[nimsjus]

A thread for all of the development, pictures, gossip, and all other things Mobile. I'll be down for Mardi gras next weekend and I cant wait to hang out in our great downtown for the weekend.

[Scottybo]

Both of my parents' parades are Friday and Saturday.

Rain is forecasted both nights. :(

[Alxx611]

RSA Battlehouse Tower

Staus: near completion (finally)

\http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/348400919_d6bc1e4b39.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/379415852_d27851dd1c.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0503.jpg


Riverview Plaza Marriot-renovations

Status: under way

http://hotelsinsider.travelhero.com/graphics/propimages/77/77644-02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0522.jpg


Water Street Landing

Status: delayed, but said to still be a go.

http://www.downtownlivingmobile.com/images/rendering.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1062.jpg

7 Story Hampton Inn at Royal and Conti

Status: no rendering yet, but approved

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0995.jpg


Condo and/or park at site of old courthouse.

Status: use disputed, no renderings yet.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0518-1.jpg


Other condos:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0483-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0487.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0491.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0973.jpg


Also:

Airbus Factory

Maritime Museum

Radison Hotel expansion

I-10 Bridge??

new Federal Courthouse?

[Musicisright]

That's a great mardi gras pic, Alxx. I was standing just on the other side of that float.

[nimsjus]

Are there any renderings for the new federal courthouse and does anyone know it's location? I thought I read a while back that it would be in the DeTonti area but I'm not sure.

[pboo74]

Hey,alexx611 what is the airbus factory and where would it go?and what's up with the maritime musuem???????

[pkp]

Hampton construction to begin in May. Great location - the last thing that needs to be there is a surface parking lot - can't wait to see a rendering. There was a rendering on a architect firm website a while back for the courthouse - a lot of glass. If you Google it might still show up...

[pkp]

Hey,alexx611 what is the airbus factory and where would it go?and what's up with the maritime musuem???????

EADS @ Brookley - Looks like the engineering area is almost done and the manufacturing facility is TBA.

[Alxx611]

FYI, those first two RSA pics were from lumis.com, not from me.

I remember seeing two renderings for the courthouse on urbanplanet.com a year ago maybe, but its no longer there anymore and I can't find it. It was kind of boring, it had a really modern, state of the art look to it, alot of glass, but looked kinda small and boring.

And I lied, there was actually one rendering for the Mardi Gras themed park at the site of the old courthouse, I can't seem to find anymore. it was small and broad, but I remember it showing a clock tower, and a few small buildings.

The Maritime museum still has a website I think, but there's really been no construction or new word on it in forever.


Water Street Landing is still the CSX building, and I'm still not sure if they're building the pedestrian bridge along with it still.

Is there still gonna be a spire for Riverview?

[sahara727]

hey if any of y'all go to the pardes in the next couple of weeks, could you take some pictures and either post them here or start a mobile mardi gras pictures thread? i think that would be a lot of fun. you could also incorporate downtown buildings into the shots as Alxx611 has done so well. just a thought.

[elb401]

the Hampton inn is going to have balconies on Royal street side for viewing Mardi Gras parades. If construction is going to start in May shouldn't there be renderings.

[Mike06]

The renderings for the federal courthouse can be found at www.msafdie.com. Go to projects, then location.

In yesterdays article it mentioned the Hampton being designed by LLW architects in Memphis TN. Could not find any renderings.

[Scottybo]

Wow, courthouse looks nice and all, but lets hope they don't use the same contractor as Govt Plaza did.

[Scottybo]

Is there still gonna be a spire for Riverview?
Yep, they're working on it.

[Scottybo]

hey if any of y'all go to the pardes in the next couple of weeks, could you take some pictures and either post them here or start a mobile mardi gras pictures thread? i think that would be a lot of fun. you could also incorporate downtown buildings into the shots as Alxx611 has done so well. just a thought.
I plan to take my camera this friday and saturday, so I'll try to take some pics.

[austin356]

Has anyone noticed that the Courthouse will break the street grid? Any thoughts on this? I dont think anyone has mentioned in a very long time, if ever.

[SouthSky]

I wonder if the moderators could change the title to "Downtown"? Pretty please?

Sorry... OCD mode is off now.

If anybody has the whereabouts for the new Hampton Inn Downtown plans please let me know. I will be forever grateful!

[SouthSky]

Has anyone noticed that the Courthouse will break the street grid? Any thoughts on this? I dont think anyone has mentioned in a very long time, if ever.

I did see that. I couldn't make out the street names on the architect's site. Does anyone know where this new courthouse will be?

[nimsjus]

Courthose was supposed to be in DeTonti area, but not sure exactly where. I emailed my(my parents actually as I am in Auburn for school) councilwoman Hudson about the Maritime Museum over the summer out of curiousity. She gave me some vague broad stuff and said construction would begin soon. That was before all the stuff about adding the Hurricane center to the project came into being. I would assume it is a safe bet that is the reason no progress has been made. They have yet to decide if the center will be included and there is also the issue of being a republican pork project(alot of which are getting axed left and right at the moment). I think the museum could start immediately from what Hudson told me, but the hurricane thing has cause it to wait. Does anyone have a phot of the mattress factory conversion they could share?

[nimsjus]

Should have looked at the courthouse renderings before making that last post...Yeah it does appear to break the street grid and it will be a decent sized building to fill up two blocks, especially if it is 4-6 stories as it appears to be. I did think it looked like alot of wasted space(big glass atrias, etc). Very Goverment Plaza-esque. I would have preferred something more like Montgomery's Federal building: http://www.wausauwindow.com/images/galleryTh/3250-H---Alabama-Courthouse.jpg

[Alxx611]

In reference to where the whereabouts of the Hampton Inn will be located, I posted a pic of what is now, a parking lot on Royal at Conti, across from the back of the Riverview Plaza.

[Musicisright]

Mardi Gras park rendering

http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/3034mardi_gras_park.jpg

[Verve]

I did see that. I couldn't make out the street names on the architect's site. Does anyone know where this new courthouse will be?

Here is a map showing the boundaries of the proposed federal courthouse. The front of the building would face St. Joseph Street and would be across St. Louis from the existing federal courthouse. It will cause a break in North Conception Street which I find a bit troubling since it is a major thru street leading to the DeTonti Square area.

Also, I'm concerned about a historic building that sits at the southwest corner of N. Conception and St. Anthony and was once used for law offices. I'm hoping that the plans will allow for the courthouse facilities to be built around that building since, from what I remember of the site plan, that area would be a parking structure.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/382472876_0df901ad43_o.jpg

[nimsjus]

From the register
Wonder how many people show and what kinds of things will be discussed?

Meeting set on downtown concerns
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Staff Report
Mobile City Councilman William Carroll will host a meeting at 6:30 tonight for downtown residents and businesses. The meeting will be held at the Downtown Mobile Alliance, 261 Dauphin St.

The meeting is meant for interested people to talk with Carroll and city employees about downtown problems. Call 208-7441 for more information.

[Musicisright]

Would it be possible for somebody to post a picture of the federal courthouse? Whenever I click on the link above, it says I need to download something even though I already did.

[Verve]

Would it be possible for somebody to post a picture of the federal courthouse? Whenever I click on the link above, it says I need to download something even though I already did.

Here is the rendering found on the link:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/383197294_5ff69719ff_o.jpg

[elb401]

That actually makes me mad that the current plans cut a street and destroys a historic building. Why cant they build the building up?

[Scraper Junkie]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the street closing either (ala Government Plaza). That is one of the first things that I noticed (and despised) when I initially saw these renderings several years ago. I'm sure that recent design standards imposed post 911 are partially responsible.

All said, I do like the modern architecture!! Very bold!! I am a fan of the modern architecture of the Government Plaza, even though most Mobilians hate it. I really do belive that you have to have a good (and respectful) mix of both the old and new. Some places just do it better than others!!!

My desire is for Mobile to be one of the places that does it better!!!!!

[BamaGrad04]

re: the new Hampton.....as good as it is that Hampton will be constructing downtown, I really, really wish that a mid-market hotel chain would come in and buy Van Antwerp for a conversion. It's in the perfect spot at Dauphin and Royal, and, to my knowledge, there is extremely minimal office space being leased there. Years ago there had been talk of it going condo, but I guess that died for one reason or another. Maybe another chain will see the (hopeful) success of the new Hampton and take advantage of the Van Antwerp in the near future. :tup:

[pkp]

re: the new Hampton.....as good as it is that Hampton will be constructing downtown, I really, really wish that a mid-market hotel chain would come in and buy Van Antwerp for a conversion. It's in the perfect spot at Dauphin and Royal, and, to my knowledge, there is extremely minimal office space being leased there. Years ago there had been talk of it going condo, but I guess that died for one reason or another. Maybe another chain will see the (hopeful) success of the new Hampton and take advantage of the Van Antwerp in the near future. :tup:

I have always wished for that as well. I do think the building is about 75% occupied, though. Hey - Maybe a W will put a hotel in there!:tup:

[BamaGrad04]

I have always wished for that as well. I do think the building is about 75% occupied, though. Hey - Maybe a W will put a hotel in there!:tup:


You may be right, I've just never been able to find a list of companies, or even a leasing agent for the building. Yeah, I'll take a W!

[Scraper Junkie]

I agree with the Van Antwerp being converted to either a boutique hotel or condos as well. Several years back, I recall seeing that the building was going to being converted to condos and then dead silence. Who owns the building? Also, I heard that an issue was the low ceiling heights. Is this true? It would make a wonderful address!!! Great views!!!

:)

[Musicisright]

Thanks, Verve. I like it.

In other developments:

(From wpmi.com) "Northrop Grumman Corp. and its European partner EADS Co. said Thursday they will stay in the running for a massive Air Force contract to build a new line of refueling tankers - work the companies would base in Mobile, Ala.

The initial contract for 179 planes is worth an estimated $40 billion, the Air Force says. But the winning bidder could have a leg up on more than $100 billion in work as the Air Force gradually replaces a 530-plane fleet.

