[Electrical Porpoise]

I was reading the paper today and it mentioned that if the Airforce rebid the contract. A law would be passed to prevent any foreign companies from doing work with the governmant.

They must have been referring to something else because I do not think they would reverse what our whole country was built on.

[CottonCity251]

They must have been referring to something else because I do not think they would reverse what our whole country was built on.

It was included last month into the House version of the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. It is not included in the Senate version, I don't think it will stick.

[BlessedMobile]

[QUOTE=bayou15;3631874]These won't happen for Mobile;

1) Tanker Project
2) DaLE Jr. raceway park
3) Another skyscraper for downtown
4) A big time (SOLD OUT)concert at civic center:haha:


Just curious of your conclusion on #2. Would your doubt be the environmental issues? A feeling the developers aren't on the up and up? Something else you've heard? I'm just trying to get a handle on the doubt regarding this in particular.

As much as I would like to see the track built I believe they can't get the money. The handful of people who are calling themselves the "developers" have put little money into the project. I do expect the economy to get the blame when they decide not to do the work. The environment is the handy smokescreen right now while they try to get money; the COE is not that difficult to work with. I am saying this from a "knowing the facts" standpoint but I am not able to give you the reasons at this time. I'll be more than glad to eat my words if they pull this off. It will probably come to a decision by September or October at the latest.

[10101000]

Sounds like we all need a cup of coffee!

[10101000]

The Alabama State Port Authority agreed Tuesday to accept Regions Bank's bid to buy $50 million in bonds to finance partially a steel terminal on Pinto Island, moving forward with a plan adopted in November 2006 as part of recruiting German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp to Mobile County.

A large portion of the $50 million will go toward a down payment on three cranes — about $24 million, or 80 percent of the total cost, docks Director Jimmy Lyons said.

The $115 million project is entering the construction phase, with a pair of bids being decided this month.

The first, a $24 million dock construction contract, was awarded to American Bridge Co. on June 11.

Five bids for site preparation that should total about $6.8 million were opened Thursday and are being reviewed.

The terminal — a plum piece of the $811 million or so incentives package that helped convince ThyssenKrupp AG to build its $3.7 billion steel facility in north Mobile County — will move slabs of crude steel made in Brazil from ships onto barges for transport up the Mobile and Tombigbee rivers to the plant.

Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. Ltd. (commonly known as ZPMC) of Shanghai was the low bidder on the cranes, which are set to arrive in October 2009, Lyons said.

The state docks said this week that work on another project, the $11.9 million access bridge for the Mobile Container Terminal, will close a half-mile stretch of Ezra Trice Boulevard starting Friday. The portion of the street that will be closed is between Virginia Street and the north side of the Yeend Street railroad crossing.

Drivers accessing the McDuffie Coal terminal, the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Clifton C. Williams wastewater treatment plant, the Mobile River Terminal and the Mobile Container Terminal will be routed from Virginia or Broad streets to Baker Street, then onto Yeend, according to the authority.

"Workers who traverse those areas will be affected, and should adjust their commute times accordingly," Adams said.

General contractor Hosea O. Weaver and Sons Inc. is driving piles for the bridge now, and work is expected to be complete by August 2009, according to docks spokeswoman Judy Adams.

At Tuesday's meeting, the authority also:

Outlined plans to sell two remaining parcels of former International Paper property near the Berg Spiral Pipe Corp. The authority set a minimum sale price of $38,000 per acre for the parcels, which are 10-plus acres and nearly 42 acres.

Set a goal of 16 percent for its Disadvantaged Enterprise Business program.

Increased the compensation of Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Van Scoyoc & Associates Inc. by $500 per month to $9,750 per month. The resolution gave no specific reason for the increase.

[phoenixboi08]

The Civic Center gets flack because the Convention Center and Mitchell Center have rendered this gaudy hulk nearly irrelevant.

Ah! But you also should consider the fact that it is PAID for. So the city could make a MUCH better profit if they would just USE it! That's the problem! We don't have conventions here or major concerts, because the city won't do what it takes to appeal to them...I mean it's ugly but that can be taken care of later on. The most important thing, is that it's not a burden to the city...well it WOULDN'T be if they would just USE it!:tup:

[The 251]

Ah! But you also should consider the fact that it is PAID for. So the city could make a MUCH better profit if they would just USE it! That's the problem! We don't have conventions here or major concerts, because the city won't do what it takes to appeal to them...I mean it's ugly but that can be taken care of later on. The most important thing, is that it's not a burden to the city...well it WOULDN'T be if they would just USE it!:tup:

I agree with you on that, but I think it would be MUCH more appealing to artists and fans if it was in better shape. I wouldnt mind paying $10 or 15 more for a ticket if the money went towards a little exterior renovation. :shrug:

[Port_of_Bama]

:previous: Interior as well.

[10101000]

Nice lighting too.

[phoenixboi08]

I agree with you on that, but I think it would be MUCH more appealing to artists and fans if it was in better shape. I wouldnt mind paying $10 or 15 more for a ticket if the money went towards a little exterior renovation. :shrug:

But THAT'S exactly my point! If they never actually USE it, then there'll never be a need to renovate it...to make it better.
It's like this: if they continue to use other venues, eventually, the Civic Center will be demolished or something to make room for something else. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's very likely...:shrug: Or maybe it's me speculating....


And I don't know if it's just me, but I'm seeing the cruise industry in Mobile EXPLODING!
And I don't just mean the number of ships baed here...I see MAJOR cruise ship building here within the next decade...that along with the Airbus commercial planes...Things are looking pretty bright!

[Scottybo]

Just in case any of you are interested...I'm sure you've heard of the Foosackly's Billboard and signs that say "We would like to offer Boeing a finger.". Now they're selling a T-shirt with the slogan on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Foosacklys-t-shirt-Wed-like-to-offer-boeing-a-finger_W0QQitemZ180258254340QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180258254340&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

[pkp]

Just in case you missed this in the P.R.

"We're all about the outdoors and conservation," said Stephanie Parrish, promotions manager for the new store. "Everybody that works here has a passion for hunting and fishing." Parrish said she enjoys sport fishing and used to work for a boat dealer.



They are so much about conservation that this development destroyed a couple hundred acres of woodlands building it and surrounding retail space. Also, there are so many of these things now (Three within two hours of us) that they have lost the appeal of being a tourist attraction. I just can't see getting excited about this thing.

[pkp]

I agree with you on that, but I think it would be MUCH more appealing to artists and fans if it was in better shape. I wouldnt mind paying $10 or 15 more for a ticket if the money went towards a little exterior renovation. :shrug:

The Wharf is quite possibly the worst venue for live music I have ever seen, and it gets a lot of acts. If you were to put the visitor stands from a high school football stadium in a swamp, its basically what you would get. Plus, it is an hour drive from any real population center, and the development itself really has nothing to offer - its half empty. I went to a concert there last year (Poison and Ratt) that was not even half full. The difference is that they have someone that is really out there selling the venue to artists management, and we just don't have that. When we do have a concert, its usually some has been act that couldn't sell out a a show in NYC, so it makes the attendance numbers look bad.

