[CottonCity251]

I WISH Mobile could support Frontier Airlines, but if Baton Rouge can't then i highly doubt we could.
Baton Rouge's newspaper says, "According to Metro Airport figures, Frontier’s two daily flights averaged about 2,860 passengers per month between September and January, just shy of the airport’s projected average of 3,320....Business was good enough that Frontier previously announced a third flight would be added next month.

The problem, Hodas said, was that most local fliers don’t travel past Denver, which is how discount airlines typically make money.

“The traffic to Denver is pretty good, but for the routes to be successful, we’ve got to get a mix,” he said. “We just weren’t seeing that."...When the city began negotiating with Frontier in 2005, oil was around $65 a barrel. Since then, prices have risen to near $100 a barrel."
Source: 2theadvocate.com

Itd be great if Mobile could get it, especially since it drove down the prices in Baton Rouge by 27%, and everyone knows Mobile's flights are outrageous, but I just don't think it would happen (at least not when fuel is so high)

Welcome to the forum!!:tup:

[bayou15]

:previous: 1,000th post! we got a winner:tup: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[pboo74]

has anyone heard about the st.francis place that supposed to be built downtown?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

haha my first post on here was the 1000th! thats funny... ive been on UrbanPlanet's forum wondering where everyone is...then i found everyone on this one instead...

[bayou15]

Yeah, bout time u sheauxed up:worship: . Enlighten us of your knowledge and vision of Mobile. Also need some football tickets next fall. Hook a brother up:tup: Geaux Tigers!

[bayou15]

So LSUboy I see you did your homework :typing: on TOS by calling the hotel, and you neaux about the emporis info that was just updated. Your good for a rook:sly: ........keep calling .....ask for da engineer or manager.

[bayou15]

has anyone heard about the st.francis place that supposed to be built downtown?

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

haha we'll see on the tickets.... and i actually emailed emporis with the new numbers so hopefully they'll update it...

I'm no rookie...been a mobile almanac since i was like 12... Just new to forum-ing...haha

Little info on myself: I'm 20, obviously go to LSU and majoring in Construction Management...and I have lived in Mobile since i was born, and went to St. Paul's...

Geaux Tigers

[elb401]

welcome to this forum....i think I've seen you before on urban planet.

Ya'll know the city is working with several hotels that want to locate downtown.

[jrfstone]

Ya'll know the city is working with several hotels that want to locate downtown.

What's the profile of these hotels? Are we talking low, mid or high rises? Do you know any names?

[bayou15]

arrr!

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph

[MobileLSUboy2005]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

[pboo74]

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:
Thanks bayou15,Keep us updated on this please.

[Muskavon]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

I wonder the same thing these days MLSU. I'm a Pensacolian rooting hard for Mobile to explode into a great metro as my town sadly never will under the control it has combined with being under the influence of tightening of growth that the rest of this state gets (but we never got ours to start with). We won't be spending millions to get industry here anytime in the next 30 centuries as we are a town full of upity assholes. We might spend millions to build a baseball stadium for our connected friends downtown though.

Anyway...I'm hoping for more office building demand downtown Mobile. Not to be mean...but even as much as I just trashed my city (Pensacola) for being backward...I'd think damned near anyone would rather rent a room here or in Gulf Shores than stay in the City of Mobile on most days of the year. It's a city of ports and industry...which is a good thing. But not a reason to hang around if not business thing for most.

Whatever the case...I long for the day the two towns grow together and this little group of jerk offs who control this city lose it. I often wonder what this port might have been if this town was in Alabama from the start. Probably pretty damned vibrant downtown.

[bayou15]

HEY M LSU ,"IF YOU build it they will come!" (Field of Dreams)

[nimsjus]

Has the Carriage House project started coming out of the ground yet? When I was down over Christmas, they had started rennovations on the original structure, and they had poured foundations/laid plumbing for the new townhouse component of the project. If so pictures would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike06]

I imagine the hotels do well for two weeks during Mardi Gras. The Senior Bowl fills them up (600-700 scouts and coaches here all week,40,000+ attendance). The GMAC bowl always has a team from the north (Miami-Ohio,Ohio,Tulsa) were the climate is miserable in January. I've been to the last two and they bring a lot of fans. You see them throughout the week. There are a good number of smaller conventions that go on downtown that people hear little about (the knock on Mobile not having large conventions was not enough hotel rooms). I'm sure there are a good number of people that stay downtown the night before leaving on a cruise from Mobile. You also have Fort Conde, I-max, and several museums that attract folks.

I believe the hotel industry is looking into the future and they see Mobile growing. The maritime museum will be a nice addition and who knows what they have in the master plan.

[BlessedMobile]

Hey pboo, rode by there da other day. They have a sketch posted of the plans. And it sheauxs about 70% is already bought up.


I posted about this development before, some might not agree(BlessedMobile),but if they don t move Labor Finders and the soup kitchen out of the area i really can t see this being a good investment. Last saturday morning I couldnt get by these people with out feeling somewhat concerned.Wish i had pictures to post.

I say move labor finders and soup kitchen to the civic center. Their is never anything geuxing on over there. That place is about as lively , as where Joe Cain hangs out :cool:

Did I say that? probably...anyway I think that general downtown development will move the temp labor places and maybe "15 Place" , the homeless food and mail headquarters out further. Money and influence tend to call the shots on such locations as the community develops. 15 Place is a small facility of maybe 5,000 s/f that can easily move but it won't be easy. Biggest problem is where would they be willing to go that the area would welcome them....I think all of you know the logical answer to that. Just as an FYI but I too was by 15 Place at 7am one Friday and agree the Labor Finders is in the WRONG place if you want to bring residents to the area.

[bayou15]

What is the moving answer? Hey Blessed nice to see ya back! So do you neaux any plans of any hotel development coming to downtown in the future?

[BlessedMobile]

Bayou...I can still make you a banner like the one Music was going to get. I gave his to one of my employees. I think I may have mentioned before that my reliable sources tell me we have about 800-1000 true homeless in Mobile. If you wonder how so many prescription drugs get to the street ask your local homeless vet. Labor Finders will eventually move because the landlord won't want the grief of mad neighbors and politicians...it's a good location for something else too. I know there are two more hotels that will be built in Tillman's Corner but downtown is a guess for me.

[BlessedMobile]

Bayou, I know of two new hotels to be built in Tillman's Corner but nothing else downtown that I know of. I did see a post about Admiral Semmes making an expansion but that has been talked about for some time now. Look for a big renovation at the now closed Airport Inn (Quality)...it's in bad shape on the interior. Hotels are a hot commodity for investors..there are many more to come especially downtown and near the eventual track.

[10101000]

It's rumored that Mobile will be the future location of a Hyatt Place hotel. Perhaps they will choose a Downtown site.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS255408+29-Jan-2008+BW20080129

I can believe this, why not have a Hyatt? Every other metro city does, and I know there are plenty of pleople will saty. Came home last week and again, downtown looks different again. Miss the place a lot. Eastern Shore is really changing and driving in from South West on I-10 looks like development is taking place all the way out to Bayou La Batre. North Mobile, looks great as well. I was shocked to see how many people were out and about on Saturday downtown. Saw a new restaurant on Royal, looked like something out of Atlanta. Awesome changes, cannot wait to move back.

[LHG]

Here are some recent pics from the Carriage Works. All of the info is available on The Drummond Group website: www.drummondgrouponline.com/condos.asp (http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/condos.asp)

Sorry about the size of the pictures, I haven't figured out how to resize them yet.

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4969.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4970.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4971.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4972.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4974.JPG

http://www.drummondgrouponline.com/images/IMG_4975.JPG

[nimsjus]

Thanks for the photos and website. Nice info on several other projects they are working on.

[Mattmc]

Hi guys ! I am a new member , but not new to following Mobile development , I have reading this forum several years but never chimed in ....untill now .

Something I would like some input on is this .... Mobiles skyline has never looked better ... so you think you would see it when you watch the news ...
Remember the good old days when WALA 10 , had the skyline in their background , now all they have is the boring news room .

I wish that some local Station would make the move to insert the skyline to their backgound , I emailed WKRG on this subject and got no responce .
I believe this addition would speak volumes , many stations still do this .

Thanks , Matt

[bayou15]

Welcome to the board! ........:tup: Now give us all your info and your money:haha: Enjoy the ride:)

[Mattmc]

Unfortunatly... I really don't have anymore info than you guys have :(
And I barely live inside the city limits :notacrook: .... like 200 feet inside .... but I could'nt imagine living anywhere else .
I am from Jackson MS , but have lived here most of my life ... 23 out of 25 years , all of my family is from MS , and alot have found their way to Mobile .

[SouthSky]

Hi guys ! I am a new member , but not new to following Mobile development , I have reading this forum several years but never chimed in ....untill now .

Something I would like some input on is this .... Mobiles skyline has never looked better ... so you think you would see it when you watch the news ...
Remember the good old days when WALA 10 , had the skyline in their background , now all they have is the boring news room .