Boeing would build the planes - based on its familiar 767 - in Washington state. The Northrop/EADS team would offer a modified version of the Airbus A330 plane, to be built in Mobile's Brookley Field Industrial Complex.

The job could bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area."

Here's (http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0e4d2c84-e97c-4687-a0bf-db6915c11eac) the link.

Also from wpmi.com: "Interwoven with North Mobile County's small communities is a lot of big business. Now we know there's a new face checking out the neighborhood.

ThyssenKrupp needs about 3-thousand acres to build a three billion dollar steel plant. And it's narrowed its search to Louisiana and Alabama. "It would change the whole face of the economy in Mobile County," says Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine.

The plant wouldn't be operational until 2010, but if the company chooses our area, Nodine says the impact would be felt a lot sooner. "Thirty-thousand construction jobs to build the plant." Along with 2,700 jobs once the plant is fully operational. "Permanent jobs. High paying jobs. High tech jobs," says Nodine."

Here's (http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=ac04378e-c49c-4f34-978f-c5b1b7437227) the link.

[austin356]

Not directly related to d-town but is a major in-direct factor due to its economic importance:

Has anyone got any leads or rumors to where in Mobile county the Thyssen Krupp site would be? It is offically secret, but someone has to know. The news said 30k construction jobs (would ? that) and up to 3k full time jobs.


And has anyone noticed that European industry seems to absolutely love Alabama, and especially Mobile? If we have an economic development office somewhere in the EU, the person running the show deserves a better job than working with the government.


Also, any comments on what you would like the governor to spend the $3.6-4.7 billion on if Exxon's appeals fail? IMO, the state (cities too) have long enough shunned downtowns, I think its time to reinvest into such urban districts.

[SouthSky]

Being from Mobile and currently living in Baton Rouge (the two areas being considered) I would say there is an equal chance of both happening. Mobile's closer to the open waters of the Gulf while Baton Rouge has got one of the largest rivers in the world flowing through it. I think it will come down to incentives (as mentioned in the article, Louisiana has more GO Zone money), and infrastructure (Mobile has a major north-south interstate... a big plus, plus the new container port opening before scheduled opening for the steel plant).

All that being said, I will venture an unbiased guess of Mobile. But don't think Louisiana will be going down quietly. I will keep all of y'all posted on any happenings over here in Baton Rouge.

[Alxx611]

It was really cool tonight, at the parade, because the RSA Tower had green lights going down the main body of the building, and the first level of the spire finally has lighting, no cool colors though. They[ve also removed alot of scaffolding from the upper part the spire.

With that said, I took a few pics during the day today, not good ones at all, but they're recent, so hey, why not?



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1080.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1081.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1075.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1076.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1067.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1069.jpg

I love the graffiti collecting on the CSX Building

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1062.jpg

From last weekend:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0991.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0973.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0975.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0974.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN0990.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1064.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/Alxx611/downtown/DSCN1061.jpg

[mayhem]

I can't believe they haven't finished the crown on the RSA tower yet!

[Exodus]

:previous: Exactly. What's the hold up ?:shrug:

[Scottybo]

:previous: Exactly. What's the hold up ?:shrug:
Weather.

That's my only guess.

It did look like the North side had the most scaffolding removed of any side, I couldn't get a shot of it, though.

Here are my pics from today/tonight (http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/) (large files)

http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20028.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20029.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20031.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20038.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20042.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20046.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20053.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20056.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20060.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20064.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20067.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20071.jpg
http://www.mobala.net/mardigras07/resized/1%20080.jpg

[elb401]

Nice pictures.... yeah I noticed that the crown was making some good progress too this past week.

[nimsjus]

While I was in town for Mardi Gras I noticed a new sushi place going in on Bieville square. Ive been to Liquid(sushi bar a little further up Dauphin) and it was great atmosphere and food. I also stopped by new bar/retaraunt The Royal Scam. It is on the corner of Royal and Govt and I believe is owened by the guy who owns Hero's sports bar. We didn't end up going in but it looked nice. Seemed liek a good happy hour spot or place for Riverview/Battle House guests to go for a drink. I had heard about it and thought it was a bar only, but when we walked up I noticed everyone inside eating. They had a great array of food(salads, duck and other panninis, entrees, soups, appetizers) and it was really nicely priced (not much over 10-12$).

[nimsjus]

A couple of register articles on downtown today. I'll just post a link so it doesnt take up too much space.
The first is on two potential buyers for the Gayfers building. I really hope they can get that sold to someone who is going to do something with it in the short term.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1171362620143370.xml&coll=3
The second article is about the county commission using some company to create a vision for the "courthouse" property. Personally I think this is a waste of money. Either build condos/retail, build a park, or a combination of the two, but don't just leave the property empty. Anyone else got opinions on park vs retail/condos? I think both could be accomplished on that site. I would have been all for the park over condos if waterstreet landing was on its way to completion, but now that it looks to be in doubt more and more each day, I am starting to lean towards the combo park/condo for the courthouse site.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1171362605143370.xml&coll=3

[pkp]

^
I have an idea. Don't tear down a building and spend $50,000 putting down sod and a chain link fence unless you know what you are going to do with the property.

But seriously, Its a big peice of land - I personally like the idea of a small piece for a mardi gras park and using the rest for something like a market or a retail development. I do not like to idea of a condo. Although I think resedential development is the most important key to development in the city center, I do not think that publically owned property should be given away to a condo development where only a select few (probably very wealthy) can use it. There is plenty of vacant land for that. If the market will support it, investors will put up the money.

[Mike06]

Saw a picture of the Riverview in Friday's paper. In the caption it said the 60 million renovation that will match the RSA will be complete this summer.
Anybody know what the height will be?

That is good news on the Gayfers building.

I like the idea of mixed use for the courthouse land. It is a great piece of land.

[Exodus]

Thanks for posting Mardi Gras pics. I can't wait to attend it again some day.

[Verve]

An article in the February-March 2007 of the Downtown Alliance News talks about the new Hampton Inn that is planned for Royal Street. In the article it mentions that the design will look similar to the Hampton Inn and Suites Beale Street in Memphis. Here is a link to the Hampton Inn page for the Beale Street Hotel just to give you an idea of how it may look: http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MEMPBHX

The same firm, Cowart Hospitality, that designed the Memphis hotel will do the one here in Mobile.

[austin356]

A couple of register articles on downtown today. I'll just post a link so it doesnt take up too much space.
The first is on two potential buyers for the Gayfers building. I really hope they can get that sold to someone who is going to do something with it in the short term.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1171362620143370.xml&coll=3


Great news that the school board is even considering Barton. The sale of Gayfers might provide the funds to create a tipping point that draws additional restoration funds. For example, federal funds become expodentially easier to get if locals already have a significant % of the funds needed. IMO the restoration of barton may be more important than what comes out of Gayfers, if location is not considered.

[BamaGrad04]

An article in the February-March 2007 of the Downtown Alliance News talks about the new Hampton Inn that is planned for Royal Street. In the article it mentions that the design will look similar to the Hampton Inn and Suites Beale Street in Memphis. Here is a link to the Hampton Inn page for the Beale Street Hotel just to give you an idea of how it may look: http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MEMPBHX

The same firm, Cowart Hospitality, that designed the Memphis hotel will do the one here in Mobile.

Thanks for the link. That'll look good.

[nimsjus]

I agree about restoring Barton. I think it should be a priority because it is a great historic building and it has the potential to be a great looking building. It is also in pretty bad shape so the restoration needs to come sooner rather than later. I hope they are able to use the money from the gayfers sale like they say they will for that project. What will Barton be used for after being restored? I feel like I heard a suggestion a while back for it to become a school museum but I think that is a stretch. We already have alot of museums that are underused(Phoenix Fire, Mardi Gras, Medical Museum etc). I think this would be a good opportunity for the school board to create the arts school they tried to do with the Gayfers building, but judging by their performance with Shaw as a trade school I don't know that I want to sink the beautiful building into a project that may never happen. They could always use it for office space. Any other ideas?

[nimsjus]

A nice summary of downtown projects from the Lagniappe

The Real Deal
If you’re headed to downtown Mobile for Mardi Gras, and you haven’t been downtown for a while, you may expect to see the area transformed. The number of projects that have been announced or started construction in the last year is remarkable, and there are even more on the way.

But if you’re expecting a new downtown, prepare to be disappointed. You’ll have to work around a lot of construction, but you won’t see many new downtown residents or restaurants or talk to people staying at the Battle House.

So what’s going on? Are these projects really going to happen? And if so, when, for crying out loud? Here’s an update on some of the projects discussed in previous RealDeal columns.

Hotels:

Battle House Hotel – The hotel is now accepting reservations for May 1 and later. But then a few months ago, their Web site showed rooms available in March. So it’s anyone’s guess when the hotel will actually open.

Riverview Plaza Hotel – As of March 1, it will officially be a Marriott Renaissance Hotel. A $55 million renovation is scheduled to be completed this summer with all guest rooms to be completed by April.

Lafayette Plaza Hotel – You’ll notice a new look to the hotel’s tower. The hotel is undergoing a $10 million renovation and expects to be a Holiday Inn "soon."

Hampton Inn, Royal Street between Government and Dauphin Streets – The developer says construction will start in May, and it "could" open as soon as summer 2008.

Residential, retail and mixed used projects:

Water Street Landing, 11 Water St. – This condominium/retail project has been on the drawing board so long it’s hard to believe it will ever happen. It has faced a number of obstacles including the recent death of the lead partner, and the project Web site disappeared last fall. I hear one of the partners was in town after the Super Bowl to get the project back on track, but I won’t believe it until I see some actual activity at the site.

Condominiums/park at the old Mobile County Courthouse site off Government St. – All you’ll see here is a vacant lot, and I’ll be surprised if there’s anything more there by Mardi Gras 2008. It’s going to take a long time for Mayor Jones and the county commissioners to agree on this one.

Mattress Factory Lofts, 412 Dauphin St. – You’ll be impressed by this condo development. It will be a beauty when it’s complete, but there’s no telling when that will be. Progress is slow and it looks like there’s still a long way to go.

