[Brown Duckz]

Why can't they start this now instead of 2010?Airport to add parking facility

By Cosby Woodruff
cwoodruff@gannett.com



The Montgomery Regional Airport plans to open a new intermodal facility, which would provide taxis and other cars a place to park while waiting to pick up passengers, around the middle of 2010.

The facility would work best if it was built in the northwest corner of the long-term parking lot, according to the airport's parking lot committee.

Currently, taxis line up along the curb in front of the airport, and private cars often circle the airport waiting for passengers. That creates security concerns and hazards for pedestrians, according to Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon Inc., the airport's consulting firm.

Moving those cars to a waiting area away from the terminal, where they would be summoned by cell phones or some other system, would greatly reduce congestion immediately in front of the terminal, said David Riesland, a project manager for the consultants.

The committee voted to recommend the location in the long-term parking because it does not restrict future airport growth, and it offers a lower construction cost because the land is already suitable for construction.

Sites closer to the terminal would have required more ground work.

Riesland also said the site would be appropriate for a parking deck, which may be built in the future.

"There is a lot of potential for expansion in this site," he said.

Luke Childrey questioned what the loss of about 40 parking spaces would mean to airport revenue. Mark Wnuk, assistant to the executive director at the airport, said the parking lot averages about 40 percent capacity, but on heavy travel periods it overflows.

Allen Thames, vice president of the consulting firm, said giving up that revenue would be a tradeoff for relieving congestion in front of the building.

"All of the solutions present some other problem," he said.

The proposal calls for a small building surrounded by five parking spots for taxis, five for private vehicles waiting for passengers, one for a limo and one for a tour bus.

"We can put in a facility and a program that will serve everybody," Thames said.

Thames said the airport has a $4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to create a transportation nexus, which he defined as an intersection of two transportation modes.

The airport will have to match the grant with $1 million of local money, and Thames said that money is available in reserves.

[| BRAVO |]

Montgomery peeps - Would you guys like to see this chart every month? I'll post it if you like.

Economic Indicators Chart - "Business Alabama Magazine" - March 2008
http://s181.photobucket.com/albums/x264/hallman02/EconomicIndicators.jpg

[bystander1]

^^ I don't mind. I usually see it every month in Business Alabama anyway.

[OCA REP]

^^ I don't mind. I usually see it every month in Business Alabama anyway.

Me too...

[Brown Duckz]

Competition is good. I think it needs to go tall, at least 8-10 stories. That would be a pretty sweet looking block.... crossing the street there surrounded by three hotels.

3 companies contact city about downtown hotel

Mayor Bobby Bright said Friday that negotiations are ongoing with a hotel that is considering a move to the downtown area.

Bright would not elaborate on the negotiations, other than to say that it was a "good quality" hotel. The hotel is one of three hotels that have contacted the city in the last month, Bright said.

Bright stressed that the city is being selective about who is allowed to set up in the downtown area, where revitalization efforts have brought the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.

"I’m not going to let any fly-by-night investor come in and reverse what we’ve done," Bright said.

"I want something new and refreshing but something that will have sticking power," he added.

[philopdx]

Please don't tell me that Montgomery, AL has really adopted a six story height limit for its downtown? You've got to be kidding, right? Someone, please tell me that the master plan is some sad, pathetic joke?

While I think that's a laughable mistake (one more in a long line of laughable mistakes for the gump), I have nothing but contempt for David Bronner and his open threats to anyone who stands in his way. To wit:

Dr. Bronner warned preservationists loudly at the Lions Club: "If they sue to stop this project, then I will sue them back, both in their official roles and as individuals."

http://www.al.com/opinion/independent/rmartin.ssf?/base/columnists/120164131149660.xml&coll=4

So he threatened to sue anyone "as individuals", meaning he's going to go after their personal assets, if they voice concern over the erection of another one of his phallic white elephants?

No one likes a bully, and developers don't have a right to sue NIMBY's in my city just for expressing their opinions. Wow, I had almost forgotten how repressive and morose life was in Montgomery.

If you all want to see a city properly manage it's growth and revitalization, pay a visit to Portland, OR this summer and I would be happy to introduce some revolutionary ideas that you could carry back to the heart of dixie.

Things like:
Mass transit!!
Grocery Stores!!
Bike Lanes!!
Sidewalk cafes!!
Independent Bookstores!!
Buildings over 22 floors!!
Wine bars!!
Live music more than once a year!!!
Ethiopian, Thai, Lebanese, Korean and Greek food!!
Shops that are open on Saturdays!!

all downtown....

Cheers

P.S. For a city of only 568,380, just more than twice the size of Montgomery (pop. 201,998), we currently have under construction in downtown (inside the 405 loop):
-A 6-floor affordable housing building
-A 6-floor rec center
-A 9 floor office building (Machineworks)
-A 9 floor condo tower with a Safeway on the ground floor
-A 15 floor condo (the Encore)
-3 16 floor condo towers (Lovejoy, 937, Cyan)
-A 16 floor Class-A office building (1st and Main)
-A 22 floor mixed use office tower (ZGF tower)
-A 23 floor apartment building with ground floor retail (Ladd Tower)
-A 30 floor residential condo (3720)
-A 33 floor mixed use tower (Park Avenue West, 515 feet to spire)

[Brown Duckz]

Please don't tell me that Montgomery, AL has really adopted a six story height limit for its downtown? You've got to be kidding, right?

It's not all of Downtown, it's one block in question & we are not even sure it's correct. Thanks for comparing Montgomery to a city twice it's size--really. :haha:

[philopdx]

Portland is no first tier city - my point is that a city half the size of Portland should have roughly half the activity. Being born and raised in Montgomery, I remember the prevailing attitude that mediocrity is absolutely acceptable.

I would hope that my hometown would aspire to something beyond the ordinary, but that day is evidently far off.

For a good example of a city reaching beyond itself, take a look at Louisville's Museum Plaza, currently under construction. It is, clearly, taller and more avant-garde than anything Portland currently has to offer. This is a city that had a population of 250,000 before their county merger, so it's roughly the size of Montgomery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville_Museum_Plaza

It shows that dreams and vision are not limited to blue states -- really! :tup: :tup: :tup:

[thoraudio]

Actually, Portland's MSA is about 2 million IIRC, and Montgomery's is less than 400,000. and the 6 story height limit is just for the historic district.

We're very happy that Portland is experiencing a boom, and welcome your constructive criticism.

[thoraudio]

hey thor, i'm going to huntsville today do you want me to beat up neilsen for you?

awful violent for a preacher, aren't you?

And that would just give him the attention he so desperately craves.... so, nah. :cool:

[thoraudio]

Things like:
Mass transit!!

Our bus system has seen massive growth in the last few years, and now includes a free downtown Lunch Trolley for shuffling workers between work and food.

Grocery Stores!!
We have quite a few, I only have to hunt and gather every few weeks or so.

Bike Lanes!!
That's in between the double yellow lines, right?

Sidewalk cafes!!
Hiijackd has one in his buildings...

Independent Bookstores!!
There's one next to Hiijackd's buildings
Buildings over 22 floors!!
We have one...
Wine bars!!
How about ABC stores with bars on the windows? MD20/20 is a wine.
Live music more than once a year!!!
Off the Wagon, the Ampitheater, and The Center for Performing Arts all cherish their year when they have Montgomery's sole live music perform.
Ethiopian, Thai, Lebanese, Korean and Greek food!!
We actually have several very good Thai and Korean places around.
Shops that are open on Saturdays!!
You're right, Eastdale Mall, The Shoppes at Eastchase, and everything in between look so dead while closed on the weekends... oh.. they're not, nevermind.

