[hiijakd]

who said anything about a dreamland...the restaurant is a secret remember...it is a local alabama chain restaurant that will fit well downtown. ;) :D :tup:

on another note.
went to the TGIT concert at the riverwalk. silk-e-smooth was a great soul/funk cover band. there are a few more concerts coming up. if we all want more of these type of events in downtown we need to support them.

lets not be lazy about supporting events that people are holding in our city. i know i am guilty of it too. it takes time and effort to go but it is well worth it every time i have do.

also went to dinner with a bunch of air force guys last night. there is a serious image problem about downtown montgomery and WE are the ones to help change that, they provided a lot of insight as to how our city is seen.

last but not least...ran into a few folks that told me they are lurkers on here and read but don't post......soooooo..hello to you lurkers

[Capital Heights]

My mamma told me to be leary of lurkers.

[bystander1]

who said anything about a dreamland...the restaurant is a secret remember...it is a local alabama chain restaurant that will fit well downtown. ;) :D :tup:

on another note.
went to the TGIT concert at the riverwalk. silk-e-smooth was a great soul/funk cover band. there are a few more concerts coming up. if we all want more of these type of events in downtown we need to support them.

lets not be lazy about supporting events that people are holding in our city. i know i am guilty of it too. it takes time and effort to go but it is well worth it every time i have do.



I've heard silk-e-smooth perform before and really liked their style. Unfortunately, Thursdays are very difficult for me to make most of the concerts at the amphitheater.

I wished they could do TGIF concerts and move the free movie night to Thursdays.

[Port_of_Bama]

Does Montgomery have a dock since it is a river city ? I`m just finding out that Decatur has one just wondering.

[thoraudio]

yes. But it is nothing to speak about. It's basically a graded flat spot where you could use a truck crane and a flat bed 18 wheeler.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pczwnd7t5p73&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=8475011&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Barges rarely make it this far north on the Alabama these days.

[thoraudio]

hey Hiijakd. Your car made it onto the city's engineering page :D

http://www.montgomeryal.gov/media/4673763/dexter%20deck.jpg

[thoraudio]

ok, completely unrelated to almost anything, I just found it really interesting.

Browsing through local.live.com , I came upon this oddity.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=32.504442~-86.278982&style=h&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5189442&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Parker Island. A couple of thousand acre island at the location where the Coosa and Tallapoosa come together to make the mighty Alabama.

No bridges, ferry access only, and it's privately owned by the Newell family (of W.S. Newell).

And it has some 'development'. A couple of buildings, some improved roads, some agricultural and landscaping.

Looks like it may be used as a private hunting preserve...

Anyway, weird, cool, and it will probably make it's way into my book if I ever actually get around to writing it :D

[OldCloverdale]

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=32.504442~-86.278982&style=h&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5189442&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Parker Island. A couple of thousand acre island at the location where the Coosa and Tallapoosa come together to make the mighty Alabama.

No bridges, ferry access only, and it's privately owned by the Newell family (of W.S. Newell)...


how did they attain this island?

[thoraudio]

how did they attain this island?

No idea. Tax assessment shows the deed date as 1985. I've not been able to find any history on the place.

Also, the tax assessment calls it 'Parke' Island, but the ferry road is called 'Parker Island Road'.

[OldCloverdale]

No idea. Tax assessment shows the deed date as 1985. I've not been able to find any history on the place.

Also, the tax assessment calls it 'Parke' Island, but the ferry road is called 'Parker Island Road'.

I want an island.

[bystander1]

how did they attain this island?

By being the Newells...

[bystander1]

Does Montgomery have a dock since it is a river city ? I`m just finding out that Decatur has one just wondering.

Montgomery is navigable from the port of Mobile and Hyundai used it as part of its criteria to locate here. They've used it a few times to ship in large equipment from Mobile Bay up the river to their plant not far away.

Plans were in works to build a new permanent dock farther down the Alabama River where the Catoma creek empties into it since the area around the State Docks in Montgomery (East Bank) now seems more suitable for future recreation and housing than for industrial barge shipping.

...seems those plans have been lost in the quagmire of what is know as the 'Alabama Legislature' a few years ago...

[Port_of_Bama]

wow that`s cool I didn`t know that the Port and the Gump working to gether like that. When I leave Huntsville for the summer i`m going to check out your down town area.know of any good places to eat when I come through and gas my car up,lol in the downtown area. Montgomery is home away from home to me,lol.

[bystander1]

^ Maybe this could help...

http://www.lunchtrolleyexpress.com/

[Port_of_Bama]

:previous: Preciate that man good looking out ! Your lunch trolly reminds me of MODA in Mobile which is a free shuttle for the down town area. I like your`s better becasue your trolly looks more traditional. We have a trolly but I think the colors wich are Emerlad green and blue take away that traditional look.


Anyway, preciate the info !

[Brown Duckz]

The Cloverdale area is a cool place to get some lunch too, it's about 2 miles from Downtown.

Sinclair's
Nancy Patterson's Bistro
Derk's Filet & Vine
Jubilee Seafood Company
El Ray Burrito Lounge

[OldCloverdale]

The Cloverdale area is a cool place to get some lunch too, it's about 2 miles from Downtown.

Sinclair's
Nancy (Paterson's) Bistro
Derk's Filet & Vine
Jubilee Seafood
El (Rey) Burrito Lounge

Jubilee is open for dinner only (Tuesday-Saturday)

El Rey is also only open for dinner (Monday-Saturday)

http://www.jubileeseafoodrestaurant.com/index.htm

http://www.jubileeseafoodrestaurant.com/index.htm

:tup: :cheers:

Sinclair's is a great place for lunch ... 7 days/week

http://www.sinclairsrestaurants.com/cloverdale.html

[RSAHort]

For those of you who have dined at The House for dinner, how long did it take? My anniversary is this week and I am planning on going there Sat. night but would also like to take in a movie afterwards. Thanks.

[OCA REP]

For those of you who have dined at The House for dinner, how long did it take? My anniversary is this week and I am planning on going there Sat. night but would also like to take in a movie afterwards. Thanks.

