[Verve]

High Speed Rail is much needed. I hope it gets implemented.

[Muskavon]

It is exciting to see the mention of rail lines outside of the northeast, cali and south florida. But I imagine those might have the first priority as funding comes available. It was my understanding while watching that speech that this initial proposed funding does two things: 1) improves some existing railways and 2) goes towards the continued study and identification of possible routes. I think we are still a long way from seeing the kind of multi-billion $ funds or commitments to see routes like the proposed Gulf Coast one. But, we gotta start somewhere. Maybe these middle America routes will entice more people in more places to back the overall idea if they can see a hope of it reaching their own lives in 30 or so years.

[10101000]

Doubt that, the 1-10 corridor is one of the heaviest traveled interstates.... I am sure this will happen sooner than we think..

[nimsjus]

I was pumped to see high speed rail period in the US. That is one area we lag way behind in compared to our peer nations (most of which are way smaller and much easier to build this type of thing). I was even more excited that Mobile made one of the lines. My only dissapointment was that we are not very well connected in the map. Our line basically runs from here to Houston with deadends at either end. I would definitely use it to make quick trips to NO. Maybe it will stop on the Miss. Gulf COast for all those Casino folks. It would be nice if we were better connected to that line that runs through BHam and ATL on its way to the east coast. I think I would use that much more frequently than this NO-Houston Line. Oh well...beggers cant be choosers, bring on the rail. Anything to get commuter rail service back in Mobile and hopefully a nice new shiny terminal to go with it. I would hope for a downtown terminal from an urban standpoint, but it might make more sense from a logistics stadpoint if it stopped at the airport. Our airport needs all the help it can get. Maybe if people could ride rail here, increase the traffic volume, and then lower the prices the airport could do more business. Either way I hope this happens.

[Muskavon]

^ I wrote about this in an Atlanta thread. I'd basically take it as a hope for a good starting point like the interstate system started. Assuming we can keep from going totally broke beforehand, it would probably just be a matter of time before these things would interconnect and spur off in directions not currently considered. Just gotta start with some basics first when you consider how much money it will really take. I'm happy that anywhere on the gulf coast is actually being considered for one of the first few steps.

[10101000]

^ I wrote about this in an Atlanta thread. I'd basically take it as a hope for a good starting point like the interstate system started. Assuming we can keep from going totally broke beforehand, it would probably just be a matter of time before these things would interconnect and spur off in directions not currently considered. Just gotta start with some basics first when you consider how much money it will really take. I'm happy that anywhere on the gulf coast is actually being considered for one of the first few steps.

:previous: Yes you are right!!!! I am thankful, and hope for the best. The weekend trips from Baton Rouge to Mobile are long and tiresome. By the time I get back to my other home, I am tired and wore out. I use to make the trip in 3 hours or less, but that is not the case anymore, either going to Mobile or going to Baton Rouge. I-10 is really congested and something has got to give.......

[SouthSky]

My only dissapointment was that we are not very well connected in the map. Our line basically runs from here to Houston with deadends at either end.

Well, all you would need to do is to stop and change trains in New Orleans to go north. Although, I can see the need for a more direct route north from Mobile.

Also:

Another new container line has started out of the new terminal - Link (http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1239959809294480.xml&coll=3)

[10101000]

I read that this morning, that is good news.

[Electrical Porpoise]

You cant just have a full rail system from the beginning. Its nice that Mobile is even included -- it will eventually expand people.

[CottonCity251]

Its good Mobile is included as a designation corridor for high speed rail...optimistic about the future of the line.

In other news-[away from developments]-that hit close to home for me, after celebration of my own life on wednesday the 15th, 22 now, a close friend/classmate(LHS06) of mine killed himself and was buried yesterday. This morning I also learned Jamarcus Russell's uncle, former WBLX radio host Ray Ray died, a close friend of mine and I'm sure all his listeners. All local news stations did a story, here is NBC15 (http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story/Big-Personality-Big-Heart-Community-Mourns-Radio/ArEG0rS2-0eTn_PldNnjVg.cspx).

Gone but not forgotten,
RIP Ray Ray.

[Electrical Porpoise]

This morning I also learned Jamarcus Russell's uncle, former WBLX radio host Ray Ray died, a close friend of mine and I'm sure all his listeners. All local news stations did a story, here is NBC15 (http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story/Big-Personality-Big-Heart-Community-Mourns-Radio/ArEG0rS2-0eTn_PldNnjVg.cspx).

Gone but not forgotten,
RIP Ray Ray.He was my basketball coach when I was eight or so. RIP.

[Port_of_Bama]

Yeah man I was shocked to hear about "D" as well man I went to Dunbar and Leflore with him i`m a 2005 graduate. I know one thing there isn`t a church in Mobile that could hold the service for Ray Ray I assume it will be at the civic centre.

[SouthSky]

Inter/intra-bay ferry service attached to the new "GulfQuest" is apparently going to happen...

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1240132580209560.xml&coll=3

[phoenixboi08]

Weird...no Las Vegas or Phoenix connection depicted. But then again, the Cali-Florida line isn't here either...

[10101000]

More Talk Radio Coming to Coastal Alabama- Lagnaippe
It looks like Pirates are as endangered in Mobile as they are in the Indian Ocean.

As of May 1, 106.5 FM will cease operating as “The Pirate” and begin a new life as “FM Talk 106.5,” giving the Mobile area its first all-talk FM station. Morning show hosts Sean Sullivan and Wayne Gardner will anchor the station’s new lineup talking about local and statewide issues weekday mornings from 6 to 8. They will be followed by an eclectic mix of what Sullivan believes will prove to be provocative and listenable syndicated shows throughout the rest of the day.

Sullivan has been at the helm of WAVH for just over a year now, ever since the station was purchased by Bigler Broadcasting. Gardner joined him a few months later. Both men previously worked at dot.com plus, which owns WZEW and WNSP, where they each served as morning hosts on the sister stations. Sullivan has also written a humor column for this newspaper since its inception. Gardner said the switch to an all-talk format is one they’ve long been eyeballing and one they think is right for both the market and the time.

“This was the business plan from the very beginning. This is why this group was put together, to do what we’re about to do,” Gardner said. “We wanted to give The Pirate adequate time and resources to see if it could be done. Now it’s time to go.”

When Bigler took over The Pirate, the station was playing music from the ‘70s through the modern era, and Sullivan said the thought was to give it a go and see how well the model worked. Currently, though, they said there are so many stations playing some variation of The Pirate’s song list, it seemed a good time to go in their own direction.

“You can take any song we’re playing and you can conceivably hear it on four other stations. Some songs you can hear on five,” Gardner explained. “We’re doing this to be able to stand out in this particular format.”

Both Sullivan and Gardner say they are extremely excited by the opportunity to address some of the day’s top stories in their own interesting, thought-provoking and irreverent way. They don’t expect their morning show to be something that will be either ordinary, boring or driven by their callers.

“There’s not talk in FM around here and the current political debate is very lively – the economy is in recession. People are so tuned in. I don’t think the timing could be better,” Gardner said.