[Electrical Porpoise]

They are so much about conservation that this development destroyed a couple hundred acres of woodlands building it and surrounding retail space. All they were conserving were trees, that area was a steep, pine-filled, dump. The store offers a lot to local outdoorsmen that cant be found in places like Academy. And while you may not be excited, many certainly are that they dont have to drive two hours.

[The 251]

All they were conserving were trees, that area was a steep, pine-filled, dump. The store offers a lot to local outdoorsmen that cant be found in places like Academy. And while you may not be excited, many certainly are that they dont have to drive two hours.

man all he ever does is bash Baldwin County. Something productive happens there instead of in Mobile, and so he complains about it. I just dont understand.... We should all be supporting the entire region and the wonderful state we live in, not talking bad about it all the time

[SouthSky]

Sorry to bring up the tanker thing again, but here is an OP/ED from the Wall Street Journal about it:

http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB121435038896201509.html

The Tanker Dogfight
June 25, 2008; Page A14

The Air Force has fumbled the bidding for new aerial refueling tankers for seven years now, and suddenly it's John McCain's fault. That's election-year politics for you.
The Democratic National Committee claims it was Senator McCain who steered the $35 billion tanker contract away from Boeing and toward Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., or EADS. Democrats say the Arizona Senator was acting on orders from EADS lobbyists who later worked on his campaign staff.

The real story is that there was intense lobbying by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle during this bid – and that Senator McCain was right on principle to demand a fair and open competition that didn't exclude foreign firms.

This controversy blew back open last week when the Government Accountability Office, Congress's investigative arm, agreed with Boeing that Air Force officials unduly gave extra credit to Northrop and EADS for surpassing specification requirements for the tankers. The GAO also found that the Air Force miscalculated the costs of both the winning bid and Boeing's offering. The Air Force is now expected to request revised proposals from the two bidders and make a new selection. "Boeing and the American people are the big winners in this decision," said Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington state, where Boeing's tanker, if chosen, would be assembled.

The auditors didn't presume to decide which tanker was actually better. Neither will we. But this imbroglio is a blow to U.S. troops, who are stuck fighting two hot wars with Eisenhower-era tankers while the companies continue their dogfight. American taxpayers will also benefit little from prolonging the bidding process over a math error that amounts to a fraction of 1% of the total contract.
But Senator Cantwell did get the part about Boeing right. The Chicago-based company acknowledged all along that the competition was extremely tight; the basis of its protest was that a handful of decisions wrongly tipped the scales in Northrop-EADS's favor.

We take that to mean that either tanker would fulfill the Air Force's needs, and that Boeing managers were trying to placate shareholders – and perhaps save their own jobs – by appealing to the GAO. While an appeal was certainly Boeing's right, it's quite the spectacle to watch Congressional doves pose as born-again nationalists for domestic political purposes.

Washington state's other Senator, Democrat Patty Murray, railed again last week against what she called "handing billions of American defense dollars to a subsidized, foreign company focused on dismantling the American aerospace industry." Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt, a Republican, said it was "outrageous" to award the contract to a "foreign competitor."

Never mind that Defense Department rules explicitly state that companies from some countries, including EADS's home bases of France and Germany, should compete on equal footing with U.S. firms. Or that the Pentagon is barred from considering the effect of its procurements on domestic jobs.

Forget as well that EADS's partner, Northrop Grumman, is an American company. Or that Boeing would build much of its own tanker outside the U.S. Or that EADS would assemble its tanker in several states, including Alabama – whose Governor Bob Riley was in our offices just before the GAO released its findings, talking up the potential for a new aerospace corridor in the Southeast.

The most important point is that looking beyond America's borders is essential if the country is to maintain the best possible fighting force. U.S. companies don't have a monopoly on the best military technology. Closing America's borders to foreign defense contractors could also make life harder for Boeing and other U.S. firms when they try to do business overseas. European leaders will be furious if the Northrop-EADS contract is canceled for what seem to be political reasons, and could retaliate with protectionism of their own.

All the more reason for the Air Force to wrap up the renewed tanker bidding quickly and decisively.

[Muskavon]

^ Maybe we ought to make a separate tanker thread to keep the Mobile thread less contentious especially considering how highly political it has become and this is a presidential election year. I still feel the need to gripe about it and get things off my chest, but I'm trying not to hurt the overall Mobile thread by expressing them all because they become unavoidably and inherently political at their most basic level.

Anyway, I wanted to ask about this article in the Press-Register regarding the possible I-10 bridge proposals across the bay....

http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1214385407232400.xml&coll=3

Is there somewhere where a person can view all the proposed routes easily? I was on ADOT's site a week ago or so and didn't notice any obvious info regarding it (and I was having trouble staying online while on the site, so I gave up digging thru it). Any good links?

[10101000]

Good Morning my fellow Mobilians! How are you all today?


Faulkner State Community College hopes to begin avionics classes in 2009, part of a continuing state push to expand the training of aerospace workers. And the Mobile Aviation Center will likely lease a new building for students to work on planes, replacing a damaged hangar.

Bradley Byrne, chancellor of the state's two-year college system, held a news conference Wednesday at the Mobile Aviation Center to say that aviation worker training must continue despite the setback for Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS North America in their quest to assemble military refueling tankers at the Brookley Field Industrial Complex.

Last week, the Government Accountability Office upheld the protest of rival Boeing Co. that the Air Force had improperly awarded the contract to the Northrop Grumman team. That means the Air Force could have to restart the selection process, delaying a decision and casting doubt on whether the project will come to Mobile.

We would be foolish to wait," Byrne said of the delay. "We know that aviation, without EADS, without Northrop Grumman, is going to continue to grow here in Mobile."

Gary Branch, president of Baldwin County's Faulkner state, said he hoped the aviation electronics program would begin on the Bay Min ette campus with 25 to 30 students. That program still needs state approvals.

The Aviation Center has been teaching avionics for about two years. It has about 20 students in that field, said Larrie Zimmer, the center's director. Another 130 or so take classes in airplane maintenance.

Matthew Hughes, head of the governor's office of workforce development, said the center is looking to lease a new building at Brookley to store planes that students must work on in their classes. The old building was damaged by two hurricanes, he said.

[sandebr00]

I don't know if this is the most recent article concerning the proposed I-10 bridge, but according to the first link provided below, ALDOT has narrowed the possible sites from around 14 to 3, and this article contains a link showing the placement of the 3 finalists.