It took us a good hour and a half. Now, we did enjoy a cocktail before dinner and they do not rush you at all during dinner. We ate there last the night of the Loretta Lynn concert at the Performing Arts Centre and thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening.

Happy Anniversary!

[thoraudio]

For those of you who have dined at The House for dinner, how long did it take? My anniversary is this week and I am planning on going there Sat. night but would also like to take in a movie afterwards. Thanks.

My wife and I went on friday, two weeks ago, for our anniversary. We're early eaters, so we sat at 5. Just a couple of other people in the restaurant with us. Service was prompt, but not rushed. We were out before 6:30 (probably closer to 6), but that was mainly us taking our time.

[RSAHort]

Great guys! Thanks for you help!

[jonnie256]

Just a ? How tall is Montgomery's tallest building and what is it?

[Brown Duckz]

Just a ? How tall is Montgomery's tallest building and what is it?The RSA Tower @ 413ft

You can see it in this picture, with an unfinished hotel in the foreground!
http://a402.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/20/l_b46b7d4b4805bc0c543d32ba65432c91.jpg

[bystander1]

:sly:
...be careful Brown Duckz...
:tup:

[Brown Duckz]

:sly:
...be careful Brown Duckz...
:tup:I stay strapped. :haha:

[bystander1]

^ By the way, I'm not talking about the picture you took...

[bystander1]

Perhaps someone can give me some info on this restaurant called Mimi's Cafe that's coming to town.

[OldCloverdale]

Perhaps someone can give me some info on this restaurant called Mimi's Cafe that's coming to town.

http://www.mimiscafe.com/


http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/CABJ02/80311009/1134/CABJ08

[OldCloverdale]

the roundabout, and return to two-way, just southeast of the Statehouse is coming along nicely :)

[bystander1]

http://www.mimiscafe.com/


http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/CABJ02/80311009/1134/CABJ08


Thanks, OldCloverdale.

Maybe I should have been a little more specific: Can anyone who's been to Mimi's Cafe give me your opinion of their food/service?

[thoraudio]

I'm continually amazed/dismayed that nobody uses the Riverwalk during the lunch hour.

Went down there today, absolutely gorgeous weather, and other than the three groundskeepers taking their lunch hour, it was just me, the fish, the turtles, and the snake (I got a picture of a copperheadedwaterrattler swiming in the river).

Honestly, if I worked downtown, I'd be down there for lunch 2-3 times a week.

:shrug:

[midwestrabbi]

I'm continually amazed/dismayed that nobody uses the Riverwalk during the lunch hour.

Went down there today, absolutely gorgeous weather, and other than the three groundskeepers taking their lunch hour, it was just me, the fish, the turtles, and the snake (I got a picture of a copperheadedwaterrattler swiming in the river).

Honestly, if I worked downtown, I'd be down there for lunch 2-3 times a week.

:shrug:

Thank You for what you said. With all of the office workers in downtown and for the most part looks like a ghost town, my question is How do you prod people to stir around downtown, instead of walking in the malls , go downtown and see the old and the new, I go downtown here about two to three times a week, I take Transit, and I walk, ( walking is popular here ) when I lived in Montgomery i would walk around downtown almost every day ( when my office was on Dexter ) . How do you change the mindset of people about how safe any downtown is and has always been.

[thoraudio]

I don't think it's a mindset of safety. More like apathy.

[rbp]

I don't think it's a mindset of safety. More like apathy.
Definitely. I work downtown and will walk to the sandwich shop. But if it's a group going to eat, it's easier to hop in the car and go somewhere else.
I do think more grab and go type places closer to the riverwalk will help, especially if there's something in the alleyway area like that. BrewPub, Leks, Embassy Suites, you're not going to get lunch there and take it to the river. And I'm not organized enough to brown bag it.

[Randy Sandford]

For those of you who have dined at The House for dinner, how long did it take? My anniversary is this week and I am planning on going there Sat. night but would also like to take in a movie afterwards. Thanks.
My wife and I went on friday, two weeks ago, for our anniversary. We're early eaters, so we sat at 5. Just a couple of other people in the restaurant with us. Service was prompt, but not rushed. We were out before 6:30 (probably closer to 6), but that was mainly us taking our time.

Happy Anniversary my fellow tigers! My wife and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary on April 23.

I've never heard of Mimi's Cafe before, but they have an extensive and eclectic menu. Hopefully someone will be able to give a review soon.

BTW, I'll be passing through Montgomery later today on my way to Destin, so if you see a white 2004 Nissan Altima with an AU tag on the front and a Jefferson County license plate, feel free to honk or wave. :D

[midwestrabbi]

Yes I agree, but for years the word about downtown was safety, that is the reason Mayor Folmar did away with the xmas parade. But I have found that the average downtown around is as safe as anyplace. But today is another day and how would you address the apathy in Montgomery about downtown? I am going to try to see Montgomery later this summer and will try to visit the new hotel or the new Hampton Inn in the old bank location. What is happenning with the Alley project ? What kind of entertainment will they have ( pubs, restaurants etc ) ?

[thoraudio]

I think the mindset is beginning to change, but it's got a long way to go. I'm amazed to see the amount of increase in night time presence with the opening of the Convention Center/Hotel.

Our church is located near downtown, and the difference downtown on Wednesday and Sunday nights is plainly evident. The alley will (should) only add to that.

One drawback for the Riverwalk, is that it seems to be a never ending construction project, and people may not even be aware that it's open. The construction of the new deck on Coosa St. only adds to that.

Construction on the alleyway project has actually begun in earnest, with both ends being fenced off. I saw lots of movement down there today. There are rumors of a new big name restaurant to go on the Tallapoosa St. side, but I haven't seen specifics.

[OldCloverdale]

...for years the word about downtown was safety ...

IMO, downtown MGM is safe

[RSAHort]

One drawback for the Riverwalk, is that it seems to be a never ending construction project, and people may not even be aware that it's open. The construction of the new deck on Coosa St. only adds to that.



