[OldCloverdale]

Dickey's First Smokin' Location to Open in Alabama
(http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/30/4524766/dickeys-first-smokin-location.html#storylink=cpy)

Wednesday, May. 30, 2012

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is steering growth to Alabama. The world's largest barbecue chain added another state to its growing list of new franchises by signing on Randy, Rosanne and Lauren Wiggins as its newest owners.

"We are thrilled about our first location in Alabama," said Roland Dickey, Jr., president of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "We know the folks in Alabama will love our great tasting barbecue and we believe this will be the first of many new locations in the state."

The Wiggins family were all born and raised in Alabama. Rosanne is a school music teacher and Randy was a commercial oil field diver. Their daughter, Lauren, is adding restaurant management experience to add to the mix.
"We were drawn to Dickey's because the concept is unique -- they take pride in picking their meats and quality products and we are excited to bring a taste of the lone star state to the heart of Dixie," said franchise owner Lauren Wiggins. "At Dickey's you can get great tasting barbecue that is served fast – we can't wait to open in Montgomery."

Dickey's Barbecue Pit opened its first location in Dallas in 1941. Dickey's began franchising in 1994 and has continued to grow across the country. Dickey's currently has more than 230 locations. Alabama is the 42nd state for the nationally recognized fast-casual barbecue chain. With every new restaurant, the company creates additional jobs for landlords, brokers, construction companies, and of course makes an impact on the city it serves.

Since 1941, Dickey's Barbecue has offered free kids meals every Sunday and affordable family packs that come with a choice of two meats, three medium sides, six rolls and Dickey's famous barbecue sauce...

[thoraudio]

Methinks a bbq chain may have a hard go of it down here....

Between Country's, Jim'n'Nicks, Dreamland, Varsity, Chris', Fat Boys, Smokehouse, Sam's, etc, it may be hard to get an in.

[kevinlpugh]

Written by
Kala Kachmar

While redevelopment at 78 Dexter Ave. is progressing, some residents say it’s not progressing as planned.

More than a year ago, the city of Montgomery sold the property on the corner of South Perry Street and Dexter Avenue for less than the city paid for it so it could be redeveloped. But as the redevelopment has taken shape, there have been complaints that an external staircase built on the Dexter Avenue side — a feature that was not in the original plans — has compromised both the building’s appearance and its historic character.

Although none of the nine Dexter Avenue properties the city purchased to resell at a lower price to boost economic development are officially designated as historic, provisions in the purchase and rehabilitation agreements call for the historic “character” of the buildings to be preserved.

Dexter Avenue, known for being the home of Martin Luther King’s church and the location from which the telegram that started the Civil War was sent, was once a vibrant street full of hustle, bustle and economic growth. And city officials hope the redevelopment plan will make it that way again.

In 2010, the city started sending out requests for proposals for the Lower Dexter Avenue District properties. In February 2011, Luis Rubio, a civil engineer from Colombia who moved to Montgomery in 2009, purchased 78 Dexter Ave. for $60,000. His intent was to create a space fit for a restaurant, and he has spent about $1 million on the project so far.

Rubio has been working with Phillip Pouncey Builder, a local development company, on restoring the building. The original rendering of what the building was supposed to look like showed a staircase coming off the balcony on the South Perry Street side facing south, parallel to the building. But a less-than-subtle staircase that was actually built, which juts out onto the sidewalk at the front of the building facing east, has residents almost as distressed as the property used to be.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said city safety codes required the staircase be built, but said it could have been built inside the building.

An interior staircase would have taken up a significant amount of square footage on the first and second floors of the building, he said.

“Sometimes the codes and use by the tenant do affect the aesthetics and the architectural elements of a particular project,” Downes said. “That’s really what has driven the placement of those stairs.”

Phillip Pouncey, president of the company, said the staircase still needs to be painted and cemented, but most of the exterior work is completed.

He said the fire-escape staircase on the South Perry Street side still needs to be built, but it will not be built off the balcony — as shown in the original rendering — because of building codes.

In March, the City Council approved an agreement that allowed Rubio to build the staircase and a balcony that encroaches on the public right-of-way, which in this case, is the sidewalk.
Some fear exception could be precedent

Montgomery resident Jim Yeaman, who was chairman of the city’s Historic Development Commission in the 1980s, said the staircase shows that the city needs some vehicle to make sure there is consistent and impartial review of redevelopments.

“The original plan drew a lot of praise,” Yeaman said. “But the execution of the plan has not made many people happy. It doesn’t maintain the integrity of the entire area down there. It looks like it ought to be in a strip mall somewhere.”

Yeaman said he’s worried that allowing the staircase in the name of hurrying economic development sets a bad precedent for the redevelopment of other Dexter Avenue buildings. He said the city is still dealing with the misdirected urban renewal that took place in the 1970s, when historic buildings were torn down and façades were updated to make the downtown more attractive.

“If this is the precedent for the rest of development of lower Dexter, this might end up like a carnival midway,” Yeaman said.

Brandon Brazil, who is in charge of reviewing historic structures for the Alabama Department of Transportation and is a member of Montgomery’s Architectural Review Board, said he’s disappointed that the city didn’t adhere to the provisions to preserve the historic character of the building, as stipulated in the purchase and sale agreement between the city and the owner.

“It seems like it would have been avoidable if there were good plans for the buildings from the start,” Brazil said. “There’s just no precedent to plop a staircase off a balcony in an urban area.”
Preserving historic character

The purchase and sale agreement, approved by the City Council on Feb. 15, 2011, says the property is “of historical value and should be rehabilitated, restored and refurbished.”

The agreement refers to three documents the buyer is obligated to adhere to: the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, a list of protective covenants for the building and a rehabilitation agreement.

All three documents stipulate provisions that require the owner to maintain historically and architecturally significant features, preserve the historic character and keep the building as authentic as possible while still providing modern conveniences.