The article makes clear, however, that there is no consensus as to which of the three routes, if any, would be in the best interests of Mobile. In fact, a lot of business owners and historical preservationists appear to endorse a fourth alternative, which would increase the size of the I-65 and the Cochrane Bridge (off I-165), and route traffic from I-65 to the Cochrane bridge, and then onto the causeway, and eventually onto I-10.

According to the second article included below, "[a] state Transportation Department study from last year showed that shipyards could experience anywhere from $40 million to $250 million a year in lost business because of an I-10 bridge," which seems to confirm the objections of those who favor the I-65 route. However, the I-65 route is obviously not the most convenient route, nor is it the least expensive. So, there are benefits and drawbacks to each of the four routes being discussed.

http://mobilebaytimes.com/bridge.html

http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1214385407232400.xml&coll=3

[LHG]

I've heard the Civic Center Complex loses approx. $1M a year. The site is ripe for redevelopment.

[elb401]

the thing about the bridge is that it can destroy the whole reason for it. if it is placed over the ship yards......mobile county can stand to loss a net 1,000 jobs....this includes the gain from the steal mill and other expansions. the I-65 cochran bridge might be a little different but it can work. I have driven it several times and if the additions are made it would be faster than taking I-10 during the busy summer days.

but again its either getting people over the bay faster........or preserving thousands of jobs in Mobile. I hope they can find a way around it.

I would love to achieve both if it could happen, but if not I prefer to keep the thousands of jobs and use the northern route.

[SouthSky]

Aside from some proposed improvements to the northern route, I have heard that a western bypass is closer to reality than I once thought. I've heard somewhere between 2-5 years with more opinions siding on the shorter time frame.

This would aide travelers on I-10 transiting Mobile and more easily send them on a northern route.

[bayou15]

Hey cuz how many floors is the new hotel u talked about geauxing to be ?

20-25 stories?

[Muskavon]

As a Pensacolian who only travels thru Mobile (on my way to Casinos most of the time), I'd have to be sold how a widened northern 65 route would really alleviate traffic. Maybe it would take Mobilian/Baldwin residents off the main fair, but I'd have to see it to believe it. When you get beyond Mobile's plight, there is another issue. The I-10 corridor as a railroad for lack of a better term. It is a major commercial route. There is a study (I apologize for not linking it as I've just changed computers) that makes it clear even 6 lanes between New Orleans and Jacksonville will barely keep up with the needs by 2030. The Bay Bridge is an obvious bottleneck that must be addressed for trucks more than anything else. It is a costly delay situation on a national order beyond Mobile and our desires. The rest is much easier to expand. If you can honestly tell me that I and the truckers will pass easily thru the tunnel from now on with a 65 bypass...cool. But I think you know it won't help the real problem. Especially as Mobile and East Shore grows. You need a minimum of 6-8 lanes coming and going. And you need to kill all of those people who slow to 20mph to go thru the tunnel. Er...it is the same effing road you saw outside....just a roof over it...get over it and effing drive!

[Muskavon]

But I should mention a I-65 bridge would probably take NW Floridians right over the area of the proposed new racetracks. That would be an incredible bonus for Mobile. As it is...I know where it is going to be built...but I'd have to feel my way to the area. I've never been on or seen I-165.

[sandebr00]

I think the I-65 proposal could work if the State required all large commercial vehicles to travel it, and transportation officials got the word out to Mobilians, Pensacolians, and those along the MS Gulf Coast that the route would be faster for them. If all large commerical vehicles and many of the people living in or around the Mobile area used the alternate route, this potentially could allieviate some of the traffic. To further alleviate congestion, ALDOT needs to straighten the entrance to the tunnel, which might have the effect of getting people to drive faster through the tunnel, and not crawl at 20 mph. Finally, state transportation officials need to install signs along the interstate explaining that people can take one of the exits to downtown, and go through the old tunnel. Again, I don't think that this is a fix for all of the present and future congestion along that portion of I-10, but it could alleviate a substantial portion of it.

[elb401]

I agree. I think the northern route plan also includes forcing some of the truck traffic (and through traffic) to take it. Getting the big 18 wheelers away from the tunnel. The bridge over the bay will be 6 laned as the cochran bridge and I-10 come together somewhere between the causway and the current bridge. I hope a western bypass is built. it could reall help the situation!

[CottonCity251]

The most important point is that looking beyond America's borders is essential if the country is to maintain the best possible fighting force. U.S. companies don't have a monopoly on the best military technology. Closing America's borders to foreign defense contractors could also make life harder for Boeing and other U.S. firms when they try to do business overseas. European leaders will be furious if the Northrop-EADS contract is canceled for what seem to be political reasons, and could retaliate with protectionism of their own.

All the more reason for the Air Force to wrap up the renewed tanker bidding quickly and decisively.

That could cause turmoil.

[10101000]

That could cause turmoil.

Your right, but who cares?

[Electrical Porpoise]

There is no need for a southern bridge. We need to protect all the land we can for the port. As for the previous plans that included taking out Bender, those were just terrible ideas.

I personally think we already have a bridge. Perhaps the city could put maybe one sign up on I-65, rework part of I-165, and use the enormous bridge we already have.

[CottonCity251]

There is no need for a southern bridge. We need to protect all the land we can for the port. As for the previous plans that included taking out Bender, those were just terrible ideas.

I personally think we already have a bridge. Perhaps the city could put maybe one sign up on I-65, rework part of I-165, and use the enormous bridge we already have.

The Africatown Bridge doesn't help relieve traffic now on I-10 until the tunnel is already bagged-up. Sending folks on a detour won't fix congestion in the Wallace tunnel. The way I see it is either build a bridge or invest the money in public transit.

[nimsjus]

There is no need for a southern bridge. We need to protect all the land we can for the port. As for the previous plans that included taking out Bender, those were just terrible ideas.

I personally think we already have a bridge. Perhaps the city could put maybe one sign up on I-65, rework part of I-165, and use the enormous bridge we already have.

I laugh every time I come home on I-65 at the lack of signage for the I-165 bypass. All of the huge overhead signs say "To Prichard" and "To Downtown". There is one tiny little roadside sign right next to the I-165 exit that says "To I-10". If you were dependent on that sign to let you know it is an option you either would not see it or you would not be able to get over in time. They just need good signs and they need to force all truck traffic to that route. I've used that general route a few times to go downtown for Mardi Gras when coming from Auburn, but where I live it just isn't convenient.

[10101000]

Build your own sign, homemade!! LOL I am joking, sorry.

[Electrical Porpoise]

The Africatown Bridge doesn't help relieve traffic now on I-10 until the tunnel is already bagged-up. Sending folks on a detour won't fix congestion in the Wallace tunnel. The way I see it is either build a bridge or invest the money in public transit.How would it not? It doesn't help now because nobody except for locals know of it, and if they made it where US 90 (Bay Bridge Rd) was connected to I-165 ( off ramp off of the existing route to downtown) it would reroute all of the traffic coming and going from the north - nor would it be a detour, rather a shorter trip. Im talking about making it a permanent highway/interstate from I-65 to the Bayway with no traffic lights and something that will read as such on a map. You dont think that would help traffic?