I think you have hit the nail on the head.

[Randy Sandford]

Happy Anniversary my fellow tigers! My wife and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary on April 23.

RSAHort and thoraudio, I was addressing that to you guys (in case the quotes from your posts didn't make that clear). ;)

Anyway, I'm off to Destin in a few minutes (by way of Montgomery). Have a great weekend!

[thoraudio]

Thanks, Randy. Have fun, and stop in the capitol city and leave a few bucks, will ya? :D

[Randy Sandford]

Thanks, Randy. Have fun, and stop in the capitol city and leave a few bucks, will ya? :D

Thanks! If my stomach can make it that long, I'll probably stop at a drive-thru in Prattville for dinner. :tup:

[midwestrabbi]

IMO, downtown MGM is safe

I agree, I said that Mayor Emory made it appear that Downtown was not a safe place. I used to jog home from work several days a week back in the mid to late 70's, yes I would ride MATS to town and jog home ( I lived in Capital Heights at the time ). I love the atmosphere of downtown, you will not get that experience in any mall or Galleria. In Denver I understand that over 100,000 people live in the midtown area, I wished that I could afford the experience.

[hiijakd]

since i am downtown every day and most every night i can tell you that is is very safe. in fact it is the safest district in the city. i love walking down there at night.
as for the riverwalk, it isn't clear what is there. the tunnel entrance is very non-descript and the iron gates aren't very inviting, plus i have gone sometimes when the gates are locked and others when they are open and for the most part there is no rhyme or reason to it.:shrug:
i have also heard people say it is also a long walk down the tunnel and for the average person (the ones that sit in the lane at walmart waiting for 20 minutes to get a space up front) the walk is even longer. maybe we could "embrace" the riverfront with a parking deck that will loom over it. all in the name of convenience. perhaps we can install escalators and moving sidewalks too, and best of all we could put a green roof on it. ;) :D

[thoraudio]

maybe we could "embrace" the riverfront with a parking deck that will loom over it. all in the name of convenience.

Isn't that what they are doing on Coosa St. ? :D

[midwestrabbi]

Downtown Montgomery has great potential. I just wished that the excitement that Montgomery ( Downtown ) is now experiencing, would have happened twenty years ago when I was around. The excitement that I read here is what I would loved to have been a part of. Back then very few white people ( and I am white ) even dared to go downtown, and most encouraged me to move my business to the burbs, but I didnt. It thrills me to see a younger generation stand up and lead in Montgomery. Keep it up. I believed back then that one day great leadership would rise up and take your city to another level. O) yes if the Mayor moves to Washington, what is the possibility of the next Mayor being pro- downtown ?

[hiijakd]

i was being sarcastic about the parking and having it actually suspend over the riverfront like the rsa judicial building



ohhhh

good news
rented the big loft today woot woot.:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :D :5: :righton: :banaride:
ok
thats all

[bystander1]

Happy Anniversary my fellow tigers! My wife and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary on April 23.

I've never heard of Mimi's Cafe before, but they have an extensive and eclectic menu. Hopefully someone will be able to give a review soon.

BTW, I'll be passing through Montgomery later today on my way to Destin, so if you see a white 2004 Nissan Altima with an AU tag on the front and a Jefferson County license plate, feel free to honk or wave. :D


Randy, how about taking some pics on the way back home? :tup:

[bystander1]

i was being sarcastic about the parking and having it actually suspend over the riverfront like the rsa judicial building



ohhhh

good news
rented the big loft today woot woot.:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :D :5: :righton: :banaride:
ok
thats all


Congrats, hiijakd! :cheers:
...I would love to live there one day.

[bystander1]

Well you knew it was coming, especially with all the talk about the Wiregrass missing out on most of the economic development lately, but when and how may be what's more intriguing.

Gov. Riley said that both the Florida Governor and Florida Transportation Dept. want to work through a private company out of Dothan to build a toll road from I-10 in Florida to Montgomery.

But right now they are all remaining pretty tight-lipped with their ongoing negotiations.

[neilson]

Well you knew it was coming, especially with all the talk about the Wiregrass missing out on most of the economic development lately, but when and how may be what's more intriguing.

Gov. Riley said that both the Florida Governor and Florida Transportation Dept. want to work through a private company out of Dothan to build a toll road from I-10 in Florida to Montgomery.

But right now they are all remaining pretty tight-lipped with their ongoing negotiations.
Good. Make it a Toll Road from Dothan to Panama City.

Call it I-310 and make it a PPP(Public-Private Partnership) with ALDOT, FDOT and this private company out of Dothan.

[Brown Duckz]

Good. Make it a Toll Road from Dothan to Panama City.

Call it I-310 and make it a PPP(Public-Private Partnership) with ALDOT, FDOT and this private company out of Dothan.It's going to probably link Montgomery with somewhere near Tallahassee, through Dothan. This would save a ton of travel time between Montgomery and say Jacksonville or Orlando. 231 is a great Montgomery-PC connector already. Also, Panama City's growth could probably get them their own I-10 connector eventually.

[RSAHort]

RSAHort and thoraudio, I was addressing that to you guys (in case the quotes from your posts didn't make that clear). ;)

Anyway, I'm off to Destin in a few minutes (by way of Montgomery). Have a great weekend!

Thanks Randy! We have also been married 14 years.

[| BRAVO |]

Well you knew it was coming, especially with all the talk about the Wiregrass missing out on most of the economic development lately, but when and how may be what's more intriguing.

Gov. Riley said that both the Florida Governor and Florida Transportation Dept. want to work through a private company out of Dothan to build a toll road from I-10 in Florida to Montgomery.

But right now they are all remaining pretty tight-lipped with their ongoing negotiations.

That's interesting news... where do you guys think it would link up in the Montgomery area? 85 East? 65 South?

[rbp]

With the joint venture, they'd be able to use some existing roadways, right?
Any chance it could spur construction on the outer loop? Or would adding that to the mix doom it to failure?