[Brown Duckz]

^^ I think he meant all Downtown, but either way Montgomery soon enough will have everything he mentions. I still can't get over his comparison of the two cities that are vastly apart in metro population. I guess he just doesn't see 10 towers going up and deems it zero growth. What he failed to see is ALL of the things that are undergoing revitalization, rebuilding, & remodeling. Instead of everything being new, we are renewing old things which in my opinion is better for the city in the long run.

[montman]

Hello Montgomery Thread,
I have been reading the thread since it began and finally decided to get in the discussion. As a native and older Montgomery (59) I have been gratified to follow this thread and watch the development of our city. By the way, the guy from Portland needs to check Louisville news. I was there this week. Construction of the Museum Tower has stopped. Building materials have been removed from the site according to the local news. Financial difficulties because of the down market is being blamed.
Guys, I look forward to hearing about the new hotel. Also, I still think there is another announcement in the works.

[g-man435]

G-man in the house. Now where are those update pics? :D

[EXbubba]

The Portland fella should also not forget that the geography is totally different there as compared to MGM, not just the political climate, where liberals rule the day and have concentrated growth within the city limits without no further expansion allowed. He'll get his one day when Mt St Helen's wipes out that hippy paradise! MGM and Portland is not even close to a proper apples-to-apples comparison! They don't even have near the baggage of any town in the southeast.

[thoraudio]

welcome to the party montman. You can paypal your dues to me at....


;)

[g-man435]

^^Where? I want to pay. :D

[bystander1]

Please don't tell me that Montgomery, AL has really adopted a six story height limit for its downtown? You've got to be kidding, right? Someone, please tell me that the master plan is some sad, pathetic joke?


...who-i-u??

[bystander1]

Welcome to the board, montman!

[Brown Duckz]

G-man you can't afford our wisdom. :haha:

[Dale]

g-man, you can go ahead and pay me then. My account's always open.

[hiijakd]

talked to my source. 4 of 5 people on the "board" making the decision about the BIG announcement are for what ever it is. the board chair is not and has refused to call a meeting. this means something is coming but it will probably come from whoever it is doing it rather than the city..so.....all i know is it is not the hotel but maybe we'll hear something soon. i'll keep you guys posted as i get info.

[bystander1]

Yes, as I said earlier, I also got confirmation that the hotel was not the big announcement. The hotel news was just extra gravy...

[g-man435]

Yes, as I said earlier, I also got confirmation that the hotel was not the big announcement. The hotel news was just extra gravy...

I like gravy on mashed potatoes. :D :notacrook:

[thoraudio]

Alleyway out for bid. (http://www.montgomeryal.gov/7715.aspx?umbVersion=8e47558d-96ab-4a26-ac72-30281fd5de82)

Projected start date of May of this year.

Anybody wanna go down with me to look at the plans? Or pony up the $200 for a copy :whip:

[thoraudio]

Also found this tiny render of the proposed streetscape project for directly infront of the capitol.

http://www.montgomeryal.gov/media/4618069/dxt-%20rendering.jpg

Also listed on the page for possible starts this year are resurfacing/residewalking of Madison, 5 Points streetscape, and widen and resurface projects for Perry Hill and Ann.

[Capital Heights]

I know that curiousity got the cat....but I wanna know what the big secret development is......dammit.

[Fibb2000]

Same here!!:banana:

[Brown Duckz]

This is killing me... it better be something awesome with this kind of wait.

[Fibb2000]

I wonder if it's going to be tourism related or industry related?? What do you guys think?:rolleyes:

[Brown Duckz]

If I had to guess it's either a new announcement for Downtown, or something big about the Alleyway.

[thoraudio]

Maybe Milo's is coming back....


^^^^^ crosses fingers and hopes.

[Brown Duckz]

I overheard some talk of the possible waterpark last night. The same guy is still hard on the trail to get it going.

[thoraudio]

from the Montgomery Advertiser. A new library would definately be a nice addition.

Libraries get $450,000 in grants

By Jill Nolin
jnolin@gannett.com





Nine library branches each have received $50,000 grants, bringing in a total of $450,000 for the Montgomery City-County Public Library System.

"It's going to make a great impact and it helps us," said system director Jaunita Owes. "While one-by-one, no, it's not a lot of money, but it's the beginning of helping to identify the needs at the locations."

You won't find the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library -- the main branch -- anywhere on the list for improvements. And that's no accident, Owes said.

"We need a new library building," Owes said. "We felt like the needs at the Morgan library were so large that it would overshadow the needs at the other libraries."

Owes said the organization did not submit an application for the Alabama Public School and College Education Incentive Fund grants for the main branch. Instead, an effort is under way to launch a large-scale fundraising drive to raise the money needed to build a new main library.

Owes also said the architects are drawing up plans for the new facility. Library board president Gary Burton said the goal is to keep the main library in downtown Montgomery as an anchor for the downtown restoration effort.

"A progressive library will continue to bring people downtown, day and night," Burton said Thursday.

Owes cited a list of why a new building is needed, ranging from structural -- the second floor was not designed to hold the weight of a large book collection -- to an unstable heating and cooling system that fails to provide adequate protection for materials.

The electrical system also is at full capacity, which limits the number of computers that the library is able to use at once. Owes said that the new wireless Internet system, which started up three months ago, has helped alleviate the problem.

But Owes said the reasons can all be rolled into one -- a better library would improve the quality of life here.

"You as a citizen ought to be able to take pride in your library," Owes said.

[montman]

Has anyone heard anymore about another hotel? Ran into Bobby and Lynn Bright at the Marriott. He says it is going to happen. He did not share which company of course. Any update on Bronner's Dexter Avenue building? I understand that there were not any changes to the profile even after the best preservationists and smart growth efforts. It will be 12 stories exactly as planned. Has anyone heard anything different? Finally, does anyone have renderings of the parking deck that is being built with the old Montgomery Advertiser Building redesign? It seems like a mighty big crane being used. How big is that thing going to be?

[thoraudio]

looks like no new construction. :(

I wonder if they'll call it the Exchange since that's the location of the exchange hotel.

Fourth hotel expected in area downtown

By Cosby Woodruff
cwoodruff@gannett.com





City officials say they expect a fourth hotel to open in the same three-block area of downtown Montgomery where there are already two hotels and where a third is scheduled to open this year.

But they have little worry that there won't be enough demand for the rooms because they say properties like these create their own demand.

Jeff Downes, an assistant to Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, said a hotel chain he would not identify is expected to purchase a former Colonial Bank building on Commerce Street, just half a block from the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center.

Although the company is in the due diligence stage now, Downes said it could announce its intentions by June.

That area already has two hotels -- the Embassy Suites with 237 rooms and the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center with 347 rooms -- across the street from each other.

The old Tuskegee Bank building will open as a Hampton Inn sometime this year, adding 88 rooms to the mix, and bringing the total to 672 rooms.

Although Downes said he didn't know how many rooms the new hotel might bring, he believes the city could fill the space.

"From our standpoint, and from what we have heard, to bring the big conventions in, we need more space," he said. "The market will dictate what space is needed."

Dawn Hathcock, Montgomery Convention and Visitors Bureau vice president, agreed hotel operators know the demand before building a property.

"This is an opportunity for us to go after larger groups," she said. "It helps make the area very desirable, and a lot of interest is generated."

But while four downtown hotels in this three-block area won't be too many, Hathcock predicted the new hotel would be the last major hotel to be built downtown for some time.

The new hotel will try to attract customers similar to the ones being attracted to the Hampton or Embassy Suites, she predicted.

If new hotels attract visitors, that is just fine with some downtown business operators.