I wish that some local Station would make the move to insert the skyline to their backgound , I emailed WKRG on this subject and got no responce .
I believe this addition would speak volumes , many stations still do this .

Thanks , Matt

I've been thinking the same about Mobile's news stations. WPMI shows a little bit of the skyline during the weather but really nothing else. Maybe they'll start after the Riverview's spire's completion.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Maybe WPMI can start with not having a green background on a radar.

[Musicisright]

Or maybe WPMI needs to update the picture they use of the RSA Tower. The one they use during the weather still shows scaffolding on the crown. I know that's silly, but it was pretty ugly when it had scaffolding all over the crown.

[thoraudio]

Had a good mini-vacation over the weekend in Mobile. Stayed at the Riverview and ate at the Oyster House. Good to see lots of work going on in the downtown area.

I did have one question, though. Why haven't all the derelict structures on the Causeway been torn down? Some of that stuff seems like its been that way since Fredrick in '79.

[elb401]

ha yea...well.....more like Katrina. The old gas stations are all messed up. so it has been 3 years since the storm? A lot of them are starting to come down now. That old pink hotel is going to be gutted. Then the owners are going to decide whether or not to rebuild it. But still there are a few buildings on the causeway that have been messed up since before Katrina.

[Bayside]

not trying to slow mobile development...BUT do we REALLY need ANOTHER hotel downtown!? i mean come on... its getting a little excessive...battle house, riverview, admiral semmes, lafayette plaza, hampton, raddison... how many do we freakin need!? lets get big headquarters or attractions down there first... im sure the hotels are never all full except for one week of the year.... mardi gras....

Yes, we need more downtown hotels. They complaint of the convention folks is that we haven't had enough downtown hotel rooms to support the convention center. Without conventions, RSA and David Bronner won't get a good return on their investments in the Battle House and Riverview.

[Del]

Re TimothynCrystal's post: I wonder what new restaurant you saw on Royal? There is a brand-new coffeeshop, only open a few weeks. They have panini and soup and stuff, and gelato!

Oh and this isn't downtown but True is open in "Legacy Village" or whatever ridiculous name they've given to the Aging Matronette stripmall at Dauphin & I-65 - oh my God, y'all, it's incredible. Better than NoJa, and it hurts me to say that. :(

[NitekKetin]

^I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

The more pretentious name of that lifestyle center near Dauphin and I-65 is "Legacy Village at Spring Hill". It's pretty much leased and will feature Justice! For Girls and Gymboree as future tenants. :)

[nimsjus]

^I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

The more pretentious name of that lifestyle center near Dauphin and I-65 is "Legacy Village at Spring Hill". It's pretty much leased and will feature Justice! For Girls and Gymboree as future tenants. :)

I know they saved back some land for future expansion if the first part leased well. I think that shopping center is the only way that Mobile lands any high-end retailers (Anthropologie, J CREW, Brooks Brothers, etc) unless another major shopping development comes to be. I don't see Springdale or Bel Air getting these types of retailers unless they do some major rennovations/redevelopment to convert to a more modern retail center (street scapes, open air shopping, etc). If these types of retailers are not courted soon they will end up over the bay or in north mobile when/if a new mall is ever built.

[NitekKetin]

I spoke with Alex Pate, one of the developers of Legacy Village, and he said that one of reasons that chains such as Anthropologie, Coach and Banana Republic haven't leased space in South Alabama lifestyle centers is because they're not really performing all that well in Alabama in general. Secondly, these higher end retailers like to concentrate on larger, stronger markets before committing to space in Mobile or Baldwin Counties.

[Del]

I was wondering if Serda's, the new downtown coffee shop, had opened yet. I'll probably swing by there this weekend. I wonder if they have complimentary wi-fi?

http://www.serdascoffee.com/store2.html

Doesn't look like it, although they sure have a big website. (They started in Costa Rica - who knew?) And they got them some tasty soup. The day I was there, the choices were Wild Mushroom and Brie with Madiera, or Roasted Pepper with Gouda. I got a pint of each to take home :)

[Del]

And thanks, nimsjus, I have been trying to think of the name of the Anthropologie store for about 2 weeks now.

Springdale and BelAir have definitely lost their luster (not that I will ever lose my addiction to Teh Target, and Dillard's is still dependable). I heard a rumor a couple of years ago that Barnes & Noble was pulling out, probably moving to Airport & McGregor - anybody else heard that? They certainly haven't gone anywhere yet.

[NitekKetin]

I think when Gayfers was acquired by Dillards and eventually closed, it kind of diminished the quality of retail overall in west Mobile. Also Springdale was managed in an incompetent manner throughout the 90s and 2000s. I mean, it is strange that retailers such as Ann Taylor LOFT, Coldwater Creek and J. Jill are located in a banal strip mall instead of a healthy, rejuvenated regional center.

[Electrical Porpoise]

I think when Gayfers was acquired by Dillards and eventually closed, it kind of diminished the quality of retail overall in west Mobile. Also Springdale was managed in an incompetent manner throughout the 90s and 2000s. I mean, it is strange that retailers such as Ann Taylor LOFT, Coldwater Creek and J. Jill are located in a banal strip mall instead of a healthy, rejuvenated regional center.
I think the fact that they have 17 foot lockers in there supports your inept management theory perfectly.

[10101000]

I spoke with Alex Pate, one of the developers of Legacy Village, and he said that one of reasons that chains such as Anthropologie, Coach and Banana Republic haven't leased space in South Alabama lifestyle centers is because they're not really performing all that well in Alabama in general. Secondly, these higher end retailers like to concentrate on larger, stronger markets before committing to space in Mobile or Baldwin Counties.
Well you are kind of correct about South Alabama not performing well, however, this is not all correct as of 01/01/2008.The rent was so high at one point at Eastern Shore Centre that retailers could not afford to stay. They had to lower the rent to a more reasonable price so that retailers would stay. I believe that The MGHerring Group did not market it very well, and people were not use to a life style centre. Eastern Shore Centre has some interesting info about Apple coming not for sure when. I found that on Apples web site a while back, and of course Apple is opening a store here and they commented that they want Mobile. I am not for sure where they are going to go. Secondly, one of my friends manages a store in Bel-Air and stated that they are looking to move Target out and buy the space for more retail. They also explained that someone is looking to develop a new retail center in North Mobile, but was not for sure when are how, or even if it would be North Mobile; I think the company is Simmon, only because of the race track. I know that Macy's is coming in Mobile because the manager here in Baton Rouge said they were expanding 12-10 stores a year, but probably not until 2009 or 2010 in Mobile. LaSalle, the manager of Bel-Air knows they need to do something soon. They have the exact amount of square footage as Mall Of Louisiana, 1.3 million. Hard to believe that it is not enough. Also, mobile has had plenty of opportunity to attract these types of retailers before, but certain people did not want it to change. Since Mobile is expanding now, I know that they will soon see an influx of new retailers in the city limits. It just takes time, Susan Daniels head of down town enterprises has talked to me about a demographic that needed to be increased down town before they open new retail in downtown.

[SouthSky]

LaSalle, the manager of Bel-Air knows they need to do something soon. They have the exact amount of square footage as Mall Of Louisiana, 1.3 million. Hard to believe that it is not enough. Also, mobile has had plenty of opportunity to attract these types of retailers before, but certain people did not want it to change.

The main difference between the Mall of Louisiana and Bel-Air (besides tenants) is the aesthetics. The Mall of Louisiana is much more pleasing on the eyes and (for example) the food court is quite large.

I think this will all change in the years to come with the infusion of money into the city proper and proper management.

[nimsjus]

I have said it before here, but I think Bel Air needs to be converted into something similar to Brookwood Mall in Bham. The streetscape dela they have there is pretty cool and features some nice restaurant choices. They also have a McCormick and Schmick's and Macys there. I think it could be a really cool area to do a streetscape thing. There are lots of empty parking lots for redevelopment and they could proabably incorporate the two relatively tall buildings in as well (Regions/Marriot) to add a legitimate feel to the fake urban streetscapes. It might breathe some life into those two buildings as well.

[Alxx611]

Springdale mall has been dying for years, and has slowly evolved from a mall to merely a large shopping center with a larger than needed parking lot.

While Bel-Air mall seems to thrive for the most part, there are still many aspects of it that seem outdated, and has long been in need of a food court, and perhaps even some expansion and more diverse stores. I'm glad they removed that smelly old carpet, with tiles. it makes it feel more like a mall.

[NitekKetin]

I think Target, JC Penney and possibly Sears might eventually exit Bel Air Mall for that long gestating power center development located adjacent to Hank Aaron Stadium known as McGowin Park. This development is purported to sprawl over 60 acres.

*If* those anchors leave the mall, then Bel Air has approximately 500K square feet of retail space in its two wings to re-work into various lifestyle components and entertainment venues.

