[phoenixboi08]

Daphne has a rave! All you have to do is get on I-10 and cross the bridge. Maybe they will build one Downtown. If you remember Baton Rouge did not have one in its mid-town area until fall of 2006. The other Rave on Oneal is pretty much like the borough of Rouge.

THAT'S what that was...in the ESC? Oh god, I loved it!!!! I can't believe I forgot what the name was...but, yeah that's were I saw Jumper...bad movie, but the theater is great!

There is one over Water Street, it connects to the convention center.

Yeah, but you have to go UP through the parking garage or the Convention center to get to it. We need ones that are easily accessible from the street levels

[10101000]

Yeah, Rave is an awesome theater. We also have one in South Baldwin in Orange Beach.

[phoenixboi08]

Yeah, Rave is an awesome theater. We also have one in South Baldwin in Orange Beach.

Hmmm...I was downtown last weekend, and the construction on the Crescent Theater downtown looks like it's progressing pretty well. It looked like they were finishing up the "skeleton"

I beleive the building suffered severe fire damage. I think the option of being able to finally see Independent and Foreign films in one's own city are often overlooked because of the big budget blockbusters...cash cows :haha:

[10101000]

Do these digital ads play music or commercial messages? Sound added to the mix would be great, don't you think?

I do not think so. However, I have heard some do.

[10101000]

Hmmm...I was downtown last weekend, and the construction on the Crescent Theater downtown looks like it's progressing pretty well. It looked like they were finishing up the "skeleton"

I beleive the building suffered severe fire damage. I think the option of being able to finally see Independent and Foreign films in one's own city are often overlooked because of the big budget blockbusters...cash cows :haha:

I think the theater will do well.

[phoenixboi08]

I think it will...I was hoping the renovations to space 301 would be more 'modern" or art deco, but it makes a nice contrast with everything else in that area. I REALLY wish that the city would STOP building parking garages...at least surface ones. There could have been so much more use pulled out of the lot adjacent to the RSA...I don't know, I just think that the reasons so many cities have problems with density later on, is that they don't plan for it to begin with. So they end up having to tear things down later on.

[10101000]

Yup, I would agree.

[10101000]

Anyone in the Mortgage profession in the Mobile area, please P.M. me, I have some questions. Thanks

[phoenixboi08]

I hope the city will see that we want a museum, zoo, and aquarium. It would be nice if the Conde area could be an educational/family friendly area...although the zoo is obviously going to have to go somewhere else.

[Bogue]

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ building parking decks, really. There's a need for parking... esp. as larger buildings and more residential units come on-line. It's more a question of style to me. A parking deck doesn't have to look like a parking deck to be just as functional. Put a creole facade on them w/ some wrought-iron balconies. The owners could rent out the use of the balconies during mardi gras (in decks along the route) to help recoup the cost of adding the facades.

I don't mind the location of the new routes in eastern Baldwin provided that that's what the state deems is the most efficient and economically feasible route. It's important that in our haste to increase our economic base that we don't overlook THE most important function of our state... public safety. Creating an evacuation route for the people of Baldwin county (and our brothers & sisters just across the Florida line) may circumvent a few people from going through town, but it would also allow US to evacuate more quickly (by not adding them to the strain of our interstate junctions in Mobile) and may save the lives of some of our friends, relatives, or coworkers who live in south Baldwin. Those folk do contribute, albeit circuitously, to our economic base regardless of whether or not they visit town. They're part of our "market" when it comes to advertising, TV, etc. and a lot of that money does stay in Mobile.

...and who knows... maybe the folks over in Pensacola might see a use in helping us put in a new airport near the new interchange.

I'm optimistic about the Crescent Theater as well. It adds to the cultural density of the area.

What's going on w/ the Van Antwerp building? Anyone know? I vaguely recall something but just wanted an update.

[10101000]

I do not have any updates.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

could they make it a toll road? and then of course for emergencies just have no toll (duh)...
i think alabama should have more toll roads to help lessen the strain on the budget for upkeep and expansions on the infrastructure already in place, that way the new roads pay for themselves

[10101000]

If Alabama has money why make it a toll! People already struggle to drive these days much less pay a toll. Plus Alabama is not like Louisiana. Alabama tries its best to help the citizens and not rob them left and right. You know, the whole Baton Rouge loop is where you go that idea MobileLSUboy. Thanks but I would not pay to ride it.