Downes said he and Mayor Todd Strange have been working closely with the developer on monitoring the restoration of the building. The mayor is the “ultimate arbiter” in making decisions related to the redevelopment of the building, but code review is done by the planning and building departments, Downes said.

“Architecturally, it’s in the eye of the beholder,” Strange said. “From a standpoint of life safety and code violations, everything is fine. At the end of the day, it’s a private person that owns a business.”

Pouncey said it wasn’t his choice to build the staircase outside, but it wasn’t economically feasible to put it inside.

“Preservation can be keeping a building from being torn down,” Downes said. “Every architectural element is not addressed in our agreement. A lot of it is based on use. Our desire is to preserve as much of the character as we can, while bringing vitality back to lower Dexter Avenue.”
Building had been eyesore

Pouncey said the building sat vacant for more than 30 years and looked terrible with bricks that were covered with stucco and garbage.

He said the company is working hard to make the building’s look as closely as it can to what the building originally looked like in 1910.

The tenant, which will likely be announced in June, will do more build-out once the interior design plans are approved by the city and the health department, Pouncey said.

He said he expects the restaurant to be open in August.

Downes said the city will continue to require businesses meet all safety codes, but there needs to be some flexibility in other areas or that put “at risk any further development along lower Dexter Avenue.”

“We do care about the architecture and aesthetics of a project. We but we have to look at all variables in the review of projects,” Downes said.

from Montgomery Advertiser
http://on.mgmadv.com/L38bSn

[OCA REP]

Methinks a bbq chain may have a hard go of it down here....

Between Country's, Jim'n'Nicks, Dreamland, Varsity, Chris', Fat Boys, Smokehouse, Sam's, etc, it may be hard to get an in.

I tend to agree. For them to be the 'world's largest' bbq chain, I've never heard of them...

[OldCloverdale]

Hue Studio (http://www.huestudioinc.com/) is moving from Peppertree (east MGM) to the A&P Lofts (http://www.atlanticandpacificlofts.com/) (Old Cloverdale).

Heading WEST: Fresh Market, Panera, Hue Studio ...

[brad0022]

Hue Studio (http://www.huestudioinc.com/) is moving from Peppertree (east MGM) to the A&P Lofts (http://www.atlanticandpacificlofts.com/) (Old Cloverdale).

Heading WEST: Fresh Market, Panera, Hue Studio ...

Definitely a much more fitting area to setup the new shop.

[brad0022]

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DS&Date=20120606&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=306060043&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Coming-soon-Capri-Theater-add-screen-renovate-building-s-facade

Capri Theater plans for renovation will ad digital projection, a second story and a second screen. The theater will soon be paid off in full in a few months. The renovation should not cause it to close until the major work starts. For example, they well only send off about 8 seats at a time for reupholstering instad of all seats.

The idea is the make a more grandeur statement of a classic 40s theater. Theaters then were not as unassuming as the current design is now (well at least in other cities).

Hopefully this will spur more development in midtown.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120606/NEWS01/306060043/Coming-soon-Capri-Theater-add-screen-renovate-building-s-facade

[OldCloverdale]

"Coming soon to a neighborhood near you: SugrueBAR ... a semi-authentic Irish Pub"

[brad0022]

"Coming soon to a neighborhood near you: SugrueBAR ... a semi-authentic Irish Pub"

So with bar being capitalized would it be safe to say it's related to sandBAR/ AlleyBAR by M. Watson or is that something unrelated?

Update: Yes is it by Mike Watson and it will be somewhere in Old Cloverdale. Do not know of time table.

[OldCloverdale]

I'm going to take a wild guess, and it's only a guess: directly across the street from the Capri.

1038 East Fairview Avenue ... business has been closed for 8-9 months (?) and it is a prime location.

He used the word "neighborhood" so I'm thinking it's not downtown.


On another note, there is work going on next door (to the north) to SaZa. I saw a Phillip Pouncey sign and a roofing company banner.

As I understand it, AviatorBAR will be at 166 Commerce to the north of this long-vacant spot. So what's happening here?

[OldCloverdale]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120607/NEWS/120607014/Brew-pub-announces-chef-brew-master?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

by Kala Kachmar


The owner of a new brew pub scheduled to open in downtown Montgomery this summer has announced a chef and brew master.

The brew master of Railyard Brewing Co., which is set to open in July, will be Kade Miller, who has been brewing in Birmingham for 13 years. The chef will be Leonardo Maurelli, an Auburn University graduate who was named the 2011 Chef of the Year by the Alabama Restaurant Association.

Bob Parker, owner of the brew pub., said a variety of beers will be brewed on site, and then sold in the pub and distributed off site. The restaurant’s specialty will be hamburgers.

“We have talent in this state that needs to be expressed – that needs to have a platform,” Maurelli said. “And that’s what we plan to do.”

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said the city’s entertainment district doesn’t include 12 E. Jefferson St., which is where the brew pub will be located. But he said expanding the district to include that area will be discussed at an upcoming City Council meeting.

“The Railyard is going to be a high profile draw, not just in Montgomery, but throughout the region,” said Chad Emerson, the city’s director of development.

:cheers:

[Dr. Cloverdale]

New Poster here. I've seen some really good ideas about Montgomery in this thread and I'm eager to contribute down the road.

Now this isn't exactly Montgomery's issue but what do some of you think of High Point shopping center in Prattville? Personally, I'm amazed that a shopping center that's newer and twice the size of EastChase is sitting right next to the interstate yet has probably a 10% occupancy rate. Do any of you see any potential there? What could be done to generate some traffic?

[thoraudio]

New Poster here. I've seen some really good ideas about Montgomery in this thread and I'm eager to contribute down the road.

