did not have enough business to keep it up. There was no night life on Dauphin at the time except a few very rough bars.
John Word was among a handful of popular restauranteurs who put together Mobile's better restaurants during that time. There just wasn't a lot of variety in the 70's and 80's; the chains were becoming popular so the local places took the hit.

[Port_of_Bama]

Yo Blessed, the decline in the 70`s and 80`s you are talking about is it due to the closings in Brooklyfield ? I was born in 85 I was to young to know about ecomomics then, people have told me Mobile was realy doing good before Brookly became what it is now. Boieng claimed that Mobile has no experience in in air craft , but they use to build jet and air plane engines and tested them for the air force back in brookly`s hay day if i`m not mistaking. My mechanic told me he use to work on jet engines in Brooklyfield.


According to AL.com I believe they have included Balwdin county in our MSA again from my understanding they were excluded from Mobiles MSA. Today they said it is part of Mobile`s MSA unless theres a difference between metro Mobile and MSA.

[Bayside]

Yo Blessed, the decline in the 70`s and 80`s you are talking about is it due to the closings in Brooklyfield ?

Port ... I can't speak for Blessed, but the Brookley closure did contribute to the downtown decline. Mostly, though, it was due to the loss of retail to Springdale Plaza, and later, to BelAir Mall. With no retail, there was no reason to come downtown. Restaurants closed when shoppers went away. As the population moved westward, other non-retail businesses moved west, too.

I first worked downtown in the early 80s and it was dead as a doornail. More dead that you might imagine. Happily, we have come a very long way since then, but we are still not at the activity level of the 40s and 50s.