[10101000]

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ building parking decks, really. There's a need for parking... esp. as larger buildings and more residential units come on-line. It's more a question of style to me. A parking deck doesn't have to look like a parking deck to be just as functional. Put a creole facade on them w/ some wrought-iron balconies. The owners could rent out the use of the balconies during mardi gras (in decks along the route) to help recoup the cost of adding the facades.

I don't mind the location of the new routes in eastern Baldwin provided that that's what the state deems is the most efficient and economically feasible route. It's important that in our haste to increase our economic base that we don't overlook THE most important function of our state... public safety. Creating an evacuation route for the people of Baldwin county (and our brothers & sisters just across the Florida line) may circumvent a few people from going through town, but it would also allow US to evacuate more quickly (by not adding them to the strain of our interstate junctions in Mobile) and may save the lives of some of our friends, relatives, or coworkers who live in south Baldwin. Those folk do contribute, albeit circuitously, to our economic base regardless of whether or not they visit town. They're part of our "market" when it comes to advertising, TV, etc. and a lot of that money does stay in Mobile.

...and who knows... maybe the folks over in Pensacola might see a use in helping us put in a new airport near the new interchange.

I'm optimistic about the Crescent Theater as well. It adds to the cultural density of the area.

What's going on w/ the Van Antwerp building? Anyone know? I vaguely recall something but just wanted an update.

I just talked to Mr. Clark. The building is still for sale at $3,500,000.00. No one has purchased the building and nothing to report, only a hurray up and wait deal.
http://www.downtownmobile.org/real_e_commercial.php?property=232

[Bogue]

I'm w/ Tim on thinking that toll roads should be more of a last-resort thing in terms of the state finding funding for road projects. I think an exception would be installation of express routes when existing free routes are available (such as; installing a raised express route over B'ham's 280 or another heavily-congested roadway).

I don't mind toll roads exactly, just that they're too often put in places as a primary route which forces folks to use them. In a state that still has altogether too many poor people we have to be more cautious in making sure that the strain on the lower and middle classes is made as light as possible.

[Bogue]

btw, thanks for the update & the link, Tim.

[10101000]

btw, thanks for the update & the link, Tim.

You are welcome.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

If Alabama has money why make it a toll! People already struggle to drive these days much less pay a toll. Plus Alabama is not like Louisiana. Alabama tries its best to help the citizens and not rob them left and right. You know, the whole Baton Rouge loop is where you go that idea MobileLSUboy. Thanks but I would not pay to ride it.

Actually, i completely didnt have the loop in mind, i was thinking of the Foley Beach Express, and just expanding it all the way to I-65 and upgrading it to interstate grade (which it should have been to begin with, and the damn bridge should have been 4 lanes like the rest of the road, but instead that had stupid planning!) but instead of having just the toll bridge, maybe having 2 or 3 more toll stations on it, and either way, i would never have to take that highway so i don't really care what it is, but it seems there are so many other projects that need to be taken care of but lack the funding, that adding more projects would just stretch that money even thinner.

[Bogue]

It's a fair point to want it linked to an existing route north from the whole Pleasure Island area, but weren't there 2 possible prongs w/ one connecting to a roadway out of that area?

[bayou15]

Why did they build the tunnels we already have in the first place ? Was it the issue that we are having now? I say build 2 more and everyone would be happy. Just make it deeper and longer.( Like what she told me):haha:



Hope the developer thats building the condo in downtown BR will look at the land next to Mobile covention center. A parking garage with a riverwalk mall on bottom with a condo tower on top.

[Bogue]

Think it has to do w/ not stopping shipping. You have to make it so high to get ships under a bridge and w/ the city being at sea level downtown would be pretty dwarfed by a bridge needed to jump only a short span. Look at how high the Africatown bridge is (Great view from up there sometimes, btw) to get an idea of how tall it would need to be.

Really, I wonder why they haven't considered new tunnels as well. Lots of cities have gone w/ tunnels lately. They make them in big sections, dredge out a hole for them, float them out, sink them in place, and weld them together. Fairly quick process once it's started. I suppose the cost is probably the issue.