Larry "Boomer" Strichik, who operates Boomer-T's BBQ on Dexter Avenue, said his business has picked up with the hotel growth downtown.

"I have seen probably a 15 percent increase since the Renaissance has opened," he said.

He listed a number of events held at the Convention Center that he said brought lines of people to his restaurant.

And business isn't just being helped by those staying at the hotels, but the people who are building them. Strichik said he looked forward to the possibility of more construction workers.

"We love those guys," he said. "Some of them eat with us every day."

Carl Barker, Montgomery president of ServisFirst Bank, said anything that brings more business downtown is good for the bank. It not only brings customers to the bank, but it brings customers to the bank's customers, he said.

Downes said the city was not offering any direct incentives for a new hotel, but he said it would be willing to give indirect help. He said things like streetscaping and infrastructure improvements are available.


although, the good thing is that it eats up some of the surplus of office space in the downtown area.

[OCA REP]

looks like no new construction. :(

I wonder if they'll call it the Exchange since that's the location of the exchange hotel.



although, the good thing is that it eats up some of the surplus of office space in the downtown area.

The graphic in the paper this morning displayed the location of the hotel in the wrong place, I think. The picture made it look like the hotel would be built in the block of Commerce Street containing Regions Tower (old Union Bank building), Choices, etc. I had heard that the new hotel was planned for the opposite corner of Bibb and Commerce, where the Frank Leu Building once stood and some older bank drive-thru windows are located. Does anyone know for sure or do we all just have to wait till something is officially announced?

Finally, a quick shout out to our own hiijakd (Byron) for a nice business profile of him in the March issue of the Central Alabama Business Journal. Keep up the good work!

[Port_of_Bama]

What is the name of the hotel you guys are getting and do you guys want it to be a highrise or midrise ?

[Capital Heights]

I think the graphic in the paper is wrong. You can see a rendering of the renovated Advertiser building in this forum....back about 9 months. The parking deck is not taller than the Advertiser building.

I wanna high-rise............

Still want to know what the secret development is......

[Brown Duckz]

I thought all the talk was new construction on the commerce/bibb intersection? Does this mean the city picked the person who wanted to renovate this building instead? I'm confused, that block is perfect for a new hotel.

[thoraudio]

the article says a Colonial bank building. There's no building on the Frank Leu site, and the Frank Leu site is still owned by the city.

Colonial owns the black buildings on Commerce, that are 'sale pending', but I don't think either of those locations would be good for a hotel.

[montman]

Word on the street is that Hyatt Place is coming to the Colonial Building. Hyatt Place is the new middle of the road Hyatt concept also coming to B'Ham. I also heard that if it is Hyatt or Hilton, it will be their middle level hotel. That is probably a good thing. I think it would be difficult to have two high profile hotels to fill for the size conventions that come to a mid size city. We will have four levels of service. Four hotels in the downtown Gump - GREAT NEWS! Filling the existing building really goes along with smart growth - YEA!

[Capital Heights]

The building on the site of the old Exchange Hotel is not owned by Colonial. They sold it to a firm out of New England a few years back. I went on-line and looked at other Hyatt Place developments and they all look like suburban motels....with parking in front, etc., not appropriate for this downtown location.

[thoraudio]

The building on the site of the old Exchange Hotel is not owned by Colonial. They sold it to a firm out of New England a few years back. I went on-line and looked at other Hyatt Place developments and they all look like suburban motels....with parking in front, etc., not appropriate for this downtown location.

The article says 'a former Colonial Bank Building'.

[Capital Heights]

the plot thickens......it also says "half a block from the renassaince" (I do not think I spelled that right).

[bystander1]

**************************************************
Sparks is dead right about this project. This is an issue the state must not ignore any longer.

**************************************************


March 23, 2008

Sparks campaigns for Garrett Coliseum upgrade

By Jill Nolin
jnolin@gannett.com

State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks turns a knob on the sink and clear water pours from the faucet onto his hand.

"It usually comes out black for a while," Sparks said as he stood in one of the main restrooms at Garrett Coliseum on Federal Drive.

Sparks, in his second term, makes his agenda clear -- he intends to restore glory to a structure that once garnered international acclaim but is now, he says, bleeding to death from lack of support.

He considers the project to be a priority for his tenure in office and a critical component of economic development for not just Montgomery, but the state.

But it's an ambitious four-phase project that comes with a big price tag. The cost: $85 million to $100 million. The payoff: the return of Garrett Coliseum as the hub of agricultural activity for Alabama.

Sparks sees an expanded and improved coliseum and agriculture center as a perfect complement for the Capital City's new convention center.

"Our vision is huge, but it's not unrealistic," Sparks said. "It's within our grasp."

A previous life


Construction on Garrett Coliseum, then the State Coliseum, began in 1949. Four years later, the money for the $1.5 million project ran out.

Several things were left unfinished, such as a bathroom on an upper level that has toilets but no connection to the sewage disposal system.

Anxious exhibitors started shows as soon as the building's shell was finished in 1951, and the coliseum attracted national and international attention.

The coliseum has seen the likes of singing legends Hank Williams Sr., Elvis, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Prince, Elton John and George Strait.

And the grounds have played host to everything from rodeos to horse shows. It is also the location for the Alabama National Fair, which brings in more than 200,000 visitors each year.

Garrett Coliseum, though, has slipped into disrepair, said Sparks. State funding has dwindled and fewer and fewer events are scheduled each year.

Big-name performers don't want to come to the coliseum anymore because of its poor acoustics and lack of air conditioning. And the deteriorating livestock areas make it hard to attract -- or to keep, in many cases -- livestock shows.

The coliseum has a 2007-08 budget of $1.16 million. The state contributes about $630,000, about $200,000 less than a decade ago. The coliseum generates the rest from such things as parking fees, concessions and building and livestock stall rentals.

Coliseum managers -- director Bill Johnson and his assistant, Ed Wesson -- use the money to fix immediate safety issues, such as broken steps and jagged wood in the horse stables.

The building's leaky roof has been a problem for years. One event, according to Johnson, had to be stopped while officials moved visitors out of a section that had pools of rainwater.

Workers patched the leaks, but Johnson calls the coliseum "patched out."

"This grand ol' facility is crying out for help," Johnson said.

The men want help from anyone who will give it.

"We have an awful lot of people who have grown up with this place and want to see it put back," Johnson said.

A vision on paper


A master plan is in place -- done last year by the architectural firm Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. for $76,000 -- and includes conceptual drawings and an itemized list of the coliseum's needs, which range from a new roof, plumbing and electrical systems to upgrades for disabled visitors.

"You could spend $10 million out here in a hurry and it would look like it did the day you started," Sparks said, referring to a repaving project and 23-year-old roof intended to last only 20 years. "But these are things that need to be done."

The basic needs include:


Fire sprinkler system and fire pump to meet code.


Heating and air-conditioning systems throughout building.


Updated lighting and sound systems.


New entrance lobbies with elevator access.


New concrete.


Updated interior.


New amenities for the public and performers.


New administration wing.


Better drainage and pavement repair.


New rental meeting spaces.

The plan also calls for extras:


A multipurpose event arena.


A multipurpose equine/event building.


A multipurpose livestock/event building.


A multipurpose livestock show barn with heating and air conditioning.


An update of the covered arena adjacent to Crawford Arena.


Restoration of Crawford Arena.

The first construction phase, which would not interrupt coliseum operations, calls for the new multipurpose event arena. It would have permanent earth topping, which would save the coliseum the $5,500 it spends each time dirt has to be brought in for events.

Climate controlled, the arena would have a seating capacity of 3,300, room for 260 trade show booths and a 160-foot-by-280-foot floor.