Build your own sign, homemade!! LOL I am joking, sorry.:D I just might!

[10101000]

I would love to see it!

[bayou15]

why not two more tunnels? dig them deeper at 60':shrug:

[bayou15]

Hell dont look into the future . Thats the current problem we are having.

Does anyone else see the traffic on I-10 between Nawlins to P-Cola?


It's not just Mobile County, It's the whole West Florida Territory that clogged up.

6 lanes on I-10 right now would help the issue a little. Just think how bad the traffic would have been if Downtown Mobile would have got casinos. You can thank the Bible belt for that:brickwall:

[SouthSky]

Speaking of traffic...

The ALDOT site just added cams for the Mobile area. (There is no 65 or 165 cams as of yet)

This will also give you a live look at the skyline in some views for those people that are interested in that kind of stuff (me)

http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/apps/bureaus/design/its/publicits/CameraList.aspx

[pkp]

man all he ever does is bash Baldwin County. Something productive happens there instead of in Mobile, and so he complains about it. I just dont understand.... We should all be supporting the entire region and the wonderful state we live in, not talking bad about it all the time

I wouldnt' care where it is - I wouldn't like it anyway. I am really not much of a fan of the race track that is proposed in Mobile county either. It has nothing to do with where it is, it's what it is. I've said it before, this is a web site dedicated to urban living - and a sprawling Bass Pro Shop development (and eveything surrounding the store) is the furthest thing from that. That is why I don't like it. I enjoy, dense, urban development. That means non-autocentric, pedestrian and transit friendly development. I am not a wacko that thinks cars should be banned or anything, but I just don't like sprawl. Again, when you log onto this site, the first line on the page says that this is the world's finest resource for skyscraper and urbanism enthusiasts. My love of urban living and general dislike of suburban living is why I joined this site in the first place.

[pkp]

The Africatown Bridge doesn't help relieve traffic now on I-10 until the tunnel is already bagged-up. Sending folks on a detour won't fix congestion in the Wallace tunnel. The way I see it is either build a bridge or invest the money in public transit.

Bingo - the true interstate traffic on I-10 does not cause the back ups. It's commuter traffic! Public transit could relieve that issue. The fact is, you can never, ever build enough travel lanes for a growing reason. If that were the case, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, LA, etc... would never have gridlock on their interstates. The fact is, most cities are not forward looking enough to invest in public transit until the traffic situation becomes unbearable. I think the region could be ahead of its time if we went ahead and looked and investing in ferry service, and possibly some rail. I am glad to see the shuttle service operating between The Eastern Shore and downtown, but the problem is that the shuttle has to sit in traffic as well, and most people would probably just drive. It's a start though.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I think the region could be ahead of its time if we went ahead and looked and investing in ferry service
Public transportation sounds great and all but as was discussed in the skybar demand will alwaystake over. People will always choose convenience first, therefore fixing the routes that those people will travel is the best option.

It would be cool if half a million people were walking everywhere and using a rail system, but it aint happening.

[pkp]

Public transportation sounds great and all but as was discussed in the skybar demand will alwaystake over. People will always choose convenience first, therefore fixing the routesthat those people will travel is the best option.

It would be cool if half a million people were walking everywhere, but it aint happening.

That lifestyle didn't exist until after WWII. The Government has built the infrastructure to encourage people to live their lives in a car. If the interstates were not "fixed" and those commuters had to choose between a 10 min, $2 transit ride and a 1 hr, $10 car ride, which one would they pick? And which one would be better for our society, the economy, the environment, etc...? It's not really a choice when nearly all of the available transportation funding is going to road building and not mass transit - it seems to me like we are being made to drive everywhere. There's no way it can be sustained forever. We can be better than that.It just takes a little vision. And with energy prices they way they are, and will continue to be, it seems it would be the financially responsible thing to do as well. The argument could be made that our area is not populous enough to justify mass transit, but once you start talking about spending hundreds of millions of $ on bridges to take care of car traffic demand, I think its a discussion worth having. The ferry service that was discussed a couple of years ago was expected to run at a deficit of about $1MM a year. People raised hell about it. But it would take centuries for that to cost more than a high rise bridge over the Mobile River. There is no reason why we can't be a progressive area that supports looking for a long term solution. By the time this bridge is finished, it will be over capacity - you can count on it.

[BlessedMobile]

I wonder just how we are going to convince travelers to take a longer northern route to bypass the tunnel or to MAKE truckers take the longer route...who are we kidding. The northern route is longer, more expensive to make and won't solve the problem...those aren't my opinions but the findings of ALDOT. The inclusion of this route is only an appeasement so locals can not keep whinning that it wasn't considered. I have read the report from ALDOT and they think going north is no solution. A new bridge on the southern end of town would be high enough for anything they do now or could in the future. The new turning basin by Pinto Island will solve the possible needs of Atlantic Marine or Choctaw Point. Bender is complaining, not because of ship height but because of disruptions from pouring the bridge pilings and dreams of working on oil rigs up the river at their second site when their current docks at the Navy Homeport can handle anything. I am very familiar with the Talmadge bridge in Savannah with a clearance of 185 and can tell you that there are never problems; surely our bridge at 195 or 215 can manage. Of the three routes south of town, the middle route is most likely as it crosses some of Bender and goes over to Harrison Brothers just south of Austal. The upper route is too close to downtown and the lower route cuts into the container terminal and TK offloading docks. Build the bridge NOW.

[Del]

Bingo - the true interstate traffic on I-10 does not cause the back ups. It's commuter traffic!

Amen. ALDOT wants to put up a bridge where it will seriously harm the maritime industry for the convenience of Baldwin commuters.

[Electrical Porpoise]

The ferry service that was discussed a couple of years ago was expected to run at a deficit of about $1MM a year. People raised hell about it.

Where would the ferry dock on each side of the bay? By the time people drove to the ferry and rode across the bay that would add up to a lot of time. It would have to go pretty far south to run across the shallow part of the southern delta and I have no idea where they would build a place for it.

You are right, though. New ideas will be needed it just isn't easy to do.

[SouthSky]

Whoops... erased

[BlessedMobile]

Speaking of traffic...

The ALDOT site just added cams for the Mobile area. (There is no 65 or 165 cams as of yet)

This will also give you a live look at the skyline in some views for those people that are interested in that kind of stuff (me)

http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/apps/bureaus/design/its/publicits/CameraList.aspx

This is great. I had wondered where the TV stations got there live tunnel shots. I too wish they would do something from I-65. Thanks for the link.

[SouthSky]

^There's something weird going on in Camera C-3 (i10 eastbound at Water St.)