Target Possibly Moving:
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1191145159240390.xml&coll=3

[Mattmc]

I wish Bel air would continue to thrive .... I hate nothing more than a dead mall . There use to be a food court behind J C pennys , and Parisiennes ( sp ) but they took it out for some unknown reason .
I wish I could find some pics of the mall from the 70s .

Here is an ariel view of Bel-air

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii194/mcdilol/MallWeb.jpg

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph



HMMM!!!!!!!:banana:

[CottonCity251]

HMMM!!!!!!!:banana:

What's the breaking news bayou15?

[MobileLSUboy2005]

clearly that pic of the mall is at xmas time... the parking lot is only full one time a year! haha

I love how the Mall of Louisiana is set up - Two stories and with a real food court and stuff... i mean, sometimes i'll just go to the mall to get some fast food or something - you don't do that at Bel Air...

Also, they are adding on to the Mall of LA with an outdoor lifestyle center with higher-end stores and junk in the front of the mall in the parking lot... Its a shame Mobile hasnt been able to pick up the same business. Maybe some day... sooner than later preferably!

[Del]

If Eastern Shore Centre is an example of this streetscape model, I wish somebody would explain to me what the big attraction is. Every time I go over there, it's in and out of the car the whole time. I'm a pretty good walker but I don't see the appeal in maneuvering my weary self, weather permitting, across acres of parking lot and around big blank sides of stores to get to the next thing, all the while dodging the ladies in their SUVs. And when you are outside, they're blaring music at you from those outdoor speakers---it's like what they use to keep the loiterers away from the Blockbuster parking lot.

The last restaurant I ate in over there, California Dreaming I think it was, was such a highly-refined version of the chain genre that I kept expecting to hear our flight being called-- it was like something in an airport. There's the much-vaunted Williams Sonoma/PB and a few others, but otherwise the store lineup is pretty unexciting. Maybe it's just me, but I find every excursion over there to be enervating rather than "ooh, let's go in this exciting store and shop a little more."

A friend told me that the concept is supposed to duplicate the experience of shopping in a village street. Well, a couple of benches and a fountain do not Old Town make. It's almost like they've thrown out the advantages of both shopping environments (Mall: controlled climate, park once; Village: density, "fun" atmosphere, unique shops) and contented themselves with the worst instead.

If I'm being an idiot and this is the most successful development in South Alabama history, I apologize in advance.

[nimsjus]

If Eastern Shore Centre is an example of this streetscape model, I wish somebody would explain to me what the big attraction is. Every time I go over there, it's in and out of the car the whole time. I'm a pretty good walker but I don't see the appeal in maneuvering my weary self, weather permitting, across acres of parking lot and around big blank sides of stores to get to the next thing, all the while dodging the ladies in their SUVs. And when you are outside, they're blaring music at you from those outdoor speakers---it's like what they use to keep the loiterers away from the Blockbuster parking lot.

The last restaurant I ate in over there, California Dreaming I think it was, was such a highly-refined version of the chain genre that I kept expecting to hear our flight being called-- it was like something in an airport. There's the much-vaunted Williams Sonoma/PB and a few others, but otherwise the store lineup is pretty unexciting. Maybe it's just me, but I find every excursion over there to be enervating rather than "ooh, let's go in this exciting store and shop a little more."

A friend told me that the concept is supposed to duplicate the experience of shopping in a village street. Well, a couple of benches and a fountain do not Old Town make. It's almost like they've thrown out the advantages of both shopping environments (Mall: controlled climate, park once; Village: density, "fun" atmosphere, unique shops) and contented themselves with the worst instead.

If I'm being an idiot and this is the most successful development in South Alabama history, I apologize in advance.

Eastern Shore Centre is not excatly the kind of thing I am talking about. Im not a big fan of those types of sprawling developments. Brookwood mall is an older mall that was given a shot in the arm with some redevelopment. It is on a pretty small footprint and is two stories. It has a parking deck that is wrapped by the mall and streetscape stuff so it is out of view and eliminates the need for a big sprawling parking lot. Part of the old parking lot was converted into a small pedestrian friendly street that was lined with nice restaurants(Cocina Superior, Bria, Copper Grille, McCormick and Schmicks, etc). They took the old face of the mall and added some outdoor shopping that has entrances to the interior of the mall as well. Now they have the best of all worlds. They have recently completed a small office tower and have been mentioned as a location for a Birmingham W Hotel. All that sprung out of plain old 1970's/80's indoor shopping mall.

[pkp]

Eastern Shore Center sucks - damn near every metro area in the Southeast has a crappy lifestyle center that's the same or "better".

There is nothing more pathetic then tearing down a bunch of woods to build something that is supposed to feel like a city - why not just invest in an existing city instead if that is the feeling you are going for?

Malls, in general, suck. They are suburban creations, for the most part. This is a website about urban development, skyscrapers, etc... Lifestyle centers and sprawling mall complexes have nothing to do with that!

I want to see stores downtown - department stores, boutiques, whatever. If they need to have attractive parking decks attached - so be it. Canal Place is a pretty good example. It is a high-rise developement with no surface parking and a good streetscape. It has some pretty nice stores including a high end department store - in general, in blends in well with its urban surroundings.

Eastern Shore Center might be fine for the rubes in Baldwin or West Mobile, but I would expect folks on this site to demand more. :rant:

[Del]

I went to the Brookwood website - interesting. Esp. that some of the photos look like they could have been taken at the Eastern Shore center, but clearly there's a big difference, and it's all about what you do with the car while you're there.

And it's run by the Colonial folks! I am trying to envision a new Mobile W hotel rising out of the Bel-Air mall...perhaps to fill that vacancy when Target pulls out... but wait, Colonial doesn't run Bel-Air any more, do they?

[Del]

pkp, I am flashing on that episode of the Simpsons when Springfield gets a new mall. Somebody yells, "A Pottery Barn!" and they all run across the parking lot like lemmings... :)

[nimsjus]

Eastern Shore Center sucks - damn near every metro area in the Southeast has a crappy lifestyle center that's the same or "better".

There is nothing more pathetic then tearing down a bunch of woods to build something that is supposed to feel like a city - why not just invest in an existing city instead if that is the feeling you are going for?

Malls, in general, suck. They are suburban creations, for the most part. This is a website about urban development, skyscrapers, etc... Lifestyle centers and sprawling mall complexes have nothing to do with that!

I want to see stores downtown - department stores, boutiques, whatever. If they need to have attractive parking decks attached - so be it. Canal Place is a pretty good example. It is a high-rise developement with no surface parking and a good streetscape. It has some pretty nice stores including a high end department store - in general, in blends in well with its urban surroundings.

Eastern Shore Center might be fine for the rubes in Baldwin or West Mobile, but I would expect folks on this site to demand more. :rant:

King St in Charleston is another awesome example. There are local and national stores/restaurants intermixed in historic structures. They have intergrated several parking decks in by wrapping them in useable reatail/offic/residential space. It is one of the better setups I have seen in person. Charleston is a very trendy city with a very trendy downtown area, which is required to make this setup work. Mobile is beginning to work toward this type of stuff in very ealry stages(coffee shops, restaraunts, the new market/home and garden store). If those things thrive, then retail will consider moving in as well.

[bayou15]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/


:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[SouthSky]

http://www.newmobileplan.com/


:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Good find there, Bayou.

I just wish they could find a better skyline picture that doesn't block out half the buildings downtown.

[bayou15]

The blue shadow on the RSA looks great. The city/county government building oaught to do the same. Looks like Jacksonville.

[bayou15]

The Hmmm! a few post up is the real deal. Look for a hotel for business travelers to be announced soon!:tup:

[Del]

Must be that W we've all been looking for :)

[MobileLSUboy2005]

I'll sh*t a brick the day Mobile gets a W...

fortunately i dont think it will be in the next 10 years... but i would be willing to eat my own words if it DOES

[10101000]

Mobile gets a W...

fortunately i dont think it will be in the next 10 years... but i would be willing to eat my own words if it DOES

Guy's come on, have some faith in Mobile, seriously! Between the past two day's all I have read is mostly negative, negative, negative. With retail, all the way to "there is no way we are getting that." Starting here in Baton Rouge, when I first moved here BR only had one good place to shop and that was Mall Of Louisiana. They just built the Towne Center here and it is a lot like Eastern Shore Centre, but with less high end, it only has Whole Foods which is nice, but still Fresh Market is just as good. The only big move that started the retail bust here in BR was hurricane Katrina. Mobile " no offense to BR" is already years ahead of Baton Rouge by many aspects. Mobile is becoming a major business hub and that is the best way to start; because when you bring in business, you bring in people, nice high-end hotel's, high-end retail, and major restaurants. Mobile already has better road ways, and the beach close by, so that is a major market to start. Also, Eastern Shore Centre is not looking to target a city trend person, it is a suburban development and that was what it will remain; like I have said before it is better than dirt and just trees. Look at all the positives aspects that Mobile has now that you did not have five years ago. Give the city some time the lifestyle is already changing and you cannot see it living there, but I do and so does a lot of people that live in BR and visit Mobile, they love the change and want BR to be that way.