"If we do it, I hope we don't drag it out another 10, 15 years," Sparks said. "Either we are or we're not -- let's just make a commitment."

If not the state, then who?


The state owns Garrett Coliseum but doesn't have the money -- at least not now -- to return the building to its glory days.

Other government entities, though, are willing to consider helping finance the work. They've even met to talk about what Sparks believes should be a regional project. Sparks said there are a few possible ways to fund the project, one of which, he said, is through a bond issue.

There's been talk that the state retirement system would come to the rescue, but its chief executive, David Bronner, declined through his secretary to discuss the possibility. The coliseum, according to Bronner, is Sparks' project.

The city of Montgomery would contribute in-kind work but probably not any money, said Mayor Bobby Bright, who challenged the state to restore the coliseum.

Council President Charles Jinright thinks the project would be good for both the city and state economies but doesn't believe Montgomery should take the lead.

Jinright suggested Montgomery County would be a better leader because of the project's agricultural nature.

County Commission Chairman Todd Strange and Commissioner Reed Ingram both said financial support is a possibility.

"I think it's something we need to look at and invest in," Ingram said. "Anything to keep people coming to Montgomery."

The commission's counterparts in Autauga and Elmore counties, though, haven't been part of the talks, according to representatives for the county commissions.

Wetumpka hasn't been part of the talks either, according to Mayor Jo Glenn.

Prattville would like to have input in the project, said Mayor Jim Byard, adding he would be willing to ask the City Council to help fund the work.

"It certainly would benefit all of the communities, not just Montgomery," Byard said. "I certainly think it's worthy of discussion."

Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley sees the coliseum as an asset -- but one in need of a face-lift. He wasn't sure, however, what kind of support the city could provide.

"We've got our priorities here, too," he said.


*************************************
I think it would be great to start a new State Agricultural Center in north Montgomery near downtown.

Think about it...that would bring the State Farmers Market near the riverfront! :cool:
*************************************

[rbp]

The article says 'a former Colonial Bank Building'.

There is the Colonial Drive through "building" next to the parking lot that was the Frank Leu building. I suspect they'd need that extra bit of land for the hotel. Then it would fill in from the corner to the Chamber's parking lot.

[thoraudio]

There is the Colonial Drive through "building" next to the parking lot that was the Frank Leu building. I suspect they'd need that extra bit of land for the hotel. Then it would fill in from the corner to the Chamber's parking lot.


That building, and the matching building across the street are currently under contract as a package deal. I'd suspect that either RBC Centura or one of the local start-up banks is purchasing that property.

[thoraudio]

Of note.

One Commerce Street's website is here (http://www.cfcoffice.com/), and it shows the building at ~70% occupied. IF this is the building in question, those folks will have to find new digs.... maybe digging into some of the glut of office space that we have now. Maybe if a deal can ever get finalizd for the Regions buildings, those combined could bring some life back to the plaza.... not even to mention the possibility of a state house.

I've emailed the reporter who wrote the article to see if there is clarification to be had.

[thoraudio]

hmmm.... three posts in a row from me.... nobody else on their computers this early :cool:

The Advertiser reporter says that the buildings in question are the drive through building and the larger one across the street.

That's very interesting, because the office building across the street wouldn't be a good hotel location (limited windows)...

Maybe that means new construction on the site of the drive through.... the lot goes all the way to Lee St., giving room for a hotel and a deck.

Don't know why they'd buy the other building though......

local.live.com pics.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pcwq7y7t6qr1&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=8737564&encType=1

[hiijakd]

my source at the city has said it is the corner of madison and commerce taking up the place where the colonial bank drive thru currently stands, that means it is the old frank lew building site

[thoraudio]

Maybe the drive through lot + the city's lot at the former Frank Leu. That's a big footprint..... I hope it's 'smart code'.


BTW, it's about time for another meeting of the New Justice Team. Anybody with a date/time/place suggestion?

[hiijakd]

downtown restaurants only, we gotta support these folks if we want to have a vibrant city center. there are 33 restaurants in downtown so that means plenty of choices. take a look at the trolley website and post options. i have no preference.

[OldCloverdale]

downtown restaurants only, we gotta support these folks if we want to have a vibrant city center. there are 33 restaurants in downtown so that means plenty of choices. take a look at the trolley website and post options. i have no preference.


http://www.mgm4lunch.com/smoothiesnthingscafe.htm

;)

[OCA REP]

http://www.mgm4lunch.com/smoothiesnthingscafe.htm

;)

I vote for this location as well. My preference would be for around 11:30 AM. Whoever ordered the New Justice Team membership rings, be sure to bring them! :)

[hiijakd]

that works too

[bystander1]

I may be off this Friday, how about then?

[thoraudio]

I'm outta town this friday, but if there's enough, go ahead.

[bystander1]

Interesting...

TV show to feature Hyundai plant

March 26, 2008

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS/80326021/-1/NEWS05)

Montgomery’s Hyundai plant will star in a cable network production again tonight when the National Geographic Channel premiers a series called “Who Knew?” with a segment on the plant.

About two years ago the History Channel featured the plant in its “Modern Marvels” series.

Plant spokesman Robert Burns said Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s place as the most modern auto plant in the industry makes it attractive for such documentaries.
Marshall Brain, author of the “How Stuff Works” books will host the series.

The one-hour program will air tonight at 8 p.m. with three segments, one on Hyundai, one on airbags and one on making money. The Hyundai segment is to air first, according to Burns.

-- Cosby Woodruff

[RSAHort]

Have any of you heard about the city putting in a round-about at the corner of Ripley and Washington? They are supposed to start in resurfacing Washington in April to change it to a two way street...they will take out the redlight at Ripley and Washington then and put in the round-about.

[Capital Heights]

I noticed paint markings on the pavement at that intersection the other day. I could tell there was going to be some sort of traffic controll but I could not make out completely what was going on. Are you sure there will be a traffic circle?

[RSAHort]

That is what I was told. I was also told another one would be at Ripley and Adams. My boss had a meeting last week with the guy in charge of traffic (maybe not traffic but I can't remember what the guys name was). The meeting was about these two intersections.

[OldCloverdale]

would like to see a circle at Carter Hill & South Decatur (ASU's master plan) where the new state Forensic Sciences building/ASU tennis courts are located

[OCA REP]

would like to see a circle at Carter Hill & South Decatur (ASU's master plan) where the new state Forensic Sciences building/ASU tennis courts are located

One of the Charrettes that was held for my neighborhood (Old Cloverdale) included a design for a round-about at the intersection of Cloverdale Road, Fairview Avenue, and Woodley Road... just west of the Capri Theatre.

I would like to see this become reality, as it would hopefully slow traffic as it approaches our business district there.

[thoraudio]

Hello from the beautiful metropolis of Demopolis. I'm posting live from the lobby of a Best Western.

fun.

:cool:

[thoraudio]

Article on our own Hiijackd from Central Alabama Business Journal.

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DS&Date=20080330&Category=CABJ01&ArtNo=80329010&Ref=AR&Profile=1133

Contractor is a catalyst for change

By Melanie LeMay

MONTGOMERY -- “People have something inside them that believes there’s something more.”

Appropriate words from Byron Berry, who helps people find that “something more” through both his vocations. Berry, 27, is one of Montgomery’s urban pioneers, renovating downtown buildings into commercial and residential spaces. He’s also associate pastor of City Church, a non-denominational, inclusive group with plans to put down roots in the heart of the city.

Berry’s foray into real estate was, as he describes it, “a God thing.”

“After I graduated from Birmingham-Southern,” he said, “I started working with a Birmingham group that wanted to plant a church in Montgomery.”