[BlessedMobile]

Whoops... erased

What trucker wouldn't want to bypass downtown Atlanta traffic...it's like asking them to drive 70 rather than 55. I'm not saying we can't put up signs but these are federal interstates where their taxes are spent as well as four wheeler taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those Atlanta highways weren't state built and thus can screen out some traffic. Our bypass will be longer and slower...not exactly something truckers take too very well. Besides, I don't like the idea of dumping E-W traffic on my N-S I-65 where we locals will then get to fight with the traffic passing through from EVERYWHERE.

[BlessedMobile]

^There's something weird going on in Camera C-3 (i10 eastbound at Water St.)

Hey SouthSky...were you watching C-3? That camera was looking over near Texas street at a bunch of kids messing around. Now that is Big Brother with ZOOM.

[Musicisright]

Nice skyline shot (http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/apps/bureaus/design/its/publicits/CameraList.aspx) with C25


And I love this

http://xs328.xs.to/xs328/08265/foosack110.png

[SouthSky]

What trucker wouldn't want to bypass downtown Atlanta traffic...it's like asking them to drive 70 rather than 55. I'm not saying we can't put up signs but these are federal interstates where their taxes are spent as well as four wheeler taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those Atlanta highways weren't state built and thus can screen out some traffic. Our bypass will be longer and slower...not exactly something truckers take too very well. Besides, I don't like the idea of dumping E-W traffic on my N-S I-65 where we locals will then get to fight with the traffic passing through from EVERYWHERE.

Apparently you got to the post button before I edited:

I (for some reason) thought that you had specifically only mentioned truckers in your post. This is why I edited.

An adequate solution would be a bypass (210?) around Mobile from 10 to the northern terminus of 165 which should aide out-of-towners with transit around and out of the city without putting too much stress on 'our' 65.

[sandebr00]

I, too, wish that Mobile and Baldwin County would invest more heavily in mass-transportation. With gas prices continuing to rise, I agree with PKP that it's necessary for Mobile's continuing growth that we have affordable alternatives for people. The key, however, is to have a system that is viable (meaning that it is worthwhile for people to use it), affordable, and financially sustainable and independent. For instance, having just moved back from ATL, I know that there was tension between local officials who wanted to raise MARTA's fares to make it financially independent, and those who wanted to lower fares to make it affordable for more citizens, and, thus, to get more people to take public transporation. The ultimate problem with MARTA is that it is not convenient for people to take it. It simply doesn't have stops in the rights places. So, while I, too, favor mass transporation, I believe that local officials should not implement anything until much thought and research has gone into it. If we do it, we need to do it right.

Additionally, even with mass transporation, there is still a need for a new bridge, or at least a new route to get around the bottleneck that is the tunnel. Mass transporation may get more locals off the road, but I-10 is heavily traveled by commercial vehicles and others, and mass transportation will have no effect on these cars and trucks. Simply put, the creation of mass transportation, without more, will not solve the traffic problem entirely. We need greater mass transportation AND a new route around I-10, which I believe should be the I-165 alternative, as that route appears to be the most favored by local businesses and preservationists.

As far as ALDOT not believing that the northern route is a viable option, is this the same ALDOT that has totally screwed up the new highway 98 bypass? I, personally, have little faith in these state bureaucrats to make the right decision for Mobile, much less to build it without incident, and believe that the decision as to where the bridge should be built should be left to local elected officials, who are more in-tune with the wishes of the local people and who are more interested in ensuring that the location of the new bridge will be in the best interests of Mobile.

[sandebr00]

On a different note, did anyone see the article in the today's Press Register about the tanker deal? The title of the article says it all -- "New Bills Steer Tanker to Boeing." Of course, neither the House nor the Senate has passed any of these bills, nor has president signed any of the bills, so it's not the law at this time. But, it's disconcerting to see the efforts of Boeing supporters to make it impossible for EADS to win the new competition. I did hear on the news today that Sec. of Defense Robert Gates will oversee the air force tanker decision, which I think is good news for Mobile and EADS. He seems to be pragmatic (understanding that there would be adverse consequences if the deal is just given to Boeing), and wants do what is best for the US military. If EADS's plane really is better, I think he will go to bat for EADS.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121455815441380.xml&coll=3

[CottonCity251]

Where would the ferry dock on each side of the bay? By the time people drove to the ferry and rode across the bay that would add up to a lot of time. It would have to go pretty far south to run across the shallow part of the southern delta and I have no idea where they would build a place for it.

You are right, though. New ideas will be needed it just isn't easy to do.

The main terminal would be at the proposed Maritime Museum with docks in Daphne, Fairhope, Fowl River area, and Gulf Shores, if I remember correctly. I think more and more people are less concerned with the amount of time it may take compared the amount you may save in these critical financial times with the economy and all. Baylinc has been overwhelmingly successful and one can get from the Eastern Shore to downtown quicker than a bus. The thing is you can't bet it for about $5...I know I can't get halfway across the Bayway or the Causeway in my car for $5, plus you don't have to worry about paying to park. A report came out yesterday that projects gas prices around $7 in two years...that would put us right around $5 by year's end.

[phoenixboi08]

I have an idea...but I really can't explain it. So I think I'm going to TRY to draw it...:haha: I hope this works.....

[CottonCity251]

On a different note, did anyone see the article in the today's Press Register about the tanker deal? The title of the article says it all -- "New Bills Steer Tanker to Boeing." Of course, neither the House nor the Senate has passed any of these bills, nor has president signed any of the bills, so it's not the law at this time. But, it's disconcerting to see the efforts of Boeing supporters to make it impossible for EADS to win the new competition. I did hear on the news today that Sec. of Defense Robert Gates will oversee the air force tanker decision, which I think is good news for Mobile and EADS. He seems to be pragmatic (understanding that there would be adverse consequences if the deal is just given to Boeing), and wants do what is best for the US military. If EADS's plane really is better, I think he will go to bat for EADS.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121455815441380.xml&coll=3

A bill introduce by none other than May's Porkster of the Month, Congressman Tiahart.:koko: << He dead serious... Sounds like he is still on Boeing's payroll. The chances that this will passed is the same chances that Senator Sessions bill for the funding of Mobile's streetcars and LRT system....0. I think the Airforce will stand by its decision and not re-bid the contract since Robert Gates supported their choice. There really is no need to. The GAO said Boeing would have had better chances of winning not would have won and still didn't say which plane was better....maybe because we already know which one, the KC-45. Come on people, the best selling car in America is foreign.

[10101000]

Speaking of traffic...

The ALDOT site just added cams for the Mobile area. (There is no 65 or 165 cams as of yet)

This will also give you a live look at the skyline in some views for those people that are interested in that kind of stuff (me)

http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/apps/bureaus/design/its/publicits/CameraList.aspx

Thank you for posting this!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

haha! love the foosackly's sign....