[bayou15]

The 2 we have now for west bound traffic. And build 2 new ones for east bound.


Building a new bridge in downtown makes about as much sense as putting a homeless infested park where the old courthouse used to be.:breakcomp:

[Bogue]

I think they want to replace the Wallace Tunnels b/c they're too close to the surface or summat'. There's a danger of a ship anchor damaging them.

Still... dig them deeper... and while they're at it, routing them just a little bit further south of downtown might make some sense as well if it gets rid of those sharp turns. That's dangerous in heavy rain (a fairly common occurrence in Mobile). Might also help free that small historic district that's currently pretty much surrounded by interstate ramps. That's a beautiful chunk of town.

[NitekKetin]

Tunnels are pretty high maintenance complexes. You have the traffic tubes themselves, the ventilation buildings, security centers and all sorts of utility infrastructure which amount to substantial upkeep expenses. When I visited ALDOT offices a couple of summers ago, I was informed that the construction and maintenance of a new set of tunnels would surpass that of a high-rise cable stayed bridge across the Mobile River.

[Alabadrock]

I think the state realizes that a bridge is the best option. Not only are they cheaper, some bridge types are expandable. They're quite a bit safer IMO too. Not many people like the idea being deep underwater with massive container ships passing directly above them.

[OCA REP]

[QUOTE=| BRAVO |;3696286]

Yes, that is what I am talking about. OCA also said that it would look more cosmopolitan. I will find some pictures and post.

I did some hunting and located vintage post WWII photos of the area around Court Square in Montgomery with large-lit billboards, etc.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/williamtoddkirk/CourtSquare2.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/williamtoddkirk/CourtSquare.jpg

I love these old shots and I do think that if the advertisements were done right it would be a nice enhancement to any cityscape.

Photos are courtesy of www.historicmontgomery.com.

[Alabadrock]

Wow. Those signs do bring a sense of vibrance to the area I'd imagine.

[pkp]

Van Antwerp: Surprised to hear its so pricey. The last purchase I remember was just a few years ago for $900,000 - it doesn't look like any money has been spent on it since.
Crescent Theatre: I am pretty stoked about this. I went in there a couple of months ago and it still needed some work - but you could till what it was. It will seat about 200 from what I can tell and will have a bar. I would not support a Rave or Wynsong or any of the larger theaters downtown, nor do I think they would build here. First, land is luckily getting too valuable to build a huge surface parking lot, which is likely the only way the company would do it. Also, I basically quit going to movies a few years ago because I got tired of the kids acting up. Kicking seats, talking, walking around - basically ruining the movie I paid to see. I think the crescent will cater to a little older crowd. I would not mind seeing the Imax view some of the commercial movies that are available in that format - that would be pretty awesome, but I am not sure what it takes to do that.
Pedestrian Bridges: The one that has been discussed begins at the corner of Royal and Church and runs along side the old City Hall to Cooper Riverside Park. It is a sloped bridge meaning it is wheelchair friendly and you can cycle across. Not only a bridge but a gateway into downtown - basically saying "slow your ass down - you're not on I-10 anymore". I actually thought the funding was in place for this, but I have no idea what happened.
Billboards: Wouldn't mind them in certain areas - I think some rooftop ones along Government would not be too bad - I don't mind the ones on Canal in NOLA.

just my 2 cents.

[10101000]

I like your two cents!

[Bogue]

I think the state realizes that a bridge is the best option.

Not so in the slightest. The economic impact of putting a large bridge in the spot where they want to would cost the city millions in lost revenue... perpetually... every year it stands. Not to mention the fact that it would destroy the aesthetics of downtown and put a massive wall of bridge, earthen berm, & concrete pier between the city proper and the bay.

That's why they built a tunnel in the first place.

As far as people being nervous... there's already a bridge further upstream of the I-10/Water Street junction that they could use. In order for it to allow shipping the road surface had to be extremely high... at that point you're just replacing claustrophobes w/ acrophobes (or whatever the fear of heights is called). Besides, maybe the folks farther up in the state are scared of tunnels, but there have been 2 different sets of tunnels in use in Mobile for many decades (The Bankhead from Govt. St. & the Wallace on I-10) people are, or should, be used to taking them.