[Del]

TimothynCrystal, I hope I didn't sound like I was dumping on Mobile just because I don't like the Eastern Shore Center and had to have my little joke about the pillow-spray W. I am very thrilled at the many changes that have happened in the 16 or so years since we moved here. And I think we are a LOT better off than Baton Rouge, in almost every way.

[NitekKetin]

Well, I *am* dumping on Eastern Shore Centre. This vaunted lifestyle center is the biggest retail disappointment to hit the Gulf Coast in more than a decade. Not only is its vacancy rate pretty high, but its meager high end offerings are tepid, as others have pointed out. Since Sharper Image is closing 90 of their stores, in the forthcoming months, I wonder if their ESC location will be among them. The ENTIRE I-10/SR 181 interchange vicinity was better off as pine forests and cotton fields.

[NitekKetin]

The 'business class' hotel that Bayou was alluding to is probably the aformentioned Hyatt Place.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Well, I *am* dumping on Eastern Shore Centre. This vaunted lifestyle center is the biggest retail disappointment to hit the Gulf Coast in more than a decade. Not only is its vacancy rate pretty high, but its meager high end offerings are tepid, as others have pointed out. Since Sharper Image is closing 90 of their stores, in the forthcoming months, I wonder if their ESC location will be among them. The ENTIRE I-10/SR 181 interchange vicinity was better off as pine forests and cotton fields.

I agree about ESC...its pretty disappointing... and my point is that, for a city the size Mobile already is, it SHOULD have a lot more to offer than it does... but yes, its changing...

Yea i mean, i've lived in Mobile for 20 years, and Baton Rouge concurrently the last 4 years, and of course Katrina had a lot to do with it, but a lot of the BR development was in the planning before-hand. I mean, just look (for those who are familiar with BR and Mobile) at the much larger number of shopping centers (albeit many are just small crappy ones) but there are just flat out soo many more retail options in BR than Mob. I think one of the main reasons for all that is LSU though, I mean, the city is supporting an extra 28,000+ people who aren't included in the city data, and many who stay after graduation just add to the affluent population of BR. Mobile is just plain lacking in that department, but i think its becoming a little bit of a tourist stop (not yet destination), and Baton Rouge doesn't have that...but then they have the capitol stuff... And I'm not saying Mobile [I]couldnt[I] get that stuff, its just that they havent haha...Sooo i dunno, i mean, i could have a whole thread on comparing the two cities - and don't get me wrong, i love both dearly, i mean...Mobile IS my home, but now that im having the choice of living in either...there's no doubt, i'd rather live in Baton Rouge because it just has more to offer in the areas of shopping/dining. I would so much rather have the street layout and (lack of) traffic that Mobile has though...

Haha oh yea, and Timothyncrystal: i have to disagree with Fresh Market being as good as Whole Foods... haha totally different animal! I can go and have an entire meal prepared for me fresh by cooks and eat it in the store - including coffee and gelato at Whole Foods...don't think Fresh Market offers all that - wish they did though! I have been meaning to send Whole Foods a suggestion that they need a Mobile location (Spring Hill or Eastern Shore - altho i would prefer Spring Hill since I live nearby)

If Mobile gets better shopping/dining, and Baton Rouge gets an entire new street and public transit system...then the two cities would be just perfect! But I would have to choose Mobile then because it has a little bit of topography and great proximity to the bay/coast! -- this was a really, really long post... sorry haha

[NitekKetin]

Mobile lacks that major affluent 'hook' that attracts upscale retailers in substantial numbers. Perhaps after these major industry projects positively impact the local economy in the next couple of years, then South Alabama will start appearing on the radar of higher end retailers. I could see Bailey Banks and Biddle, Bakers Shoes and Eddie Bauer re-entering the market. Also, our regional shopping centers need to be under the management and direction of strong REITS like GGP, Cousins, Bayer, Simons and even Jim Wilson and Associates. These firms would be able to use their strong relationships with various retailers to mold our shopping centers into interesting destinations.

[Del]

NitekKetin, I remember years ago, listening to someone from the Chamber patiently explaining to a couple of the Oakleigh ladies that in spite of what they wanted to see in the neighborhood, we simply didn't have the demographic to support a row of "cute little boutiques" on Government (where the Storage Max ended up).

LSU boy, I agree about Whole Foods. Fresh Market is like the Epcot version. Whole lot better than nothing at all, though.

[fla_tiger]

And I think we are a LOT better off than Baton Rouge, in almost every way.

hmmmmmmmmmm. you are entitled to your opinion,LOL.

Seriously, Mobile has a lot to offer, it has always been one of my favorites. Mobilians (sp?) need to appreciate the city for what it has become and stop worrying about how it stacks up against New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Birmingham.

[nimsjus]

Living in Auburn I came across this article. It is just a "pork barrel" project for the local senator. If it comes to fruition, wouldnt this project be much more successful in Mobile. AU already works out of Dauphin Island as well, so they have fisheries people in the area anyway. Auburn is only about 1 1/2 hours from the largest aquarium in the US(Atlanta) and not too far from Chattanooga as well. I know Mobile is pretty close to NO, but if you are going to put another Aquarium in the Southeast, I think it would make alot more sense in a big metro like Mobile from a visitors standpoint. From an educational standpoint, I think it still makes sense because AU has some connections at DI Sea Lab. Thoughts???

The Alabama Aquarium organization is angling to bring an education and research facility to the state. One possibility could result in Auburn University reeling in the education destination.


By William White
O-A News
February 21, 2008

A fish tale it’s not.

The prospect of bringing the 6 million gallon Alabama Aquarium to Auburn University is part of a vision that sets a comprehensive public facility for aquatic and environmental education on a 100-acre site at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center on North College Street.

Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers was introduced to the idea of having The Alabama Aquarium in Auburn and presented a copy of a related proposal by District 2 Lee County Commissioner Johnny Lawrence Wednesday.

“There is a group called The Alabama Aquarium, and they want to build a world-class aquarium in Alabama,” Lawrence said. “Right now they are looking at Auburn University and its fisheries program.”

The county commissioner said the group wants to build an aquarium with education as its primary focus.

“Not just for the children and parents that come there, but this could become the training center for aquariums all over the country and the world for that matter.

“They are preparing this (proposal) to go to the (AU) president,” Lawrence told Rogers. “We want to make you aware that this proposal is on the table.”

Pointing out the locations of a new aquarium, Auburn University and the Celebrate Alabama project in Opelika, Lawrence said, “You have AU here, Celebrate Alabama project here and then add an aquarium here, then Auburn, Opelika and Lee County become a place for people to come and stay for the weekend and boost tourism for the area.

Rogers asked who served on the group’s board and finished with, “It’s a great idea.”

The internal proposal, which suggests AU as a potential site, hasn’t gone to the university’s president for consideration of committing 100 acres of university land at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center for the site.

In a telephone interview, the executive director for the organization said the non-profit The Alabama Aquarium was formed in 2002, and has a seven-member board made up of an attorney, educators, a judge and a city councilman. Locally, Dr. John Jensen of Auburn serves on the board.

While the aquarium’s future waters may be muddy now, The Alabama Aquarium’s vision is clear.

“Jensen came to me and asked me if we wanted to look into Auburn as a possible site,” said Dr. R Will Vanoy, executive director for The Alabama Aquarium. “Just looking at the tie-in of what we have planned for The Alabama Aquarium and just some of the remarkable potential in partnering with Auburn University is intriguing and something we want to pursue.

“We are looking at other areas,” Vanoy said.

He said he hopes the white paper, or proposal, will be presented to AU’s president in the next few weeks.

“I am hopeful. I am intrigued by Auburn,” Vanoy said. “I am very interested in pursuing that location.

“I think it would be a wonderful, wonderful place for us, but we are looking at some other areas as well and very soon will send out requests for proposals to various cities throughout the state of Alabama.”

Asked about the vision, Vanoy said the concept is Alabama’s waters all the way to the Gulf of Mexico — rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

“The concept of this aquarium came many, many years ago and the purpose behind it was Alabama has the most natural resources of water among any state in the United States with more than 77,000 miles of navigable waters in our state.

“Alabama seems like the no-brainer place to discuss natural resources,” he said.

“The goal for The Alabama Aquarium is that of an educational facility foremost,” Vanoy said. “A tie-in with Auburn University, a partnership with them, really strengthens the education concept of the aquarium.”

Vanoy said, “The exciting thing for us and for Auburn University really should be how this project affects all of the departments,” The proposal suggests that the aquarium would benefit the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures by allowing AU to develop new teaching, research and outreach programs in aquatic sciences and possibly establish a Center for Advanced Studies in Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture as well as business, architecture, building science, education, engineering, vet medicine, forestry and wildlife sciences, and others like all of the arts.