On another note, the cam's are nice and all, but we need traffic cams all up and down the surface streets! Also, i know that yahoo maps has live traffic capabilities for Mobile, but I really wish google maps would do it too for the Mobile metro. They cant say we're too small because they have done ALL of I-10/12 in the Baton Rouge, NOLA metro area, and for Lafayette, LA and for Tallahassee, Fl (the last two are much smaller than Mobile...) I prefer to use google's system because it is available for those with iPhones to view live traffic conditions while already on the road (which trust me, is convenient in the Baton Rouge area...) My only complaint with google is that they only show interstate traffic, and not city-streets like yahoo.

any thoughts?

[SouthSky]

haha! love the foosackly's sign....

On another note, the cam's are nice and all, but we need traffic cams all up and down the surface streets! Also, i know that yahoo maps has live traffic capabilities for Mobile, but I really wish google maps would do it too for the Mobile metro. They cant say we're too small because they have done ALL of I-10/12 in the Baton Rouge, NOLA metro area, and for Lafayette, LA and for Tallahassee, Fl (the last two are much smaller than Mobile...) I prefer to use google's system because it is available for those with iPhones to view live traffic conditions while already on the road (which trust me, is convenient in the Baton Rouge area...) My only complaint with google is that they only show interstate traffic, and not city-streets like yahoo.

any thoughts?

I, too, would like google to get Mobile's traffic information but WKRG implemented a system with google maps on their website.

Here is a google.com map with ALDOT traffic cams overlayed:

http://www.wkrg.com/traffic/

[10101000]

Maps.Live has a lot of traffic information about Mobile.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I, too, would like google to get Mobile's traffic information but WKRG implemented a system with google maps on their website.

Here is a google.com map with ALDOT traffic cams overlayed:

http://www.wkrg.com/traffic/

why does the ALDOT think the only places in Mobile that have traffic are bridges and tunnels?? haha

[10101000]

I am sure there are more to come, becuase the ALDOT added some more in Birmingham.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I am sure there are more to come, becuase the ALDOT added some more in Birmingham.
We may bankrupt the state with them on Airport. :)

[Port_of_Bama]

why not two more tunnels? dig them deeper at 60':shrug:


Bayou you an I think just alike cuz. The current tunnel route could be used for trucks since they predict that Mobile will have more truck traffic as the port expands. A new tunnel route for cars and the whole route doesn`t have to be a tunnel they can eventualy elavate it into a bridge as it nears Balwdin countyand merge into I-10. I- ten needs to be atleast 6 lanes from Pensacola to New Orleans or atleast Mississippi. The western part of the Mobile county needs a bypass as well.

[Port_of_Bama]

A bill introduce by none other than May's Porkster of the Month, Congressman Tiahart.:koko: << He dead serious... Sounds like he is still on Boeing's payroll. The chances that this will passed is the same chances that Senator Sessions bill for the funding of Mobile's streetcars and LRT system....0. I think the Airforce will stand by its decision and not re-bid the contract since Robert Gates supported their choice. There really is no need to. The GAO said Boeing would have had better chances of winning not would have won and still didn't say which plane was better....maybe because we already know which one, the KC-45. Come on people, the best selling car in America is foreign.


"Come on people, the best selling car in America is foreign"
:previous: lol yeah your right ! That Tiahart guy has been doing more talking than senators who are from Washington state.


Off topic but I realy wish Mobile had some sort of theme Park are waterpark. I wish they would look into things like this soon I hope. BR has the Blue Bayou(water park) and will be getting another theme park with Disney soon.

[DruidCity]

BR has the Blue Bayou(water park) and will be getting another theme park with Disney soon

Disney in Baton Rouge ? I haven't heard of that ? Any more details ?

Off topic but I realy wish Mobile had some sort of theme Park (or) waterpark

That is long overdue. Give people a reason to visit Mobile.

I thought the proposed race track could do it (especially since a possible water park and Branson-style music venues were mentioned when the project was first pitched), but that seems to be getting nowhere fast.

Similarly, the massive Bama Bayou project over in Orange Beach that was going to have a water park and Gulf World appears to have stalled out.

I'd really like to see some sort of major amusement and/or water park anywhere in Mobile-Baldwin and an aquarium in downtown Mobile. Alabama has an amazingly rich diversity of aquatic life, yet everywhere but Alabama has the major aquarium exhibits.

[SouthSky]

Disney in Baton Rouge ? I haven't heard of that ? Any more details ?


It's a rumor running around the city as of late. There is nothing substantiated as of yet.

[CottonCity251]

Senator Jeff Sessions has placed a legislative hold on a bill that would require the Air Force to award the $40 billion tanker contract to Boeing, greatly reducing the chances it will pass.

The bill introduced Thursday by Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts of Kansas would either give Boeing the contract or require the Air Force to rebid the contract under new terms that give Boeing the upper hand.

The move by Sessions means the bill would need a yes vote from 60 senators before it could be considered.

“Pilots, engineers, and experts at the Air Force should have the opportunity to select the aircraft they believe best meets the needs and requirements of our troops,” Sessions said. “This legislation would take an unprecedented step of overriding the entire competition, and I strongly object."

Courtesy to Jamie Burch of WKRG

-------------

Seems like something new on the tanker bid every couple hours.

[Scottybo]

Yeesh, is it just me or do they seem very desperate?

[Port_of_Bama]

Extremely desperate !!!!

[SouthSky]

Foosackly's signage gets some publicity in the Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008023302_sundaybuzz29.html

"Boeing gets a taste of Southern ribbing; There were some encouraging signs this month in Boeing's quest to recapture the much-disputed Air Force tanker contract. But the tongue-in-cheek billboard..."

[OCA REP]

Yeesh, is it just me or do they seem very desperate?

Senator Sessions or the ones from Kansas? ;)

[CottonCity251]

Senator Sessions or the ones from Kansas? ;)

ha ha cough... whomp whomp.

[LHG]

Airport authority fires Brookley boss Marc Pelham
Posted by Jeff Amy, Business Reporter June 30, 2008 3:35 PM
Categories: Aerospace, Breaking News, Business
Marc Pelham, who ran the Brookley Field Industrial Complex, was fired Friday by the Mobile Airport Authority.

The reason for the firing remained unclear Monday. Bay Haas, the authority's executive director, refused to comment beyond confirming that Pelham no longer worked for the authority, which also owns Mobile Regional Airport.

The Press-Register could not reach Pelham for comment Monday afternoon.

The move comes as the authority continues to hold a site for the possible Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS North America aircraft assembly plants. The contracting team would build an aerial refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force, while a EADS affiliate would also assemble civilian A330 freighter aircraft. The tanker project remains a center of fierce dispute, with the Government Accountability Office having upheld a protest by rival Boeing Co. last month.

(For a complete report, read Tuesday's Press-Register)

[SouthSky]

^It's probably because he is doing an AWFUL job with Mobile Regional.