St. Emanuel Place, 127 Dauphin St. – Ditto for this apartment/retail development. Progress is excruciatingly slow but it will be a knock-out when it’s finished.

St. Louis Lofts, 308 St. Louis St. – The former Mobile Fixture building will have 21 condos. Construction started last August and is scheduled to be complete by early summer.

519 Dauphin St. – This small development of four high-end townhouses has been under construction for over a year, and it still isn’t finished.

O’Gwyn Condominiums, Conception Street at Conti Street – Eleven condominiums are planned, with prices likely to be in the $200,000s. The developers hope to start construction in the next two months and to complete the project within eight months after that.

Carriage Works Condominiums, 709 Dauphin St. – Seven condos and four new townhouses are planned at the former site of the Schumacher Carriage Works, with prices ranging from $225,000 to $399,000. The project shares the same developers as the O’Gwyn Condominiums, and the same schedule. They hope to start construction within two months and be completed within eight months after the start of construction.

Parkside Home and Garden, 51 S. Conception St. – This will be an offshoot of an upscale Birmingham home furnishings store. It is scheduled to open this summer, but I’m betting that date will slip. Construction appears to be in the early stages.

Restaurants and entertainment:

Hurricane Brewing Company, 225 Dauphin St. – While you’re downtown, be sure to check out this new restaurant/brew pub, one of the few new entertainment venues that is open.

The Royal Scam, 72 S. Royal St. – Another new dining and watering spot that is actually open and well worth checking out for its cozy atmosphere and great location.

Samurai J, 167 Dauphin St. – The owners told me they are rushing to get open by Mardi Gras at this spot overlooking Bienville Square. But just before going to press, they told another Lagniappe staffer that probably won’t happen before Fat Tuesday. Still, more sushi should be available in LoDa soon.

Bizmark Saloon, 455 Dauphin St. – Look for an opening soon. The city approved a liquor license in January.

Crescent Theatre, 208 Dauphin St. – Work is well underway on this art house theater/condo project but the developers say the opening date has slipped from this summer to late 2007.

Piano bar/jazz club and upscale restaurant, 210 Dauphin St. – Construction is underway but the developers say the opening is still over a year away.

And what’s the status of the most important new building downtown, the RSA Battle House Tower? You’ll still see scaffolding around the spire but it’s getting close. The latest reports say the first tenants will move in around late March.

So if you’re looking for a revived downtown this Mardi Gras, you’re probably going to be disappointed. But I’ll bet you won’t be disappointed a year from now.

[BamaGrad04]

What I don't understand about Mobile development is the lack of web information on any of these projects. Waterstreet Landing had an initially appeailing website, but it was NEVER updated and all links were always "coming soon". There is a webiste for the developer of Mattress and St. Emmanuel that highlights the project, but nothing specific with renderings, floorplans, prices, etc. If you look at downtown developments in Birmingham, for instance, you can find a website for just about every project underway. It's just doesn't seem like these developers are interested in promoting their projects outside of sticking a sign on the outside of the building. Why is this????? :shrug:

[pboo74]

that's great news about hampton inn looks like the designer will do a good job on designing the hotel,i've always said that we needed another hotel or 2 downtown besides the one's that are coming online this year..hopefully waterstreetlanding will begin construction soooooooooon?

[pkp]

I don't like that Hampton. The one I've seen that would blend in best is the one on St Charles Ave in NOLA

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/MSYGDHX/media/images/photo_gallery/MSYGDHX_Hampton_Inn_New_Orleans_St_Charles_Ave_gallery_welcome.jpg

Add one floor, move it 10 ft closer to the street and add usable balconies on the front and we're set!

[elb401]

I agree with pkp.....the design of the building needs to fit in with the history of our area.

[austin356]

Regarding the Hampton, I like the basic design of the Memphis one, but it really needs some exterior modifications that make the design more "southern coastal".

[sahara727]

re: the new Hampton.....as good as it is that Hampton will be constructing downtown, I really, really wish that a mid-market hotel chain would come in and buy Van Antwerp for a conversion. It's in the perfect spot at Dauphin and Royal, and, to my knowledge, there is extremely minimal office space being leased there. Years ago there had been talk of it going condo, but I guess that died for one reason or another. Maybe another chain will see the (hopeful) success of the new Hampton and take advantage of the Van Antwerp in the near future. :tup:

it's funny that you mentioned that, because i met the guy that bought the van antwerp building over the summer while i was working at ruby tuesday. i know. ruby tuesday. anyway, he seemed like a somewhat eccentric guy and i couldn't really make heads or tails of his reasoning for not going ahead with the condo conversion. he seemed kind of eager to get rid of it though. i think he said he only paid $700,000 for it. seems like kind of a deal for a 10 story buliding, but maybe i'm underestimating downtown real estate prices.

[sahara727]

^ i meant overestimating...

[Mystic City]

More reason why downtown will continue to grow. :jester:

MARDI GRAS - MOBILE'S PARADOXICAL PARTY
"The Wisdom of Chief Slacabamorinico"

To many it is a Golden Goose, to some a dirty chicken. It's a financial boom. It's a drain on city coffers. It's a great tension reliever. It's a cause of crime. It's a family affair. It's something you don't want your children to attend - and you wouldn't even think of going. It's something you don't want to miss. Not ever. It's the most singular, the most illogical whoop-de-doo, the most praised, the most cursed, in short, it's the most controversial and exciting event happening in the United States today. And what's more, it has been that way for almost 300 years! That's Mobile's Mardi Gras, a paradoxical party most of the country does not even know exists. Never mind that it was in Mobile in 1703 that the very first Mardi Gras celebration was held on what is now American soil. And it must be noted that New Orleans, Mobile's younger sister city, was not founded until 1718. Case closed on that argument. Even most Mobilians don't understand it, even those who keep the festival. They don't understand its roots or the reasons behind its celebration. Most don't really care about roots or reasons, only that the festival is a part of their very being and that they love it dearly or hate it with a passion.

Mardi Gras is almost totally privately financed, yet the city is heavily involved with its staging and reaps financial rewards - or, in some eyes, bears the financial burden of helping to put the show on the road. It's been called the "Greatest Free Show on Earth". It is said to generate in excess of 25 million dollars in benefits to the City of Mobile. The Chamber of Commerce touts it as a financial boom while others say it costs too much in overtime pay for police and clean-up crews and is a drain on city coffers preventing other vital services from being performed. Some say it is a time which invites trouble of all kind and brings the criminal element to town. Others, psychiatrists among them, say it is a great safety-valve for the city and actually helps to keep crime down over the long-haul.

The word "Mardi Gras", to be sure is French for Fat Tuesday and it was from France that the observance came to Mobile. But a Frenchman would hardly recognize the celebration Mobile-style. Neither would the Spanish who instituted the torch-lit night processions. Nor would the British who used up all the fat in the house before the Lenten season by making pancakes on "Shrove Tuesday" or Pancake Day. The German influence of Fasching is present, but carried on only by an unlikely group of rowdy cowboys and girls from a local swamp of some repute, ill or otherwise. It is a time when locals cheer, grovel or stand in homage as a strange array of revered and sometimes bazaar characters - jesters, kings, queens, peacocks, gypsy queens, Indians, ancient gods and goddesses, long-dead men and women of history, alley-cats, pharaohs and Inca gods - promenade around the ballroom floor.

The "Blue Bloods" and Native Mobilians claim it as their own, but not one "Native" had a major part in its history for the first 163 years of its 289 year presence in the city. And, not a single "Blue Blood" can be found in the beginning annals of the festival in the Port City. Even the world's first mystic society, the renowned Cowbellion de Rakin Society was the results of a one-eyed Pennsylvania Yankee cotton broker getting a little imbibed with a few of his friends on New Year's Eve of 1830. And the society which today is considered to be the most social of them all was begun by a lowly bank runner in the years following the War Between the States. To be sure, much of the celebration is now their domain and the contributions of Old Mobile to Mardi Gras are immense and invaluable. But it is not their celebration alone - never was - never will be. It's been touted as a great tourist attraction, but with few exceptions, tourists can only watch the parades as most Balls are strictly by invitation only. And the downtown hotels are usually so full of locals during the season, there is seldom room for visitors at the inn.

One of Mobile's largest birth-rate months is traditionally November - nine months following the Mardi Gras season. Opponents say "What else can you expect for Mardi Gras' roots lie in the ancient Egyptian fertility festivals?" Many think it's a religious festival - primarily Catholic. After all, it is placed annually just prior to the beginning of that austere period of Christian Lent. Others say the festival is "not of God" and cite the aforementioned ancient fertility festivals which admittedly have contributed to some of today's traditions. The scriptures, they also say, seem to condemn such revelings in Galatians 5:21 and I Peter 4:3. Many take it for granted. Others work on it and for it throughout the year. Many earn their living from it. Other spend their savings on it. Still others run from it to ski the blistery trails of Colorado, while some will fly in at considerable expense and inconvenience to experience just one day of the fun. To many it is a dream. To some, a nightmare. It's both predictable and unpredictable. It's illogical, but at the same time methodical in the set patterns of its rituals.

Technically Mardi Gras is only one day (Remember what it means in French?), but every masked event from November to April is referred to as a Mardi Gras parade or ball. In reality, all events, save for those on the great day itself, are Carnival events. Unless, of course they occur before January 6 or after Mardi Gras - then they are merely Carnival-like or Mardi Gras-like events. Understand? Then there are those who say Carnival in Mobile does not begin on Twelfth Night at all, but the 11th day of the 11th month. If you buy into this, disregard the portion of this paragraph which will conflict with your view. Carnival is viewed to be a time of frivolity where all reason and day to day cares are abandoned and misrule the order of the season. It is also very much regulated and restricted by authorities. In fact authorities have been trying to eliminate the criminal element in the festival in Europe as far back as the 1400's. But, as this element has not been eliminated in other areas of daily life, should it come as a surprise that it occasionally, however rarely, rears its ugly head during Carnival? Or the Super Bowl? Or political campaigns? Or church? The mystic societies are "secret" but the name of the person chosen by each leader is printed, oft times preceded by a Mr. or Mrs., for all to see in the local papers. A little deductive reasoning and the secret is unmasked. And why do the officers of the various mystics seem to get on as many mailing lists as officers of other un-secret civil or social organizations? This is one of life's unexplained phenomenon as their identities are officially "unknown to the public". Even at death only the words "member of a mystic society" are printed in the obits. Can it be assumed that all the guests who see these "secret" members at the Balls never reveal this knowledge to "outsiders"? Some have gone to unusual extremes to conceal their identity, however, as in the case of the men's society whose members donned white tie and tails so they couldn't be distinguished from their male guests. And, as you know, all men look pretty much alike in swinging monkey suits. On the subject of monkey suits, did you know that Mobile uses more full dress, white tie and tails, than any other city in the country except Los Angeles? Where, other than Mobile, can you find a truck driver from Theodore, a fisherman from the Bayou or a used car salesman from the Parkway with a set of tails in his closet just like those his blue blood cousin from Spring Hill has?