While the initial cost is more expensive, the balance of effects make it a more cost-efficient option than a downtown bridge.

The most cost-efficient option, however, might be just funneling more traffic onto the Africatown bridge north of downtown & leaving the tunnel alone. Perhaps an interchange w/ I-165 w/ a raised controlled-access road surface leading up to it? Maybe extend that out to I-10 by putting an elevated surface over the current road structure there. The only reason it's not really as heavily used now is b/c it's not really part of the interstate structure. Big bridges like they'd need to jump the Mobile River usually cost quite a bit more than regular elevated interstate roadway of the same distance. That would remove almost all of the traffic from I-65 from the Wallace Tunnel junction.

[The 251]

Very good points Bogue! I agree with you 100%.

I have been thinking about which of the possible options would be best, and I think building a new tunnel south of Wallace makes the most sense. Re-routing traffic to the Africatown bridge would cause major traffic problems on Water Street. Just check out this cheap little graphic I made....

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa19/vickshow/Untitled3.jpg

Point "C" is where the new container terminal is. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe about 1,500 container trucks will be entering and then leaving the terminal every day.

The trucks going west to Mississippi will obviously not be affected by a re-route, but the trucks going east on I-10 would have to drive up water street to get to the existing bridge. Do we really want hundreds of 18-wheelers clogging up Water street every day more than it already is??

I am a very big advocate of doing things right the first time, so I believe we should invest the money in a new tunnel. Four lanes going east, and 5 going west (an extra lane for traffic going downtown)

[Bogue]

ahh, but I wasn't talking about removing the Wallace Tunnels so the current trip option would remain available w/o extra East-West traffic funneling onto Water Street. The green line would only be east of the river and the short jump to I-165 that it currently makes (I believe that's the yellow line just north of where you turned SW). All it does is re-route the I-65 traffic onto I-10 by way of I-165. It would actually take the east-bound through traffic that does come downtown off I-165 out of the picture.

[NitekKetin]

^Instead of having a hulking concrete highway destroy the already fragile communities of Creighton and Tolumnville, why not have a highly landscaped parkway run east from I-65 parallel to Three Mile Creek. It could join I-165 near the Bay Bridge Road interchange.

[10101000]

How about we all get flying cars!

[Bogue]

I don't have a problem w/ that if there's a demonstrable need for a road there, however, I doubt that would help traffic issues on the interstates much & I don't know how much help it would be to the folks in those particular communities, either. Their infrastructure needs seem to be more focused on other issues than transportation, IMO. Better schools and a much, much larger police presence being chief among them.

[Bogue]

you laugh, Tim, but they're workin' on that, y'know ;)

[10101000]

I'm sure, I would take one today. Trade in My G35 they could have it if I could fly around everyone else.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

ok so someone tell me why this idea can't be used....dont tell me the bridge-tunnel will disrupt shipping, because they do it on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and dont tell me the ground is too soft, because things have been built in worse conditions, and say there's too much development right there where ive drawn the interchange...move it around a little, but land acquisition from highways has usually not been a terribly big problem, especially in the South...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj160/dshulm1/tunnel.jpg

[10101000]

I see what you are saying.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/110600.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/image.jpg

[10101000]

Hum, I will build for you tomorrow! LOL

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Hum, I will build for you tomorrow! LOL

excellent! i'll foot the bill! altho, you're the financial man, and im the one in the construction industry! haha

[10101000]

Ok, So I will get my shovel and meet you down there tomorrow. Or if you are here in Red Stick we can just ride together. I could design it and charge the city. Maybe we can all get rich with the idea. Ok, I know I am getting out of hand. I do like the idea though.

[Bogue]

I'm at school & they have photobucket blocked for me, lsu. Could you describe where you're locating the on-off sections of your proposal?

I'm familiar w/ the Chesapeake system (to the extent that I've seen it on TV a few times).

The only part where shipping is of extreme importance is on the Mobile River (& the shipping channel in the Bay leading up to it).

Since you're talking about one of the longest spans in the country I'm assuming you're going well south of where the crossing currently exists?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

i wanna hear everyones thoughts on that, and im sure someone's already tossed that idea to the city, right?! if not, someone please- take the idea and run with it!