The new church didn’t take hold in Montgomery, Berry says, but he did. He found kindred spirits in the founding members of City Church. He also grew intrigued with the architecture and potential of Montgomery’s downtown area. Having worked on housing renovations before, Berry found it easy to imagine Montgomery’s old buildings with a mixed-use facelift.

One day, Berry ventured down the odd little section of South Court Street across from the courthouse. “I’d never been down that section of street before, but I felt compelled to go there. Building 109 was for sale, and I knew right away it was ideal for a small business and several residential lofts. The fact that I went down that particular street on that particular day and saw that particular building with a for-sale sign in the window … that’s why I say it was a ‘God thing.’”

By March 2006, Berry was renovating the old building. A shop called Smoothies and Things moved into the bottom floor storefront. In the remaining space, Berry carved out four lofts, serving as contractor and designer. He named his new venture Phoenix Homes, inspired by the magnificent mythological bird that rises from ashes.

“These lofts really did rise from ashes,” he said. “We had to gut most of the space and start from scratch, but we saved the brick walls and concrete floors, and in some cases, we saved architectural elements like the coal-burning fireplaces.”

In his new role as contractor, Berry concentrated on building relationships. “It was important to build good relationships with my subcontractors,” he said. “I wanted to create an environment where people enjoyed coming to work, and knew we’d conduct business with integrity.”

To design the spaces, Berry brought in Doug McNab of Terry McNab Architecture. With his background in the arts, Berry set the direction for the look of the lofts. At the same time, he and McNab looked for environmentally friendly ways to meet their design goals.

The result is a group of efficiently designed lofts with high-end features and a “green” sensibility. The lofts all have foam insulation, Energy Star appliances, tankless water heaters and water-saving double-flush toilets.

Berry minimized waste by staining existing concrete and refinishing existing hardwood floors. In the bathrooms, he created counters from concrete and dramatic walls of glass tiles in watery greens and blues.

The kitchens and bathrooms boast the best in energy-saving technology, as well as the upscale features now popular with home buyers. The kitchens have brand new stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, which Berry says are even more durable than granite.

The baths include glass-walled showers with all-electronic controls. “The owner can choose any combination of shower heads located in the shower’s walls and ceiling,” Berry explained. “He can regulate the temperature, the direction, and the pattern for each individual shower head.”

An especially popular feature in the largest loft is a whirlpool tub which fills with water from an unobtrusive spigot in the ceiling. Berry smiles as he turns on the water, using a control panel beside the tub. A clear column of water, steady and clear as glass, falls from ceiling to tub. “See?” Berry said. “It’s so finely tuned that it hardly even splashes.”

Home buyers value lofts for their soaring expanses and city views. Berry and McNab took full advantage of the building’s 10-foot ceilings, leaving overhead ductwork exposed and creating movable walls with sliding door panels. They also installed fully adjustable track lighting.

Berry and McNab even found space to create garage space with automatic openers. Each of the residents has one parking spot in the garage, a luxury for a downtown loft apartment.

Renovating an old building is expensive, Berry admits, and the rental and purchase prices for the lofts reflect the cost of the high-end redesign. Rent on the four lofts ranges from $1,200 to $2,000 per month, and purchase prices from $225,000 to $390,000. “That means these lofts are most likely to attract young professionals, baby boomers, or retirees,” he said. He already has one of the lofts rented to a woman who works in the nearby courthouse building.

Phoenix Homes has just started, so traditional pricing is a business necessity right now,” Berry said. “However, I see this business as a means to an end. Someday I hope Phoenix Homes will be successful enough that we can actually give away homes to deserving people. Sometimes, being able to own a home is the one thing that makes all the difference in a family’s survival.”

In the meantime, Phoenix Homes is moving on to its next project. Berry has purchased two buildings on Perry Street, with plans to convert both to mixed commercial and residential spaces.

“I know people who’ve lived in Montgomery for a long time might find it hard to imagine, but I believe the downtown area can become a true urban community,” Berry said. “My vision for Montgomery will be realized when it’s hard to walk down the street on any given day because so many people are out going to work and shopping and stopping into restaurants and going to church. And I can see City Church playing an important role in that setting, because we believe in drawing together people from all walks of life.

“Montgomery has a number of young developers dedicated to this vision,” Berry said. “Some of them grew up here, went to live somewhere else, and now have returned. Some of them, like me, grew up somewhere else where we witnessed other cities involved in urban renewal. If Montgomery is going to change the face of its downtown, there have to be people willing to step up and buy into the concept. I hope someday I can look back and know that in some way, I was a catalyst for change in this city.”

Melanie LeMay is a freelance writer based in Montgomery

[thoraudio]

One of the people involved with the Alley. From CABJ.

Builder sees opportunities in downtown Montgomery

Jerry Kyser is president and chief executive officer of Jerry Kyser Builder Inc. He was recently interviewed by Central Alabama Business Journal Editor David Zaslawsky

Central Alabama Business Journal: You have been active in the region’s economic development. What do you see for the River Region in the next five years?

Kyser: The River Region is our economic development area and opportunity and I think it's important to remember that because even though in some cases we are a little competitive about potential customers – at the end of the day we are all in the same area and same region and thrive off each other’s industrial development opportunities. The River Region is probably positioned right now to withstand this potential recession about as well as any place in the country.

CABJ: Would you elaborate?

Kyser: I think with what we have under construction, proposed construction and the expansion of our tier 1 and tier 2 auto suppliers (to Hyundai) and some of the other companies around is very favorable for our area.

CABJ: What are some of those proposed construction projects?

Kyser: I cannot remember the exact number of tier 1 and tier 2 auto suppliers in the Montgomery area, but most of them will be expanding to handle the Kia operations (in West Point, Ga.) and that’s a big plus for us. I think the containerized port in Mobile under construction the next couple of years is going to have a very positive impact on Montgomery.

CABJ: How will impact Montgomery?

Kyser: One way is – that right now in the state of Alabama, Huntsville is the biggest containerized airport. Most of the containers coming into the state (come through Huntsville). Right now, Huntsville is unloading somewhere in the neighborhood of 4,000 containers a month. When we get our containerized port in Mobile it’s going to give us a great opportunity to start bringing things into the Port of Mobile, which would then be dissipated throughout the state and Montgomery would be a vital part of that. We’re looking at possible opportunities for some facility at the airport or the airport area that could handle something like that.

CABJ: Are you saying that Montgomery could become an important distribution center for the containers?

Kyser: Possibly a distribution center. These containers come in on freight cars and then they are unloaded, trucked and redistributed over the state and Southeast. I know that Hyundai is changing a lot of their delivery schedules and hopefully will be using that port (Mobile). Now you throw in the big steel mill plant (ThyssenKrupp) in South Alabama and that’s going to have a great impact on the state and we feel like it will also have a positive impact on the River Region area.

CABJ: How will the ThyssenKrupp plant impact the River Region?

Kyser: When you have that much construction and that much synergy going into an area it’s bound to impact us in some way because the close ties we have with South Alabama.

CABJ: General contractors in the River Region could be working on that project or construction workers.

Kyser: There would be some labor market and some of our local contractors may benefit.

CABJ: How would the River Region be able to withstand a recession?

Kyser: I think that we are fairly stable. The anchor of our economy is state government and Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base. Those are two things that aren’t very much affected by the national economy. We do have a large investment in the automotive industry and that certainly could have an adverse affect if the industry went the other way. Hopefully, Hyundai, Kia and all the other statewide auto manufacturing companies are going to maintain a status quo. I think the biggest opportunity we have right now is the downtown development. For the Montgomery market and River Region, there is a great opportunity for us over the next five to seven years to develop the areas in the heart of downtown.