In addition to assembling an eclectic list of syndicated hosts, Sullivan said the station will also soon be joined by Meteorologist Dr. Bill Williams, who has done the weather forecast at WZEW for the past several years. Gardner and Sullivan’s morning show will revolve around 12-minute segments focusing on the day’s top stories and will allow “some callers.”

Following their show will be Neil Boortz from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., followed by Michael Savage from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Then comes Todd Schmitt from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. followed by Clark Howard offering financial advice from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. every evening.

“This is a talk station programmed a lot more like a rock station,” Sullivan said. He added that he and Gardner would reprise the popular outdoors show they used to do at WNSP, and that it will run on the weekends. The station’s full lineup will be available at their Web site www.fmtalk1065.com.

“I picked the people I wanted without regard to the ease of getting them and let the product drive it,” Sullivan said. “This is a station people are going to talk about for a long time.”

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[nimsjus]

Here's an article from Lagniappe that updates several local projects.
Taking the Good With the Bad
By Sharman Egan
Issue #175
April 07, 2009
I don’t know whether there’s too much going on or my brain’s just addled by all the pollen, but I couldn’t settle on one thing to write about this time. So here’s a gumbo of business and real estate news in the Mobile Bay area.
Of course, there’s plenty of bad news if you go looking for it (or even if you don’t). For starters, Naman’s Market in Midtown closed in late March. I hate to see any business go down the tubes, but I’m more distraught about this than I’ve been since Guido’s in Oakleigh shut their doors last year.
ThyssenKrupp announced a second delay in plans for its huge steel plant in Calvert, north of Mobile. The company will delay the construction of a portion of the terminal it’s building on the Tombigbee River. In January, TK announced it would delay the start-up of its stainless unit in Calvert from mid 2010 until late 2011. The carbon steel plant, the largest part of the operation, is still on schedule to open in mid 2010.
Plans to convert the Ramada Inn downtown to the Church Street Condos have been scrapped. It’s not clear whether the property will remain as a hotel or be converted to rental apartments. The proposed studio condos on the downtown parade route were being marketed as an affordable alternative for downtown living with prices starting at just $79,900. It’s not clear what killed the project, but it doesn’t appear to be the economy. According to Realtor June Hope, eleven condos were reserved in the first 10 days they were on the market.
Good or bad news, you decide: The SaltAire foreclosure sale has been delayed again.I’m not sure whether to put this in the good news or the bad news. The foreclosure sale for SaltAire which was originally scheduled for March 5 has been delayed for at least the second time and is now scheduled for April 23. Hopefully the developers can work out an agreement with Regions Bank which holds a $6.5 million mortgage on the property. SaltAire is a 500-acre residential development on Mobile Bay in south Mobile County.
And now for the good news…
Publix is continuing it move towards us with the announcement of an agreement with the city of Gulf Shores to build its third store in Baldwin County. The deal calls for the store opening no later than June 2010. Of course, Gulf Shores also has a newly renovated Winn-Dixie, something the Dixie folks have been promising at the Catherine Street store in midtown Mobile for well over two years now. Can anyone explain to me how a town of roughly 6,000 people (OK, a few more during spring break and summer) can support a Publix plus a Bruno’s, a new Winn-Dixie and a Wal-Mart – yet Mobile can’t even get a decent W-D? Things are heating up on the waterfront.
The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico (whew, that’s a mouthful) has announced a “keel laying” (a ground-breaking for all you landlubbers) on April 9 at Mobile Landing, just south of the convention center. And just in case you don’t think that’s big news, the bigwigs coming to town for the event include Gov. Riley and Sen. Shelby. The museum is scheduled to open in late 2010.
The ill-fated Arlington Park project on Mobile Bay south of downtown may be back on track. The public park is being developed by the Alabama State Port Authority as part of the mitigation for the wetlands that were destroyed when the new container port at Choctaw Point was built. The authority has hired a new project management company after Spectrum Associates failed to meet the terms of its contract. The authority is now accepting bids for the park’s pier and kayak launch. According to previous announcements, the 40-acre park was originally scheduled to be completed by late 2008 or early 2009.
Things are also happening downtown in spite of the recession. Unity Print Collective has opened at 211 Dauphin St. with a screen printing operation and gallery. They are looking for local artists to display their work. Two more new galleries will open in April. Blue Velvet Studio will open in the Carriage Works at 709 Dauphin St. Artist Brad Robertson will open a studio and gallery at 450 Dauphin St.
Construction is nearing completion on Renaissance in Church Street East, a community of 12 new homes being developed by the Mobile Housing Board using federal funds. The Craftsman-style homes located behind the Ben May Library downtown range in size from 1,500 to 1,753 square feet. Six of the homes will be sold at market rate which, according to the announcement for the homes in 2008, is $175,000 to $250,000. The other six homes will be sold to buyers that qualify for housing assistance. Warning: to qualify for assistance, you must meet a list of 18 requirements that range from income to “satisfactory housekeeping habits.” Geez. For more information, contact the Mobile Housing Board at (251) 434-2205.
The Housing Board was recently awarded over $9 million in federal stimulus funds. The funds will be used to complete four other projects: the renovation of Orange Grove Homes just north of downtown Mobile, the renovation of Gulf Village Homes in Chickasaw, the renovation of homes and the building of an arts center at Josephine Allen Homes in north Mobile near Prichard.
All things considered, a pretty good gumbo for the Mobile Bay area.

[nimsjus]

Huge news...Amtrack is getting Sunset Limited going again. More details in tomorrows PR.
Sunset Limited revival plan could come Thursday, rail commission chairman says
Posted by Sean Reilly, Washington bureau April 22, 2009 5:38 PM
Categories: Breaking News
Amtrak could unveil a strategy Thursday for restoring passenger rail service on the Sunset Limited route east of New Orleans, according to Richard Finley, chairman of the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission. The commission, whose territory covers Alabama, Mississippi and Lousiana, is set to meet Thursday evening in Birmingham.
"They're going to tell us what they're recommending to the (Federal Railroad Administration) about the feasibility and what kind of service," Finley said this afternoon.
Amtrack suspended service on part of the transcontinental Sunset Limited, which runs through Mobile en route to Orlando, Fla., in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Congress ordered the plan for reviving service last fall. An Amtrak spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

[NitekKetin]

Whuuut? It would be cool, although rather unfeasble, if the GM&O Terminal was used as the station for this revived Sunset Limited.

[SouthSky]

Whuuut? It would be cool, although rather unfeasble, if the GM&O Terminal was used as the station for this revived Sunset Limited.

Yeah... where would they stop? Their terminal is long gone. :shrug:

[nimsjus]

Yeah no mention of a terminal for Mobile. This restoration is a few years down the line so there would be the potential for building a new terminal in time for renewal of service, but I see Mobile having a temporary terminal when the route is complete. A new terminal needs to be a huge priority because it shows a commitment to rail travel. If Mobile's terminal is not up to par, we may get left out of future expansion plans. I think the terminal will also reflect either positively or poorly on the city for all of the people who will come through town on the train. We need something special. Either the GM&O needs to be retrofitted to accomodate rail travel again or we need to go all out with a nice new terminal (preferably one with a historic feel (maybe even restoration of an old structure).