We are among the top 3 untapped markets for service to New York and Washington and among the highest grossing routes on a per mile basis in Delta and Northwest's systems.

What does this mean? We need competition to drive down prices, which will bring more people back to using MOB and get new airlines with more non-stops.

[Muskavon]

^ gonna be an uphill battle at this moment it seems. Articles I've read the last few days makes it sound like every airline is looking at the gulf coast from Mobile to Panama City as "ideal" targets to drop flights and/or service in this fuel inspired situation. Kinda scary.

[SouthSky]

It would be a long timeline though... more people can fill larger planes that will make money going to places like NY and DC.

[Muskavon]

I wonder if Boeing protested American Eagle's flight from Mobile to Chicago and that is why it is being dropped? ;)

[SouthSky]

Boeing is headquartered in Chicago... hmm...

Apparently every North Gulf Coast city outside of New Orleans lost service to Chicago.

[Muskavon]

As much as I was kidding....I wouldn't put it beyond the powers that be to further illustrate the area isn't ready for the big time in their opinion.

Then again, I take "cynic" to the next level most of the time.

[SouthSky]

The more I think about the GAO ruling on the tanker contract, the more I think it was somehow a backlash against buying a "European" plane although NG and Airbus would put the plant in AMERICA. This also includes Alabama's supposed "inability" to put pieces of metal together.

[CottonCity251]

^It's probably because he is doing an AWFUL job with Mobile Regional.

We are among the top 3 untapped markets for service to New York and Washington and among the highest grossing routes on a per mile basis in Delta and Northwest's systems.

What does this mean? We need competition to drive down prices, which will bring more people back to using MOB and get new airlines with more non-stops.

Marc Pelham was director of the Brookley Complex not Mobile Regional, which is why I'm confused about Bay Haas firing him...??

[SouthSky]

Marc Pelham was director of the Brookley Complex not Mobile Regional, which is why I'm confused about Bay Haas firing him...??

I did not know that... I thought it was a mutual directorship. It does seem weird for him to be fired now and makes one wonder if there is something bad going on in the Authority.

[Electrical Porpoise]

The more I think about the GAO ruling on the tanker contract, the more I think it was somehow a backlash against buying a "European" plane although NG and Airbus would put the plant in AMERICA.
No doubt about it.

[Muskavon]

The more I think about the GAO ruling on the tanker contract, the more I think it was somehow a backlash against buying a "European" plane although NG and Airbus would put the plant in AMERICA. This also includes Alabama's supposed "inability" to put pieces of metal together.

Go sift thru the articles on this anti-EADS site by Washington military complex advisors to see what and where the power lies (and the basis of my negative post that we wouldn't get the tanker a week before we didn't). This is all about the foreign nature of Airbus and the issues that surround it....

http://tankerblog.blogspot.com/

Now I'll admit they have some very valid points. For one, we probably wouldn't be in this situation of only one domestic company capable of delivery if not the giant ongoing EU government subsidies that built AirBus to what it is (and drove US manuf. workers out of business) in the first place. And the same thing is happening to our manufacturing on all fronts all over the world. Foreign governments are targeting US industries, already vulnerable to cheaper labor costs and less environmental restrictions abroad, and doubling the hurt by pouring billions into rendering the US choice completely uncompetitive.

So it is "neat" that we get back steel jobs in Mobile that were once in Allentown or Birmingham as an example. But we get them back at the loss of ownership of the billions in profits as a nation. That isn't something to scoff at. It is a weakening of control of the industry and influence on the world. The auto ordeal of the past 50 years isn't quite as hard to swallow for most folks because people can point "hands on" to the crap produced in Detroit for 30 years and the unbending unions that forced things to get to this point. But, in reality, we have given up control and are happy to just assemble someone else’s rise to power. Check my next Pensacola post (in a few minutes) for another hammer to fall in the wiping out of US manufacturing and ownership.

But as far as the tanker goes, I think the past is the past. There is no competition for Boeing on this scale in the US. That can't be undone. So we either decide that all contracts of that scale go to Boeing (while also further limiting our ability to buy outside the States in many critical areas that are simply gone...never to return) or we accept the reality and buy the best we can buy. There will not be new domestic textile mills springing up all over the South and in Monroeville again. It is gone until we are willing to work for $.40/day again (quickly getting there). There will not be new domestic steel, aerospace, computer manufacturing plants springing up across the nation unless some individual stumbles onto something truly revolutionary here. We've got to deal with it. Either tariff/excise tax/ban the world at this late date and further isolate this country or deal with it and try to redevelop the skills that made us a power in the first place. I think we have to deal with it as macro economics will force it to be.

If it becomes obvious that this tanker decision is based on protectionism, there will be many losers beyond the Mobile area. First will be Boeing (I bet they didn't think anyone would say that after a win). But, having full knowledge they run in a vacuum from this point forward with no real competition....they, by rule, will become even more fat, even more lazy, less efficient, less capable. In short, fully susceptible to being sold to foreign interests in 15 years. Second, the US military loses as they are forced to buy this crap over and over. Third, obviously the taxpayer loses as we fund buying this overpriced crap. Finally, the US citizen loses in general as our military could no longer be a safe bet to beat Canada.

In summary, we've made some bad decisions to lead to a situation that the best technology can be conceived, stolen, given away, built and financed by foreign companies. But it wasn't all in malice to the US citizen. Remember when we were trying to bring the rest of the world up to our standards to expand markets and also because we had morale dictate to share the wealth of capitalism with the far corners? Well, we've overdone it maybe. But we should be praised, not laughed at for it. A different philosophy could easily have kept a world groveling for the smallest scraps and under our foot. Even in our personal losses, I feel like we've done the morally right thing over the decades spreading this capability to the formerly least capable and most desperate people on the planet. Maybe I didn't envision all the pains that come along with it though. The environmental damage, the competition for limited resources. But especially the lack of appreciation. That sorta sucks. I guess if it ends tomorrow the US will be judged for all the negatives and not the unprecedented giving and sharing.

Our "solutions" in the next election bother me a bit. Stronger unions. More protectionism. In short, more guarantees that US companies will have to either dissolve or ship off for lack of competitive legs. Automaker-like pensions aren't going to help keep boat builders in the US (notice I say boat and not ship...most ship builders are already in China).

[pkp]

Not going to comment much on the tanker, but I will say any protectionism on defense contracts from our government is going to have a terrible backlash from the EU and other markets. Outside of large body planes, US defense contractors provide most of Europe (and most of our other "friends" in the world) with its advanced defense products. If the U.S. shuts out EADS on this deal, expect to see some reciprocal protectionism coming from the EU - and possibly a little heat on our military bases there.