[Brown Duckz]

With the joint venture, they'd be able to use some existing roadways, right?
Any chance it could spur construction on the outer loop? Or would adding that to the mix doom it to failure?It would probably be positioned perfectly in the middle of the loop that's to be constructed, halfway in between 65 & 85, & could possibly be linked to 231 as well. That way when you enter Montgomery you will basically enter our turnpike and go in one direction or the other. 15 minutes to Eastchase, or 15 minutes to the Airport/Hyundai. I really think it could work, even though I hate to see our Outer Loop built as such.

[Brown Duckz]

From WSFA:


http://wsfa.images.worldnow.com/images/8259664_BG1.jpg

Only on 12: Dothan Company Proposes Toll Road from Florida to Montgomery

Montgomery, Al. (WSFA) -- Governor Bob Riley has long said he'd welcome the idea of new interstate quality toll roads in Alabama.

Now it looks like a private company will take up the challenge with a mammoth billion dollar project from the Panhandle to the Wiregrass to Montgomery, with every mile privately owned.

Alabama has a problem a lot of states would love to have; a booming industrial economy and an increase in population.

But there's a snag in bringing in all this new business.

"Our senators and representatives do a great job of getting our fair share of transportation dollars down here. But if they doubled it, it still wouldn't take care of half of the needs we have in Alabama," said Governor Bob Riley, back in April 2007.

Riley and others say the answer to that dilemma is getting private companies to build interstate quality roads instead of the government.

The upside is faster construction times and less government red tape. The down side is that consumers will pay directly out of their pockets to drive.

Riley responded to a question about the possible toll road in Dothan Wednesday afternoon.

"It's going to take the participation of Governor Crist and the Florida Department of Transportation. But I think after the last couple of meetings, they have shown an increased interest in the project. We're not there yet, but we're closer than we have ever been," he said.

There are signs a private company is looking to undertake the huge project.

County commissioners in Washington County Florida published a notice for a public hearing in two weeks.

The agenda says a group called Focus 2000 wants to build a highway from Bay County to Montgomery.

A search of public records shows the company is based in Dothan, its registered agent a former manager of a major Alabama road building company.

His former employer told us they are aware of the project but have signed no contracts as of yet.

But it appears it's only a matter of making a formal announcement.

A state legislator familiar with the negotiations says some federal money will come to Alabama to help with the project.

WSFA 12 News reporter Chris Holmes left a couple of messages with Focus 2000's agent of record, a man named Steve Shaw, who lives in Dothan.

He never returned our calls.

We also asked Governor Riley's office for comment. They did not respond Wednesday evening.

[Brown Duckz]

Glovis Alabama may double work force
By Charles Barnette • April 22, 2008

MONTGOMERY - A new 250,000-square-foot warehouse will double the size of the current Glovis Alabama facility.

The company may also double its current work force so it can handle more auto parts when the new facility opens in October.

Glovis Alabama originally invested $12 million in Montgomery to build the 250,000-square-foot warehouse for storing parts manufactured by other companies. Those parts are used at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) plant, where Sonatas and Santa Fes are built. HMMA is funding the new building and yard addition for Glovis.

To handle its inbound logistical tasks in facilities twice the size of the original plant, Glovis Alabama is expected to hire about 170 people, bringing the total local work force to 350, according to Liz Lindemann, human resources director.

Each of the vehicles that HMMA produces includes nearly 3,000 parts shipped here from South Korea and other outsourced suppliers from throughout North America.

More than 145 auto parts from some regional tier one and tier two companies are often stored in the Glovis warehouse.

To make further efficiency savings, when they deliver inbound materials to some suppliers, they also pickup finished parts and bring them to the assembly plant or container yard for their eventual journey into HMMA's assembly line.

This huge movement of transporting parts for assembly into the finished vehicles is when Glovis Alabama goes into action.

Glovis Alabama is an inbound logistics and warehousing company, not to be confused with Glovis America, its next-door neighbor, which is an outbound processing center for moving the finished vehicles by truck, rail or boat to their showroom destinations.

Glovis America currently contracts with 300 workers, according to Patrick Foran, Glovis America's human resources director in Montgomery. Glovis America is also expanding to handle its services to Hyundai.

Glovis Alabama tracks the containers of more than 3,000 incoming auto parts that must be warehoused before they are sent in proper sequence to arrive "just-in-time," and "just-in-sequence" at the Hyundai general assembly shop.

The service uses a "pull system strategy" to manage the inventory of auto parts. The basic concept is to reduce expenses by eliminating unnecessary logistics costs within the plant and excessive inventory management costs.

Glovis Alabama, LLC, begun in 2003 as a third-party inbound logistics management company in Montgomery to support HMMA. Glovis Alabama is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Glovis Co. Ltd., a global logistics management company based in Seoul, South Korea.

[Brown Duckz]

In the above illustration the new Toll Road would probably intersect the Outer Loop, 231, & conjuct with the Interchange. It looks like it would follow an almost certain 231 path, so would it actually be used instead of 231? At Dothan it looks like plans call for a due south connection to I-10, which IMO is just another 231. It would be different if it went to Tallahassee over the North side of Dothan, possibly grazing the Georgia state line. If we had the I-85 extension moving, we would have some crazy road construction going on in Montgomery.

[bystander1]

It would probably be positioned perfectly in the middle of the loop that's to be constructed, halfway in between 65 & 85, & could possibly be linked to 231 as well. That way when you enter Montgomery you will basically enter our turnpike and go in one direction or the other. 15 minutes to Eastchase, or 15 minutes to the Airport/Hyundai. I really think it could work, even though I hate to see our Outer Loop built as such.


I believe the same thing. It will connect with the LONG proposed Outer Loop between I-65 and US 231 just south of the city. But I don't think any parts of the current US 231 will be incorporated into the toll road.