CABJ: Speaking of downtown and the riverfront, I’ve read that you will build a restaurant facing Coosa Street and the back of the building is part of the Grocer’s Alley.

Kyser: We do have some investment in the downtown market and I have a facility down there that will be available for a restaurant and it will also have a mixed-use room above the restaurant for private use.

CABJ: Would you please describe the mixed-use room?

Kyser: It could be anything from corporate use to a wedding party or anything that would involve renting a room and having a private party in a private-use facility.

CABJ: I read where the facility will also have a wine cellar.

Kyser: Yes, there will be wine cellar in the basement. It will be unique – room for a small gathering for up to 12 to 18 people. We are certainly putting a lot of emphasis on the construction of the Grocer’s Alley. I think it will be very unique with 8 to10 buildings that will back up to the (alley). The area involves seven different properties and each has a unique opportunity to do different things. We like to think there will be two or three restaurants and other shops – certainly an opportunity for small business person and the unique shop owner.

CABJ: What type of stores are you talking about?

Kyser: I would think any kind of a store you’ve seen on a heavy tourist-type facility – small boutiques, jewelry stores, frame shops, antique shops – anything of a specialty nature.

CABJ: What type of restaurant are you planning to open?

Kyser: We don’t have a specific (idea), but we hope it’s going to be upscale – not a plain meat and three (side dishes) restaurant. It’s also going to have different hours than a normal restaurant. Fine-dining restaurants don’t open until 5:30 or 6 o’clock and then they wind down 10-10:30 at night. A very casual restaurant has about the same mode of operation all day long. I perceive this restaurant would open in mid-morning for a brunch-type menu and have a lunch menu for noon time. In the afternoon roll out some nice hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and that sort of thing and then from 5:30-9:30 roll into the evening meal and 9:30 to 12 or 1 o’clock you get that conventioneer who doesn’t want to go to bed, but wants a drink and possibly some entertainment. Some mix of all that is what we want to do.

CABJ: What type of cuisine will the restaurant have?

Kyser: Southern cuisine – it might be a little mixture of Cajun; a little New Orleans flair. Our restaurant, from the rear, has a New Orleans flavor. We’ve added a two-story balcony; we have an upstairs that looks over the alley and the rear on the main level will have outdoor seating with railings around it and you can step down to the alley. Bare in mind, it is a pedestrian alley so there won’t be any vehicular traffic.


CABJ: What size restaurant will you have?

Kyser: Approximately 5,000 square feet per floor. The basement is a little different configuration – it’s not quite that large.

CABJ: When will it open?

Kyser: We hope to make some final decisions on it in the next 60 days and hopefully in the next three-to-four months be in a position to open the restaurant. The multipurpose room (was) available March 1.

CABJ: Will there be a rental fee for the room and will you provide catering service?

Kyser: We have a catering kitchen on the second floor that can handle any catering opportunities. We will be able to cater prior to the restaurant being open. Once the restaurant opens, we will have another opportunity to service the multipurpose room.
CABJ: How many people does the multipurpose room hold?

Kyser: The room can handle up to 150 for dinner. It can be segmented – say, 60 and 90 – two different rooms (handling an event) at the same time. The room is fully equipped for any type of power-point presentation, any type of entertainment. We have a state-of-the-art (music) system in there that has a lot of flexibility for different uses.

CABJ: I’ve read that you are also planning to open a country music themed bar across from the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center.

Kyser: That’s correct. It will be on Bibb Street between Coosa Street and Commerce Street there is one building there. The building is 26-feet wide and 100-feet long. It’s a unique size, but there are numerous popular bars on Broadway in Nashville that are the same size. It is two stories and we intend to have full time, live entertainment there – probably country western. It’s going to be a beer joint. We will sell some finger food, but nothing fancy. We have another building at 101 Coosa St. that is also on the alley and it has a really nice large basement. We are dealing with some people out of New Orleans about a blues bar and jazz bar to go there. Understanding that in the entertainment district we need something for everybody.

CABJ: Do you have any other downtown buildings?

Kyser: We have two other buildings that we’re dealing with.

CABJ: Are you looking at opening two more bars?

Kyser: We’re looking at some other opportunities downtown from an investment standpoint as are numerous other people.

CABJ: Are those buildings for sale?

Kyser: There are some buildings for sale. If you look at records, you’ll see a lot of buildings are changing hands – ownership wise. Beasley Allen has a wonderful building that faces the alley and Commerce Street that they are in the process now of developing. It’s a four-story building and they want to have multiuse in that building. The first floor will probably be a retail market – small shops, coffee shop, boutiques – a lot of opportunities in that building. It’s directly across the street from convention hotel and it will be the walk-through to the alley way – the Commerce Street connection to the alleyway. When people come to the Renaissance – when they walk out that door – they need somewhere to spend money and they like to spend it eating, shopping and being entertained. I feel there is a great window of opportunity right now for a lot of local people who do any of the those three things. They need to be down there looking it over because it’s definitely going to change downtown Montgomery from the way we’ve known it for the last 40 years.

CABJ: What will downtown Montgomery look like in five years?

Kyser: It’s going to be a very, very vibrant entertainment district. It’s going to be a 24/7 opportunity down there. The Renaissance hotel that (David) Bronner has put in there and also combine that with efforts from the city, mayor and council have made available – from the ballpark to all the other infrastructure. We’ll have two parking decks that will be under construction shortly that will resolve a lot of the parking issues. We have a lot of people looking at a lot of different investments down there.

CABJ: What type of investments are you talking about?

Kyser: Josh Mandell has some drawings and plans to put some loft apartments in there.

CABJ: I read where he is building 14 loft apartments/condos.

Kyser: Yes, right between Dexter and Monroe Street so that will provide a lot of opportunities. I know that Sullivan & Wills have some buildings on Court Street that are going to be available between Washington and Court Square. It’s going to be a very, very short period of time before you see the lower part of Dexter Avenue start to make a transformation. From there, when we get the streetscapes being planned from the Capitol coming down Dexter and the other streetscape improvements are down around Coosa and Commerce. You will see a significant change in the whole area there.

CABJ: Is the entertainment aspect of downtown driving the growth there, which will be followed by retail?

Kyser: That’s correct. The retail is almost as important as the bars and restaurants. I think most people do not understand how many guests are going to stay at the Renaissance hotel and convention center. You combine that with the entertainment aspects of the hotel – the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. It’s not just out-of-town guests. There will be a reason for River Region residents and reason for people within 50-100 miles to come to Montgomery. The baseball stadium is going to get another big surge and the baseball stadium has already been very successful and in most cases baseball tends to level off after four, five or six years. But the new hotel is going to give the baseball stadium another (boost) so you will see a substantial up-tick instead of a leveling off. All of these factors are coming together at the right time. The city, county and chamber have put forth a lot of effort to make this available and it’s now time for the business people and business sector to step and take advantage of what they are offering down there.

CABJ: After the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Renaissance Hotel, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright said developers were coming to him and asking him what do need and what can we do.

Kyser: We’ve had numerous meetings with (Renaissance hotel officials) and they are very supportive of everything I’ve talked about and they see all of these other opportunities. Development is a plus for everybody -- it’s not like we’re in competition with them. For them to be successful, they need these things (bars, restaurants, shops, etc.) down there.

CABJ: What other River Region areas will be surging?

Kyser: You are going to see some other opportunities and we have some investments on Bell Street. With the new working of Bell Street, you will see a major change over the next three to five years. Bell Street is already being permitted. The river-side of Bell Street – all the engineering is being done to put the streetscape in. The riverwalk is continuing to move toward Maxwell and not in the too-distant future you will have a riverwalk all the way from downtown to Maxwell. The other sleeping piece to this whole puzzle has not happened, but you can be rest assured that it is going to happen – the east bank – from the northern bypass back down to the train shed. That has the biggest opportunity for big developers to come in.