[Muskavon]

To play devils advocate (and believe me I'm so pro Mobile tanker I can't express it enough) the anti-tanker blog linked above mentioned a news bit that is a bit striking if true. The French were set to announce they too had bought Mobile assembled tankers (damn....even more money for us) at the England Air show during the July 14-20th event. A lot of our local leaders will be there. Santa Rosa County, FL reps will be there to try to get offshute business or whatever even if the tanker falls thru. (Congrats to them for committing to economic development)

But with the GAO decision, the French won't be making that announcement now. And that hurts to me and all us locals. Even a harder loss for us than you thought probably. But I have to admit the anti-tanker people make a good point....the fact that the French were ready to announce this with no bidding process is proof they didn't allow Boeing or anyone else to compete. So you could say that AirBus has no argument here. But you and I know it'll be different when applied to the US.

[bayou15]

:previous: :previous: Damn cuz, u need a cigarette?:haha:

[bayou15]

I really think the reason why the guy got fired was all those damn potholes in the roads of the Brookley Complex!! These roads have more bumps than my ex-girlfriends a** ! :haha:

[Muskavon]

^ I missed out on scoring a Junior Miss chick again this year (20 years straight)...so I'm taking it out on you guys with pessimism! ;)

[SouthSky]

To play devils advocate (and believe me I'm so pro Mobile tanker I can't express it enough) the anti-tanker blog linked above mentioned a news bit that is a bit striking if true. The French were set to announce they too had bought Mobile assembled tankers (damn....even more money for us) at the England Air show during the July 14-20th event. A lot of our local leaders will be there. Santa Rosa County, FL reps will be there to try to get offshute business or whatever even if the tanker falls thru. (Congrats to them for committing to economic development)

But with the GAO decision, the French won't be making that announcement now. And that hurts to me and all us locals. Even a harder loss for us than you thought probably. But I have to admit the anti-tanker people make a good point....the fact that the French were ready to announce this with no bidding process is proof they didn't allow Boeing or anyone else to compete. So you could say that AirBus has no argument here. But you and I know it'll be different when applied to the US.

That's one big ugh. :yuck:

[phoenixboi08]

It's all just SAD! The competition in this country has dropped severely over the past several years, as consumers stopped spending a lot of money on "luxeries" Foriegn players aren't bad for our market, they actually help raise the competition. Look at the automobile industry. Name all the FORIEGN cars you can, then name all the domestic ones...see! And it's not flailing...well, not THAT bad:haha:
Anyways, I just think that it's this damn "Anti-Terrorism/Extra-Nationalism" attitude that going to cause a LOT of grief for this country.
However, I'm not mad, or upset that Boeing "won"
Because Karma has a way of working her teeth right into your back pokets!:haha:

[10101000]

What's all this I have heard about a new restaurant in the Gayfers building, anyone?

[The 251]

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Boeing has agreed to pay a $3 million fine for exceeding value limits on the purchases of parts from foreign suppliers for its military products.

Boeing spokesman Tim Neale says the Chicago-based company discovered the violations and reported them to the State Department.

The airplane manufacturer violated manufacturing license agreements required under federal regulations governing international arms sales.

The suppliers were in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria.

Neale says Boeing has been working closely with the State Department to tighten its procedures. Boeing also agreed to report its progress to the State Department over the next three years.



Why doesn't Boeing get criticized for using foreign parts, but NG does? :hell:

[Del]

Please note that none of the suppliers were from FRANCE. Over at the Free Republic site, I learned that NG/EADS will supply our "warfighters" with tankers that have a WHITE SURRENDER FLAG already fluttering from the fueling boom.

Muskavon, I enjoyed your thoughtful post at 1:10 very much.

[pkp]

I took a little stroll around the CBD toady after lunch with a buddy and we were discussing how amazing the development is on the entire blocks encompassing Dauphin, Conti, Royal, and Conception. These blocks have mysteriously been devoid of life for years. Now, the Gayfers building (which makes up most of the block) is on track, the Senior Bowl is renovating the corner of St. Emanuel and Dauphin, Hancock re-did the other corner, Hargrove is redoing most of the space on four streets. Those two block look like they are going from vacant to sold out in about 2 years. Anyone have any guesses on what area is next. Dauphin between the Cathedral and Wintzell's? St Louis Street? Neglected Government Street?

Also, as far as Government Street goes, what are everyone's thoughts on the state of that thoroughfare? I am excited to see a neutral ground going into Broad with the Bring Back Broad project. Although I don't think it is feasible to take away any travel lanes on Government, I think the city should look into a narrow median on Government (basically only where the turning lane is) with breaks at cross streets for turning, and possibly a small turning lane at the busier intersections. The downtown study a few years ago listed this as a major issue to pedestrians and labeled it as basically dividing downtown. I think if this is done, along with a proper Water Street bridge, bike and foot traffic will be much more appealing.

[SouthSky]

Anyone have any guesses on what area is next. Dauphin between the Cathedral and Wintzell's? St Louis Street? Neglected Government Street?

My hope is that there are ripple effects from all the development on Dauphin going north and south a couple of blocks. As more and more development builds, the more values and demand will rise.

Also, as far as Government Street goes, what are everyone's thoughts on the state of that thoroughfare? I am excited to see a neutral ground going into Broad with the Bring Back Broad project. Although I don't think it is feasible to take away any travel lanes on Government, I think the city should look into a narrow median on Government (basically only where the turning lane is) with breaks at cross streets for turning, and possibly a small turning lane at the busier intersections. The downtown study a few years ago listed this as a major issue to pedestrians and labeled it as basically dividing downtown. I think if this is done, along with a proper Water Street bridge, bike and foot traffic will be much more appealing.

Ideally, I'd love for a street car to run down the median and out west :D... but I think it would look great if they added some greenery in the turn lanes starting a block away from the Bankhead tunnel and running west. Of course, you would need to provide adequate turning lanes but I would love to see it.

[pkp]

My hope is that there are ripple effects from all the development on Dauphin going north and south a couple of blocks. As more and more development builds, the more values and demand will rise.



Ideally, I'd love for a street car to run down the median and out west :D... but I think it would look great if they added some greenery in the turn lanes starting a block away from the Bankhead tunnel and running west. Of course, you would need to provide adequate turning lanes but I would love to see it.

Well, my wanting to see any of the main street's turning lanes turned into greenspace is part of my long term desire for street car service to return to at least a shell of its 1890-1920 self. If we have the space dedicate, it will be fairly easy to put lines back in again. I have a map in my house from 1891. At that time, not only did the street car run down Government and Broad - it ran down Marine, Charles, George (basically three lines within two block of my house). I would like to see it at least go down Government to the Loop and Broad from GM&O to I-10. Eventually, service back on Dauphin and Spring Hill may be feasible as well.

[SouthSky]

If we have the space dedicate, it will be fairly easy to put lines back in again. I have a map in my house from 1891.

That is awesome! Do you have any scans from it? I would love to see it.