Now this isn't exactly Montgomery's issue but what do some of you think of High Point shopping center in Prattville? Personally, I'm amazed that a shopping center that's newer and twice the size of EastChase is sitting right next to the interstate yet has probably a 10% occupancy rate. Do any of you see any potential there? What could be done to generate some traffic?

I think it's a boondoggle. The only hope for that place is if somebody like Tanger Outlets would come in.

[floc34]

I think it's a boondoggle. The only hope for that place is if somebody like Tanger Outlets would come in.

I was thinking the same thing when I read his post. I think that would be a perfect location for Tanger Outlets ........ or at the old Montgomery Mall area

[Fibb2000]

http://vimeo.com/43193896

[nayrlladnar]

http://vimeo.com/43193896

I really enjoyed your video. Great job.

[Thedarkone1977]

http://vimeo.com/43193896

Good job on the video and thanks for posting it.

[Thedarkone1977]

Virtual Tour and Contruction Cam of New Alabama State University Stadium.

Click below
http://www.newasustadium.com/index.php

[philopdx]

Happy Juneteenth everybody! :D

[brad0022]

The city council voted to expand the footprint of the entertainment district from the current Ally area to include all of Commerce Street, Riverwalk Stadium, the new Railyard Brewery (formerly Montgomery Brew Pub), etc. Which means you can have open alcohol non-glass containers in the district as long was they were purchased in the businesses in the district unless there is an event who's promoters have permits from ABC.

They will seen how this new ordinance works to increase traffic and businesses in the district before developing another district.

"A bill passed by the Legislature earlier this year allows a city the size of Montgomery to designate two entertainment districts that have an area no larger than one-half-mile by one-half-mile, said Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes. The districts can be irregularly shaped."

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120620/NEWS01/306200057/Council-votes-expand-downtown-Montgomery-entertainment-district

Video link http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/videonetwork/1697657590001/The-city-s-new-entertainment-district

[brad0022]

The transformation of One Dexter Plaza (former department store) to the Questplex with the main library and children's museum to relocate in has finally gained more traction.

The redesign plan calls for $20 million in funding and has been awarded to Parsons Wilbe Cummal Alkire Architects Inc.

"About $1 million will come from federal grants and the sale of the previous site of the children’s museum on Commerce Street. Another $4 million will be generated through federal tax credits, $5 million will come from private fundraising by the library and the children’s museum and about $10 million would be borrowed."

The street level portion will be leased to retail businesses and there are office spaces for rent with 2 areas already leased. The current development department office will move back to city hall once renovation is completed.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/306210023/Questplex-redesign-Montgomery-unveils-20M-funding-proposal-building?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

[telecomdude]

My wife just told me that Dillard's at eastdale changed their hours. After looking on the company website it is now a clearance store with limited hours, closes at 7pm and opens at 11am. And on Mondays are closed.
And she also stated some other long time stores closed like Game Stop. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come of this Mall. Remembering what happened to Montgomery Mall just before its mass exodus. :shrug:

[Brown Duckz]

My wife just told me that Dillard's at eastdale changed their hours. After looking on the company website it is now a clearance store with limited hours, closes at 7pm and opens at 11am. And on Mondays are closed.
And she also stated some other long time stores closed like Game Stop. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come of this Mall. Remembering what happened to Montgomery Mall just before its mass exodus. :shrug:I don't think we are seeing Montgomery Mall Version 2, I think it's just time for "competing" store fronts to bow to Eastchase. The Mall, if run effectively, can house and maintain great shopping attributes. It's a great location and I don't see Atlanta Highway/East Blvd becoming the blight that is ES Blvd/Troy Highway.

[BlakFlava]

I don't think we are seeing Montgomery Mall Version 2, I think it's just time for "competing" store fronts to bow to Eastchase. The Mall, if run effectively, can house and maintain great shopping attributes. It's a great location and I don't see Atlanta Highway/East Blvd becoming the blight that is ES Blvd/Troy Highway.

I doubt if any of you all know the real reason for the decline of Montgomery Mall.

[Brown Duckz]

I doubt if any of you all know the real reason for the decline of Montgomery Mall.Did anyone claim to?

[OCA REP]

I doubt if any of you all know the real reason for the decline of Montgomery Mall.

As someone that grew up shopping at Montgomery Mall and witnessed it's downfall, it is very apparent what happened over there. Everyone on here knows it and the exact same thing appears to be going down at Eastdale Mall. As my Grandmother was often fond of saying, "you can't have nothing..."

[brad0022]

If anyone missed the Madison Gateway Plan presentation last week like I did then here is a summary of what will hopefully be in the works soon to urbanize that area.

http://imgur.com/a/Oz91e

[telecomdude]

This weekend we went to eat at Buffalo wild wings to show up and find out they closed. I had no idea. I thought they were doing well over there. Does anyone know what happened? I am so sad because they parmesan garlic sauce was awesome. :(

[Brown Duckz]

This weekend we went to eat at Buffalo wild wings to show up and find out they closed. I had no idea. I thought they were doing well over there. Does anyone know what happened? I am so sad because they parmesan garlic sauce was awesome. :(The company that franchised BWW (and many other eateries throughout the country) went bankrupt. I think someone else will re-franchise it pretty soon, since it's a prime location and building.

story: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Danbury-s-KFC-stores-closed-3611387.php

[thoraudio]

I never cared for them anyway, Baumhower's is much better.

[Brown Duckz]

I never cared for them anyway, Baumhower's is much better.While I agree with you on your statement in terms of service and food, it's hard to recreate the live sporting event experience that Buffalo Wild Wings delivers.

[brad0022]

I never cared for them anyway, Baumhower's is much better.

I agree as well but it's always great to have choice and competition.

[thoraudio]

While I agree with you on your statement in terms of service and food, it's hard to recreate the live sporting event experience that Buffalo Wild Wings delivers.