[10101000]

You know I like it.

[OCA REP]

I see what you are saying.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/110600.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/image.jpg

Oh my gosh... that is down right scary looking! I do not mind a tunnel, but generally a tunnel is entered when you are pretty much surrounded by dry land. Don't know what I would think of driving a long ways on a bridge and then diving under water for the tunnel portion.

Cool concept though...

[SouthSky]

That would be interesting but I wonder about those tunnels during hurricanes?

[bayou15]

Looks to me yall like my idea. In da long run it will save money .....But do you really think the great leaders of our state will let this happen ??? UGH...Neaux ! Maybe B-Ham or Huntsville but not us red headed step children down here.

#2 ENVIROMENTALIST !!!! Ain t geauxing to happen! Hell we can t even get a racetrack built. This project may kill baby convicts(sheephead) or reduce the Jack Chevrolet (crevalle) population or will cause the flounder to be flat. :haha:

[bayou15]

http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article/1607


New Hotel? Hmm...

[bayou15]

new AUG. 2008 info is out. About Mobile's economy


http://www.mobilechamber.com/view/2008/8-2008.pdf

[pkp]

I say use the Africatown bridge and turn Bay Bridge Road down 98 to 10 a 265 spur. The argument here is that I-10 traffic using this route would have to go 5 or 6 miles out of the way, but who cares. This would cost next to nothing and would help utilize an underused section or road. However, I would not add any additional interstate routes through town - just use what there - possibly add a lane or two each way on 65 south from I-65. Of course, I think the bridge issue is being blown out of proportion (is it really clogged up outside of your summer vacation rush periods?), but if you've got to do something...

[pkp]

http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article/1607


New Hotel? Hmm...

I think that was sarcasm...

[pkp]

I see what you are saying.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/110600.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/image.jpg

You know, I have been though these a few times, and had no idea this is what they were. It was very weird. I had no idea this is what it looked like from an arial view.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I doubt the environmentalists (myself being one of them usually) will flip their...pancakes... about adding some man-made islands in the bay...uhh hello? we already have one... besides, they can become 'bird sanctuaries' haha, no really though, creating a tunnel still doesnt solve the hazardous cargo problem, which is why they want a bridge in the first place, and if this one is at the location i suggested, it won't dwarf the skyline at all! I think it will completely enhance it, as long as it doesnt look like the Dauphin Island Bridge, but looks like the Tampa Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida, instead! Not to mention, anyone on it would get wonderful views of the city! I mean, i think the tunnel idea I showed yesterday is really cool too, but then thinking about it later, the city really wants to avoid having to reroute hazardous cargo (although I'm okay with not sharing a 250' high bridge with a truck full of explosives...even though if something happened, i dont think it'd matter if im on flat ground or 500' up in da air! haha)

[The 251]

If they made a whole new tunnel, the hazardous cargo could use the Wallace tunnel to get across the river

[MobileLSUboy2005]

If they made a whole new tunnel, the hazardous cargo could use the Wallace tunnel to get across the river

haha hazardous cargo can't use a tunnel period, just because if one explodes, a tunnel just makes the situation super dangerous, and very difficult to fight the fires, so they will never let HC cross the river on anything but a bridge unfortunately

[The 251]

hazardous cargo can't use a tunnel period, just because if one explodes, a tunnel just makes the situation super dangerous, and very difficult to fight the fires, so they will never let HC cross the river on anything but a bridge unfortunately

Okay so now I understand that they can't use a tunnel at all. My next question is do you really want hazardous cargo driving next to you on a 500' high bridge? I personally would rather the HC be re-routed to use the Africatown bridge. It doesnt seem to be a problem right now...

[10101000]

Well, what about a monorail! I want one in Mobile bad, but that will be years away.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Okay so now I understand that they can't use a tunnel at all. My next question is do you really want hazardous cargo driving next to you on a 500' high bridge? I personally would rather the HC be re-routed to use the Africatown bridge. It doesnt seem to be a problem right now...