And it's a time when many of Mobile's leading citizens (and those pretending to be or wish that they were leading citizens) attired in feathers, fur, tights, sequins, satin or lace let themselves be cheered, bowed to, and acknowledged as King, Queen or Leader of the Ball!

It is one of Mobile's biggest revenue generating industries, albeit not without its share of nay-sayers. It's a celebration most cities would love to have as their own and yet one which would be impossible to organize anew by any government and private industry task force. Remember this is a festival whose public display of parades goes on almost daily for a full two weeks and whose grand masked Balls begin in November and conclude in April. It has been around almost three hundred years in Mobile and has evolved in its scope throughout that time. With Mardi Gras, tradition is change. If a city wishes to hire a consultant and a few centuries to wait, have at it!

It has as one of its most visible symbols, Folly, a jester, who in earlier times would beat those approaching the Throne of his King with animal skins as a form of atonement. Today he beats Death, a skeleton figure, with cow bladders for similar reasons, but few really know this "Folly figure" symbol was chosen for its double meaning. His medieval roots concealed from the Union occupying forces the fact that Folly, in 1868, was symbolic of the Old South and his arch rival, Death, represented his hated enemy the damn Yankee. Thus, on Mardi Gras evening, even during Reconstruction, the South would emerge triumphant, at least to those "in the know".. In modern Mobile hardly anyone is aware of this or cares. The original reasons are no longer important or relevant to the revelers. And like it was in the beginning, the symbol is again concealed.

Its heroes are paradoxes as well. Take Michael Krafft, the one-eyed Yankee who, as a young man on New Year's Eve 1830 overdid his celebrating and, with a few of his friends, some cowbells, rakes and hoes, proceeded to awake most of the tiny city and the Mayor as well. His "escapade" led to the founding of the first mystic society, the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, from which all others in Mobile, New Orleans, St. Louis, Tampa, Pensacola, Fairhope, Montgomery, Birmingham, Biloxi, etal have sprung. Then there is old Joe Cain, the town clerk who, while the city was occupied by Union troops in 1866, made a political statement by riding through the streets on Fat Tuesday as the Chickasaw Indian Chief Slacabamorinico, a leader of a tribe who had never surrendered or had been defeated in battle. He revived the Mardi Gras celebration for future generations in the process. Think about it. First, Kraftt, woke up the Mayor in the wee hours - an event which was to become, in the words of Louis de V. Chaudron, "...a deed pregnant of results to succeeding generations". A young businessman thus literally changed the way of life for an entire section of this country. Then Cain, in feathers and a skirt, defied the United States Government, but fortunately for him, like many today, they knew not that he was defying and he got away with it. Mobile would never be the same again. There are others, of course, like Dave Levi from New York City, who in 1874 brought "absurdity pure and simple" to the streets of Mobile with the Comic Cowboys depiction of "Dr Cutter's Wildest Westest Show". The Cowboys, often in trouble with the censures for their "pull no punches", Feast of Fools element are led through the streets each Mardi Gras by their Queen "Little Eva", the burliest man ever to don falsies and wave a toilet plunger scepter. Some of the city's best leaders were thrilled to have been selected to rule over the Cowboys and proudly wore the undergarments of Eva through the streets of Mobile in front of tens of thousands of spectators. And we can't forget Julian Lee "Judy" Rayford, the local historian, author and forklorist, who, after twelve years of futility, had the remains of Joe Cain and that of his wife Elizabeth exhumed from their resting place in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Bayou la Batre. Judy, being the character he was, personally carried Joe Cain's skull back from the Bayou in the pocket of his coat to Mobile where the bones were reinterred in the Old Church Street Graveyard in late 1966. A grand Jazz Funeral Procession on Mardi Gras Sunday of 1967 was the beginning of what is now the wacky, wild and wonderful "holiday for all the people", Joe Cain Day which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1996. So old Joe Cain was reburied for the sake of a party, which for many years was held in the graveyard, much to the dismay of some. But that is only part of the tale. It was later discovered that Judy had re-buried Joe and Elizabeth in the wrong plot. So, once again, during 1967, the remains were exhumed and brought back across the graveyard and reinterred in the Cain family plot near his parents. So, Joe Cain now has the dubious honor, thanks to Judy Rayford, as having been one of the few fellows to be buried three times. How many more Joe, How many more? Julian Lee Rayford now lies in an adjacent grave near his hero. He has only been buried once.

The crowds must be mentioned for no ordinary spectators are they. As if a single organism, the entire crowd undulates to the beat of the high school band or jumps in unison for the oncoming onslaught of moon pies, beads, candy or coins. Almost forty years ago one crowd was even known to let up a load cheer as Leonard, the famed float-pulling Mardi Gras Mule who hated Mardi Gras, would literally sit down on the job. If that wasn't good clean fun, what is? And the moon pies. What piece on Mobile Mardi Gras would be complete without mention of the "official" food. Discovered as a parade throw quite by accident when mystic maskers began searching for a good, inexpensive item to replace the "banned" boxes of popular caramel corn - Cracker Jack - an item that would carry to the back of a large crowd. It was a most illogical and unlikely choice. Not only does a moon pie smush easily in the crush of the crowd, but they taste terrible. They make dry oatmeal a gourmet delight. But who can argue with success? Estimates say nearly a quarter of a million of the pies fly from the floats each day during Carnival's two week run. And then there is the good King. The festival is ruled over by a monarch whose "grandfather" first reigned in 1872. As the "grandson", King Felix III has been coming to his Capitol City since 1903. He officially arrives at noon on the day before Mardi Gras Tuesday itself, but has, in fact, already been in town for two days to attend his coronation, and that of his queen, whom he won't meet until Monday, which was held the preceding Saturday. Got it?

Confused? Don't be. Remember during Mobile's paradoxical party - Mardi Gras - nothing is as it seems. Or is it?

Found this on the net...what a great read!

[Scottybo]

Wow, that was a very good read. :tup:

[Scottybo]

Also, I just found a Mardi Gras Webcam (http://www.cityofmobile.org/webcam/index.html).

[nimsjus]

From the Register... I can't visualize this building, but I am all for an old building being put to good use. The foriegners downtown will probably lead to some really neat stuff setting up shop down there. I would not be surprised if unique ethnic restaraunts pop up downtown to feed some of these foriegn workers. I think that area will also be a prime redevelopemnt area when the bring back broad project is completed.

Former orphanage to house foreign hotel workers
Old Protestant Orphans Home on Dauphin Street to be renovated as dorm for Battle House, Riverview employees Sunday, February 18, 2007By KATHY JUMPERReal Estate Editor
Aformer orphanage at 911 Dauphin St., will soon be home to foreign workers employed at the Battle House Hotel and Riverview Plaza Hotel on Royal Street downtown, according to developers and hotel officials.

Investors have a contract to buy the circa 1843 former Protestant Orphans Home on Dauphin and Broad streets, according to Ray Hix, a local attorney and one of the buyers. The sale should close this week, he said.

The building will be renovated to house at least 60 workers in a dormitory-style set up, he said. He and his business partner, Haymes Snedecker, have a contract to lease the housing to Point Clear Hotels & Resorts, which manages the Battle House, Riverview Plaza Hotel and Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear.

PCH is an affiliate of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which owns the hotels. RSA has signed with Marriott Corp. to put its four-star Renaissance brand on the 250-room Battle House and 375-room Riverview.

PCH has struggled to find enough locals to staff the 250-room Battle House Hotel, which opens for guests on May 1, according to Keith Schmitt, vice president of human resources for PCH.

In fact, the manager of the 405-room Grand Hotel recruited workers from foreign countries last year to fill positions, according to RSA.

PCH, which has hired workers from South America, Eastern Europe and Malasia or the Pacific Rim, will bring less than 100 foreign workers here during the year, with the number changing depending on the season, Schmitt said.

RSA's three hotels have a total of 1,100 rooms, and will require as many as 2,000 full, part-time and seasonal workers to run all three operations, according to RSA.

The majority of the foreign workers will start arriving in Mobile in mid-May in anticipation of the building being ready, Schmitt said.

"This building was ideal due to the location," he added.
The l22,000-square-foot, vacant building is on the National Register for Historic Places, according to Hix.

Architect Russell Washer of WHL Architecture in Fairhope designed the renovations, which will start within the next 10 days, Hix said.

The investors met with the neighbors, the Mobile Historic Development Commission, and the city's planning staff and all have been supportive, according to Hix.

The two-story, federal-style brick structure is built like a fort, said John Sledge of the Historic Development Commission. "Other than some tree damage from Hurricane Katrina, they don't have a lot of exterior work to do. It's on a beautiful lot, about 2 acres, with great trees. We're all for it."

The building will house workers for its two hospitality training programs and foreign workers in the United States on 10-month visas, according to Schmitt. The training programs include a summer work and travel plan for college students on summer break; and Trained USA, an 18-month plan for youth with a college degree or a certificate in hospitality who want to work in the hospitality industry.

PCH sends staff to each country to interview the workers face-to-face and to make sure they have a good grasp of the English language and meet the requirements to work in the hotel business, Schmitt said.