I'll confess. 3 years ago, we showed up with a group for the first day of the NCAA tourney. The manager and the wait staff were clueless. They were slammed out the door, and didn't know why. Finally started showing the games about halfway through the first half (PPV at the time). We didn't get food until halftime.... of the second game.

I only went back once on a non-tourney day. It was passable.

[BlakFlava]

http://vimeo.com/43193896

The video is nice. Montgomery has really come a long, long way in a relative short period of time. If we could've gotten rid of Henry Farmer, I mean, Emory Folmer at least eight years prior, who knows how exciting the city would be now. Oh well, can't dwell on past mistakes.

[brad0022]

Here are some details about the planned six story loft building to be in place of the skatepark.

-600 to 1200 sq ft lofts
-gym and kids play area
-restaurant on the street level
-horse-shoe shaped plaza with tables and room for live entertainment
-said to start in March of 2013


http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20120708/NEWS01/307080034/Downtown-Montgomery-redevelopment-picks-up-speed?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|s

[Thedarkone1977]

There's a lot going on in downtown montgomery but it will never really take off until downtown gets a daily/weekly draw. Something that will bring people to downtown on a daily/weekly basis year round.

Downtown needs a Movie Threater and some form of shopping to support all the resturants and hotels.

The mayor will have to recruit a major developer to get this done.

[brad0022]

There's a lot going on in downtown montgomery but it will never really take off until downtown gets a daily/weekly draw. Something that will bring people to downtown on a daily/weekly basis year round.

Downtown needs a Movie Threater and some form of shopping to support all the resturants and hotels.

The mayor will have to recruit a major developer to get this done.

In time. Everything is moving slow but it took Greenville a while to get started although they moved faster by this time.

[Thedarkone1977]

In time. Everything is moving slow but it took Greenville a while to get started although they moved faster by this time.

I'm afraid that if they don't get one of those every day draw all the restaurant downtown want make it and there want be any need to build new hotels and I love whats going on down there so much I would hate to see that happen.

Speeching of Greenville SC, I stopped by there this weekend and its the most beautiful medium downtown I have ever seen. I took some pictures and I willl add them later. I was there on a sunday between 1-2pm and there were tons of people just enjoying the downtown park and the tons of none chain restaurants. It was over 100° and you wouldn't know it because of all the trees they had along the streets. All of there utilities were underground and there street plants and flower were keep in immaculate shape. That's the one thing I've noticed about montgomery's downtown, we don't take care of our plants and flowers the same way. Its the little things that add up to make you a great city.

[Brown Duckz]

The news about WSFA moving downtown to 1 Dexter Plaza and renovating a studio in a 2nd floor space is pretty awesome! It says the view up Dexter to the Capital building will most likely be the newscast back drop!

http://www.wsfa.com/story/19089595/wsfa-12-news-to-add-new-studio-in-downtown-montgomery

[Thedarkone1977]

The news about WSFA moving downtown to 1 Dexter Plaza and renovating a studio in a 2nd floor space is pretty awesome! It says the view up Dexter to the Capital building will most likely be the newscast back drop!

http://www.wsfa.com/story/19089595/wsfa-12-news-to-add-new-studio-in-downtown-montgomery

That is cool.

[Brown Duckz]

News article about the Bibb/Commerce development,

http://westmontgomery.wsfa.com/news/news/173356-new-development-slated-downtown-parking-lot

http://media.dtsph.com/sites/wsfa.com/files/imagecache/story615/19094942_BG1.jpg

[telecomdude]

That is cool.
I would have to agree, I am excited, I hope they renovate our floor here, What colonial did here is awful

[Dyingyak]

News article about the Bibb/Commerce development,

http://westmontgomery.wsfa.com/news/news/173356-new-development-slated-downtown-parking-lot

http://media.dtsph.com/sites/wsfa.com/files/imagecache/story615/19094942_BG1.jpg

They literally recycled their 29Seven rendering.

http://www.retailspecialists.com/document_uploads/47_Lakeview_Flyer

[brad0022]

They literally recycled their 29Seven rendering.

http://www.retailspecialists.com/document_uploads/47_Lakeview_Flyer

It's possible that this project's renderings are not made public or are not even finalized yet in-house. I would think they would supply the artwork to the Advertiser if it was available but who knows.

[brad0022]

The meeting was last night. Sorry I forgot to make a post before hand.

Some city council members were in attendance. I do not remember which ones. The speaker said a lot of cities that have had similar meetings have not had involvement from council leaders so this was a big deal.

The improvement stretch is from Ann St/Madison intersection to Eastern Blvd/Faulkner U. area. 3 or so miles which carries 30,000 drivers a day.

The presentation info was still a draft so things can change.

Highlights:

-Atl Hwy is no longer officially a highway meaning it is not controlled by the state. It belongs to the city now. So the city can dictate how the highway will be redesigned. It's a double edge sword because the state has more funding dollars to make improvements that the city so funding will be more difficult to come by not impossible. Right now the highway is a single function road just carrying cars to and from. In the past no one had a plan how the highway should function for the city as a whole.

-The plan is to make the entire stretch a 4 lane highway and reduce speed primarily in the more commercial areas. The area between County Downs to the start of the commercial area near Faulkner will not be as much of a speed concern.

-Side walks/trail will span the whole stretch on both sides. Also buried power lines. Bike lanes in some areas.

-Due to Faulkner area being the widest part of the highway, it will have a 20 ft green space between the 2 lanes on both sides with "slip way" one-way streets for traffic at less than 20 miles/hr with street parking. Large sidewalks. This will eventually encourage businesses to build up to the sidewalks.

-All medians will be reworked/more unified with trees. All the right hand sides will be lined with trees to increase shaded areas so its more comfortable and pleasing the walk the sidewalks. Possibly benches installed other than bus stops.