[EXbubba]

Randy, how about taking some pics on the way back home? :tup:

Mimi's is apparently a chain for "ladies who lunch" as it is very popular here is Northern Virginia at Dulles Mall. Often hard to get into and specializes in 'american style home cooking"

http://www.mimiscafe.com/Menu.aspx

[EXbubba]

I believe the same thing. It will connect with the LONG proposed Outer Loop between I-65 and US 231 just south of the city. But I don't think any parts of the current US 231 will be incorporated into the toll road.

However they do it be very very wary about Toll roads. Maquarie, an Australian company has got us by the short hairs in Northern Virginia, charging $4.00 plus for a one way trip (15 miles) to Leesburg - with no separate charges wherever you exit from start to finish. As I remember Fla has a good understanding of toll roads, just don't let the Aussies get involved!

[thoraudio]

However they do it be very very wary about Toll roads. Maquarie, an Australian company has got us by the short hairs in Northern Virginia, charging $4.00 plus for a one way trip (15 miles) to Leesburg - with no separate charges wherever you exit from start to finish. As I remember Fla has a good understanding of toll roads, just don't let the Aussies get involved!


IIRC, they're the one who bought the two toll bridges around Montgomery, and raised the fee from $.75 to $1.25 last year.

[Randy Sandford]

Thanks Randy! We have also been married 14 years.

Cool! :tup:

Just got back from Destin earlier tonight, and I've got a question. When will the I-65 construction in Montgomery be completed?

[Scoots71]

Cool! :tup:

Just got back from Destin earlier tonight, and I've got a question. When will the I-65 construction in Montgomery be completed?

Most likely fall of 2009, if it runs on time.

[thoraudio]

Most likely fall of 2099, if it runs typical to most ALDOT projects.

fixed it for you.

:cool:

[RSAHort]

The wife and I had a good time eating out at The House Sat. night. Everything was very good and the service was great.

Haven't got alot of time right not...about to go plant flowers around the Ren. Hotel and Convention Center. So if you see a bunch of guys laboring out there one of them will be me.

[Port_of_Bama]

fixed it for you.

:cool:



lol,I hope not !!! I`ll be going home Thursday and usualy traveling through Montgomery is a breeze ,but with the road work going on it`s crazy now. Atleast you guys are getting it done.

[Brown Duckz]

Some nice pictures my friend shot with his HDR camera. Didn't think they were thread worthy, so here they go.

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/dthdrsmall.jpg

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/firerescuesmall.jpg

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/gumpskylinehdrsmall.jpg

[SouthSky]

:previous: Really cool pics! The middle one looks like CGI.

[Capital Heights]

Great pics. I really love the panoramic pic showing the skyline. Good job.

[10101000]

Yeah, nice pics. Thanks for posting.

[Port_of_Bama]

:previous: not bad at all i`m realy feeling the last pic looks very urban to me !

You guys hardley ever post pics of your city , and those 3 have me wanting to see more.

[midwestrabbi]

Where was the location of your last pic taken ? Yes , those were some great pics, I wished you guys would place more pics on this site ( memories of life in Montgomery ) especially at the Lower Commerce Street area and the new Riverwalk along the river.

[thoraudio]

I'd posted several threads in the past, but my website went kaput. I'll see if I can make a new thread with some cherry picked ones soon.

**edit** my site is back.... weird. I need to grab and save the pics.

[Brown Duckz]

They were a friend of mine's pics who just picked up the HDR camera. I'll try and find out where he took the pano & I guess I need to kidnap him and take him to some good spots. :tup:

[hiijakd]

it looks like he was on the northern blvd bridge right where it crosses the tracks. that apt building on the left hand side is an abandoned one behind the fire station off of court st.
i love the HDR pics. i might have to get me one.

[bystander1]

:previous: not bad at all i`m realy feeling the last pic looks very urban to me !

You guys hardley ever post pics of your city , and those 3 have me wanting to see more.

We've posted plenty of pics on this site of Montgomery over time. Thoraudio had plenty and hopefully he'll get his site back up so you can see them. I've taken plenty also and have posted them, but my camera died a while back. But the good news is I bought a new camera today.

It's ironic that we're talking about pics on the day I got a new one finally. :cool:

[bystander1]

Some nice pictures my friend shot with his HDR camera. Didn't think they were thread worthy, so here they go.

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/dthdrsmall.jpg

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/firerescuesmall.jpg

http://www.2amracing.com/Images/Montgomery/gumpskylinehdrsmall.jpg


DUDE....!!! :rock:

:coolugh:

[RSAHort]

Those are great pictures. I can't believe how much better the HD looks.

[Randy Sandford]

Some nice pictures my friend shot with his HDR camera. Didn't think they were thread worthy, so here they go.

Very nice! :tup:

[EXbubba]

Very nice! :tup:

I'd say they pan is from somewhere up N Court St. Nice example of the humidditty also - halation on the lights.

[Port_of_Bama]

We've posted plenty of pics on this site of Montgomery over time. Thoraudio had plenty and hopefully he'll get his site back up so you can see them. I've taken plenty also and have posted them, but my camera died a while back. But the good news is I bought a new camera today.

It's ironic that we're talking about pics on the day I got a new one finally. :cool:



Well snap more of Gumps gem man :tup:

I notice you put Bonner= Gumps trump lol, Bonner is the Port City`s trump as well man.

[Brown Duckz]

Hyundai guessing game--Is sports car next?
By Cosby Woodruff • cwoodruff@gannett.com • May 8, 2008



Industry analysts and economists think so, but the South Korean automaker isn't commenting.

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama now produces the Sonata, a sedan, and the Santa Fe, a SUV, but isn't running at its 300,000-vehicle capacity and could handle a third model, both factory officials and experts agree.

A good fit, they say, would be a front-drive sports car for Hyundai -- from both its overall marketing strategy and its local production set-up and capacity.

Seoul-based Hyundai is replacing its first sporty car, the Tiburon, with the more expensive rear-drive Genesis Coupe in 2010, said Miles Johnson, a product spokesman.

The carmaker, however, plans to bring back a front-drive sports model at some point, he added.