[Muskavon]

since the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission covers Alabama, Mississippi and Lousiana....I wonder what the plans are to get it all connected east of Mobile on the way to Orlando? I haven't read anything (that I can remember) here in P'cola regarding getting this thing back online. Then again, my "big source" for info is the PNJ, lol.

BTW, I see today P'cola airport is losing it's long-time (22 years) airport director to San Antonio International. He has largely been credited with this airport's unlikely success in the region. Chances of us hiring another good one twice in a row is probably unlikely given our record for leaders, so that loss may very well be Mobile's gain (and/or Panama City and their new international airport).

[10101000]

Huge news...Amtrack is getting Sunset Limited going again. More details in tomorrows PR.
Sunset Limited revival plan could come Thursday, rail commission chairman says
Posted by Sean Reilly, Washington bureau April 22, 2009 5:38 PM
Categories: Breaking News
Amtrak could unveil a strategy Thursday for restoring passenger rail service on the Sunset Limited route east of New Orleans, according to Richard Finley, chairman of the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission. The commission, whose territory covers Alabama, Mississippi and Lousiana, is set to meet Thursday evening in Birmingham.
"They're going to tell us what they're recommending to the (Federal Railroad Administration) about the feasibility and what kind of service," Finley said this afternoon.
Amtrack suspended service on part of the transcontinental Sunset Limited, which runs through Mobile en route to Orlando, Fla., in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Congress ordered the plan for reviving service last fall. An Amtrak spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Great news!!!!!!!!!

[SouthSky]

since the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission covers Alabama, Mississippi and Lousiana....I wonder what the plans are to get it all connected east of Mobile on the way to Orlando? I haven't read anything (that I can remember) here in P'cola regarding getting this thing back online. Then again, my "big source" for info is the PNJ, lol.

I don't those are in the current long-term plans... but I definitely could see that as a viable opportunity.

BTW, I see today P'cola airport is losing it's long-time (22 years) airport director to San Antonio International. He has largely been credited with this airport's unlikely success in the region. Chances of us hiring another good one twice in a row is probably unlikely given our record for leaders, so that loss may very well be Mobile's gain (and/or Panama City and their new international airport).

Pensacola should hire Mobile's director. :D

From what I have seen (and this pertains to your other point) the Gulf Coast high speed rail line will have two (maybe three) stops in the Mobile metro. Two of the stops in the city will be Mobile Regional in West Mobile and downtown near I-165. The HSR stop at the Regional Airport will be a boost to that airport. Now, I know that's 10+ years down the line but it is something to look forward to... well, that and Southwest choosing to fly to Mobile.

Pensacola has a better location in respect to major highways, a better facility, and better management. This stuff the two former can't change overnight. MOB needs a better transportation option... Airport Blvd is just horrendous most days. A bypass would help along with that high speed rail stop.

[SouthSky]

By the way, for those that are interested:

Some reports on various high speed rail facilities (4 reports on Mobile - New Orleans routes)

http://www.southernhsr.org/RepStudies.html

[Muskavon]

Thanks SouthSky. I may be confusing things. I realize the "actual" high speed part doesn't currently have any plans east of Mobile, but since the article was about the Sunset line that used to run on to Orlando, I figured "normal" Amtrak passenger service might go ahead an reopen all the way. And maybe it will, as there probably isn't as much to fix east of Mobile as it didn't sustain damage from Katrina. Anywho, I guess I'm wondering out loud. ;)

[DruidCity]

Chances of (Pensacola airport) hiring another good one twice in a row is probably unlikely given our record for leaders, so that loss may very well be Mobile's gain (and/or Panama City and their new international airport).

Only slightly off-topic, have any airlines announced plans to offer service to the new Panama City airport ?

[Muskavon]

Druid, I really don't know anything about that airport or progress. I just read on another local forum someone saying that it is a "fiasco"...but he didn't offer any explanations of what that meant. That might motivate me to look into it a little more and post whatever I find in the P'cola thread to keep it out of here.

[BlessedMobile]

These "high speed" trains will run on either the existing rails which can't support the speeds or new lines that will demand buying land and right-of-way for the rails. That will take years and be fought all the way. It sounds good but is it practical in today's environment? The fact that the rails would be elevated will be an eyesore no one will want. If rail was going to work, Amtrak would have done better especially with their low fares. I would like to hear some factual data to explain how this will be able to stand of it's own (read that as "no government subsidy")

[10101000]

I agree with you blessed, but take it form someone that drives back and forth to Mobile From Baton Rouge. I do not like driving that long drive and to get a flight is just out of the question. Also, Amtrak can be slow as well. I would love to be able to hop on a high speed and make it to Mobile in less than three hours!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I agree with you blessed, but take it form someone that drives back and forth to Mobile From Baton Rouge. I do not like driving that long drive and to get a flight is just out of the question. Also, Amtrak can be slow as well. I would love to be able to hop on a high speed and make it to Mobile in less than three hours!

I make it in 2:45 at least once a month....you arent gonna get much faster than that even on a high-speed rail because of stops....

[10101000]

I make it in 2:45 at least once a month....you arent gonna get much faster than that even on a high-speed rail because of stops....

Depends on what time you leave Baton Rouge and Mobile. I always leave in rush hours and it is backed up in West Baton Rouge Parish all the way to Livingston Parish. You must leave in the middle of the night or early morning..... I am sure you are going to correct me and say no... BTW I saw you the other day...

[bayou15]

Only took me 2 hr 15min to Grandbay from Tiger Stadium, two years ago when Arkansas beat us in ot .:brickwall:

[Muskavon]

"Sunset Limited revival plan could come Thursday, rail commission chairman says"

Ok, Thursday has come and gone...and I'm hopelessly lazy. Anyone want to post the more detailed presentation to the state? I'm curious what all it covered.

[nimsjus]

A coupole of stories from the PR today
First from Kathy Jumper's column:
"Quiznos will open April 28 at the Hampton Inn & Suites at Royal and Conti streets downtown, according to George Waldron , area director for the sandwich chain. A new Quiznos will open in late May at Spanish Fort Town Center near Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World off U.S. 90 in Spanish Fort."