500' was a silly exaggeration... i am fine with leaving the HC on the cochrane bridge, but i dont think the city wants to keep having to reroute the traffic, they would rather it all just stay on I-10 i guess, which is one of the reasons they dont want a tunnel in the first place, i mean it doesnt make that much difference to me if there is a lack of HC on a 1 mile stretch of interstate or not, since the rest of the roads have it on there too...especially if they dont make the river crossing a dangerous one like the tunnels are with that dang curve!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Well, what about a monorail! I want one in Mobile bad, but that will be years away.

while that would be super-cool, that still doesnt really help solve the traffic issue, especially on summer weekends because the traffic causing the problem isnt going just from mobile to spanish fort, its traffic from La, Miss, and Al going to Gulf Shores....sooooo then they should just build a rail line from Mobile to Gulf Shores haha. To us in the South that sounds so crazy, but then think about New England and all of Europe! NO ONE drives! public transit is what everyone does and it works great! I was in the UK in March and only had to take a taxi once! I took the train or a bus everywhere else!

[10101000]

Well, I need a cup of coffee.

[LHG]

I've actually been through this tunnel. It was awesome to think that an ocean going cargo ship may be right above you! I have often thought that a larger tunnel without the dangerous curves was the obvious answer, but I moved here long after the conversation started. I do recall that the Chesapeake Bay tunnel charged a fee of at least $10 per vehicle per trip. Regardless, I vote for another tunnel.

[10101000]

I voted for Pedro!

[The 251]

$10 per trip? that is ridiculous.. I would swim across the bay before I'd pay that much

[MobileLSUboy2005]

$10 per trip? that is ridiculous.. I would swim across the bay before I'd pay that much

ok the chesapeake bay bridge-tunnel is also 23 miles long, which is why its so expensive. The current I-10 bayway bridge is about 8 miles, sooo it wouldnt be so expensive here (if it were a toll at all, which i dont think this crossing should be - although i think the baldwin county bypass should be...) altho now i think the toll on the chesapeake is $12/trip, but i think you can get a round-trip discount.

[10101000]

how about $9.99 you know not 10, but below it. That will always get the consumer!

[The 251]

Yeah the traffic is already bad enough without making people stop to pay a toll. They need to expand the bayway right now!! regardless of whether we build a tunnel or bridge. I think they should go ahead and expand it to 4 lanes in each direction. Plan for the future!

[The 251]

how about $9.99 you know not 10, but below it. That will always get the consumer!

LOL :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[10101000]

I know, I act like a 2 year old sometimes. Makes my day go by faster.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I know, I act like a 2 year old sometimes. Makes my day go by faster.

they can do it like gasoline and say $3.93^9/10 haha

[10101000]

Lol

[10101000]

Did you guys see this?
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/pedestrian_bridge.jpg

[OCA REP]

From the Mobile Press-Register:

http://blog.al.com/live/2008/07/provision_could_favor_boeing_i.html

Provision could favor Boeing in tanker re-bid
Posted by Sean Reilly July 30, 2008 12:47 PM
Categories: Aerospace, Breaking News, Business

WASHINGTON -- In a move that could favor Boeing Co., a U.S. House of Representatives panel wants the Pentagon to take "industrial base" concerns into account when awarding a new contract for aerial refueling tankers, according to a news release.

The provision is included in a fiscal 2009 military spending bill approved today by the House defense appropriations subcommittee in a closed-door meeting. The bill would meet the U.S. Air Force's request for $893 million for the tanker program, but also "directs that industrial base concerns be included in the evaluation of the tanker contract award," the release states.

The actual language of the provision was not immediately available, so it was unclear how heavily those concerns would weigh.

Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa.But Boeing allies have argued that industrial base priorities -- in the sense of ensuring that the United States can continue to build warplanes domestically -- should have been a factor in the Air Force's original award decision, which resulted in the lucrative tanker deal going to a team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. and a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., or EADS. Last month, the Government Accountability Office recommended re-opening the competition after finding that the Air Force made significant mistakes in evaluating the two proposals.

A spokesman for subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., did not immediately return a phone call. The bill still needs approval both by the full House and Senate to become law.

(For the full report, see Thursday's Press-Register.)

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Did you guys see this?
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/pedestrian_bridge.jpg

shoot, i think that thing blocks the skyline more than a highway bridge! haha, i mean, its cool looking, but i dunno how i would like it actually in place...