CABJ: Different developers than those in downtown?

Kyser: What we’re talking about downtown is a single building one here, one there and small operators to come in and utilize that.

CABJ: Where exactly are you referring to?

Kyser: From the marina back down to the train shed. That’s the biggest piece of what I consider to be future developable property and that area is big enough to bring in your bring developers. We have some of the most astute developers in the Southeast with Lowder, Aronov, Wilson and Alfa.

CABJ: What type of development will that area have?

Kyser: Mixed use. There is going to be a lot of residential over there; opportunities for condominiums and apartments; there is an opportunity for hotels; an opportunity for business and clusters of different shops. The big unanswered question is how are you going to access it from the lower Commerce Street area across the railroad tracks. You are either going to have bridges or something for vehicular traffic. That’s an issue that will have to be addressed.

CABJ: Are you talking about thousands of people living in that area?

Kyser: Sure, in the next three to five years. We have a proposal on Bell Street for a mixed-use facility that would face the river. It’s multistory and could possibly have upscale apartments and/or condominiums. There is a lot of property from the interstate that’s undeveloped going up Bell Street -- very attractive area. The next step (for development) on Bell Street will be from the interstate back down to the convention hotel. There is no activity there right now, but there are a lot of opportunities.

CABJ: Is that a project you are working on?

Kyser: We own some property there.

CABJ: What are some other projects your company is working on?

Kyser: We are developing the property on Chantilly, where Home Depot and Wal-Mart are. I’ll tell you what I like about downtown. Most real estate developments have about a 20-year economic life and the question now is how do you revitalize those areas. I don’t think downtown has a 20-year economic life. I think downtown has an opportunity with all the history – another big factor that Montgomery has is the historical aspect. When you take the Civil War and the civil rights and the history that we have here and you combine all that with a super hotel, super entertainment district and a stabilized economy with all the other positive things we have going then I think you have an opportunity for that (downtown projects) to be here from now on. The Capitol is not going anywhere; state government is not going anywhere; hopefully Maxwell is not going anywhere; and with this hotel that we just put in down there and you get some other nice revitalization downtown; get some residential down there – I think then you’ll have the makings for a longer lifespan than a normal shopping center.

CABJ: Let’s talk about the Montgomery Regional Airport and the problems and ramifications of unreliable service.

Kyser: I think our challenge with the airport now is service. The facility itself could handle 10 times as much traffic as we have right now. The facility – that part – has been taken care of. We were at a big disadvantage facility-wise up until the last few years. The airport authority a few years ago made a decision to build a new terminal. The physical aspect has been taken care of. Our big problem right now is what I refer to as leakage from Montgomery to Atlanta. The reason for that is ASA service from Montgomery to Atlanta has not been customer-friendly; has not been competitively priced. It’s not a flight that the regular business traveler feels comfortable with due to a lot of different factors.

CABJ: What are some of those factors?

Kyser: The biggest factor being the size of the commuter aircraft between Montgomery and Atlanta. If you had a loaded flight and everyone has two bags, they can not all get on the plane. We’ve been fighting this issue – the governor is working on it as hard as he can; we’ve got the entire federal, state and local delegation working on it. About two months ago, Delta did send a chief operating officer who had a nice meeting with the governor. They are supposed to get together (again) and address this problem. There is no doubt about it that a good, viable and dependable airport is a necessity for economic development. We do have under discussion the potential for a new direct flight from Montgomery to Detroit. We have been unable to convince Delta to bring in the big jets. We would prefer having fewer flights per day if we could get the full-blown jets in. We could eliminate this bad scheduling times that Delta has. We are trying to find a way to put the pressure on Delta to change their mode of operation in Montgomery. We are planning to do one thing that I think is very important – a customer service department. We’ve never had that before. If you walk in that airport today and you have a problem you are restricted. You don’t have directions of where to go for help. We hope to eliminate that problem in the next few months with a customer service booth that can help you with any problem you have at the airport. That won’t help flight fares or scheduling, but it does give a frustrated customer someone to vent their frustrations. We want a customer-friendly person to help (passengers) solve their problems. In addition to that we are working with the airlines for new service. The ultimate answer is getting some airline probably through Delta and if they merge with Northwest it might give us an opportunity to change the size of the planes. We need competitively priced and dependable service. We are committed to continue working for that at the airport. In addition to other marketing aspects, there is a lot of land at that airport and there are a lot of other opportunities for development of the airport. Anything we can do to increase traffic and increase economic opportunities for the airport helps us in all the other aspects of air service.

David Zaslawsky is editor of the Central Alabama Business Journal. You can call him at (334) 230-2225 or e-mail at cabj@cabj.biz

[hiijakd]

little did everyone know, i am actually a mountain man apparently. i needed a shave.

[thoraudio]

Aww.... I think it's cut... Manly.... I meant to say Manly... :D


If/when we ever get the New Justice Team together again, one of my proposals will be a sack lunch at the Riverwalk. Went down there today, and as usual, it's beautiful downthere, with nobody using it. There were some workers, and one other guy down there, on a beautiful spring day. :(

[midwestrabbi]

I was talking with some friends about some Historical events that have happened, and the topic of the First Electric Streetcar came up. Having lived in Montgomery I have heard more than once from the history buffs there that this event can be claimed by Montgomery. I have spent several days researching this and I cannot find any link to Montgomery but I also see where this is event is claimed by over six cities. Does anyone on here know anything about this and could you lead me to the info. this puzzles me, having heard about the reason for Montgomery having the replica trolleys is the History behind the " Lightening Route ". Is this info true or another urban-regional legend taught as history ? I have not been on here in a while what is the situation with the Dexter / Masonic R S A Building ? Thanks

[thoraudio]

IIRC there are several claims at first. I think Montgomery's claim is that it was the first 'city wide' electrified system.

history (http://www.montgomerytransit.com/History/history.html)

[hiijakd]

started construction on perry street today. woot.
i wont be there on monday though because my dad is having major surgery. say prayers for him if you get a chance

[OCA REP]

started construction on perry street today. woot.
i wont be there on monday though because my dad is having major surgery. say prayers for him if you get a chance

Will do; best of luck to him...

[thoraudio]

will do as well.

[thoraudio]

the beginnings of killing off the one way streets. From the Advertiser

Montgomery intersection closing for upgrades

Starting today, the intersection at Washington Avenue and Ripley Street will be closed and traffic will be rerouted as work crews spend the next few weeks turning the intersection into a rounda­bout. They also will resurface part of the street.

When the work is done, the seg­ment of Washington Avenue from Jackson Street to Union Street will become a two-way street -- the first of many changes to convert most of the one-way streets in downtown Montgomery back into two-way streets.

It is part of a $300,000 project that will take four months to com­plete and it will affect four blocks on both Washington and Adams avenues, according to Jeff Down­es, an assistant to Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright.

The project includes resurfac­ing the two streets from Jackson Street to Decatur Street and ad­ding two roundabouts on Wash­ington and possibly roundabouts on Adams as well, Downes said. The project also will improve prob­lems with drainage in the area.

The goal is to improve the flow of traffic and make downtown more pedestrian-friendly, said Bubba Bowden, director of traffic engineering for Montgomery.