Also one article on the sidewalks and future streetscape improvements that the Village of SpringHill have done and plan on doing in the future.
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/insider.ssf?/base/business/1240737463268610.xml&coll=3

And finally some news on SaltAire. Regions did not foreclose on them so the developers are trying to get the project going again. I really wanted this to work and create some Seaside like towns down near Bellingrath. It would be a boost to the Mobile metro. If "flight" is goign to occur, it would be nice if they were at least an option of staying in the county. I also feel for a guy I went to high school with who is the developer/owner who is doing the talking for SaltAire. Logan is a really nice guy and I hope they get this project back on track.
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/insider.ssf?/base/business/1240737463268610.xml&coll=3

[BlessedMobile]

I have heard that Regions is the bank that won't meet the stress test from the Treasury Department. If that is the case then Regions would rather bend over backwards to keep SaltAire alive rather than foreclose and have to put it back on their books. SaltAire would be a great addition to Mobile County. Now is the time to owe Regions money...apparently.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Depends on what time you leave Baton Rouge and Mobile. I always leave in rush hours and it is backed up in West Baton Rouge Parish all the way to Livingston Parish. You must leave in the middle of the night or early morning..... I am sure you are going to correct me and say no... BTW I saw you the other day...

err, oobs creepy on the "i saw you" since i dunno who you are, but anyways, yea you have to leave at 9am or 9pm to make it in 2:45, but only a fool would try to drive in baton rouge between 3-6pm

[nimsjus]

Ladd-Peebles stadium undergoes overhaul; work includes new skyboxes
Posted by Press-Register Staff April 28, 2009 12:13 PM
MOBILE, Ala. -- ThyssenKrupp Safway workers are installing scaffolding around the east side of Ladd-Peebles Stadium in preparation for sandblasting -- and then repainting -- the facility that will soon become home to the University of South Alabama's new football program.
Ladd-Peebles Stadium is undergoing $2.2 million in renovations, including the construction of 8 new skyboxes. The stadium, which opened in 1948, is undergoing $2.2 million in renovations, including the construction of eight new skyboxes.
Earlier this month, the city hired Southeastern Industrial Construction Co. to do work at the stadium for $657,166. The city also signed a $222,200 contract with Eagle Golf & Athletic Inc. to redesign the edge of the playing field by removing the hedges and redoing the drainage system.
The city also hired Trademark Construction for $1.35 million earlier this year to build the skyboxes
http://blog.al.com/press-register-sports/2009/04/laddpeebles_stadium_undergoes.html

[SouthSky]

Did (Tim) deactivate his account or is that a glitch?

By the way, the southern turning basin project for the port got listed on Obama's "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" and ~25 million will be invested.

Click for Link - Fox 10 News (http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/TurningBasinProjectGetsMillions)

[Port_of_Bama]

There suppose to be a revealing of some sort of huge economic development in Mobile that suppose to impact the entire south Alabama. Dow and Riley both suppose to announce it tommorow morning at 10 A.M at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce. I strongly dought it`s anything about the tanker split !

[bayou15]

link? hint?

[Port_of_Bama]

I wish i didbayou they just mentioned it on Fox 10 tonight. So we shall see tommorow hey this meanmore sky scrapers i hope right, lol.

But any way I just hope it is as big as they are making it out to be. Riley seemed emotional when he announced via stailite about a live meeting in Mobile for a huge economic development.

[NitekKetin]

Clearly it's regarding the new Quizno's in Downtown.

jk

[SouthSky]

NBC 15's link:

http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story/Economic-Development-Announcement-Wednesday/_NFpo0QsKkebdSzCzbb8LQ.cspx

Maybe Airbus going ahead and announcing that they're starting the A-330F/A-350F freighter factory?

[SouthSky]

From the Boston Globe: (not related to the BIG news)

http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2009/04/29/for_alabama_barbecue_brick_pit_is_the_place_to_stop/

[Electrical Porpoise]

Jobs = lovely.

If this is the story = severely disappointing.

County officials to bless Ryla Teleservices incentives Wednesday, as Gov. Bob Riley announces Saraland, Ala., call center (http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2009/04/county_officials_to_bless_ryla.html)

Mobile County officials will meet Wednesday morning to approve incentives for a call center in Saraland that could hire 1,000 or more workers.

Earlier this month, Ryla Teleservices Inc. Chief Executive Mark Wilson told an Atlanta radio station that the Georgia firm would open a Mobile-area center.

Local elected officials have said Ryla will take over the building on U.S. 43 now occupied by Hertz Corp., which is switching employees to work from home.


Ryla has said it pays starting employees between $10 and $12 an hour at a similar Kennesaw, Ga., operation. The company answers phone calls for clients including wireless telephone and financial firms, Ryla officials have said.

Maury Friedlander, attorney for the Mobile County Industrial Development Authority, said the city of Saraland has asked the authority to waive property and sales taxes for the call center. Friedlander said that at an 8 a.m. Wednesday meeting, the board is likely to waive 10 years worth of non-school property taxes, as well sales taxes on construction materials. Friedlander said the firm has said it will add to the building, investing more than $3.5 million.

The Mobile County Commission will likely vote at an 8:30 a.m. meeting to give $175,000 to the company, County Administrator John Pafenbach said. County Commissioner Stephen Nodine said the city of Saraland would also give cash.

Gov. Bob Riley is scheduled to announce the deal at 10 a.m. at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

[SouthSky]

^ That BETTER NOT be it.

[Port_of_Bama]

I will be angry if it is !!! I hope he wasnt being all emotional over that i`m happy that it`s jobs in the Mobile area but I strongly dought if it will impact the entire South Alabama economicaly.


I`m going with your Airbus idea South !!!

[Port_of_Bama]

From the Boston Globe: (not related to the BIG news)

http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2009/04/29/for_alabama_barbecue_brick_pit_is_the_place_to_stop/

I`ve heard that this place is just as good as Rogers BBQ. I assume they are if a place as far away as Boston has an article about them.

[Scottybo]

I`ve heard that this place is just as good as Rogers BBQ. I assume they are if a place as far away as Boston has an article about them.
You've never eaten at the Brick Pit?!?! Comparable to The Shed. Good old-fashioned BBQ with a country feel. One of those things you need to do at least once in your life.

[Scottybo]

Jobs = lovely.

If this is the story = severely disappointing.

County officials to bless Ryla Teleservices incentives Wednesday, as Gov. Bob Riley announces Saraland, Ala., call center (http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2009/04/county_officials_to_bless_ryla.html)

Apparently this is true. 1,200 jobs....Great for Mobile County and our local economy.

[BlessedMobile]

I can't believe we would be choked up about "iffy" telemarketers who work until the contract expires and then say "adios". Let's hope we make the money contingent upon the jobs. I can see the covered wagons heading to Saraland for the Promised Land....I-65 will be littered with the remains of wagons and livestock that just couldn't make it. Or maybe not since these places are notorious for high turnover. :shrug:

[DruidCity]

You've never eaten at the Brick Pit?!?! Comparable to The Shed.

I used to eat at the Brick Pit sometimes back when my brother taught at USA, but I'm not familiar with The Shed ?

[Scottybo]

I used to eat at the Brick Pit sometimes back when my brother taught at USA, but I'm not familiar with The Shed ?

http://www.theshedbbq.com/

It's in Ocean Springs and was recently featured on the Travel Channel.

[BlessedMobile]

As if merchants weren't having a tough enough time, now it's the railroad who will block the road. The info from Lagniappe.

http://lagniappemobile.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a93d5dfb527195f049d404c5&id=5570aff835&e=fc3c66b47d

Also, I never heard of The Shed around here but I would like to know what BBQ places you guys prefer. I do like Roger's, Dreamland, Brick Pit and Dick Russell's. Name some others.