[The 251]

shoot, i think that thing blocks the skyline more than a highway bridge! haha, i mean, its cool looking, but i dunno how i would like it actually in place...

hahaha. its too tall! i think it would look good if it was shorter than the Riverview Plaza lol

[OCA REP]

hahaha. its too tall! i think it would look good if it was shorter than the Riverview Plaza lol

Looks like the type of pedestrian bridge you would find in Dubai:

http://www.camron.co.uk/intelligence/newsitem_image/48

Photo courtesy of http://www.camron.co.uk/

[SouthSky]

From the Mobile Press-Register:
http://blog.al.com/live/2008/07/provision_could_favor_boeing_i.html

Provision could favor Boeing in tanker re-bid
Posted by Sean Reilly July 30, 2008 12:47 PM
Categories: Aerospace, Breaking News, Business

WASHINGTON -- In a move that could favor Boeing Co., a U.S. House of Representatives panel wants the Pentagon to take "industrial base" concerns into account when awarding a new contract for aerial refueling tankers, according to a news release.

(For the full report, see Thursday's Press-Register.)

Alabama fights back at Boeing: http://www.bettertanker.org/

Listen to the ads... they're pretty good.

[MobiMan]

I Would like to see a Mardi Gras Themed Amusement Park, somewhere in mobile

[Alabadrock]

Did you guys see this?
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/timothychase/pedestrian_bridge.jpg

I.....LOVE....IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[10101000]

I like it too.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

the bridge is nice, but couldnt they have at least drawn in some landscaping in the space between water street and the railroad/maritime museum? it looks so terrible in that rendering, a nice bridge, and then some 1/2 dead grass and gravel and an ugly train! haha

[10101000]

I think someone pee'ed in Ashley Toland's cornflakes when she wrote "Planning for the future."

[phoenixboi08]

that bridge reminded me of this, proposed in Tuscon,AZ a while back

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Tucson/19-bridge-p1thumb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Tucson/bridge-numbers.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Tucson/19-bridge-p2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Tucson/19-bridge-p3-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/metro_phx/Tucson/19-bridge-p4.jpg


Although, I think there is a little TOO much going with our design...It just seems cluttered. Maybe if they moved the signs and made it a little bit shorter...I don't know. Maybe it just looks different on paper.

Was/Is this in the the original plans? I DO like the idea of connecting the Maritime Museum and Exploreum. I think they should also think about connecting the MM to the cruise terminal, like the Riverwalk is in NOLA....
I'm definitely going to keep my eyes on THIS!!!! I like it!

[10101000]

Nice, I like the sexiness of it. Very provocative!

[SouthSky]

I think someone pee'ed in Ashley Toland's cornflakes when she wrote "Planning for the future."

Yeah... she's pretty cynical in the recent piece. :shrug:

[10101000]

Yeah... she's pretty cynical in the recent piece. :shrug:

What's up with her? She seems to be like this alot. :slob:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

What's up with her? She seems to be like this alot. :slob:

hahah i dunno, but i think its funny

[SouthSky]

What's up with her? She seems to be like this alot. :slob:

There's probably a source and I think this sentence is ended by it.

[10101000]

Lol

[MobileLSUboy2005]

too bad it wont stay here; i convinced my family to take this ship instead of the Holiday out of Mobile when we go on our family cruise in December/January since that ship is so much bigger/better than the one Mobile gets. I sure hope we can get a larger ship in the next few years! I'm positive it'd do very well here, since the Holiday always is fully booked

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2008/07/carnival_reroutes_fantasy_to_m.html

[10101000]

Me too! I would love to see a larger ship in Mob town.

[SouthSky]

I think when infrastructure improves to the actual building (more gangways) and better exterior parking options we will see multiple boats call in Mobile.

[10101000]

My grandmother could build it faster than what the city is doing.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

well at least Austal seems to be doing okay!
see the press register...

[10101000]

I read that this morning, good to know things are well for them.

[10101000]

Somebody is looking good!!!

[SouthSky]

Somebody is looking good!!!

Hmm?

[10101000]

I duno either.

[SouthSky]

I duno either.

mmmmmmmmmkay ;)

[10101000]

cool