The Montgomery plant would be ready to produce the model since it already is making the front-drive Sonatas and Santa Fes, and has the capacity to produce more cars. Last year, workers assembled about 250,500 vehicles, or 83.5 percent of capacity.

A replacement for the Tiburon could be the Veloster, a concept car that Hyundai has been touting on the car show circuit. The model carries a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Theta engine, which the Montgomery plant will start producing later this year.

"Hyundai's goal was to design a radically new car ... catering to the tastes of the first-time, 20-something buyer," the company said in a statement.

A new front-drive sports model could pick up just a few design pieces of the Veloster or look exactly like it, Johnson said, adding that the model probably would carry the Tiburon name.

"The plan is for one product to become two products," he said. "We will have the Genesis Coupe and a front-wheel drive that looks like the Veloster."

Johnson predicted each model should sell better than the Tiburon, which had strong demand from 2001 to 2005. The 20,000 sales number dropped steadily the last two years. The company sold just 2,071 Tiburons in the first quarter of this year, figures show.

Strong sales for a new front-drive sports model would raise production at the Montgomery plant closer to capacity, numbers show.

Management expert James Cashman thinks the Montgomery plant needs to operate closer to capacity. Manufacturing plants should run at a minimum 90 percent capacity, he said.

"That is not desperation time," he said of the plant's production level. "It is not a red-light issue, but it is a yellow light."

One solution to Hyundai's excess manufacturing capacity would be a front-drive sports car, said Cashman, who teaches at the University of Alabama.

"To me, it would sound like an excellent match for the plant," he said.

Cashman has no doubt the Montgomery plant could handle a third model.

"You have all kinds of flexibility there," he said. "They can do things like adding shifts or adding hours. They just have to keep the quality good."

Economist Keivan Deravi, on the other hand, thinks 85 percent capacity is the ideal level because a higher level makes it difficult for a plant to add or change lines.

A front-drive sports car interchangeable with the Sonata and the Santa Fe makes sense to Deravi, who teaches at Auburn Montgomery.

"The third model makes a heck of a lot of sense," he said. "You have to have the capability of switching."

If Hyundai plans to introduce a third model in 2010 or 2011, it needs to make the decision soon because the weak dollar makes it a good time for foreign investment, Deravi said.

"This is a perfect time to do it," he said, "especially with Kia coming in (at West Point, Ga.). They have all the suppliers in place; they have the whole network in place."

[Brown Duckz]

ASU maps out expansion
By Josh Moon • May 9, 2008


The 20-year, $565 million plan, which was created by Brown Chambless Architects and Sasaki Associates, outlines the building or renovation of more than 20 structures, including an on-campus football stadium, several new dorm or student apartment buildings and numerous retail structures.

ASU officials stressed Thursday that the new master plan is simply a guide for future expansion, and not necessarily a plan of action.

"A lot of the projects listed in this document are dependent upon funding being available," spokeswoman Janel Bell-Haynes said. "This is a guide to be used as we go forward as a university."

The plan is broken into phases and includes steps that will allow the university to address parking and pedestrian issues as each new project is undertaken.

More than 1,000 additional parking spots will be available with the addition of parking decks and large-area lots. However, the small, convenient lots around current buildings will slowly disappear, as will most automobile traffic in some areas of the campus.

According to the planning documents, two of the goals of ASU's new master plan are to draw the majority of academic buildings into a 10-minute walking circle and to move all parking to the edge of campus.

"To promote a pedestrian-oriented campus, parking should be relocated from the core to the periphery whenever possible," the plan reads.

All of the moving and building is set to occur, at least on paper, in varying increments. For example, within the next three years, ASU officials plan to have finished the construction of three new buildings and the renovation of eight more.

Within five years, the plan calls for a new, 32,000-seat football stadium to go on the east side of the campus near the Joe L. Reed Acadome and four additional buildings for student housing.

If ASU follows its new plan, the next five years will cost the school approximately $300 million.

In the following 15 years, there are plans for additional academic buildings and new administrative offices. A new baseball/softball complex, soccer field and hotel and conference center are planned for the northwest corner of campus just beyond Hornet Stadium.

"(The plan) could map out the future growth and development for Alabama State and take the university in a new direction," Bell-Haynes said.

[OldCloverdale]

Within five years, the plan calls for a new, 32,000-seat football stadium to go on the east side of the campus near the Joe L. Reed Acadome

bad news for Cramton Bowl ... I want the City and ASU to team up for major improvements to the Bowl instead of a new stadium

:(

Cramton Bowl + major improvements = better events -- such as state high school semi-finals (or even the Super Six), AISA championship games, marching band championships, soccer championship games, etc.
............ or even the return of the Blue-Gray Game (http://www.bluegrayfootball.com/)

[OCA REP]

bad news for Cramton Bowl ... I want the City and ASU to team up for major improvements to the Bowl instead of a new stadium

:(

Cramton Bowl + major improvements = better events -- such as state high school semi-finals (or even the Super Six), AISA championship games, marching band championships, soccer championship games, etc.
............ or even the return of the Blue-Gray Game (http://www.bluegrayfootball.com/)

I am somewhat impressed with what ASU is proposing after looking at the plans. I know there has been some opposition, but the Auburn University campus (to me) is much improved since the core of campus has become more pedestrian-friendly. We have been lucky that our long-time tailgating location at AU has not been compromised yet... but I'm sure that is just a matter of time.

As for the Cramton Bowl and ASU issue, I would not worry yet about the new stadium right away. The NCAA is just starting with ASU and unfortunately the "athletic" program over there is a joke with seemingly no institutional control. Athletics is going to be severly penalized at ASU and any stadium project will be delayed. There is no need for a stadium if you cannot field a football team due to NCAA sanctions. This is a very sad situation for the student athletes there. But for the administration it just seems par for the course.
:(

[Brown Duckz]

Restaurants booming in Prattville
By Marty Roney • May 10, 2008


In an ironic shift, established restaurants are welcoming the growth, even if it offers competi­tion. Prattville is a city of about 35,000, but it presents itself as a shopping and entertainment hub for central Alabama.

"We keep getting busier and busier," said Joel Wheaton, manager of Longhorn Steak­house.

The restaurant has been open seven years, and Wheaton has been at the helm for the past five.

"When I first came here, most of our customers were lo­cal, from Autauga or Elmore counties. We are seeing more and more customers from Mont­gomery and Selma now," he said. "As Prattville's retail growth continues, it brings in more folks from out of town. That's good for all the business­es."

Joel and Ashley Peak of Sel­ma were two of Olive Garden's first customers when the restau­rant opened last week.

"We usually come over on the weekend because the kids have school and it is a bit of a drive," Ashley Peak said. "But we love Olive Garden and couldn't wait, so it was a Mon­day night trip. We come to Pratt­ville a good bit to shop, go to the movies and eat. We love Pratt­ville."

In the last nine months, Is­lamorada Fish Company, Loga­n's Steakhouse, Jim-n-Nick's Barbecue, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cici's Pizza, Las Casitas and Olive Garden have opened their doors. Mellow Mushroom is now under construction.

Most of the new eating places are at Prattville Town Center, a 400,000-square-foot shopping center on Cobbs Ford Road. Just across the street High Point Town Center, a 900,000-square-foot develop­ment, is under construction. While developers haven't re­leased the names of any restau­rants that will go into that cen­ter, it's fairly certain the boom will continue.

The road hasn't been smooth for some restaurants. Tequila Grill, a Mexican restaurant, closed its doors last month. A note on the doors invites cus­tomers to try the owner's new restaurant, Ixtapa, at the Shop­pes at EastChase in Montgom­ery. Romero Macis, owner of Te­quila Grill, could not be reached for comment.

There has already been some interest expressed in the empty building, said Rod Morgan, the city's finance director. Inquir­ies have been made about busi­ness license requirements for a Cobbs Ford Grill, at the loca­tion, but no paperwork has been filed, he said.

The restaurant business is tough, said Layne Lunn, spokes­woman for the Alabama Restau­rant Association.

The Mobile and Prattville areas lead the state in restau­rant growth, she said.

"Most independents don't make it five years," she said. "The chains are a little different because they have access to more advertising and market­ing resources. Restaurants can fail for a number of reasons. They have to meet market de­mands. They have to do it right, which means customer service, good food and of course, loca­tion, location, location. Pratt­ville's restaurant industry is booming."

It's not just out east that is seeing the business. MarChelle's Bistro & Bakery has operated in downtown for about a year. Two weeks ago the restaurant started offering a Sunday brunch.

"We were very surprised at the response that first Sunday. We were packed," said Mark Taylor, who operates the busi­ness with his wife, Michelle. "Every time we offer something new, the response has been ter­rific."

Restaurant owners don't just throw a dart at a map and decide to build, said Connie Bain­bridge, president and economic development coordinator for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.

"These are business people who want to be successful," she said. "They do exhaustive re­search before settling in a city. The developers we work with say they have no trouble in sell­ing Prattville to restaurateurs.

"Our service area is of course the tri-county. But customers come from Greenville, Selma, Clanton. Just drive through the parking lots of our stores and restaurants on the weekend and see how many out of county tags there are."

If the city is flirting with a glut of restaurants, you can't tell it, said Jared Mims of Prattville.

"Parking lots are full during the week," he said. "And if you want to eat out in Prattville on the weekend, just get set for a 30-minute wait wherever you go."

[OldCloverdale]

Longhorn Steak­house... Olive Garden ... Islamorada Fish Company ... Loga­n's Steakhouse ... Jim-n-Nick's Barbecue, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cici's Pizza ...

chains, chains, and more chains:yuck:

[thoraudio]

chains, chains, and more chains:yuck:

Chain hate is over-rated. I'd love to support the local Pizzaria.... but Ria's sucks.... big time. Been there many a time when we first moved to Prattville, sat for a whole meal, and got like 2 pieces of pizza. (well maybe that wasn't a bad thing....).

Cici's >>> Ria's. Unfortunate, but true.


For years, Montgomery's best independent restaurants refused to grow, move, or change. That endeared them to some, but it killed them off too.

All things being equal, I'm more than happy to support my local.... but, usually, their not equal.

The one, consistent, exception to this has been Flip's. Good food, good service, I usually hit them every couple of weeks or so. (ATL hwy version close to where I work).

[OldCloverdale]

Chain hate is over-rated... All things being equal, I'm more than happy to support my local.... but, usually, their not equal.

what are your favorite local chains, thoraudio?

[thoraudio]

Feeding the family has different goals than 'favorite places to eat' :D

Family places.

O'Charley's - with free kid's meals, it's really hard to beat. With everybody drinking water, my wife and I can get something decent, + 3 kids meals, for basically the same price as McDonald's + a tip. This is our 'go to' place for friday night.

CiCi's - Large selection, decent prices, kids entertainment, and really, really good cinamon rolls.

Zaxby's - 'high end' fast food.

Chick-fil-a - A play place and good food and good service? yes.

China Star (Montgomery, on Atlanta Highway). Close to our church and my parents house, I've actually been eating here since the early 80's. Once a month our family's (my parents, my sister, her husband and their three, and our 5) go and take up a whole section. My 5 y.o. loves it because he can put soy sauce in his ice cream. :yuck:

My wife and I. On the rare occasion we get to go out, our tastes are different, of course.

Baumhauer's Wings (Montgomery). After Tony's shut down, this is 'our' place. Split a plate of cheesy fries, she get's the boneless wings (X-hot), and I get the wings (x-hot). Service this last friday night was amazingly fast.

Casa Napoli (Wetumpka). More for the wife than me....

The Pasta Mill. Although they've had a change of ownership since we've been last... I don't know how it is now.

The House (Montgomery) - but $100 a pop is a really rare treat.