[Port_of_Bama]

Blessed my frind I under estimated you and thought of you differently. What I am saying is that I wouldn`t think that anyone else besides Me,Cottencity,and electrical purpose would know about Rogers ,lol. It`s the glaze on the ribs man !!!! lol

[BlessedMobile]

Blessed my frind I under estimated you and thought of you differently. What I am saying is that I wouldn`t think that anyone else besides Me,Cottencity,and electrical purpose would know about Rogers ,lol. It`s the glaze on the ribs man !!!! lol

A few years ago I had dealings with the owner who was a pretty nice guy from what I remember. He had bought the business from the Rogers family.
It's been a while since I have been there but I remember it as being a little hole-in-the-wall place with a few tables and a lot of takeout. Good food. and the sauce did get high marks. I think some of the best BBQ in town is found around Five Points but that is largely under the radar. Don't keep the names of all the best places to yourself...share with your buds!

[nimsjus]

My family has been doing Rogers forever. I love that place. It used to be really convenient way back in the day when they cooked out of that old gas station by Davidson. I was pissed when they closed that store. My dad would still go across town to get those ribs. I also like Brick Pit, Dreamland and Saucy Qs too. Anybody know the name of the BBQ spot of DIP? Someone brought some to one of the places I was working and it was pretty good too.

[nimsjus]

This si the oddest idea to me. I hope it works and is a boom for the city. I can't imagine that they are going to be able to get financing in todays lending market (the idea is just to risky).
School board signs letter of intent with sports complex developers
Thursday, April 30, 2009
By RENA HAVNER PHILIPS
Staff Reporter
Receiving a nod from the Mobile County school board, developers of a proposed $1 billion sports complex off Interstate 10 said they will now start signing retailers to participate in what officials are calling an ambitious project.
The five-member school board Tuesday unanimously agreed to sign a letter of intent with the C.P. Newdome Foundation.
The foundation has proposed building a complex with athletic facilities — including a football stadium, a basketball arena, a water park, a shooting range and sports fields — as well as a hotel and convention and retail space.
The foundation has also proposed building a career-technical school on-site for the school system.
The Sports Complex of the Americas would sit on up to 1,500 acres of land at the McDonald Road exit in Theodore, including about 500 acres that belongs to the school system.
The letter of intent gives the foundation time to market the project, solicit commercial retailers and obtain financing commitments from investors. Steve Hanley, chairman of the foundation's development committee, said the foundation needs until at least November to work out all the details.
During that time, the school system will not seek other tenants for the valuable land as long as the foundation is making progress, board member Bill Meredith said. But if someone else wants the land, the school board would be able to get out of the agreement with 90 days' notice.
Meredith, whose district includes the land in question, said he has his doubts that the complex will ever be developed. But, he said, he wishes the foundation well.
The board had rejected a similar letter of intent with the foundation last month, saying it wanted support from the Mobile County Commission first.
The commission unanimously approved a resolution April 13 stating that it would "favorably consider" establishing a tax district on the land. A tax district there would allow the developers to raise the sales tax from
5cm HALF cents to 9cm HALF cents, with the extra 4 cents going to the developers to pay back construction bonds.
Cece Hylton, a spokeswoman for the foundation, said some retailers have already expressed interest in the complex, as have entertainment agencies in Branson, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn., and one of the "largest indoor-outdoor water parks."
"We feel very positive that we will not have a problem doing what we want do to," Hylton said.
Hanley said he expects to be able to make "major announcements" about the complex in about two weeks.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Blessed my frind I under estimated you and thought of you differently. What I am saying is that I wouldn`t think that anyone else besides Me,Cottencity,and electrical purpose would know about Rogers ,lol. It`s the glaze on the ribs man !!!! lolI used to go there a lot when I worked on Conception -- really nice people.


In Tuscaloosa there is Archibald's and then everything else.

[Bogue]

I would love for the sports complex to work out. I could, at minimum, see them making a play for the retail areas they've mentioned as well as the water park. Dunno' how much they can cobble together for the rest, though.

[Scottybo]

Anyone been following the Bruno's sale? 56 stores were bought with 31 remaining open and the other 25 going into liquidation. Only stores I've heard about that will close in our area through liquidation is the store at Hillcrest and Cottage Hill and Orange Beach. Only 6 out of 19 stores in Birmingham will remain open.

All of this is pending approval, of course.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Anyone been following the Bruno's sale? 56 stores were bought with 31 remaining open and the other 25 going into liquidation. Only stores I've heard about that will close in our area through liquidation is the store at Hillcrest and Cottage Hill and Orange Beach. Only 6 out of 19 stores in Birmingham will remain open.

All of this is pending approval, of course.
Here is the list. Click the link for the closed stores.


Most Bruno's stores in Mobile area would stay open under Southern Family Markets bid; Birmingham and Montgomery hard-hit (http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2009/04/most_brunos_stores_in_mobile_a.html)

According to the list, stores to remain open are:
Bruno's No. 51, 3780 Riverchase Village, Hoover.
Bruno's No. 70, 509 S. Alabama 119, Alabaster.
Bruno's No. 84, 2001 E. McFarland Blvd., Tuscaloosa.
Bruno's No. 304, 100 Plantation Point Shopping Center, Fairhope.
Bruno's No. 306, 1545 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores.
Bruno's No. 309, 6729 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort.
Bruno's No. 310, 306 S. University Blvd., Mobile.
Bruno's No. 323, 4350 Old Shell Road, Mobile.
Food World No. 15, Cullman Shopping Center, Cullman.
Food World No. 27, 4400 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa.
Food World No. 30, 251 Mary Esther Cutoff, Mary Esther, Fla.
Food World No. 49, 3225 Rainbow Drive, Rainbow City.
Food World No. 53, 518 Pelham Pkwy., Pelham.
Food World No. 54, 216 Green Springs Highway, Homewood.
Food World No. 58, 2891 Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive, Hueytown.
Food World No. 61, 4055 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile.
Food World No. 114, 2501 Government Blvd., Mobile.
Food World No. 124, 2519 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden.
Food World No. 141, 8084 Davis Highway, Pensacola.
Food World No. 142, 4320 Lillian Highway, Pensacola.
Food World No. 145, 309 Main St., Trussville.
Food World No. 213, 6032 W. U.S. 90, Milton, Fla.
Food World No. 223, 7859 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola.
Food World No. 234, 4200 McFarland Blvd, Tuscaloosa.
Food World No. 247, 641 Bear Creek Road, Tuscaloosa.
Food World No. 330, 2962 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile.
Food World No. 334, 3710 Dauphin St., Mobile.
Food World No. 337, 112 Saraland Loop Road, Saraland.
Food World No. 339, 7361 Theodore-Dawes Road, Theodore.
Food World No. 362, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Pensacola.
Food World No. 369, 1104 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Fla.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Rep. John Murtha drops push to split Air Force tanker contract between Boeing and Northrop (http://blog.al.com/live/2009/05/murtha_drops_push_to_split_af.html)

A proposal by U.S. Rep. John Murtha to split the Air Force tanker contract between Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. will not be included in this year's supplemental war spending bill, according to the congressman.
fileRep. John Murtha

Murtha, D-Pa., the chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees defense spending, said he was abandoning his push to add language to the bill that would have directed the Pentagon to buy planes from both manufacturers.


Murtha "remains committed to working out a plan that gets tankers in the air faster," a spokesman said today. He said Murtha intends to make another push for the dual buy later this year, when the appropriations committee begins crafting the fiscal 2010 defense budget.

Murtha, backed by Alabama congressmen Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, and Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, saw the split as a potential compromise to break a political stalemate between the two rival teams and help the Air Force get its planes.

But the proposal had a powerful opponent in Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said the dual buy was a bad deal for taxpayers and the Air Force.

U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., a strong supporter of Boeing, told the Press-Register this week that he also opposed the split.

Bonner and Davis are hoping Northrop can land at least a piece of the potential $40 billion contract because the company would build its KC-45 tankers in a proposed $600 million, 1,500-worker factory in Mobile.

New tankers are the Air Force's top priority. The service wants the new planes to replace its aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, which have been flying on average for nearly 50 years.

Gates has said he intends to move forward with a winner-take-all competition for the coveted deal beginning this summer, with a contract for 179 planes awarded early next year

[mobile]

That split contract is BS we should get the whole thing down here. We won and thats that. If we had lost we wouldn't have been able to cry about it and get a split.

[mobile]

that sports complex and water park would be great. Although I wish the could put the water park in the woods DT behing Orange Grove. Since Orange Grove is tore down build that area up nicer and rebuild orange in a different spot of mobile.

[Bogue]

I was under the impression that they were building some kind of new mixed-income housing in that area... HopeV or HopeIV or something like that?

[Port_of_Bama]

Yeah they are builing new homes in that area. That water park sounds realy nice i hope it isn`t nothing cheesy but a good money draw.

[mobile]

Well I still wish that they would do something with that huge wooded area behind orange grove. Woods dont belong in a downtown metro area. IMO

[NitekKetin]

Well I still wish that they would do something with that huge wooded area behind orange grove. Woods dont belong in a downtown metro area. IMO

I'd like to see the 'wooded area' around Orange Grove developed into a nice regional park, like an eastern counterpart to west Mobile's municipal park. It could even feature a golf course, nicely-sized lake and amphitheater. There have been plans for a large scale park in that area for decades. A reinvigorated residential community can be built between it and Downtown.

[nimsjus]

In downtown news from Kathy Jumper's column...
"MLK Redevelopment Corp. has a contract to buy 4.1 acres at Congress and Broad streets, and plans to build a 38,000-square-foot retail center, according to Michael Pierce, executive director of the nonprofit group. The land is owned by the Mobile Coun ty Health Department and the sale should be finalized soon, Pierce said."

Also for any Auburn Alums, the column above also mentions the opening of a Momma Goldberg's Deli in Mobile. It say they will open in early August and will be located on Airport in Yester Oaks Shopping Center. For those of you that didnt go to Auburn, the origianl Momma G's is in this little old house right next to campus. They serve steamed sandwiches, beer, and nachos (doritos with melted peperjack cheese steamed on top) until about 3AM. They now have franchises in Auburn, Bham(Homewood), Tuscaloosa, Lagrange Ga, and Montgomery, with Mobile and Dothan on the way. I think that location is terrible and I will be moving before it opens, but I love Momma G's sandwiches. I think they would have been better off to be located closer to USA or downtown, but hopefully they do well at this location.

[OCA REP]

I think that location is terrible and I will be moving before it opens, but I love Momma G's sandwiches. I think they would have been better off to be located closer to USA or downtown, but hopefully they do well at this location.

Similar situation here in MGM. The Mommas here is located way out east in a suburban strip shopping center. Would have tons more character closer into town... maybe near Huntingdon College in an older house/building. As an AU grad I love the food, but it is not conveniently located for me to visit there too often. I will just eat at the original when up there for games, etc.

[Port_of_Bama]

Well I still wish that they would do something with that huge wooded area behind orange grove. Woods dont belong in a downtown metro area. IMO



Yeah your right it doesn`t and making it into a nice park with apartments would be a good look also.



There is some sort of construction going on at the corner of Springhill and Broad near the Mobile County health daprtment. It seems as if they are building a fountain there right in that little median does anyone know ?

[nimsjus]

Yeah your right it doesn`t and making it into a nice park with apartments would be a good look also.



There is some sort of construction going on at the corner of Springhill and Broad near the Mobile County health daprtment. It seems as if they are building a fountain there right in that little median does anyone know ?

I think they are calling that a park. There was an article a while back posted on here about that little strip/triangle there.

[CottonCity251]

From the Press-Register...

Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson's New Year's Eve Moon Pie drop drew 12,000 people to downtown Mobile last year. Now it might be drawing a new business to the city.

Richardson recently forwarded the Press-Register an e-mail from Tory Johnston, vice president for marketing at Chattanooga Bakery, which makes Moon Pies. Johnston said the company wants to open a "MoonPie General Store" somewhere in the Mobile area for a six-month trial run from November to April 2010.

If the store is successful, it would open in a permanent location in the fall of 2010.

In addition to the marshmallow-and-graham-cracker treat, the Moon Pie General Store would also sell Moon Pie-themed T-shirts, hats, toys and other gifts.

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

Sounds good...should/must be downtown.

[CottonCity251]

I think they are calling that a park. There was an article a while back posted on here about that little strip/triangle there.

Seems like a dangerous spot for a park though, with traffic coming from so many ways. Must be a park in plaza form...?? Thats were I'm posted up on Fat Tuesday...they stole my spot, now I'mma have to park on the fountain.:D

[Bayside]

Seems like a dangerous spot for a park though, with traffic coming from so many ways. Must be a park in plaza form...?? Thats were I'm posted up on Fat Tuesday...they stole my spot, now I'mma have to park on the fountain.:D


There won't be any benches in the park. I guess its a ride by park. You ride by and look out your window at it.

[Port_of_Bama]

From the Press-Register...

Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson's New Year's Eve Moon Pie drop drew 12,000 people to downtown Mobile last year. Now it might be drawing a new business to the city.

Richardson recently forwarded the Press-Register an e-mail from Tory Johnston, vice president for marketing at Chattanooga Bakery, which makes Moon Pies. Johnston said the company wants to open a "MoonPie General Store" somewhere in the Mobile area for a six-month trial run from November to April 2010.

If the store is successful, it would open in a permanent location in the fall of 2010.

In addition to the marshmallow-and-graham-cracker treat, the Moon Pie General Store would also sell Moon Pie-themed T-shirts, hats, toys and other gifts.

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

Sounds good...should/must be downtown.




:previous: I agree downtown is the best location for it.

[Port_of_Bama]

There won't be any benches in the park. I guess its a ride by park. You ride by and look out your window at it.


I think it`s a good idea that they`re keep ing it like that, with just a fountain and all.

[Alxx611]

The Belltower at USA


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/100_1662.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/100_1652.jpg

And the new Rec Center:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/100_1625.jpg



DT from Spring Hill College:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/100_1599.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/100_1595.jpg

[SouthSky]

Great pics, Alxx. Keep it up... that view from Springhill is one of the better views in Mobile.

[SouthSky]

Here's an Los Angeles Times article about Mobile-Cuba relations in regards to trade:

(came out this morning)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-alabama-cuba7-2009may07,0,457767.story

[nimsjus]

Here's an Los Angeles Times article about Mobile-Cuba relations in regards to trade:

(came out this morning)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-alabama-cuba7-2009may07,0,457767.story

Really cool article SouthSky. More good national pub for Mobile. Ive been on a couple of trips to the caribbean (cruise, honeymoon to jamaica, and visited my college roomate in the Dominican Republic where he worked). I probably would never go back since I feel like I ahve seen all there is to see (the cultures are so similar and they are all surrounded by the same sand and same colored water). But if they open up travel to Havanah I would definitely go back to see that. I have heard it is awesome.

[Port_of_Bama]

:previous: It would also be another good tourist attraction if there were cruises from Mobile to Havana. It` also amazing how both cities have a statue of there founder lemoyne facing each other 600 miles away. if i`m not mistaken that`s like Mobile to Nashville.


It`s been rumored that Havan or just Cuba I think is on the same horizonta plain as Mobile, like it is directly under mobile. Does anyone know how true this is ?

[SouthSky]

The Yucatan Peninsula is on the same line as Mobile. Havana is directly south of Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota.

[nimsjus]

Below is an article about fighting at Blount High School. The school board says it is just a matter of the school being too large and the kids being from too many neighborhoods. My question is-What do neighborhoods have to do with fighting. I attended a private high school so I will exclude my experiences from this discussion of MCPS. My sister attended Davidson (one of Mobile's other very large public schools). She never beat up, shot, or harrassed students from other neighborhoods. Other students never did this to her. I think the thing that frustrates me about this article and the responses by MCPS is that they blame this entirely on "neighborhood rivalries" and propose to fix it by just seperating the kids back to other schools. I feel like some family situations play into many of these kids not knowing right from wrong. If these kids get educated and have good mentors then these kids will see that it is not ok to fight/shoot/harrass/kill other people over what neighborhood they are from. I also suspect that these neighborhood rivalries are not strictly over neighborhood pride. I know some of our posters went to some of the other schools mentioned (Leflore, Vigor, Murphy). What were yalls experiences? Is it purely neighborhood pride or do drugs, gangs, etc play a role in these "neighborhood rivalries"? Lets keep this discussion positive and constructive.

[Electrical Porpoise]

:previous:

I think you are looking too deep into the word "neighborhoods." While it is true that some of the aforementioned reasons play a role in fights, generally when you have dozens of different groups of friends you are going to have arguments. The more groups, the more disagreements.

[Port_of_Bama]

I graduated from Leflore in 2005 and though parenting plays a huge role, it`s not a neighborhood rivelry but community.

E.G : like the Toulminville community not getting along with the Mayesville community, or Prichard not getting along with West Mobile. So it`s a little deeper than a neighborhood. Just about in any moderate to large size city you will have community rivelries and yes it is pride. I disagree with it and think it is silly but that is the way it is. Blount school district is to large, and while Blount Highschool is in Prichard it has students from the Trinity Garden and some Toulminville areas.Trinity Gardens and all of Toulminville students should be attending Leflore not Blount because it is closer and to add on to it they both don`t get along with Prichard,so that is one problem. Most of Williamson`s studnts are from communities such as Mayesville,Down The Bay,and DIP so ther is no problems.Vigor`s students come from the Prichard area no problems. some of the Roger Williams housing project students attend Davidson but there are no other east Mobile neighborhoods at Davidson beside Roger williams so there is no problem.If you were to take the Orange Grove kids from Murphy and brought them to Davidson with the Roger Willaim students then it will be problems.

These community rivelries are just like school rivelries I think Murphy`s biggest rivelry is with McGill and if you were to have Murphy students and Mcgill students sitting on the same side during a play off game do you think it would be peace ?

[nimsjus]

I have a hard time seeing the rivalry thing because no matter how much I am into a rivalry I would never fight, harm, or kill someone over a high school/college/neighborhood/community rivalry. Maybe thats just the way I was raised. I attribute that inhibition to education. I am educated enough to know that it does not make sense to fight over what neighborhood or school someone attends. I think everyone on this board is educated enough to see the flaws in that kind of logic (Port already acknowledged that it doesnt make sense). I think the easy answer is just to put everyone back with others from their respective communities. I don't think it solves the bigger issue (the issue that these kids shouldnt be killing each other over what neighborhood they live in), but it may cut back down on the fights. Either way, I appreciate the insight from some of you guys who have lived this stuff. Hopefully they get it straightened out so these kids can go to school and have an environment where they can get and education and go on to be successful.

[nimsjus]

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3

[Port_of_Bama]

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3



:previous: I agree, because if we gave them the incentives for a complete project and they give us parshel then we should have a cetrtain percentage refunded to us.

[CottonCity251]

I graduated from Leflore in 2005 and though parenting plays a huge role, it`s not a neighborhood rivelry but community.

E.G : like the Toulminville community not getting along with the Mayesville community, or Prichard not getting along with West Mobile. So it`s a little deeper than a neighborhood. Just about in any moderate to large size city you will have community rivelries and yes it is pride. I disagree with it and think it is silly but that is the way it is. Blount school district is to large, and while Blount Highschool is in Prichard it has students from the Trinity Garden and some Toulminville areas.Trinity Gardens and all of Toulminville students should be attending Leflore not Blount because it is closer and to add on to it they both don`t get along with Prichard,so that is one problem. Most of Williamson`s studnts are from communities such as Mayesville,Down The Bay,and DIP so ther is no problems.Vigor`s students come from the Prichard area no problems. some of the Roger Williams housing project students attend Davidson but there are no other east Mobile neighborhoods at Davidson beside Roger williams so there is no problem.If you were to take the Orange Grove kids from Murphy and brought them to Davidson with the Roger Willaim students then it will be problems.

These community rivelries are just like school rivelries I think Murphy`s biggest rivelry is with McGill and if you were to have Murphy students and Mcgill students sitting on the same side during a play off game do you think it would be peace ?

The problem is the next generation...the 90s babies. Each one is worst than before and they are growing up but still babies from ages 13-18. Most of the problems deal with hood pride or where you from. LeFlore and Blount had a small zoning area, which were the surrounding neighborhoods, until they built the new school and so-called revamped LeFlore's curriculumm. Now Blount has students from Creightion, Toulminville, Trinity Gardens, and the rough parts of Prichard. How is that gon work? When I was at LeFlore other hoods came to our school to fight us...I remember a brawl before school started between Toulminville and Queens Court in Prichard, they drove up to our school. Trinity Gardens has this little gang group called MGM boys...and what do you know all are minors under 16 and they carry big heaters, you don't wanna see 'em. Vigor has its problems as well with rivalry between Plateau, Happy Hill, Alabama Village, Gulf Villiage, and behind Vigor. They have had brawls and students bringing guns there also this year. The problems don't stop at the schools...its all over the streets, the young ones are the ones we see on the news everyday for their dumb choices. Closing down Orange Grove and Bessemer Projects contributes also. Most from Orange Grove moved to R.V. Taylor Homes...straight WarZone. Like they try to come in and take over or something. Some moved to Roger Williams, where it ain't gon happen, so its no near whats happening in R.V. where people are dying over non sense. I don't look for trouble but if another man step to me like he wanna check me or something Imma defend me. I have stayed in every hood and will go wherever I please cause I represent the whole city...Mobile.