-Major improvements to bus stops. Covered from sun and rain with bus route info signs. Further away from the streets so to protect riders and make them more inviting. Trash bins will be in place to reduce garbage on the ground. They see bus ridership will hopefully increase from a necessity for those without any other way to viable option to get around even for those who have reliable vehicles. Long term plan. DC's bus system was an example. Side note: The "bus stop" next to Winn Dixie (Dalradia Rd/Atlanta Hwy) had the bench removed. People wait under the tree for shade and dump trash everywhere. Reason is, the American Disabilities act says that sidewalks have to be a certain width in order for a bus stop to be built so the city could not build a stop. The current sidewalk is too small to meet the standard.

-At several cross streets, safer crosswalks some with signals will be constructed.

-Hunter Lane will be improved to make a much easier access to the park/ball fields behind the former Head School. That park is slated for major improvements with walking trails, etc. and they plan to make them in the near future.

-Plans for business improvement areas which were described as a self tax so that the businesses can repaint, improve lighting, repairs, etc. Also encourage a uniformed neighborhood look.

-There will be a standard set for street lighting, sign heights, paint schemes, whatever else that businesses will need to follow.

-Residents will be encouraged to make repairs to homes to make the area more attractive. No mention of the city making funds available to homeowners like Decatur and other cities have done.

Major highlight
-3 nodes are planned, one at Perry Hill Rd/Dalraida Rd., one at Ann St and one at Falkner U. area. They will be inspired by the Cloverdale biz district/L5P/East Atlanta/etc. These areas will have reduces car speeds down to about 30-20 mph to make it safer to walk around. They see restaurants with outdoor dinning, cluster of shops, unique neighborhood establishments, etc. that can be walked/biked to from the nearby neighborhoods. Lots of trees to make it more aesthetically pleasing and cooler in the summer that will encourage people to linger and shop more in the areas. These key shopping destinations will have bus stops.

-Each node may possibly have signage saying which district you are in similar to how San Diego signifies which area you are in.

Important:

This is all long, long term and will be implemented as the funds are available. All this cannot happen without major support from all the neighborhoods that are connected such as Dalraida, Forest Hills, County Downs, all the others I cannot think of. Each association needs to come to a copcesus that this is what they want then put pressure on the city to get this done as funding comes available. Also business/land owners will need encouraging to see this as a good thing.

If no one cares enough this the road will likely stay as it is. Not trying to be preachy but if developers/realtors do not see interest from residents then they will not know. That was stressed by the meeting presenter.

Another note was mentioned was that as the downtown expands and becomes more vibrant, so will the nearby neighborhoods. Due to Atlanta Hwy being a major thoroughfare directly to downtown, they see that as an asset that realtors can use to encourage home ownership in these areas along with being close to one of the three nodes. So younger couples and singles will want to live in Forest Hills or Dalraida to be close to downtown without needing to buy a downtown loft. Land value will increase as a result. It's all long term of course.

[OldCloverdale]

RIP Big Bert from (downtown) Dreamland :(

[rbpaul]

Will the re-alignment of Ann Street and the development at the former Head School be expected to follow the recommendations from the meeting?
Those would be two large areas of the project.

[thoraudio]

Having grown up in Dalraida and buying my first house in Dalraida, I love the area. The neighborhood has remained pretty good, even though it's going on 70. Eastbrook is a 90+% occupied.

However the area between Federal and Perry Hill needs help. Through zoning and/or investment. It's become a Money Store strip, and looks terrible, and Forest Hills shopping center is going to pot. Mary B's shut down because the shopping center's owners wouldn't put up $ to renovate.

The Publix is doing good, but nobody seems to want to move in next to them. Maybe the fact that Jack's is packed daily will help that problem out.

On another note, does anybody know why the lots on Atl Hwy between Ann St and Perry Hill are off kilter? They hit the road at an angle. It's weird.

[thoraudio]

RIP Big Bert from (downtown) Dreamland :(

Yep, very sad to hear that. My kids loved him.

[Brown Duckz]

Nice Downtown vantage,

http://i47.tinypic.com/6oh4e1.jpg

I think before long, Downtown will have a nice mix of density, infill, and green space.

[OldCloverdale]

http://www.tigervent.com/siw/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/001_aviator.bar.jpg

:cheers:

[Thedarkone1977]

That's cool.

It's going to be in the basement of the alley, next to Dreamland. Correct?

[OldCloverdale]

That's cool.

It's going to be in the basement of the alley, next to Dreamland. Correct?

No -- Commerce Street, north of SaZa

[OldCloverdale]

Is the Kress Building back on the market?

[brad0022]

http://www.tigervent.com/siw/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/001_aviator.bar.jpg

:cheers:

Let's have a meetup!

[OldCloverdale]

The Zelda Place shopping center in midtown Montgomery is about to get a new tenant.

The Look Boutique, a women’s apparel and accessories retailer, will move from its current location on Fairview Avenue to a building between Born Children’s Boutique and California Yogurt Kraze. The opening is scheduled for later this month according to Aronov Realty Management, which operates the center.

“We are excited about our move to mid-town Montgomery,” Valerie Pittman, owner of The Look Boutique, said in a release. “Zelda Place is full of life and energy, and we feel our vibrant mix of the latest women’s apparel, accessories and great gifts will be a wonderful addition to the area.”

+++

This is 1048 East Fairview Avenue.

[OCA REP]

“We are excited about our move to mid-town Montgomery,” Valerie Pittman, owner of The Look Boutique, said in a release.

Bless her heart... she was already in Midtown. ;)

[OCA REP]

Let's have a meetup!

We are due!

[OldCloverdale]

Four new stores are coming to the Festival Plaza, including one that will fill the former Buffalo Wild Wings location.

The shopping center at Vaughn and Taylor roads will get four businesses that are new to the city, including Mugshots Grill and Bar in the 6,750-square-foot unit where Buffalo Wild Wings abruptly closed this summer.