"Most of them want to come to the States and learn our management practices," he said. The workers are here on a temporary basis, and many will work in the hospitality industry when they return home, he said.

The program is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, Immigration and Naturalization Service and Homeland Security, he said.

The Labor Department sets a prevailing wage rate based on the area where the foreign students will be employed, with employers required to pay at least that amount, according to Schmitt. "But in every case we pay more," he said. "It's not cheap labor coming in."

The students bring a diverse population to the community, according to Schmitt.

"It's a neat blending of these cultures."

[pkp]

its about 1/2 block from broad on dauphin - big brick structure. On the left leaving downtown.

[nimsjus]

Just behind the Red Cross building? I still cant picture it, but I wanted to look for it next time I was down there.

[Verve]

Just behind the Red Cross building? I still cant picture it, but I wanted to look for it next time I was down there.

It's west of Broad Street about a block or so on the left. It sits back from the street and is right where St. Francis connects with Dauphin to form the 4-laned street, so you may not have noticed it when driving on Dauphin towards the west.

[nimsjus]

They hid the weekly real estate briefs when they revamped Al.com, but I had assumed they weren't running them. I saw these tow things from the last two weeks and noone has mad mention of either.
Hancock Bank has leased the first floor of St. Emanuel Place at the corner of St. Emanuel and Dauphin streets, according to Rebecca Byrne of White-Spunner & Associates , who represented the bank. The bank will move to the 3,651-square-foot space in April. Building owner Tilmon Brown of JTB Group is finishing 11 loft apartments on the second and third floors, and those will be leased.
and from the same link...
Developer Bo Wilson of Mobile says he has not decided what he will do with the former Gayfers store building on Dauphin Street. He is an investor in Island Investments , whose offer to buy the building for $1.2 million was accepted by the school board. Wilson has developed numerous condominium projects, including Legacy Key and Vista Bella in Orange Beach. The developer has 90 days to inspect the building before making a final decision to buy. An earlier offer for the same amount fell through
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/kjumper.ssf?/base/business/117179417261620.xml&coll=3
At least we know some part of the St. Emanuel project is moving because I doubt this Hancock Bank will be willing to sit around and wait for snails pace progress like we have seen on the loft portion.

Bob Baumhower , the owner of Wings Sports Grilles , has moved to office space in Fort Conde Village off Royal Street while working on plans to renovate the former Roussos restaurant building at 166 S. Royal St. He is leasing and has an option to purchase the 15,000-square-foot restaurant building.
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/kjumper.ssf?/base/business/117239887090890.xml&coll=3
Nice to see that building won't just sit empty. I assume he was saying they would use that building for their offices. I know that building is pretty vast on the inside so it seems like quite a bit of office space. I wish they would put a restaraunt back in that building. Rousso's was such a landmark downtown. I wonder how business is across the bay?

[SouthSky]

The biggest thing in my opinion from the Jumper column were the plans of the Atlanta developer to put an M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Daphne. That is big news in my book.

[Alxx611]

Could anyone scan those pics in the paper from a few weeks ago that showed other renderings of what Government Plaza could have looked like? I could have done it, but I lost that edition of the paper already. It showed renderings of government plaza that could have been a 26 story building, and other things like that.

Also, I thought this was an amusing exerpt from soundoff yesterday concerning building condos on the old courthouse annex site:

"We already have a government building downtown. It looks like R2-D2 holding hands with his clone. Chastang,Nodine, and Dean want to force courthouse condos next door. Design the condos to look like Darth Vader's helmet and connect the two structures with a giant,light-saber catwalk. It would be so Mobile."

:haha:

[nimsjus]

The biggest thing in my opinion from the Jumper column were the plans of the Atlanta developer to put an M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Daphne. That is big news in my book.

Im one of those Estern Shore/West Mobile is the devil kind of people... Just kidding. I just wish spralw wasn't the way of the world. What is an " M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. I'm in the medical field and have had friends with cancer and some how I don't know what this is and why it is a big deal. Please elaborate?

[elb401]

Seems like there are many cancer places popping up in the Mobile Metro. I think Providence Hospital (they have partnered to bring the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to Mobile Metro) wants to compete with Mobile Infirmary and USA cancer research center.

[SouthSky]

Read more about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_University_of_Texas_M._D._Anderson_Cancer_Center

If this is true, it is a big development. Definitely not just Real Estate page potential.

I'm betting it is name only though, as this apparently would only be the second "M.D. Anderson Cancer Center" outside of Houston. Maybe there was a typographical error or something, but this is too good to be true. At the least, the amount of research going on in the area will be at Birmingham's level if not better in the years to come if this comes to fruition. At the most (and it is a fully functioning hospital, et cetera), the health care that locals will experience will be spectacularly enhanced. Instead of traveling 4+ hours to get to a comprehensive cancer center, locals can drive right into Daphne right off the interstate 15 minutes from Downtown Mobile.

[Verve]

Here's a shot of the RSA Tower. Sunday was a great day for photos.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/403349518_ecb330c7c8.jpg

[pkp]

Read more about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_University_of_Texas_M._D._Anderson_Cancer_Center

If this is true, it is a big development. Definitely not just Real Estate page potential.

I'm betting it is name only though, as this apparently would only be the second "M.D. Anderson Cancer Center" outside of Houston. Maybe there was a typographical error or something, but this is too good to be true. At the least, the amount of research going on in the area will be at Birmingham's level if not better in the years to come if this comes to fruition. At the most (and it is a fully functioning hospital, et cetera), the health care that locals will experience will be spectacularly enhanced. Instead of traveling 4+ hours to get to a comprehensive cancer center, locals can drive right into Daphne right off the interstate 15 minutes from Downtown Mobile.

I hate that its in Daphne.

[Mike06]

My father had the opportunity to get cancer treatment at M. D. Anderson in Houston. The doctors here in Mobile thought it was the top facility in the country. The treatment he received was the best anyone could offer in my mind. However, his throat cancer was too far advanced to save his life. I don't care if Daphne gets it over Mobile, as long as they help fight cancer and save some lives.

[SouthSky]

I hate that its in Daphne.

I know, I know... but it's still in the metro area.

[pkp]

Don't get me wrong - I just lost my Mom to cancer in June after about 14 years of fighting it. However, as the Church has lost control of Providence over the years (where my Mom received her treatments - I felt like I lived there), it moved from dowtown, to midtown, to WAY out in West Mobile now it is putting core services in Daphne. The very foundation of the Catholic Church is in urban areas and it has lost touch with that. I am more excited about the cancer institiute between Mobile Inf and USA - which will be in midtown as a big plus :)

[SouthSky]

^I'm sorry to hear about your mother. That's tough, man.

The mid-town cancer institute will a plus for the city, but this center in Daphne will bring notoriety for the area (if it is indeed an MD Anderson center). The USA/Mobile Infirmary cancer center will be a benefit for the citizens of urban Mobile.

-ALSO-

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this but the Airbus Engineering Center opening ceremony was yesterday. Here's an article:

http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1172571642203330.xml&coll=3

[nimsjus]

Port Authority board approves sale of IP property
Port wants new owner, Berg Pipe, to be able to move quickly should Mobile site be chosen for plant
Wednesday, February 28, 2007By KAIJA WILKINSON Business Reporter
The Alabama State Port Authority agreed Tuesday to sell about 86 acres at the former International Paper site in north Mobile to Berg Steel Pipe Corp. of Panama City, Fla., a deal contingent on the company's choice of Mobile for an $80 million steel pipe plant that's projected to create about 130 jobs over three years.

Jimmy Lyons, port authority director, proposed the sale for $34,000 an acre, or $2.9 million, and the authority accepted that recommendation.

Dave Delie, Berg's president and chief executive officer, said the company is entering the home stretch in its site selection process and expects to make an announcement by mid-March. An unspecified site in Louisiana is also under consideration, he said.

But Berg is now negotiating just "a couple of open items" with Mobile and Alabama, Delie said, indicating that Mobile would be the choice should those issues be resolved. He would not say what the items were.

Judy Adams, port authority spokeswoman, said the port is cautiously optimistic that it will land Berg, a company it has been in talks with for about five years.

But, she said, "this is not a done deal. We are not taking this for granted."

The Port Authority in 2004 completed the purchase of a 182-acre tract once used by International Paper. The authority paid $1.6 million for 96 acres; it had reclaimed the rest after IP canceled its long-term lease.

Berg Pipe representatives have visited the site many times to "kick the tires," Adams said. Lyons said the company is doing its own environmental review as well, which is normal, he said.

"We like Mobile," Delie said, "but we need to make sure we go into this with our eyes wide open , and that's what we're in the process of doing -- conducting our due diligence."

Should Berg decide on Mobile, the company plans to break ground sometime in late April, and have the plant operational by summer 2008.

The site has the rail and water access required by the company, and the Mobile Industrial Development Board in December 2006 approved a

$5 million package of tax incentives for the project.

The average salary for the Berg Pipe jobs would be about $53,000.

Whatever Berg's decision, Delie said the company is anxious to get started.

"We are just very excited about moving forward with the project," he said. "The large diameter pipe market is very strong right now, and we want to get this project online as quickly as we can."

Also on Tuesday, the Port Authority learned that more than $10 million in federal Department of Transportation funding will be released for use at the Mobile Container Terminal and Alabama State Docks Intermodal Facility at Choctaw Point.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, a member of the Senate appropriations committee, announced the release of the money, part of $20 million earmarked for the project in the fiscal 2006 highway mass transit funding bill.

"We are very pleased to see the money released and appropriated so we can continue our progress on the project," Lyons said. "It will help us very much."

The $300 million facility is anticipated to come online in early to mid 2008.

[nimsjus]

Anyone know if/when Mobile is going to be put on the Microsoft live maps service? They keep putting the pictures from other metros on the forum.

[austin356]

Southsky, I did not even notice that it was Anderson; thanks for pointing that out. Initially i thought it was just some type of clinic of about a coupe thousand sq feet, but this leaves the possibilities much wider. The most likely possibility, if true, is that it will be apart of a hub (houston) and spoke network of clinical trials, treatment, etc. Nothing like what is in Houston, but a valuable asset to the metro.

[pboo74]

Does anyone know what's up with the progress of the" Maritime Museum"??????Haven't heard anything on it in a long time????????

[nimsjus]

I emailed my( actually my parents since I am in college in Auburn) coucilman, Connie Hudson, over the summer about it. She said the work would begin very soon and they were finishing up fund raising, exhibit design, etc. Soon after our congressmen pretty much brought the project to a hault when they begin to try to have somesort of national hurricane center included in the museum. Now it is stuck until they decide if they will include that center, which is tied up in congress.

[nimsjus]

This sheds some light on the Cancer center mentioned earlier... Not M.D. Anderson but still a positive none the less.
New cancer center coming to Daphne
Tuesday, March 06, 2007By PENELOPE McCLENNYStaff Reporter
A new cancer center planned for the Daphne area will include doctors linked with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center but will not be managed directly by the center, according to real estate agents handling the land sale and an M.D. Anderson spokesman.

David Morris and Joe Courtney of Courtney & Morris Appraisals Inc. originally said Atlanta developer Easlan Capital had purchased 20 acres just above Baldwin County 13 and U.S. 90 for $1.6 million with plans to build an M.D. Anderson cancer center.

The center is actually being planned by a group of oncologists linked to Providence Hospital, which is part of Anderson's Physicians Network, Courtney said.

"I've seen the plans. The plans are very, very impressive," Courtney said.

Last year, Providence announced a partnership with the Houston-based M.D. Anderson center, one of the nation's original three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971.

As part of that partnership, some physicians associated with the hospital are evaluated by M.D. Anderson and submitted to a credentialing process. Those who are approved become part of the Physicians Network, meaning their treatments are in line with the center's, and it gives them access to M.D. Anderson resources.

Among those doctors are several physicians with Sacred Heart Medical Oncology, which has locations at Providence Hospital Cancer Center and near the Timber Creek residential area in Daphne. Five of the physicians within the practice are listed as part of M.D. Anderson's Physicians Network at Providence on the center's Web site.

Dr. Michael Meshad, who is also part of the practice but is not listed on the Web site as part of the Physicians Network, also has ties to the developer that made the land purchase, Easlan Capital.

His son, Matt Meshad, works with Easlan Capital. Contacted by phone, Matt Meshad referred questions about the project to the administrator for the Daphne oncology office, who referred calls to Providence Hospital.

Contacted by the Press-Register, however, Providence officials denied any plans for a hospital-affiliated center in Daphne.

We do not have any definite plans at this time to construct a new cancer center in Baldwin County," said hospital spokesman Michael King.

King did say that through its partnership with M.D. Anderson, several of the hospital's physicians are now linked to the center.

"Medical Oncology group over there (in Daphne) has been long associated with Providence," King said of the group's Eastern Shore office. "Their relationship with M.D. Anderson's Physicians Network is part of our relationship with M.D. Anderson."

When asked about the property purchase, King said the hospital had no comment.

A spokesman for M.D. Anderson in Houston said the center had no information about a location in Baldwin County.

The potential Baldwin cancer center project is just one of several announced over the last couple of years that have increased the cancer treatment options in the Mobile area.

In addition to Providence's partnership with M.D. Anderson, in 2004 the University of South Alabama began accepting patient inquiries for a planned cancer center.

Doctors affiliated with that center began seeing patients later that year, and the facility's permanent home is expected to be completed by early 2008 with a total of 175 staff members.

[nimsjus]

ThyssenKrupp realeased a website about the project that Mobile may land.
www.thyssenkruppnewusplant.com
The article about the new site and the website for the project is here:
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1173435775258630.xml&coll=3

[nimsjus]

Also a little more on the cancer center
Cancer center details revealed
Doctors tied in with M.D. Anderson oncology organization to open comprehensive care facility Friday, March 09, 2007By PENELOPE McCLENNYStaff Reporter
A group of cancer doctors who broke away from a Pensacola-based health system to form their own practice have released more details about a cancer facility planned for Baldwin County.

The oncologists' group, formerly operating as Sacred Heart Medical Oncology, struck out on its own last weekend and changed its name to Southern Cancer Center P.C., said Theresa Brown McLaughlin, executive vice president of the new entity.

The group operates three clinics, one at Providence Hospital, one on Dauphin Street in midtown Mobile and in the Timber Creek neighborhood of Daphne. It also will begin providing services in Monroeville next month, McLaughlin said.

On Thursday, McLaughlin expanded on previously reported plans for the largest of the group's projects, a joint venture with Atlanta-based developers Easlan Capital to build a comprehensive cancer-care center on property purchased in Malbis near Baldwin County 13 and U.S. 90. That center is set to open in early 2008.

"It's going to be a state-of-the-art facility," McLaughlin said.

Word of the recent Malbis purchase spurred talk locally about the future opening of a Baldwin facility with ties to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

While the new facility is not a project of the renowned center in Houston, seven of the Southern Cancer doctors are part of the M.D. Anderson Physicians Network.

Doctors undergo a months-long credentials process to become included in the network and receive access to M.D. Anderson's research and treatment procedures for patients.

They can consult M.D. Anderson specialists, for instance, on difficult cases, and the network link creates an easier pathway for patients to travel to the Houston center if necessary, McLaughlin said. "We think that is a huge benefit," she said. "There are some surgeries that we just don't have the volume or the expertise locally to get the best outcome, so they are sent to Anderson."

In July, Providence Hospital in Mobile announced a partnership with M.D. Anderson, and the Physicians Network is a component of that agreement.

The Southern Cancer physicians broke away from the Sacred Heart system to have more autonomy in making decisions for their practice, McLaughlin said.

The newly formed practice will include several features that weren't available under the previous structure, she said, including on-site laboratory testing, on-site pharmacy services, an electronic medical records system and a centralized call center in which patients will always be able to speak to someone.

The plans for the new Malbis facility mark the latest in a string of cancer-treatment endeavors in the Mobile area over the past couple of years.

In addition to Providence's partnership with M.D. Anderson, the University of South Alabama opened a cancer center several years ago with the goal of becoming a federally designated center.

[nimsjus]

More good news for Mobile. Does anyone think this affects the ThyssonKrupp(sp?) positively or negatively?
Pipe company picks Mobile for $75 million plant
Saturday, March 10, 2007By KAIJA WILKINSONBusiness Reporter
Berg Steel Pipe Corp. has chosen Mobile as the site for a new $75 million steel pipe manufacturing facility that will employ about 100 people, Berg and Alabama officials announced Friday.

The plant, which will fabricate large-diameter pipe used in oil and gas exploration, will be built on 86 acres at the former International Paper site in north Mobile, which is currently owned by the Alabama State Port Authority.

Berg expects to close on the land by late April and break ground in May or June, said Dave Delie, Berg's president and chief executive officer.

He expects the plant to be operational in the second half of 2008.

The Port Authority laid the groundwork to sell the site to Panama City, Fla.-based Berg at its Feb. 27 board meeting when the board accepted Director Jimmy Lyons' proposal to sell the property for $34,000 an acre, or $2.9 million.

"I've known Berg for nearly 25 years and I've worked with Berg for the past five years to bring this ... to reality in our community," Lyons said, calling Berg "a fine company led by fine people."

Part of the German Europipe family of pipe mills, Berg Pipe opened in 1980 and employs more than 230 people at its Florida facility, where pipe is fabricated and coated.

The Mobile facility will include an approximately 180,000-square-foot pipe fabrication building and a pipe coating building that will be between 60,000 square feet and 70,000 square feet, Delie said.

Mobile emerged as the best fit among sites in six states, including Louisiana, primarily because of its transportation features including access to five railroads, a large dock facility and close proximity to interstates, he said.

"If you look at our pipe, it's 24 to 48 inches, so when we ship, we take up a lot of space. Transportation is a huge factor in our business," Delie said. "That is probably the key that led us to Mobile."

The Mobile Industrial Development Board in December 2006 approved a $5 million package of tax incentives for the project.

Delie said hiring will begin at the end of this year or early in 2008, and for most positions, the company will be looking for hard workers rather than specific experience. Berg will train people for jobs that will pay $12 to $18 an hour. Incentives could mean a couple dollars more an hour, he said.

The Mobile facility will be a minor source of emissions, Delie said. "We'll take steel such as IPSCO makes in coil form and weld it," he said.

Delie said the Alabama State Port Authority was instrumental in landing the project, and that the state, county and city provided "critical assistance" throughout the decision-making process.

"We were impressed with the enthusiastic support demonstrated by all the parties and the Mobile community for our selection of the former IP site for our spiral pipe operation."

The port authority in 2004 completed the purchase of a 182-acres tract once used by International Paper. It paid $1.6 million for 96 acres and reclaimed the rest after IP canceled its long-term lease. Berg would buy a little less than half the property.

"Berg is a great company, very community-oriented and enthusiastic about coming to Mobile," said Bill Sisson, vice president of economic development for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's a significant project for us even though it's been sort of overshadowed by some of the other projects we've been working on. But they're making a big investment and creating a large number of good-paying jobs, so we're thrilled to have them."

[nimsjus]

Lots of news from Sunday's Press Register. These first two stories are really long so I will just post links.
The first is a study on the negative impact of an inevitable I-10 bridge by ALDOT. I thought the article was pretty thorough, and very informative about what impact each location will have and what parts of certain buisness's(sp) will be affected.
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/117360475167430.xml&coll=3

The second link is looking into the ThyssonKrupp deal and the possibilities that it works out for Mobile(It is about 10 pages long).
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/117360458267430.xml&coll=3

Lastly an article about the finishing touches on the RSA Tower. There is a seperate article on staffing the place also but since it wasn't really development news I didn't bother posting it.
RSA Tower project nearing completion
Sunday, March 11, 2007By KATHY JUMPERReal Estate Editor
In 20 days, Margo Gilbert and her staff will begin unpacking 17 truckloads of furniture and equipment for the newly renovated 238-room Battle House Hotel on Royal Street.

"It takes us 30 to 45 days to unpack the furnishings, move in and train," said the hotel manager for Point Clear Hotels & Resorts, which operates the hotel for the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

On May 11, the hotel will turn on its reservation system, and guests can begin staying in the rooms the next day, she said.

"Our vision for the hotel, when we open, is to have the service start up as if it had never been closed for 35 years," she said.

After 4½ years, the $200 million RSA Battle House Tower project is almost complete, according to Ron Blount, project director for the Retirement Systems of Alabama, the state's $28 billion pension funds.

Construction costs were

$162 million on the office tower and hotel complex, but the overall cost of the project will be $200 million, he said.

The circa 1909 hotel building will open as a four-star Marriott Renaissance Hotel. A grand opening to benefit the arts will be held May 11 in the hotel, but the ticket prices and details are still being planned by community leaders, according to RSA and its affiliate, PCH.

"This has been brick and mortar for me for four years and about three months ago it hit me," Blount said as he walked through the Battle House Hotel last week. "We're about to hand Mobile back its living room, and it's almost 100 years old."

The 35-story Battle House office tower will also open in mid-May, and at least 60 percent of the office space has been leased, according to Joe Toole, leasing agent for RSA.

Page 2 of 2
Interior work is under way on International Shipholding Corp.'s offices on the 17th and 18th floors and the company plans to move in by the end of the month, Toole said.

"Leasing started out a bit slow," Toole said. "But once they saw the building, the interest really picked up. When the folks go on a tour, the building sells itself."

Most of the tenants are local firms, though RSA is talking with some regional firms about relocating to Mobile, he said.

Lease rates average $20 per square foot on the lower floors and $22 to $24 per square foot on the upper floors, he said. The top floor has not yet been leased.

That's a jump from the average $15 to $16 per square foot charged for newer, updated Class A office space in Mobile.

Announced Battle House tenants include the law firm of Hand Arendall; CitiGroup/Smith Barney; Regions Bank; and RSA's management office and PCH's office, both on the 8th floor.

Other tenants include a state agency, a telecommunications firm, an architectural firm, a corporate design group and several law firms, Toole said. Wachovia Bank will have a drive-through location on the main floor of the nine-deck RSA parking garage.

The last two weeks before the hotel opens are "crunch time," said Gilbert, who will have 26 managers and several hundred workers on board by opening day.

"I feel very confident that I'm going to hit the May 11 opening," she said. "As soon as (Blount) turns the hotel over to us, we're ready to go."

More than 400 workers are still on the job site, down from the 600 during peak construction, according to Blount. Crews are cleaning the buildings and finishing up interior and exterior details such as flooring, paint and landscaping.

Work will continue after May 11. The parking deck off Water Street will be open, but the spa and fitness center on the top-floor deck will not be ready, according to RSA. The Trellis restaurant in the Battle House Hotel will be open, but PCH is finalizing the concept for the hotel's second restaurant, which is next to the Royal Street hotel entrance.

RSA's total investment in downtown Mobile over the last 4½ years will top $300 million, according to Blount. In addition to the Battle House project, that includes the purchase and

$60 million renovation of the 375-room Riverview Plaza Hotel at 64 S. Water St. and the construction and management of the Alabama Cruise Terminal at Mobile.

[Bama_75]

This is good news for Mobile, but whats the future hold? Are we going to boom and the city grow or stay the same? Any thoughts?

[Verve]

This is good news for Mobile, but whats the future hold? Are we going to boom and the city grow or stay the same? Any thoughts?

Things are really coming together and it will all depend on how the smaller projects evolve. RSA has set the stage for others to follow suit. We really need a major attraction to keep folks coming downtown in order to build on what's already taking place. Something like a southern market that could feature artisans, vendors, and street performers similar to Seattle's Pike Place, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, etc. It doesn't have to start at that large a scale but serve as a place of central focus.

I'd like to see if the waterfront condos do happen. I see the asbestos remediation folks are doing some work inside and the last article about this project stated that things will pick up again. So, we'll have to see about this one.

While walking down Broad Street the other day, I discussed with a friend about the possibility of some of the chain restaurants establishing locations on that street between Congress and Canal Streets. I know they have a project underway for Broad Street but there are not any businesses other than Checkers and CVS that would draw anyone to a newly developed pedestrian-friendly street. Perhaps something like Chick-FilA, O'Charleys, Steak & Shake, Landrys, Cock of the Walk, Houston's, California Pizza Kitchen, PJ Changs, or others. While some of these might not be the best fit, they represent the type of establishment that could help boost that corridor. While I'm very supportive of independent restaurants that are common only to Mobile, I think these places would pull in the type of customer who would normally not venture downtown. Broad Street could be the "restaurant row" for these type of places (similar to Gregory Street -US 98) in Pensacola.

Just some thoughts.

[nimsjus]

Really cool article from the Press-Register about some possible projects and some real estate that people are interested in, but can't get away from owners. Helps explain what is going on with some properties in downtown that most of us have probably said,"If I could get that property I could turn it around." or "That spot could change the whole complexion of an area.". One part is about the surface lot that replaced the Cawthon Hotel. Just imagine two very historic hotels on opposite sides of Bienville Square. That might be the biggest loss Mobile had to the 70's purge of historic downtown. Sorry the article is so long, but hopefully it will spur a little discussion.

BIG BUILDINGS: BIG CHALLENGES
Monday, March 12, 2007By JEFF AMYStaff Reporter
A new office building on Bienville Square. Condominiums in the former Gayfers. A block full of townhouses, offices and apartments on land now dominated by parking lots.

Big plans. Now all someone has to do is overcome the challenges.

Downtown Mobile is full of quiet successes, people who have put small buildings and houses to new use or built new dwellings and offices on vacant sites.

But though the spire of the RSA Tower seems to say otherwise, it's the big project that's hard to pull off.

Evidence of that lies in the ghostly hulks of large, vacant buildings and a moonscape of parking lots.

For the buildings, the challenge is finding a user who can pay enough and occupy enough space to finance often extensive renovations.

For sites now empty, developers are often interested in building new, but they have to pay enough to make it worthwhile for current owners to part with both a steady income from parking and the desire to hold onto the land until it becomes even more valuable.
Similarly, now-empty sites can be acquired for new buildings. Besides the land bought for RSA, developers have assembled whole blocks for a new FBI building and a new Social Security building in the last decade.

None of that is as easy as building in a turf field in Foley or a pine forest in Dawes. And worries lurk about what will happen to the AmSouth Bank building when several of its large tenants move to the RSA Tower in coming months.

But with several large projects moving forward, there's a surprising amount of optimism among people trying to sell or acquire big sites.

"I would say it's healthier than it's ever been," Burton Clark, a real estate agent with Cummings & Associates said of the downtown market. Clark is trying to sell the Kress building on behalf of Jay Altmayer Jr., who also owned the Neisner building.

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to large-scale development downtown is assembling sites.

Laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries, downtown lots were meant for relatively small buildings. Today, it's not uncommon to have one block cut into 10 or more small parcels. But most developers today need at least half a block to create a large development.

"The economics of building buildings today are such that you need to build on a bigger footprint and get more uses in the building to make it economically feasible," said Elizabeth Sanders, executive director of the Downtown Mobile Alliance, an agency that promotes downtown.

The acres of surface parking lots downtown are one target for such development. Consultants who have studied Mobile say that the parking lots are bad for efforts to create a lively downtown. Parking lots, though they help support nearby activities, don't generate much activity themselves.

"You want active uses along your major corridors," Sanders said.

The parking lot that faces the west side of Bienville Square, running west to Joachim Street, is frequently flagged as a problem in efforts to improve the square and as a prime target for redevelopment. The lot was the site of the landmark Cawthon Hotel until it was demolished in 1973.

Big empty buildings can be saved. Among the examples in Mobile that long sat vacant but are now in productive use are GM&O Building and the former Convent of Mercy, now the St. Francis Place condominium complex.

The Battle House Hotel will soon join that list, as will the Mattress Factory condominium on Dauphin Street and the St. Louis Lofts in the former Mobile Fixture building.

Most recently, Hargrove and Associates, a Mobile engineering firm, bought and announced plans to remodel a 30,000-square-foot Royal Street building that once housed Neisner's, a legendary and long-gone five-and-dime.
"Instead of a parking lot, a new mixed-use building, combining retail space on the ground floor and residential units on the upper floors, is critical to the long-term success of the square," Zimmerman/Volk Associates wrote in a housing study for the Downtown Mobile Alliance last year. "A mixed-use redevelopment of this parcel would be a catalytic project that would tap the market for newly constructed housing."

Before any development can happen though, the current owner has to agree.

And the leaders of the Cawthon Real Estate Corp., a charitable entity that sends money to the Wilmer Hall children's home, don't exactly have a for-sale sign out.

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"I guess we're not opposed to selling, but we're not out trying to sell," said James Newman, a lawyer appointed by the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to the corporation's board.

Right now, the parking lot is under a long-term lease to Central Parking Corp. After the manager's cut and taxes, the lot generates about $80,000 a year for Wilmer Hall. So in addition to reaching an agreement with the corporation, any purchaser would also have to buy out the parking company's lease.

Developers, though, continue to approach the church with offers. Proposed projects in recent years have included office buildings, condominiums and a hotel, Newman said. Last year, one developer went so far as to enlist Mayor Sam Jones to meet with Episcopal Bishop Philip M. Duncan II in an effort to help persuade the church to sell.

The Cawthon property is valued for tax purposes at $587,2000. But if developers paid as much per square foot as the property at Royal and Conti streets for the new Hampton Inn, the Cawthon property would be worth more than $2 million.

Newman said that growth in the property's value could be a good reason to hang onto it.

"The property has appreciated, while at the same time, it has provided a pretty good income," he said. "It's a growth stock and a dividend stock at the same time. I'm looking for more value down the road than where it's at right now."

In some cases, parking income may be the most lucrative use of the land. Clark said that a client of his wanted to lease the parking lot at the corner of Government and Joachim owned by the Catholic Archdiocese but was turned down because the lease payments to the church would be less than the church's parking income.

Downtown leaders have tried to crack the parking lot nut in other places, too. Ronnie Taylor of The Architects Group drew a conceptual rendering of a redeveloped block surrounded by St. Michael, St. Louis, Jackson and Joachim streets. At the time, Taylor owned the only two buildings on the block, both in the northeast corner.

The remaining eight parcels are all parking lots. The Press-Register owns one lot facing Jackson Street, which Publisher Howard Bronson said the company is no longer using and trying to sell.

Five parcels are owned by John and Winifred McMillan. The family owns more than 15 parcels downtown, most of them parking lots marked with distinctive yellow signs and chains.

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McMillan said she and her husband got into the parking business in search of extra income when one of their children was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She said her husband, who now has Alzheimer's disease, was able work at the post office in the morning and attend to the parking lots in the evening.

"People, I feel like, always looked down on parking lots," said McMillan. "We laughed all the way to the bank."

Though she helped run the business for years, the lots are now being leased by Central Parking. That company, based in Nashville, Tenn., operates 35 parking lots and garages downtown, according to its Web site.

The idea behind Taylor's drawing, which included townhouses, larger buildings, common spaces and a parking garage, was to show property owners what was possible if they got together. The block, if redeveloped, could serve as a bridge between the DeTonti Square neighborhood and Dauphin Street.

"You've got some fairly nice areas to the north, and you've got Dauphin Street to the south, and you'd think these areas would infill," Taylor said.

McMillan, though, wasn't impressed, saying the notion was too speculative. "To me, that was not a real plan," she said.

Taylor threw in the towel and sold his buildings, which still await redevelopment. "I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do immediately, and it was taking more of my time than I had to give," he said.

Almost every week, McMillan said, she gets a letter or a phone call from someone who wants to buy part of her property. She's not inclined to sell.

"I'm 77 years old, and I'm just not interested in getting into a whole lot of problems," she said.

One entity that did force the McMillans to part with a parking lot is the federal government, which took some of their property in the two blocks it acquired for a new federal courthouse. But local government may not have the same leverage.

After a case where the U.S. Supreme Court said the Connecticut city of New London could take property to spur private development, the Alabama Legislature passed a law sharply curtailing the eminent domain powers of Alabama cities and counties.

A proposed state constitutional amendment could further tie Mobile's hands, if it passes the Legislature and gets ratified by voters.

But there may be progress on the obviously difficult task of bringing new life to large vacant buildings.

The 82,000-square-foot Gayfers complex, vacant for more than 20 years, is under contract to a condominium developer. John Vallas, who is selling the building for the Mobile County Public School System, said the prospective buyer is considering office space facing Bienville Square, and either residential or office condominiums in the larger wings facing St. Emanuel and Conti streets.

Renovations would include removing some asbestos and could include turning the bottom floor of the Conti Street wing into a parking garage, said Vallas of Saad and Vallas Realty Group. But, he said, he's confident that redevelopment is on its way, in part because the out-of-town developers are increasingly interested in working in downtown Mobile.

"Obviously, it's harder to do the larger projects," Vallas said. "But I think they're going to start happening because you have a lot of outside money looking at Mobile now."

The upswing could benefit another of downtown's hard-to-develop sites, the Kress building.

The former store has one of the oddest configurations of any downtown property. Shaped like a plus sign, the building runs through the middle of the block to doors on Dauphin, Royal, Conti and St. Emanuel streets.

Altmayer, the owner, has dropped his price to $1.25 million. Parts of the first floor had been improved for the Social Security Administration in the late 1990s, but hurricane-driven water damage forced the owner to rip out the wallboard, leaving just the framework.

Upstairs, wooden racks show where a law firm used to rent space to store old files. The long, narrow wings mean that the center of the building is far from street-facing windows, so dark that Clark brings flashlights when showing the building.

But people, including condo and hotel developers, are coming. "I show the Kress building a lot," Clark said.

[pkp]

Things are really coming together and it will all depend on how the smaller projects evolve. RSA has set the stage for others to follow suit. We really need a major attraction to keep folks coming downtown in order to build on what's already taking place. Something like a southern market that could feature artisans, vendors, and street performers similar to Seattle's Pike Place, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, etc. It doesn't have to start at that large a scale but serve as a place of central focus.

I'd like to see if the waterfront condos do happen. I see the asbestos remediation folks are doing some work inside and the last article about this project stated that things will pick up again. So, we'll have to see about this one.

While walking down Broad Street the other day, I discussed with a friend about the possibility of some of the chain restaurants establishing locations on that street between Congress and Canal Streets. I know they have a project underway for Broad Street but there are not any businesses other than Checkers and CVS that would draw anyone to a newly developed pedestrian-friendly street. Perhaps something like Chick-FilA, O'Charleys, Steak & Shake, Landrys, Cock of the Walk, Houston's, California Pizza Kitchen, PJ Changs, or others. While some of these might not be the best fit, they represent the type of establishment that could help boost that corridor. While I'm very supportive of independent restaurants that are common only to Mobile, I think these places would pull in the type of customer who would normally not venture downtown. Broad Street could be the "restaurant row" for these type of places (similar to Gregory Street -US 98) in Pensacola.

Just some thoughts.


I will have to disagree on the chain resturaunt thing. Partly because the fact that they are chains, but also because of the way they build their buildings. Mobile has not been very succesful in making chains build to a certain code like New Orleans and other cities have. Any chains that build in that area will certainly be set upon a large swath of asphalt. It will be basically be like Schillinger Road. Look at every drug store from midtown to downtown. You would think they would have been forced to build close to the street, with very little parking and have to locate in buildings that blend into the area. However, the look just like any other CVS, Walgreen's etc... Starbucks in midtown is the same. I live just off Broad Street. If I wanted to live around that garbage, I'd live off Dawes Rd. The solution is not gentrification of the our city core. We basically need more residential, more commercial, more retail (of all sorts and levels) and some light industrial to make the area East of Sage Avenue to the Mobile River an exciting, and more desirable place to live. This can be accomplished by promoting a view that the area is safe (it actually is pretty safe) doing something about the schools, and working on good public transporation (non-bus).

[Scottybo]

This isn't really Downtown, but here's a page made by Thyssen-Krupp about their proposed site in Mobile County: Here (http://www.thyssenkruppnewusplant.com/overview/prospective/alabama/)

And just to put in perspective how huge this is, from the site:

Over a 20-year period, the facility is expected to yield 38,000 – 52,000 indirect jobs.

[ExpatBaman]

The Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile's Business Improvement District, has a downloadable report on their website listing projects underway, proposed, or recently completed. Photos or renderings of 32 projects are included.

Report .pdf here: http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/...eport2_copy.pdf (http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/major_investment_report2_copy.pdf)

Website: http://www.downtownmobile.org

[Scottybo]

The Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile's Business Improvement District, has a downloadable report on their website listing projects underway, proposed, or recently completed. Photos or renderings of 32 projects are included.

Report .pdf here: http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/...eport2_copy.pdf (http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/major_investment_report2_copy.pdf)

Website: http://www.downtownmobile.org

Nice post.:tup:

[Musicisright]

The Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile's Business Improvement District, has a downloadable report on their website listing projects underway, proposed, or recently completed. Photos or renderings of 32 projects are included.

Report .pdf here: http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/...eport2_copy.pdf (http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/major_investment_report2_copy.pdf)

Website: http://www.downtownmobile.org

Damn, that report is impressive. And the website...Thank you.:worship:

[BamaGrad04]

Thanks for the post, Expat. That's a very informative website that is long overdue, IMO. I'm glad to see Waterstreet Landing still on the drawing board. I did drive by the CSX site last night and it is being worked on, so keep your fingers crossed!

[SouthSky]

Ahhh... the ever-elusive Hampton Inn plans. They're blurry, but I can make it out.

Thanks for the website!

[CottonCity251]

After a year of following this forum, I decided to join. That website is really useful, thanks Expat.

[austin356]

It seems like downtown is trying to grow faster than it actually is, and it is being restrained by its historic property parcel allocation. What I mean is that there are sometimes dozens of parcels on a single block and putting enough property together is a very steep challenge.


Atlanta for example, has been granted with larger parcels that have not been broken up as much as Mobile, and it has really facilitated rapid development.


Another related problem is the massive income received from parking income; I was reading that the old Cawthon Hotel site receives parking income of 80k a year. Thus understandably the owner will go to all lengths to not sell the property for development.


I dont necessarily agree with it ideologically but I concede that 10 folding the property tax on surface parking lots would force A LOT more development at a lot faster pace.

Anyone think Jones and the council would consider taxing the crap out of surface lot owners as a way to stimulate development? (not that I think it is right or anything but I wouldnt protest;) )

[nimsjus]

It seems like downtown is trying to grow faster than it actually is, and it is being restrained by its historic property parcel allocation. What I mean is that there are sometimes dozens of parcels on a single block and putting enough property together is a very steep challenge.


Atlanta for example, has been granted with larger parcels that have not been broken up as much as Mobile, and it has really facilitated rapid development.


Another related problem is the massive income received from parking income; I was reading that the old Cawthon Hotel site receives parking income of 80k a year. Thus understandably the owner will go to all lengths to not sell the property for development.


I dont necessarily agree with it ideologically but I concede that 10 folding the property tax on surface parking lots would force A LOT more development at a lot faster pace.

Anyone think Jones and the council would consider taxing the crap out of surface lot owners as a way to stimulate development? (not that I think it is right or anything but I wouldnt protest;) )

I am very ignorant when it comes to actual workings of development and things like this proposal. I am more of a pipedream person:) . That idea sounds fantastic and I would have never thought of that. I think the city could then take that money and turn it around for some parking decks(preferably like the new ones in Charleston that are hidden within the interior of a block with very discreet entrance/exits). Those service lots are really putting a halt to downtown development because alot of them are located right off the Dauphin corridor. They were fine when Dow started the string of pearls b/c they provided parking near the on redeveloped area. Now they are preventing the spread of development outside of that area.

[pkp]

That is just the Hampton in Memphis - I don't like it. I hope they go for something different.