Just me, or guys from work

Flips - good food, good service, convenient to work (I think I'll go today ;0 )

Ichiban/Jun Pan-asian places with good bento boxes and sushi (although I'm taking baby steps with california rolls)

Jason's Deli - I loved the chili cheese baked potato until somebody told me it was a 3500 calories.... but the soup and salad are nice.








we eat out too much :D

[RSAHort]

Jason's Deli - I loved the chili cheese baked potato until somebody told me it was a 3500 calories.... but the soup and salad are nice.





And they have the best darn Dr. Pepper I have ever had!:notacrook:


Edit:
I almost forgot. Has anyone heard anything else about the State House? My wife had a chance to go to the Olive Room this weekend. She said her waitress told them the place was going to be bulldozed to make room for a new State House. She offered no time frame.

[OldCloverdale]

China Star (Montgomery, on Atlanta Highway).

Casa Napoli

The Pasta Mill

The House

Flips

Ichiban/Jun

I don't consider those chains

[OldCloverdale]

... Has anyone heard anything else about the State House? My wife had a chance to go to the Olive Room this weekend. She said her waitress told them the place was going to be bulldozed to make room for a new State House. She offered no time frame.

April 12, 2008

Plan would move site of State House


The city of Montgomery is getting ready to pitch a plan to the state Legislature that would move the State House deeper into downtown Montgomery.

The city's plan envisions a new State House -- where the Senate and House of Representa­tives conduct business -- built in the "lower Dexter Avenue area," Montgomery Mayor Bob­by Bright said Friday afternoon. Bright would not specify the ex­act location.

Moving the State House, which is near the state Capitol, down Dexter Avenue would create what Bright called a "gov­ernmental mall," similar to the nation's Capitol complex in Washington.

The move also would help fuel downtown revitalization, which received a boost when the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center opened earlier this year.

"This is a significant project and it needs to be out in the open, proudly and prominently displayed for visitors and legis­lators," Bright said.

The city's plan is only one of a handful being kicked around by a special six-person legisla­tive committee that is looking into what to do with the aging, cramped State House on South Union Street.

David Bronner, who as CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama has overseen the con­struction of many of downtown Montgomery's landmark build­ings, said it all comes down to what legislators want.

"One group wants to have it downtown, and another wants to have it up by the Capitol, and another group says it should be attached to the Capitol," Bron­ner said. "So you've got at least two or three plans floating around out there.

"And what the Legislature is going to do -- I just don't know."

Sen. Wendell Mitchell, D-Lu­verne, said he initially was a proponent of keeping the State House close to the Capitol. He said after the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce recently invited him to see a presenta­tion on moving the State House, he's no longer so sure.

"I am having second thoughts as to whether it ought to be located on Goat Hill," Mitchell said Friday. "I'll put it this way -- they put forth a very strong case for locating it down­town."

The city's plan includes a proposal for a parking deck and trolley line or shuttle service for legislators and visitors.

The Legislature has been meeting in the current building, which originally held the state highway department, since it was remodeled in 1986. Mitchell said he would not support a mea­sure to renovate the existing building.

"I think the restoration of a building that was never in­tended to be a legislative cham­ber is probably not a good in­vestment," Mitchell said. "To renovate it to meet the needs of the legislative body would be cost-inefficient for one thing and cost-prohibitive for anoth­er."

Not everyone agrees with that sentiment, though.

"As far as I am concerned, there's nothing wrong with the State House we are in," said Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery. "I'm for staying where we are. ... Building a fine, plush office building isn't going to help get any bills passed."

But if a new State House is built, Holmes supports having it built on lower Dexter Avenue.

Rep. David Grimes, R-Mont­gomery, also thinks the legisla­tive body should stay in the cur­rent building.

"I don't see what the problem is. It's just a little crowded. The Senate could give up a little space, but that's not going to happen," Grimes said Friday.

But unlike Holmes, if a new State House is going to be built, Grimes wants to see it stay close to the Capitol.

Bright would not elaborate on the details of the city's pro­posal because it's still evolving, but he said the city's plan would benefit both the state and the downtown revitalization effort.

"We are aggressively and ac­tively making plans to give the very best proposal we possibly can to the state," Bright said Fri­day afternoon. "We hope they will determine our proposal to be the most feasible and practi­cal plan for the money."

====================================

if they tear this building down and build here, the current Olive Room is toast:

http://www.montgomerychamber.com/images/newsroom/b2717f38-0f21-475a-baec-58c5b20332cf.jpg

[thoraudio]

I don't know that status of things in the legislature (although every year they meet, I'm more and more embarassed at their ineptitude), but I'd guess if (and that's a big if) the statehouse comes about at the One Court Square location, that Nobles/Olive Room could find a suitable location quickly. :cool:

[Capital Heights]

I talked with Ted Nobles last week, he said he has already found a place to relocate downtown if he has to move. There is considerable doubt if the Court Square location will be chosen.

If you have any need to attend a legislative committee hearing (and maybe you do, I have no idea) then you should know that there is a real need for a new state house. Although the legislators will have significantly better offices, etc., if this move should take place, in my judgement, the real winners will be anybody who has business before a legislative committee.

I, for one, am very supportive of the Court Square alternative. It simply makes sense on so many different levels.

Hopefully we will know something soon.

[hiijakd]

it isn't looking good for moving the statehouse to court square. the mayor stopped by and we talked a little about it. the word is Bronner is offering cheap money to build on on the hill. NOTHING has been put in stone yet so the waitress at noble's is going on hearsay. it is possible that olive room and nobles will move but it isn't a done deal yet.

[bystander1]

If Lower Dexter isn't chosen as the site for the Statehouse, how would you guys feel about the city/county relocating the main library there with a new, modern building?
There is definitely a need for a NEW main library somewhere downtown.
I was there last Saturday and it is a complete embarrassment.
I knew something was up when I saw the door wide open and an over-sized industrial fan inside trying to keep people cool. WAAAY past its time. This place was outdated decades ago when I was a child...

[OldCloverdale]

ASU is supportive of a roundabout/traffic triangle at Carter Hill & Decatur.

:tup:

The roundabout at Ripley & Adams is open, but not finished -- any idea what's going in the middle?