Alabama Outdoors will lease the 6,000-square-foot unit next to Mellow Mushroom. Alabama Outdoors currently has locations in Birmingham, Mobile, Florence, Huntsville, Trussville and Tuscaloosa.

Berry Frozen Yogurt will open in the 1,800-square-foot space near the movie theater.

World Acceptance, a small-loan company, plans a shop location between the ABC Beverage store and the new Mugshots bar.

[OldCloverdale]

Apple retailer PeachMac will open its ninth store in Montgomery this fall, located at The Shoppes at EastChase.

PeachMac offers the complete line of Macintosh computers, iPads and iPods as well as software, supporting hardware, and accessories. PeachMac is also an Apple Authorized Service Provider and provides onsite services for local businesses.

“We are thrilled to be opening our ninth store in a market that is perfect for our product line, and to do so in a retail outlet as sophisticated as The Shoppes at EastChase is a huge plus for our business,” Darryl Peck, president of PeachMac, stated in a news release.

Each PeachMac stores features the largest selection of third-party Apple-related products in its market, according to the release, with more than 1,500 items available. They are also authorized to handle all warranty and out-of-warranty repairs on every Apple product.

[OldCloverdale]

One of the staples of downtown Montgomery dining closed its doors indefinitely today.

Cool Beans at the Café d’Art on Montgomery Street near the Dexter Avenue roundabout sent an email to customers Friday saying the restaurant will close for “a short time” while owner Shari Rossman takes care of family matters out of town.

Employees were not given a reopening date and were told to look for new jobs.
The restaurant reopened last fall after a fire at the Olive Room next door forced it to close for eight months.

The menu focused on healthy, organic food and drinks and featured a popular soup of the day rotation, along with gourmet salads and sandwiches. The restaurant’s walls displayed unique, often local artwork.

***

Owner's husband took a job in PA

[OldCloverdale]

The city of Montgomery has received two state grants for projects that are expected to help boost redevelopment near West Fairview Ave.

A $2.4 million grant from the ALDOT will be used for the resurfacing and two-way conversion of S. Court St.

The city also received $275,000 from the ADECA to remove dilapidated buildings (run-down houses and burned structures) on Mooreland Dr near the site of the demolished Sears building.

Both projects are part of the city’s West Fairview Initiative, which is aimed at improving the one-square-mile area.

[brad0022]

Railyard Brewing announced the grand opening date set for Sept. 19

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=277943122316506&id=204720652972087

[OldCloverdale]

Railyard Brewing announced the grand opening date set for Sept. 19

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=277943122316506&id=204720652972087

soft opening 2-3 days ago

[thoraudio]

The Alley Cantina is closing. Can't say I'm shocked, the one time I went there it sUUUUcked.

If we could just get El Cantaro to open there....

[OCA REP]

The Alley Cantina is closing. Can't say I'm shocked, the one time I went there it sUUUUcked.

If we could just get El Cantaro to open there....

Yeah... NO ONE in our office is surprised. Overpriced and sorry service. Those will get you every time!

[OldCloverdale]

I'm not a big fan, but why is there not a Hooter's in downtown MGM?

[thoraudio]

I'm not a big fan, but why is there not a Hooter's in downtown MGM?

The one on the bypass closed because of corporate infighting.

Baumhower's is good, but in such a awkward location they do next to nothing at night (they're packed out at lunch though).

[OCA REP]

Baumhower's is good, but in such a awkward location they do next to nothing at night (they're packed out at lunch though).

Ate lunch there yesterday. It's pretty consistently good... and yes, they were rocking at lunch time!

[OldCloverdale]

My opinion: if a Hooter's is going to work in MGM it would do best in the downtown entertainment district.

[thoraudio]

My opinion: if a Hooter's is going to work in MGM it would do best in the downtown entertainment district.

I think it was working where it was at, just corporate franchise issues, same with Buffalo Wild Wings.

[OldCloverdale]

Railyard Brewing Co. = meh

I hope & pray for improvements

[nayrlladnar]

Railyard Brewing Co. = meh

I hope & pray for improvements

Care to elaborate? I have high hopes for this place and was planning on trying it soon.

[OldCloverdale]

Why open a "Brewing Company" with only two beers? The server was very, very nice but did not know that an I.P.A. is an India PALE ALE. Their other beer: a Pale Ale.

No bottled or draft beers to compensate for their selection of two pale ales. I would order a stout, porter, red, amber, Octoberfest, etc. I'm not a fan of a two-beer selection of pale ales.

I will return after they brew more beers. I hope they work out the kinks.

We sent back the first appetizer.

The second was okay.

The burger was good, not great. The fries were fresh (not frozen) and excellent. The fresh onion rings were good, not great.

The music was outstanding. There are many TVs on different sporting events. The walls are 100% bare. The restrooms are nice but there were not well kept, and they were not at all busy.

[OldCloverdale]

Cool Beans at the Café d‘Art, the restaurant that shut down three weeks ago, has reopened its downtown Montgomery location.

Owner Shari Rossmann, said Monday that earlier she had to leave town for personal business.

“Tell the world I’m open this week,” Rossmann said. “Now we are back and better than ever.”

Rossmann said the restaurant has many of the same menu items, with some seasonal additions.

“I will be doing some new autumn things, some new salads,” Rossmann said. “Everybody is on a health kick so I’m going to do some avocado and raspberry salads with heirloom tomatoes.”

...Cool Beans, at 115 Montgomery St., is open for lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Friday...

[nayrlladnar]

Why open a "Brewing Company" with only two beers? The server was very, very nice but did not know that an I.P.A. is an India PALE ALE. Their other beer: a Pale Ale.

No bottled or draft beers to compensate for their selection of two pale ales. I would order a stout, porter, red, amber, Octoberfest, etc. I'm not a fan of a two-beer selection of pale ales.

I will return after they brew more beers. I hope they work out the kinks.

We sent back the first appetizer.