[OldCloverdale]

killing off the one way streets. ... rounda­bout. first of many changes to convert most of the one-way streets in downtown Montgomery back into two-way streets...ad­ding two roundabouts on Wash­ington and possibly roundabouts on Adams as well ...to improve the flow of traffic and make downtown more pedestrian-friendly


roundabouts + two-way streets = :cheers: :banana: :rock:

[hiijakd]

posting from the hospital. surgery is going well, still in the waiting room. updates to follow.

[Capital Heights]

Best of luck with your father, hiijakd.

[thoraudio]

posting from the hospital. surgery is going well, still in the waiting room. updates to follow.

Prayers.


Spent alot of quality time at South back in January. My dad had a cath, and my father-in-law had a quintuple bypass within about 2 days of each other.

[hiijakd]

everything looks good. the surgery went well and he should at the very least have some reduction in the chronic pain. thanks for the prayers, they were greatly appreciated

[mgmrebel]

Any news on the big announcement from a weeks back and does anyone know the status on the RSA Judicial building controversy?

[bystander1]

everything looks good. the surgery went well and he should at the very least have some reduction in the chronic pain. thanks for the prayers, they were greatly appreciated

Very relieved to hear that things are going well with your father, hiijakd.

[bystander1]

Any news on the big announcement from a weeks back and does anyone know the status on the RSA Judicial building controversy?


Negotiations are still ongoing with the parties involved.
Plus, I was pretty much told to give it (the question) a rest for a while and that if it happens you will know it.

...that just left me more curious about what it is...I guess I do need to give it a rest...

:gaah: BUT I CAN"T!!! :gaah:

[bystander1]

Any news on the...status on the RSA Judicial building controversy?

...I saw a couple of cranes moved to the site last week...if that gives you any indication...

[hiijakd]

the judicial building is a go. not much can be done to stop it.
as for the announcement, i happened to catch a glimpse of a rendering of liner buildings around the RSA dexter deck. perhaps that is it. it would fit the mention that there is a board involved in the decision.
just thought i'd throw that out there as a possibility.

[thoraudio]

http://www.doverkohl.com/portfolio_images/Mont_Image6b.jpg

Nice, and it would be a great addition.... but do we really need them when Lower Dexter is full of empty buildings?


Oh, and I think we have a project for the New Justice Team.... raise money to get Boomer T's an awning.... that looks terrible.

[bystander1]

Nice, and it would be a great addition.... but do we really need them when Lower Dexter is full of empty buildings?





Simple. The empty buildings of Lower Dexter are waaay overpriced and in need of major repairs.
It would be easier to build new space at half the costs and watch it fill quickly with businesses that have been waiting to come downtown but couldn't afford the buildings/renovation costs...those were the thoughts of members of the Dover Kohl group and the mayor a couple of years ago.

[hiijakd]

yeah boomer doesn't want to spend the money on one. he thinks it is too expensive.
bystander is right, the costs to build new are much less than renovations therefore it is better to build new down there than renovate in the mind of the investor.

[OldCloverdale]

yeah boomer doesn't want to spend the money on one. he thinks it is too expensive...

sometimes it is smart for a business owner to invest in things such as an awning for the future of the business

wonder if that guy gets it ... I think not

[thoraudio]

sometimes it is smart for a business owner to invest in things such as an awning for the future of the business

wonder if that guy gets it ... I think not


He doesn't own the building, which desperately needs to be redone from the urban renewal cladding...

[kevinlpugh]

Ag director continues quest for more Coliseum funding

By Jill Nolin • April 9, 2008



State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks brought his campaign to restore Garrett Coliseum before the Montgomery County Commission on Tuesday.
Advertisement

Sparks said he wasn't there asking for money to help fund the more than $80 million project.

"I need advice, and I need help," Sparks said to the commissioners during their Tuesday meeting.

Sparks has made renovating the more than 50-year-old facility and adding multipurpose buildings to the fairground complex a priority.

"We've lost shows and we're going to continue to lose shows at this facility," Sparks said, adding that lost shows mean lost revenue.

"I believe we're letting something extremely valuable get away from us," he told the commissioners.

Sparks has discussed the project with some of the commissioners individually, but this meeting marked the first time Sparks has met with the commission as a whole. Sparks elaborated on the scope of the project and his vision.

Commission Chairman Todd Strange said the meeting was mostly for informational purposes.

"Let's not give it up," Commission Chairman Todd Strange said at the meeting Tuesday. "Let's work out what we can."

Strange said after the meeting that the next step would be to create a consortium with the city that would visit the governor's office, state representatives and groups such as the Alabama Cattleman's Association. The goal is to bring all of these elements together, Strange said.

"Obviously, the county can't take on that project solo. We're always looking to partner (with other entities)," Strange said.

Montgomery City Council President Charles Jinright said Tuesday that the Coliseum has been overlooked for a long time and that the project needs to be put on the fast track.

"I would like for it to be a real gathering point for the agricultural needs in the Southeast," Jinright said.

The planning effort needs to include looking into how similar facilities are funded in other states, Jinright said.

He also said he would be receptive to building a consortium with the county.

"We're open to anything we can do to support the project," Jinright said.

That's the cooperative spirit Sparks is trying to foster.

"I think if we all put our heads together we can come up with a solution that's adequate for this facility," Sparks said to the commissioners.
http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DS&Date=20080409&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=804090370&Ref=AR&Profile=1007&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[RSATower]

I have come across an 1898 pocket map of Montgomery. Considering its age, it's in very good condition. I plan to keep ahold of it, but do any of you have a clue as to what its value would be?

[OldCloverdale]

He doesn't own the building, which desperately needs to be redone from the urban renewal cladding...

LOTS of renting business owners upgrade their exteriors and interiors.

:shrug:

[thoraudio]

I don't disagree, just sharing what he told Hiijakd a while back.

[bystander1]

I have come across an 1898 pocket map of Montgomery. Considering its age, it's in very good condition. I plan to keep ahold of it, but do any of you have a clue as to what its value would be?


Not sure, but don't go thinking about paying off your home... ;)

[bystander1]

Ag director continues quest for more Coliseum funding

By Jill Nolin • April 9, 2008



State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks brought his campaign to restore Garrett Coliseum before the Montgomery County Commission on Tuesday.

Sparks has made renovating the more than 50-year-old facility and adding multipurpose buildings to the fairground complex a priority.

"We've lost shows and we're going to continue to lose shows at this facility," Sparks said, adding that lost shows mean lost revenue.

"I believe we're letting something extremely valuable get away from us," he told the commissioners.

Sparks has discussed the project with some of the commissioners individually, but this meeting marked the first time Sparks has met with the commission as a whole. Sparks elaborated on the scope of the project and his vision.


http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DS&Date=20080409&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=804090370&Ref=AR&Profile=1007&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0


This man is serious about getting this project started. He deserves our support.

[thoraudio]

quick blurb in the Advertiser about the A&P Lofts in Cloverdale with accompani... acompanyin... some pictures.

Cloverdale isn't 'downtown', but is Montgomery's oldest, most affluent 'street car' suburb.

Lofts win international award

The Atlantic & Pacific (A&P) Lofts Development in Cloverdale has been honored for setting an international standard in design by The Congress for the New Urbanism. Built on the former site of an A&P grocery store, the development is the first recipient of the award in Alabama. The project was designed by McAlpine Tankersley and developed by City Loft Corp

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[| BRAVO |]

Those look really nice. I was in Montgomery a few months ago with a buddy and we had lunch at Nancy's. It was gooood.

[Brown Duckz]

Those look really nice. I was in Montgomery a few months ago with a buddy and we had lunch at Nancy's. It was gooood.The shrimp & grits. :tup:

[thoraudio]

stopped by and saw Hijakd hard at work today. A long way to go on the Perry street condo's, but I'm sure they'll look good. Very... um... open and airy, right now. :D