[CottonCity251]

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3

Most incentives that come upfront are cash conponents. The tax breaks and stuff really don't kick in until the plant is fully operational with the jobs promised so I thought.

[nimsjus]

[QUOTE=CottonCity251;4247564]The problem is the next generation...the 90s babies. Each one is worst than before and they are growing up but still babies from ages 13-18. Most of the problems deal with hood pride or where you from. Trinity Gardens has this little gang group called MGM boys...and what do you know all are minors under 16 and they carry big heaters, you don't wanna see 'em. QUOTE]

I dont know the groups and neighborhoods like some of yall do, but I can completely see the youth thing. Everytime there is a shooting, robbery, drug sting, assault, etc it is someone under the age of 20-25. Thats what made me think it was an education/parenting/family life deal with this situation. The neighborhood/community rivalry seems to me to be the front for why they fight, but the reason they fight and act out in general is the fact that they are not educated enough to see the flaws in that logic. A big part of why some of these kids are not educated is because they either don't have parents/mentors or they have bad ones. Like I said earlier, I appreciate all of yalls insight into the situation. I always like to know as much as I can about my home town and that is not an area that I knew alot about before hand.

[Muskavon]

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3

I don't know if today's PR article is any different than yesterday's, but all they seem to be saying is they are delaying that division, not canceling it. They are already pretty committed to it financially with $2.8 bill of $3.25 bill of the division already committed. The article goes on to say that they have till the end of 2015 to have 2,000 full-time workers in order to meet the agreements on incentives. Anyway, beyond the obvious economy situation...it does seem like the construction of their Brazilian plant has been a fiasco since day 1. Since it is the key cog to delivering steel to Mobile for processing, nothing is going to work till that is sorted out anyway. I really don't see ThyssenKrupp as the bad guy in any of this. It's just the unfortunate situation of the times. No sense in making steel simply to stack it up in a field and watch it rust away.

[BlessedMobile]

Does Thyssen Krupp owe us a refund? I feel like if they are considering not opening the carbon steel division, then they should refund Mobile County a percentage of the incentives we gave them to lure them here. They are not living up to the promises that they made so why should we have to give them all of the money we promised them. That money could go towards luring other projects to the area and kepp Mobile on this roll that it has been on the last few years.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1242206107133410.xml&coll=3

Rest easy friends...I know the TK people and the project was always thought by many general contractors to be on a too "fast track" for construction. The world economy dictates that they slow the steel plant by about 6 months and the stainless plant by one year. The work is not stopping but is going at a slower and more realistic pace. There are now 3500 people on-site each day and that number will go to over 5000 in the next few months. We are doing business with them now and will do more in the future. As for wanting money back, most of the incentive package is tax breaks not cash outlay. The jobs will be there in incredible numbers in the next few years. We in Mobile aren't seeing the job numbers from them yet because many of the contractors are using their own people from out-of-town. There are probably a 1000 area people working permanently for TK and on construction. Most of you who are under 30 and a responsible adult will likely get your chance to land a very good job with TK or one of the many secondary industries that will locate here over the next 10 years. This company has already spent over 3 billions dollars and plans to spend whatever it takes to complete the project.

[BlessedMobile]

The problem is the next generation...the 90s babies. Each one is worst than before and they are growing up but still babies from ages 13-18. Most of the problems deal with hood pride or where you from. LeFlore and Blount had a small zoning area, which were the surrounding neighborhoods, until they built the new school and so-called revamped LeFlore's curriculumm. Now Blount has students from Creightion, Toulminville, Trinity Gardens, and the rough parts of Prichard. How is that gon work? When I was at LeFlore other hoods came to our school to fight us...I remember a brawl before school started between Toulminville and Queens Court in Prichard, they drove up to our school. Trinity Gardens has this little gang group called MGM boys...and what do you know all are minors under 16 and they carry big heaters, you don't wanna see 'em. Vigor has its problems as well with rivalry between Plateau, Happy Hill, Alabama Village, Gulf Villiage, and behind Vigor. They have had brawls and students bringing guns there also this year. The problems don't stop at the schools...its all over the streets, the young ones are the ones we see on the news everyday for their dumb choices. Closing down Orange Grove and Bessemer Projects contributes also. Most from Orange Grove moved to R.V. Taylor Homes...straight WarZone. Like they try to come in and take over or something. Some moved to Roger Williams, where it ain't gon happen, so its no near whats happening in R.V. where people are dying over non sense. I don't look for trouble but if another man step to me like he wanna check me or something Imma defend me. I have stayed in every hood and will go wherever I please cause I represent the whole city...Mobile.

Our school board should listen to you young people who KNOW what is happening in the schools. I don't see how the board keeps pushing a square peg into a round hole and expecting it to be a peaceful union. It seems that they are always trying to consolidate school groups rather than create a good learning environment.

[nimsjus]

Good to hear all of that about TK. In other news (maybe old news to some of yall) a 5 Guys Hamburgers is opening in the old Starbucks at Old Shell and MacGregor. I posted an article a while back saying 5 Guys was going to be opening at Airport and University in the old Krystals next to Zea's. So we will have two locations locally. I hope both do well. I have never been to Five Guys, but everyone I know raves about this place. I have always thought that location in Spring Hill would do a booming business as a restaraunt. I guess I will get to see how it turns out now.

[Port_of_Bama]

I really hope this Cuban Embargo thing is lifted,it seems as if it will be a boost to the Alabama economy.

http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/1036517.html


I have never seen this view of the port, what a nice view !!!

[NitekKetin]

That is a great shot, I'm thinking they took it from the International Trade Center.

Hopefully 5 Guys Burger will be better than the overhyped Milo's.

[Muskavon]

I really hope this Cuban Embargo thing is lifted,it seems as if it will be a boost to the Alabama economy.

http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/1036517.html


I have never seen this view of the port, what a nice view !!!

I'm probably being overly-sensitive as usual. Or very petty. But the original LA Times article in that link finishes with a line that just kills me:

"Feore, 70, is also one of a handful of older Mobilians who cherish the memory of a pre-revolutionary Havana that seemed especially magical by Alabama standards."

As if to say if you were living in an awesome place like LA or NYC, Havana would be another unmemorable yawner and wouldn't meet the standards of appreciation.

To continue the writer's direction to the absurd....."Hick Alabamians go ape sheet over Cuba though. I guess they are happy to step out of their cotton fields and see 1956 Fords driving on roads in Cuba (roads are things with pavement on them...for Alabamians)...those Alabamians probably have never seen what we modern people call "automobiles". We should probably spell automobile phonetically so Alabamians can read and pronounce the newest technology coming their way once they get running water in Mobile. Someone should import some ice so these backwards redneck people get an appreciation for the Inuit populations to their north they don't know exist. I bet they'd be amazed to see frozen water."

It just seems insulting to me. Otherwise, I like the article.