The second was okay.

The burger was good, not great. The fries were fresh (not frozen) and excellent. The fresh onion rings were good, not great.

The music was outstanding. There are many TVs on different sporting events. The walls are 100% bare. The restrooms are nice but there were not well kept, and they were not at all busy.

YES! The 'only have two beers, both of which are pale ales' thing really bugged me. I know this place isn't affiliated with the old "Brew Pub" and isn't out to be a direct clone, but damn I miss the Riverboat Red and the sauteed crab claws.

I'm following them via Facebook and the pictures of their food and the building look nice but I'm concerned it's trying to be something more than it needs to be. Fancy burgers, etc., are fine, but in a microbrewery? Meh... In this type of place, the beer should shine above all else. I'm hoping it doesn't become an AlleyBAR 2.0. That's one thing that I loved about the old Montgomery Brewing Company; it had a very strong "come as you are" vibe, at least in my opinion. Oh, and "Clickity Clack" makes my eye twitch.

I'm still hopeful that Railyard Brewing will prosper, but my expectations are not terribly high at the moment.

[OldCloverdale]

Anyone know any businesses that may be moving into the vacant spaces in the Cloverdale Business District?

1038 E Fairview
1048 E Fairview
____ E Fairview (the space next to Bud's)

whatever else is vacant

[OldCloverdale]

The Subway restaurant on Dexter Ave in downtown MGM closed.

When is the Irsih Bred Pub going to open?

[Brown Duckz]

I can't believe that Subway closed, it's always busy during the day. Moving to a different location?

[OldCloverdale]

Roux, the Creole- and Southern-inspired restaurant at 503 Cloverdale Road, in the A&P Development, will close, and a new restaurant will open in the space Tuesday.

The new restaurant is called True and will feature farm-inspired fine dining, according to its website. The eatery is named for Chef Wesley True, a Mobile native who attended Ole Miss and then the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

True is joined in the new restaurant by his wife Bobbi as front of house manager and certified sommelier.

The website says True’s seasonally-changing dinner menu will feature everything from Four Pig Cassoulet to Seared Gulf Snapper and Shrimp & Grits.

True will open to the public Tuesday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Roux opened in June 2011. The Village Kitchen, which opened in the fall of 2010, occupied the space prior to Roux.

[quattordici]

^^^^^^^. That actually sounds.... really good.

[OCA REP]

Roux, the Creole- and Southern-inspired restaurant at 503 Cloverdale Road, in the A&P Development, will close, and a new restaurant will open in the space Tuesday.

The new restaurant is called True and will feature farm-inspired fine dining, according to its website. The eatery is named for Chef Wesley True, a Mobile native who attended Ole Miss and then the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

True is joined in the new restaurant by his wife Bobbi as front of house manager and certified sommelier.

The website says True’s seasonally-changing dinner menu will feature everything from Four Pig Cassoulet to Seared Gulf Snapper and Shrimp & Grits.

True will open to the public Tuesday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Roux opened in June 2011. The Village Kitchen, which opened in the fall of 2010, occupied the space prior to Roux.

We attanded the preview party last night and things were pretty good. The service was excellent... as you would expect it to be at a complimentary event, but I was not blown away by the menu selection. I guess time will tell if people take to it.

I certainly wish them well. We enjoyed ROUX during its first year... and it was excellent to have good food within easy walking distance!

[thoraudio]

Never made it to Roux. Went there specifically for lunch one time, and at 11:45 there was NOBODY in there. Worried us, so we went to Derk's instead.

[OCA REP]

History's new look: Century-old building will receive loft makeover

Much has changed along the riverfront in downtown Montgomery since 2005, when four loft apartments opened inside a converted former ice house near the new Riverwalk Stadium.

Entertainment venues and restaurants sprang to life around the area. Hotels arrived. A brew pub and restaurant across the street from the apartments closed, and another one opened.
Meanwhile, downtown apartment living grew — slowly but steadily — and the company that built those first four lofts now is working on its third and largest project in the two-block area. Construction began Sept. 1 inside a three-story structure at 215 N. Court St. to renovate the vacant, 105-year-old building and put in 21 new loft apartments.

Full Story (and video) from The Montgomery Advertiser HERE (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20121002/NEWS01/310020011/History-s-new-look-Century-old-building-will-receive-loft-makeover?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage)

[OCA REP]

Never made it to Roux. Went there specifically for lunch one time, and at 11:45 there was NOBODY in there. Worried us, so we went to Derk's instead.

You can NEVER go wrong by choosing Derk's!

[thoraudio]

Seems to be some movement with stuff downtown the last few days. City to demolish and sell the land for the Statehouse Inn. Printing Press Lofts getting started. And Overlook Park finally getting some work done.

I was upset that they tore up the parking lot and then basically let the place sit for a year with no work, but the renderings look pretty good.

Pictures from www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=1

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http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=15

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=16

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=17

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=18

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=19

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=20

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=21

[OCA REP]

I knew this was being considered as part of the Madison Avenue re-development efforts, but did not expect it to be moving forward so quickly. Many memories from my college years at Cowboy's, the club that used to occupy the top floor of this hotel.

The city of Montgomery is in the process of purchasing the State House Inn Plaza on Madison Avenue, a move that will allow the city to remove the building and sell the property for redevelopment.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said the contract has already been negotiated and is in the process of being signed by all parties. The city will spend $850,000 on the property, which is still operating as a hotel.

Full Story (and video) from The Montgomery Advertiser HERE (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20121002/NEWS01/310020012/Montgomery-purchase-implode-hotel?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|s)

[bystander1]

I love this picture...


http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=DS&Date=20120917&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=309170025&Ref=PH&Item=17

[Smoothcat]

Beautiful pictures! I lived in Alabama for 25 years, and sadly never saw Montgomery outside of the interstate and a short drive to the top of Goat Hill. I would love to be able to explore it more some day. I hope progress continues on the riverfront. Good things appear to be happening.