“There is a huge impact the university can have on us, and we can have on the university,” Vanoy said.

He said the impact of the two of us partnering together can have on this state and nation are enormous.

“The more I talk about it the more excited I get,” the executive director said.

The proposal suggests there is a strong local interest in the aquarium and a willingness by Lee County and the city of Auburn to fund a $30,000 to $50,000 market survey to assess the feasibility of the project.

The Alabama Aquarium is expected to be an $120 million dollar investment that includes the main aquarium, an education center and an amphitheater.

By the Numbers:

The Georgia Aquarium:
- 3.6 million visitors the first year
- 50,000 students in education programs
- largest by gallons of water (8 million gallons)
- world’s largest by number of animals
- a non-profit organization run by a board of directors
- a $250+ million gift to Atlanta

The Tennessee Aquarium:
- a million visitors a year
- 100,000 students in education programs
- opened in 1992 as the world’s largest freshwater aquarium
- in 1999, 20,000 of the visitors were international
- research arm in the Tenn. Aquarium Research Institute

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (Mobile):
- Mobile’s fourth most-well attended tourist attraction in 2003, hosting 77,475 visitors
- 16 of the 22 member universities sent undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. candidates
- Summer programs attracted K-12 academic classes, teacher workshops and summer programs for middle and high school students.
- includes The Equestarium, an education facility highlighting the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and Northern Gulf of Mexico.

[Musicisright]

Today I was informed by a very trustworthy little birdie that within the next week the crown on the Riverview will be lit.

I wonder if the same company that lit the RSA Tower is doing the work on the Riverview? If that's the case, we're in for a treat.

[CottonCity251]

I hope the same company does the lighting to. I guess that's a question for montysano, if I remember his name correctly.

The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf

[Port_of_Bama]

I realy hope Mobile wins that tanker contract if so that will be our second fortune 500 company besides the German steel company !! The downtown alliance web site mentioned retail I would love to see a bana republic, guess,and a whole foods etc downtown. On the website they are planing on recruting retail downtown this year, I`m going to keep my fingers crossed. It would be nice if the new hotel can be 350 - 400 feet tall with ground floor retail.

[nimsjus]

I hope the same company does the lighting to. I guess that's a question for montysano, if I remember his name correctly.

The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf

That gayfers rendering is completely different from the original proposal seen here: http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/major_investment_report6_copy.pdf
I think the newer concept fits into downtown mobile a little better architecturally.

[Port_of_Bama]

So far there has been over 425 million dollars invested into downtown if you include the Maritime Museum ($40,000,000 ) and the proposed new federal court house we will be getting hopfuly one day ($ 75,000,000). If you include those 2 future additions to Mobile thats around 540,000,000 million dollars being invested in downtown Mobile alone.

[bayou15]

[The Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08 newsletter is out. It has a drawing of the Gayfer's Building project, which should start construction soon, and about the developer of the new Hampton Inn downtown plans of building another hotel for buisness travelers. Here is the link....http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_febmar_08_2.pdf[/QUOTE]

Damn, Lucky guess on that one.

[DruidCity]

I passed through Mobile a couple days ago coming back from Gulf Shores, and especially like the new crown on the Riverview. The construction on the Bass Pro in Spanish Fort is coming along, but most of that development is a giant dirt pile. How is the Alabama Motorsports Park project coming along ?

[bayou15]

1) From the angle I saw last night , looked like the stump was lit on the Riverview :shrug:


2) Ok....Did some homework.... Cant tell all my info ,but here some hints:cool:

a) A fourth tunnel for downtown (not water related). This is a major fill in. Project not dead yet ,but on life support.

b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

[SouthSky]

1)
b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

But isn't your avatar of a high rise under construction in Baton Rouge?

[bayou15]

yeah, it is. Looks vibrant, wouldnt you agree? And a maybe for Mobile also! hmmm....

[SouthSky]

http://www.riverplacebr.com/images/RiverRoad_ariel_baton.jpg

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Bayou, your avatar is of Lafayette Place in Baton Rouge...whats that gotta do with Mobile development anyways?

[bayou15]

HELLO, think McFly,think

[MobileLSUboy2005]

wait... im so confused....is there some ACTUAL talk of us getting a similar development or is this just wishful thinking

haha...umm PS... you know theres a new (cooler) rendering of it now anyways right? lol go look on urban planets BR site...

[bayou15]

bingeaux!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

where are you hearing all this information, since its no where else to be found?!

[bayou15]

Tell ya , have to kill ya:yes: .....................:haha:

[MobileLSUboy2005]

lol weeeellll till theres hard proof... i dont belive it! sorry! haha

[bayou15]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=30.694157,-88.042044&spn=0.000837,0.002052&z=19


Looked into this one. This half of block shown on link, according to last sundays Mobile Press, is the land that the developer of the Downtown Hampton bought. Maybe something to look into. hmmm;).....................aka..(parking lot on Royal and st louis, and the building,which is a old bank, located St.louis @st. joseph

ok........(post#1012)........The Rat knows! Bo don't know sh*t ;)

[Port_of_Bama]

I hope your right bayou , we need about 2 or 3 more 400 footers downtown and somebody needs to redo the exterior of that ugly bank building and put an "A" frame on the top.

[CottonCity251]

Damn, Lucky guess on that one.
???

1) From the angle I saw last night , looked like the stump was lit on the Riverview :shrug:


2) Ok....Did some homework.... Cant tell all my info ,but here some hints:cool:

a) A fourth tunnel for downtown (not water related). This is a major fill in. Project not dead yet ,but on life support.

b) Now for the Biggie(no, not Big Pappa).........Looks like maybe the church might come off of it.......and if so my avtar(sp?)will happen:yes: :)


.....The hold up on this and MANY more major developments in downtown rely on the "New Vision for Old Mobile " a study that is geauxing on as we speak. To my fellow posters on this site....the meeting is March 11th at the ALABAMA School for math and science for the Downtown area. Hope to seeya there:tup: ..........later...................

"Have a Great Day"(Coach Miles,12/07)

Could you stop hinting and spit it out bayou...

[SouthSky]

Some things about the upcoming tanker announcement:

Boeing is the runaway favorite. Boeing most likely wins the contract to build these tankers. They have done so much business with the government it would be hard to change it now... (especially with the nature of this order)
Regardless of the winner of the contract, the loser will appeal. EADS most likely WILL get tanker orders with the appeal. The KC30 has more capacity and will lend itself to the government as a better long range, long lasting option. Boeing's option will be less advanced technology-wise but will provide the government and the armed forces with a familiar option. Depending on the selection and appeal process the order for EADS/Airbus will be in flux as the government will inevitably adjust the order in the end.
This is from varying sources and an opinion to which I subscribe: EADS/Airbus is using the freighter plant for the A330 (a totally different beast) as a bargaining chip for the government and a public relations coup for the "storm-ravaged" Gulf Coast. Regardless of the tanker decision and subsequent appeal process, Mobile will see an Airbus plant on site. Airbus is using the addition of a separate contract (contingent on the US government's decision in name only) to sweeten up the deal for the public and thus the government. If Mobile loses all of the tanker contract, we still SHOULD (if all things transpire like what I've been told) get the A330 freighter line in Mobile. P.S. - Even if EADS gets nothing after an appeal, the aforementioned events should transpire.
If all happens like I think it will, Mobile will be the Atlanta of the south in the 90's. GUARANTEED.

[Exodus]

http://www.riverplacebr.com/images/RiverRoad_ariel_baton.jpgThat would be great to have something like this downtown. I imagine something this big would be mixed use, because downtown already has plenty of hotels. So it could end up something to the Millender Center in Detroit that has condos, hotel, and even retail. Then add the waterfront condos on to that, and downtown would have an even grander skyline than it does already. I like the fact that it makes use of a little bit of greenspace around it. It looks cozey and plush.

[Port_of_Bama]

Is it true that the water front condo is still in the works for mobile ?!

[CottonCity251]

Is it true that the water front condo is still in the works for mobile ?!

That must be what bayou is talking about...

[Port_of_Bama]

That must be what bayou is talking about...


I would rather see the condo on bayou`s avatar on the river rather than that big hudge bulky eastershore looking thing, it`s nice but bulky. The fisrt building 350 `, 2nd 400` and the third tower being 450`right on the river and all three will be connected with a sky bridge. Of course the other 2 will be in future planing as Mobile will become the Atl of the 90`s like an earlier poster said !!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

The picture Bayou has listed is of RiverPlace Condominiums in Baton Rouge
http://www.riverplacebr.com/batonRouge.html

even though thats the one on the website, there is actually a new rendering out for that project which will be announced in Baton Rouge in the next sixty days i believe by the developer over whether or not its going to happen (in baton rouge).

[HSVTiger]

Congrats Mobile on the winning the tanker contract

http://blog.al.com/live/2008/02/wsj_reports_northropeads_wins.html

It's a big win for the state
Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker supply base in Alabama will include:



* Engelhard (BASF), Huntsville, Ala. -- Ozone Converter
* GKN-Westland Aero, Tallassee, Ala. -- Wing Panels
* PPG Industries, Huntsville, Ala. -- Windshield & Glass
* EADS NAT, Mobile, Ala. -- A330 Assembly
* Goodrich Aerospace, Foley, Ala. -- Engine Sub-Assemblies
* Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Mobile, Ala. -- Program Support

[BamaGrad04]

Huge news, thanks for the update!

[HSVTiger]

Congrats Mobile on the winning the tanker contract

http://blog.al.com/live/2008/02/wsj_reports_northropeads_wins.html

It's a big win for the state
Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker supply base in Alabama will include:



* Engelhard (BASF), Huntsville, Ala. -- Ozone Converter
* GKN-Westland Aero, Tallassee, Ala. -- Wing Panels
* PPG Industries, Huntsville, Ala. -- Windshield & Glass
* EADS NAT, Mobile, Ala. -- A330 Assembly
* Goodrich Aerospace, Foley, Ala. -- Engine Sub-Assemblies
* Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Mobile, Ala. -- Program Support
bump

[thoraudio]

good for Mobile, and good for Alabama.

from wsfa.com

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

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

Here's the Governor's official statement:

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

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

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

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

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

[BamaGrad04]

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

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

[SouthSky]

Some things about the upcoming tanker announcement:
Boeing is the runaway favorite. Boeing most likely wins the contract to build these tankers. They have done so much business with the government it would be hard to change it now... (especially with the nature of this order)
Regardless of the winner of the contract, the loser will appeal. EADS most likely WILL get tanker orders with the appeal. The KC30 has more capacity and will lend itself to the government as a better long range, long lasting option. Boeing's option will be less advanced technology-wise but will provide the government and the armed forces with a familiar option. Depending on the selection and appeal process the order for EADS/Airbus will be in flux as the government will inevitably adjust the order in the end.
This is from varying sources and an opinion to which I subscribe: EADS/Airbus is using the freighter plant for the A330 (a totally different beast) as a bargaining chip for the government and a public relations coup for the "storm-ravaged" Gulf Coast. Regardless of the tanker decision and subsequent appeal process, Mobile will see an Airbus plant on site. Airbus is using the addition of a separate contract (contingent on the US government's decision in name only) to sweeten up the deal for the public and thus the government. If Mobile loses all of the tanker contract, we still SHOULD (if all things transpire like what I've been told) get the A330 freighter line in Mobile. P.S. - Even if EADS gets nothing after an appeal, the aforementioned events should transpire.
If all happens like I think it will, Mobile will be the Atlanta of the south in the 90's. GUARANTEED.

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

Number four still is correct.

[Electrical Porpoise]

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

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

[MobileLSUboy2005]

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

[HSVTiger]

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

Number four still is correct.

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

[jrfstone]

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

[elb401]

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

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

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

[Exodus]

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

[elb401]

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

[Electrical Porpoise]

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

But your aforementioned companies could certainly help.

[pboo74]

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

[Electrical Porpoise]

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

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

[Muskavon]

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

[bayou15]

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


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


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


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

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

[Port_of_Bama]

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


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


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

[Musicisright]

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

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

[Electrical Porpoise]

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

[bayou15]

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

[Musicisright]

Haven't been down there to see.

[Del]

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

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

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

[pboo74]

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

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

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

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

[Port_of_Bama]

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


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




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

[nimsjus]

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

[Musicisright]

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


From newseum.org

[SouthSky]

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

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

[Alxx611]

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

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



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

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

[Del]

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

[Muskavon]

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

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

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

[Port_of_Bama]

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


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

[BlessedMobile]

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

[bayou15]

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



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



He must have been reading our posts!

[MobileLSUboy2005]

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

[CottonCity251]

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

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

[elb401]

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

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

[CottonCity251]

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

[MobileLSUboy2005]

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

on another note:

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

[elb401]

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

[pboo74]

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

[elb401]

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

[pboo74]

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

Thanks for the update elb401

[jrfstone]

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

[jrfstone]

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

[Scottybo]

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

[Scottybo]

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

[Marrson]

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

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

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

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

[bayou15]

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

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

[Musicisright]

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



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



He must have been reading our posts!

This is from the 3/2 Press Register:

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

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

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

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

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

[bayou15]

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



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

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

[BlessedMobile]

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

[BlessedMobile]

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


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

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

[Mattmc]

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

[Alxx611]

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

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

[BlessedMobile]

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

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

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

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

[Port_of_Bama]

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

Huntsville CSA has 5 counties - population 510,000

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

Mobile CSA only 2 counties population 560,000 +

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

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

The Mississippi County 2006 demographics are :

Harrison County - 193,810

Jackson County - 135,940

Green County -13,299

The Alabama 2006 County demographics are :

Mobile county -404,812

Baldwin county - 165,987

Washington county -17,773

Escambia county -38,082

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

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

[bayou15]

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

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




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

[Scottybo]

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

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

[bayou15]

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

Huntsville CSA has 5 counties - population 510,000

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

Mobile CSA only 2 counties population 560,000 +

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

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

The Mississippi County 2006 demographics are :

Harrison County - 193,810

Jackson County - 135,940

Green County -13,299

The Alabama 2006 County demographics are :

Mobile county -404,812

Baldwin county - 165,987

Washington county -17,773

Escambia county -38,082

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

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

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

[Port_of_Bama]

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

[nimsjus]

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

[bayou15]

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



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

[yeahwhatever]

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



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

Why are you anti park?

[Port_of_Bama]

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

[nimsjus]

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

[MobileLSUboy2005]

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

[pboo74]

Why are you anti park?

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

[SouthSky]

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

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

[Alxx611]

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

[bayou15]

pboo74 jackpot baby:tup:


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


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


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

[nwbourg]

Hey guys,

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

[lampkwp]

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

[HSVTiger]

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

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

[bayou15]

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

[BlessedMobile]

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

[MobileLSUboy2005]

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

[Dale]

True, we worry too much about the French.

[elb401]

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

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

[bayou15]

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

[bayou15]

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

[Musicisright]

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

[bayou15]

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

[Musicisright]

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

[bayou15]

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

[montysano]

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

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

:jester:

[Bama_75]

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

[CottonCity251]

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

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

[CottonCity251]

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

[Bama_75]

Most sound pissed...lol

[Del]

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

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

[montysano]

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

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

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

[Musicisright]

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

It was hypnotizing!

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

[Musicisright]

Downtown Mobile lit up last night!!!

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

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


http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/13650.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/14464.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/15287.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/16450.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/17252.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/2894.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/6248.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/1855.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/5322.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/4501.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/3557.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/7568.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/8176.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/9856.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/10258.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/11315.jpg



http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08106/12572.jpg



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

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

[bayou15]

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

[Bama_75]

Kudos to the pics!

Kudos to those that worked on the crown and lights!

It looks great!

[CottonCity251]

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

[nimsjus]

Nice pics. What should we light up next?:banana:

[CottonCity251]

Nice pics. What should we light up next?:banana:

How about all streets and every mile of the interstate.

[Port_of_Bama]

How about all streets and every mile of the interstate.


lol oh yeah, and that ugly bank tower being redone exteriorly with an A frame on top !!!

[Port_of_Bama]

[/URL]Could you imagine this part of downtown Mobile being a major retail /restaurant complex ? Investors expanding this area and duplicating it from the 300 + year old brick streets to the architecture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/


http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/

I`m all with bulld downtown up but I hat that buildings like this were destroyed in Mobile.

[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/64514569@N00/2300034211/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64514569@N00/2300034211/)

[BlessedMobile]

Fantastic shots Musicright...You got the knack! I sure would like to get another shot from you like the one you did in April of 2007 from the City Hall Annex on St. Joseph. I have that photo mounted on a 3'x8' board in my office area...I couldn't tell you how many people have complimented your photo and I never miss the chance to tell them about your work. Keep'em coming.

[Musicisright]

Thanks Blessed, and everybody! I really enjoy taking them, and I'm glad to share them with people.

Blessed, I'm so thrilled that you get people complimenting the photo! I do need to go and re-shoot that one now that the crowns are lit on both buildings! Maybe that will be my next project.

[Muskavon]

Definately need one more lighted spire so you guys can pull off a coordinated red-white-blue scheme across downtown on the 4th of July.

[nimsjus]

[/URL]Could you imagine this part of downtown Mobile being a major retail /restaurant complex ? Investors expanding this area and duplicating it from the 300 + year old brick streets to the architecture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/


http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/

I`m all with bulld downtown up but I hat that buildings like this were destroyed in Mobile.

[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/64514569@N00/2300034211/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64514569@N00/2300034211/)

I have never understood the lack of interest in that area. It is one of the older spots in town, since they knocked the oldest stuff down when they built the civic center. All the structures down there are amazing, and there is space for additional new structures if you wanted to add more space for things. I think the mix of offices down there is such a waste of that property. Right now it is a little off the beaten path to develop retail one building at a time. If someone came in and turned the whole are into a retail destination, I think it could work. One issues is that it is one of the most frequently flooded parts of downtown, right behind metro jail.

[montysano]

Could you imagine this part of downtown Mobile being a major retail /restaurant complex ? Investors expanding this area and duplicating it from the 300 + year old brick streets to the architecture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/


http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumis/159714775/


Wow! I've been doing a lot of exploring since I started coming to Mobile last year, but I totally missed Fort Conde. Your downtown has such incredible potential. That area west-ish of Bienville Square, but before Broad St: I'd love to turn one of those old commercial buildings into a residence.

[NitekKetin]

^Oh yes, the areas from the Square west to near Broad would be great for residential in-fill. A few blocks north of that, I would love to see a high quality African art museum/cultural center serve as an anchor for the Davis Avenue corridor.

[SouthSky]

By the way, Mobile has moved into the Top 10 nationally in total Port tonnage for 2006, just behind Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Mobile Press-Register Business Section:
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1204971327173570.xml&coll=3

[BlessedMobile]

Thanks Blessed, and everybody! I really enjoy taking them, and I'm glad to share them with people.

Blessed, I'm so thrilled that you get people complimenting the photo! I do need to go and re-shoot that one now that the crowns are lit on both buildings! Maybe that will be my next project.

Musicright...when you do you have got to let me make you a large print for your own use. The technique you used last time made for a beautiful print.
I would like a shot from the same angle as it showed nearly all of downtown. I'm not sure you could shoot from a better place than the Annex...but I am sure you know where the best shots come from.

[bayou15]

Thanks Southsky for the info...............But its a damn shame how much more tonnage it could be if only they would widen the channel at pinto pass. On tv the other day, they interviewed the headman who runs the port. And said we need millions more for the dredging(sp?) to happen.



Maybe if they hurry up with digging ,we can get that damn second boat!!!:hell: :brickwall: :brickwall:


I think a larger cruise ship would fit now, But who neauxs :shrug: I hope at the new vision of Mobile meeting monday nite, the waterfront will be discussed. Up to now it has been planned out poorly.:koko:

..............later..........

[Del]

Musicisright, I was driving downtown this afternoon looking at the spire-things and thinking about your beautiful pictures. It occurred to me that the gilded domes on the Catholic cathedral don't pull nearly the attention that they used to before the RSA tower went up and all this spire action started happening.

Oh and PS, Serda's does have free wifi for its customers. I love their coffee---less bitter than Starbuck's, more like Carpe Diem.

[Port_of_Bama]

^Oh yes, the areas from the Square west to near Broad would be great for residential in-fill. A few blocks north of that, I would love to see a high quality African art museum/cultural center serve as an anchor for the Davis Avenue corridor.


That would be great on MLK Avenue! Mobile is the only city in Alabama with a British,French,Spanish,African,and Creol history and culture. Mobile is were the last slave ship arrived which came from west Africa and they spoke there African languages all the way into the 1950 `s. Now that is history and culture for you I just wish that Mobile(downtown) could tap into that culture al little more.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clotilde_(slave_ship)

[nimsjus]

Awesome article on the gayfers building with lots of details. THe article is here:
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1205054201163950.xml&coll=3
The renderings/pictures are here:
http://www.al.com/press-register/pageone/sunday1j.pdf
It will have residential, retail and office space with 24 hour valet parking.

[pboo74]

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

[pboo74]

That's awesome about the gayers building,hope other investors will take notice and do the same,build and they will come.Upward that is.:haha:

[SouthSky]

Those Gayfers building renderings are great! I was walking by that area during Mardi Gras and something like that would be an awesome addition. Again, with all this residential development there needs to be development in commercial (including grocery stores) that goes hand in hand.

I've found two interesting plans about transportation on urbanplanet that involve a big improvement for the Mobile metro area.

One is a high-speed rail system in the southeast. The USDOT has a map that shows routes that are in the planning progress.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/High-Speed_Rail_Corridor_Designations.png
full map link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/High-Speed_Rail_Corridor_Designations.png

Also, a non-profit organization has a map of proposed and future interstates around the southeast:
http://www.i-dots.info/I_DOTS.gif
Link: http://www.i-dots.info/I_DOTS.gif

[bayou15]

Thanks SouthSky! for the info:previous:


http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2185
This is a good web site about the cruise industry. This is some old news I found. I hope we see some news about a second boat soon. I just dont think with all these new developments coming to Mobile ,the area leaders are really not pushing hard for a bigger or a second boat.

I have some ideas to share with y'all............

1) I think the turning basin issue is complete B.S. I've been on I-10 headed east and seen many Cruise ships at (Bender/ Atlantic Marine?) local shipyards being repaired. If I can remember right I think I saw the ship out of Nawlins on a drydock. I neaux good and well she's bumping 1,000ft.

2) Parking......If this is a issue denying us a ship up grade ,I say add additional floors to the parking garage that is there already. Let people park at the graveyard(Civic Center) till its finished.

3) Making the Convention Center a terminal?......It justs sits not being used and there is lots of space for a ship. Maybe if it came down to it?

4) The land just North of the convention center....The land is prime real estate for retail development. I would like to see something like Nawlins has.
example: Jackson Brewery, Aquarium, Hard Rock Cafe, and a French Market, etc...But the land is own by the state docks which has 2 container cranes on the property. I hope they will consider moving their opperations, down the river where the new container development will take place.
Yeah I neaux this probably won't happen , but hell South Alabama has a football team now so anything is possible:koko:

In conclusion....Mobile has a land shortage on her waterfront. I guess back in the day when yellow fever killed many, this was never thought about. But now we have leaders with a vision for future development and not the(OLD MOBILE)ways . I hope this area is looked at carefully before all the land is bought up:yes:

...Just some sunday afternoon thoughts. Dont shoot me down to hard:haha:


.......LATER............

[Electrical Porpoise]

Thanks Southsky for the info...............But its a damn shame how much more tonnage it could be if only they would widen the channel at pinto pass. On tv the other day, they interviewed the headman who runs the port. And said we need millions more for the dredging(sp?) to happen.



Maybe if they hurry up with digging ,we can get that damn second boat!!!:hell: :brickwall: :brickwall:


I think a larger cruise ship would fit now, But who neauxs :shrug: I hope at the new vision of Mobile meeting monday nite, the waterfront will be discussed. Up to now it has been planned out poorly.:koko:

..............later..........
There are a thousand small problems that are keeping them from moving forward on a project like that -- from future bridge plans to separate concerns regarding water movement through the M-T Delta relative to the roadways that cross them. Small interest groups are making things very difficult.

[Musicisright]

Musicisright, I was driving downtown this afternoon looking at the spire-things and thinking about your beautiful pictures. It occurred to me that the gilded domes on the Catholic cathedral don't pull nearly the attention that they used to before the RSA tower went up and all this spire action started happening.

Thank you for the nice words. I agree. Are the domes lit at night? I can't remember. They're so shiny when the sun hits them.

[Alxx611]

Holy crap, I'm really pumped about the Gayfer's place. Valet parking, retail and condos, a library on the 5th floor, a spa and a pool, its just unbelievably nice.

[bayou15]

Another good website+search engine http://www.coastalalabama.tv/

[Del]

Hey y'all - visit this fellow's survey (http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/tanker_survey.htm)and vote, will ya? Rep. Todd Tiahrt, 4th Congressional District of Kansas, is OUTRAGED that America would "outsource its national security" by letting EADS assemble the tankers in Alabama. I suppose the US Mint's bicentennial quarters unfortunately did not teach Mr. Tiahrt that Alabama became a state in 1819.

[spookyapp]

Hey y'all - visit this fellow's survey (http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/tanker_survey.htm)and vote, will ya? Rep. Todd Tiahrt, 4th Congressional District of Kansas, is OUTRAGED that America would "outsource its national security" by letting EADS assemble the tankers in Alabama. I suppose the US Mint's bicentennial quarters unfortunately did not teach Mr. Tiahrt that Alabama became a state in 1819.

I like how that guy is so biased AND he is hosting his own survey on the issue. Does he think he is going to get a fair result by hosting it on that page that is so blatantly opposed to the decision? Of course not; he is doing it to boost his own self worth. This doofus needs to get a clue.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

So I found this map through the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, and I'm still wondering...If all those counties are part of the workforce, WHY aren't they included in our MSA?! http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj160/dshulm1/map.jpg

[bayou15]

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls


Need help on printing images

oops i mean posting images on site, any how not bad 1.6 million in area by 2011.

[Muskavon]

Geez, there's a pile of info in that chamber spreadsheet.

Thought it was intersting how many commute into Escambia Cnty, FL compared to others. I guess it's a result of nearby communities being Milton/Pace/Gulf Breeze/Navarre in Santa Rosa Cnty. And Seminole/Lillian/Orange Beach just into Bama.

[sahara727]

musicisright, excellent pictures, as usual. you're a real asset to this and other mobile threads.

[SouthSky]

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls


Need help on printing images

I would try converting that excel document into a word document then try printing.

[BlessedMobile]

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls

http://www.mobilechamber.com/economic/Mobile_IEDC_Statistics.xls


Need help on printing images

oops i mean posting images on site

Bayou,
Are you trying to upload photos to the Chamber site? I doubt they will allow that. You can send them to the Chamber and they may decide to use them. I guess this is your plan. You do have Excel Viewer I image but if you don't this is the link to the free download.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C8378BF4-996C-4569-B547-75EDBD03AAF0&displaylang=en

[bayou15]

Trying to upload photos to this site.

[Port_of_Bama]

So I found this map through the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, and I'm still wondering...If all those counties are part of the workforce, WHY aren't they included in our MSA?! http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj160/dshulm1/map.jpg



Man thats what I been talking about, we are thge only city in the state with a 2 county metro. Mobile and Baldwin county CSA is over 570,000 based on the 2006 census. With the counties that are on that graph Mobile CSA is well over a million. I`ll be up herein Hutsville for school during the meeting wish I could make it I hope someone mention this.

MobileLSUBoy what link did you get that from ?

[Bayside]

Holy crap, I'm really pumped about the Gayfer's place. Valet parking, retail and condos, a library on the 5th floor, a spa and a pool, its just unbelievably nice.


And just think, for $200,000.00, you can be living there in your very own 600 square foot condo! :tup:

[Del]

And just think, for $200,000.00, you can be living there in your very own 600 square foot condo! :tup:

Yeah, when I saw "600 sq ft" I thought, oh good, there will be some studios for young people, students, etc. But when I read about the 24 hour valet parking, I realized how wrong I was. Will some of these be sold to folks who just want a downtown place for Mardi Gras? I can't imagine spending that kind of money for that, but then again I don't have that kind of money. :)

Husband went to the meeting last night - his "breakout group" was chiefly concerned with retail and crime, crime, crime. Someone from downtown pointed out that crime was actually decreasing downtown and increasing in West Mobile - that statistic seemed to fall on deaf ears. Then we have the editorial in this morning's paper, "Perceptions are not the reality for Mobile." Gee, who could it be creating the perception by having mug shots on the front page every single day??? Black guy goes to jail for a traffic ticket: front page! 400 people show up for a meeting to help plan Mobile's future: page 5B, next to the obits. Oh yes, and another crime pic next to that story for good measure.

[BKOTH97]

Man thats what I been talking about, we are thge only city in the state with a 2 county metro. Mobile and Baldwin county CSA is over 570,000 based on the 2006 census.

Port_of_Bama,

Mobile is not the only city in the state with a 2 county metro.

Huntsville (Madison, Limestone) - 376,753
Decatur (Morgan, Lawrence) - 149,549
Florence/Muscle Shoals (Lauderdale, Colbert) - 142,657

Mobile (Mobile, Baldwin) 404,157

Numbers are 2006 MSA Estimates.

Thanks,
BKOTH97

[elb401]

Those numbers are just Mobile county. 1 county metro. Baldwin is in our CSA. If baldwin was in our metro it would be morelike 580,000 people.

[Port_of_Bama]

Port_of_Bama,

Mobile is not the only city in the state with a 2 county metro.

Huntsville (Madison, Limestone) - 376,753
Decatur (Morgan, Lawrence) - 149,549
Florence/Muscle Shoals (Lauderdale, Colbert) - 142,657

Mobile (Mobile, Baldwin) 404,157

Numbers are 2006 MSA Estimates.

Thanks,
BKOTH97


Mobile county population is 404,157 Baldwin county population is over 170,000 Mobile is the only city in the state with a 2 county CSA .

(Hunstville has a 5 county CSA 520,000), (B-ham 7 or 8 county CSA 1.1 mill),(Montgomery 4 county CSA 400,000 +), (Mobile 2 county CSA over 580,00)

Mobile`s MSa is just Mobile county proper (404,157), B_ham MSA Jefferson county proper(600,000 +), Hunstville MSA is Madison and Limestone (Madison with 295,000)(Lime stone with over 70,000), Montgomery county (MSA) 221,000

Based on 2006 Demographics.

[bayou15]

Hey Del, I feel ya on the Mobile Press. 400 people at the meeting about the city's future and it is put on the back burner. Another example...I saw nothing in the paper or on local news about the lighting on the Riverview Hotel.


Now adays it's all about crime. Well there is over 1.3million in our media area and I hate to say but a crime is geauxing to happen. Everyday all I see in the news is bad, Its ether about crime or high gas prices or school shootings. If they quit reporting about these issues, half the stuff wouldn't happen:yes: .........Just a thought

[Port_of_Bama]

Hey Del, I feel ya on the Mobile Press. 400 people at the meeting about the city's future and it is put on the back burner. Another example...I saw nothing in the paper or on local news about the lighting on the Riverview Hotel.


Now adays it's all about crime. Well there is over 1.3million in our media area and I hate to say but a crime is geauxing to happen. Everyday all I see in the news is bad, Its ether about crime or high gas prices or school shootings. If they quit reporting about these issues, half the stuff wouldn't happen:yes: .........Just a thought


The crazy thing about Hunstville is crime happens up here but you don`t hear about it. A police officer was murdered in Hunstville this past December. There were a total of 5 murders alone in the month of december in Hunstville. A man shot up 3 people in a TGI Fridays up here in Hunstville with a semi automatic weapon. Hunstville`s Murder rate went from 16 in 2006 to 22 in 2007. Mobile had 34 murders in 2006 and in 2007 we had 40 , Montgomery 45, B-aham I believe was in the 90`s. Mobile`s police jurisdiction covers 250,000 residents. 40 out of 250,000 residents is not bad compared to other cities with the same thing. Crime is in Baldwin county and every where else crime is un avoidable. We all want Mobile to grow but with growth there are problems such as crime,traffic and everything else. Hunstville area is the fastest growing area in Alabama right now but along with that growth crime and traffic is coming as well. Atlanta always makes the 10 or 5`th most dangerous U.S cities list but ATL is a growing like crazy and the with that it`s traffic,and crime,but you rarely hear any thing about it just traffic but Atl has crime as well. The same to say fro cities such a Miami, Dallas, Charlotte and others.

[MobileLSUboy2005]

Man thats what I been talking about, we are thge only city in the state with a 2 county metro. Mobile and Baldwin county CSA is over 570,000 based on the 2006 census. With the counties that are on that graph Mobile CSA is well over a million. I`ll be up herein Hutsville for school during the meeting wish I could make it I hope someone mention this.

MobileLSUBoy what link did you get that from ?

i actually saved the pic to my computer and then uploaded it to photobucket, but the pic came from the Chamber of Commerce's website.

yea, i mean, even some numbers only show Mobile Co. for our metro or 400,000, and use Baldwin as its own micro-politan area... oh well..its dumb haha

[Shawn35816]

Lou Dobbs just got through doing a special on the Airbus/Northrop Grumman vs. Boeing deal. It definetly put Boeing in a better light than the foreign airplane maker. The media has to much power and uses it the wrong way by misleading people to see it "their" way. With more bad media like that it might be a while for things to get off the ground in Mobile.

[BlessedMobile]

Lou Dobbs just got through doing a special on the Airbus/Northrop Grumman vs. Boeing deal. It definetly put Boeing in a better light than the foreign airplane maker. The media has to much power and uses it the wrong way by misleading people to see it "their" way. With more bad media like that it might be a while for things to get off the ground in Mobile.

Thankfully, the Air Force chose their plane based on the facts and not by what the media would sell the people. I would not have expected good ole' Lou to say anything different. He is a pessimist on the economy and dislikes everything John McCain has anything to do with. Northrup Grumman will get the contract because the Air Force has made their choice. It's the politicians who want to get on their soap boxes and shout some injustice. We should do our blood pressure some good and just not LISTEN to the naysayers.

[bayou15]

http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article/1374

One good read:tup:

[bayou15]

Here's ure 2030 msa projection growth
http://www.smartcoast.org/projections.html

Looks like Pas/Point should be added:tup:

[yeahwhatever]

Everyday all I see in the news is bad, Its ether about crime or high gas prices or school shootings. If they quit reporting about these issues, half the stuff wouldn't happen:yes: .........Just a thought

are you serious?

[10101000]

Ladies and Gentlemen I cannot believe this. I never thought that I would see the day that Mobile becomes a major business hub. One thing led to the next in Atlanta to led it in urban sprawl. I feel that we all will see the same. Mobile was on every front page of every major US city on 03-02-08. What a day to place Mobile in the spot light. I am proud to be a mobilian.

03/12/2008 Edit

More like Urban development, not urban sprawl.