[telecomdude]

ok, i need some help posting some pictures i took last week. How do I share them with you all? when I click on add pictures it asks for URL can I just upload some?

[quattordici]

ok, i need some help posting some pictures i took last week. How do I share them with you all? when I click on add pictures it asks for URL can I just upload some?

Nope. Gotta be uploaded to a third party website.

[telecomdude]

https://sites.google.com/site/bbender1/_/rsrc/1349717380144/photos/Panorama%20MTG.jpg?height=400&width=4000

photo i took from the 12 floor RSA 445 Dexter Ave Building.

[Brown Duckz]

Very nice Pano. I wish there was a way to get a similar shot that included what's to the rear and to the left (Capital Complex)

Did some touch-ups,

http://i49.tinypic.com/j64ton.jpg

[Port_of_Bama]

Roux, the Creole- and Southern-inspired restaurant at 503 Cloverdale Road, in the A&P Development, will close, and a new restaurant will open in the space Tuesday.

The new restaurant is called True and will feature farm-inspired fine dining, according to its website. The eatery is named for Chef Wesley True, a Mobile native who attended Ole Miss and then the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

True is joined in the new restaurant by his wife Bobbi as front of house manager and certified sommelier.

The website says True’s seasonally-changing dinner menu will feature everything from Four Pig Cassoulet to Seared Gulf Snapper and Shrimp & Grits.

True will open to the public Tuesday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Roux opened in June 2011. The Village Kitchen, which opened in the fall of 2010, occupied the space prior to Roux.



I hope you guys enjoy True just as much as we do ! True midtown Kitchen in Midtown Mobile has some of the best Shrimp and Grits in the city.

[kevinlpugh]

From The Montgomery Advertiser
original story @ http://on.mgmadv.com/QmKyrL

Written by
Brad Harper

A $3.1 million renovation could start as early as next month at a long-dormant, 150-year-old former theater and department store in downtown Montgomery.

The three-story Webber Building next to the new City Hall will house first-floor retail, including Momma Goldberg’s Deli; second-floor business space, which will become the home of Payne Lee & Associates Architects; and third-floor apartments. There also are plans for more office space in the redesigned basement area.

It’s the result of a decade-long effort to save and renovate the building, where the music to “Dixie” was first written down, and where John Wilkes Booth and Sarah Bernhardt once performed. A unique $2.2 million federal loan was approved last week, sending the project into motion.

David Payne of Payne Lee & Associates Architects, which signed an agreement to purchase the building three years ago, said the plans have been in place while the company waited on that loan. Now that it’s been approved, Payne said the project could be finished within nine months and that Momma Goldberg’s hoped to be open before the Montgomery Biscuits play their first game next spring.

“We’re not messing around. We’re ready to go,” he said. “If we can close in 30 days, we’ll start (construction) on day 31.”

The waiting time led to some changes to the company’s original plans. The apartment layouts are bigger now, he said, but only one unit will have a loft.

There’s also a lot more activity near the building, on the corner of Perry and Monroe streets, than there was when the company signed the contract three years ago. Not far from the new City Hall, which opened in July, Foshee Management has more downtown lofts under construction.

“We’re going to have a little company now, where as three years ago we were going to be on an island,” Payne said.

The Webber Building, the home of The Montgomery Theatre in the 1800s, sat deteriorating under a collapsing roof in 2000. The nonprofit Montgomery Riverfront Development Foundation bought the building in 2001 for $325,000, restored the roof and put the building up for sale as downtown redevelopment began to take off.

But Montgomery Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said the cost of rehabilitation kept potential buyers away. That changed, he said, when the city applied for funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s section 108 loan guarantee program. That loan offers a lower rate for qualifying projects by using future HUD grant money as collateral.

The project has been a focal point, Downes said, since the Bright administration because of the building’s history and its location.

“As you look at redevelopment of downtown, we in the city look for catalyst projects and areas that have been sort of forgotten or the redevelopment world has gone on different paths,” Downes said. “To be able to look at that corner right across from City Hall with a historically significant building, it sort of bridges the gap between the existing redeveloped areas … and lower Dexter Avenue.”

The remaining money for the project will come through a supplemental loan from Hancock Bank, and Payne said his company is doing the work “for basically no fee.”

“This is not going to be a money maker, and no one ever thought it would be,” Payne said. “It was our intention to do what we could to help with downtown development.”

[OldCloverdale]

..The three-story Webber Building next to the new City Hall will house first-floor retail, including Momma Goldberg’s Deli...

Mmmmmmmmmm

http://a2.urbancdn.com/w/s/CA/jlhFq74SX5VKuo-640m.jpg

:cheers:

[OldCloverdale]

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DS&Date=20121024&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=310240051&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Plans-fire-station-police-offices-walking-track-former-Montgomery-Mall-site-move-ahead

This rendering shows plans for the proposed Montgomery Fire/Police Department South Precinct at the former Montgomery Mall location.

[OldCloverdale]

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the purchase of the former Montgomery Mall Parisian building to house the Montgomery Technical Education Center.

[RSAHort]

While I am glad something will finally be done with Montgomery Mall, I really do not understand MPS's need for the Parisian building. Last year they closed and consolidated many schools. Couldn't one of these schools house the Technical Center? I know the schools that were closed needed to be upgraded and renovated but so will Parisian. I wonder if it is really cheaper to renovate this building than the existing schools.

[telecomdude]

I ate at Mug Shots this weekend, and would have to say it was AWESOME. The bun is amazing. and flavor is outstanding. The fries are even good.
I had the PeperJack Burger. My wife had the pasta and it was great as well. I would have to recomend this and is now one of my favorite places to eat. I just hope the service does not go into the toilet like other good places and it closes. Anyone else have the same experience I did?:tup: