Tuscaloosa Development

[bystander1]

Could you get a pic of the new columns on the courthouse when you get a chance? I want a better view of how it looks from the main entrance; not that the other pics are bad, just a more unobstructed view.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Might be a few days, but I'll try.

[ttownfeen]

Council approves River Market

A $3 million construction contract for a scaled-back version of the River Market was met with unanimous approval Tuesday.

The facility, planned to go alongside the Black Warrior River just off Jack Warner Parkway, will have a heating and air system, thanks to the approval of a contract amendment by the City Council.

[cityscapes]

[SpawnOfVulcan]

^^^ I love the people pushing the car out of the parking spot...

Looks great!

[Electrical Porpoise]

Link to high resolution picture of completed amphitheater.

[ttownfeen]

Don't amphitheaters usually have a grassy area for "bring-your-own seating" general admissions?

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

Don't amphitheaters usually have a grassy area for "bring-your-own seating" general admissions?

I have wondered about that too. I guess they're going for a larger open area at the front.

I have also wondered if Lurleen Wallace/69 will produce a significant amount of noise. I am sure they thought about that on day 1, but it does seem like a possible problem at times.

[ttownfeen]

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

Don't amphitheaters usually have a grassy area for "bring-your-own seating" general admissions?

The T-Newa provides the answer to this question with an interactive tour of the facility on their website. The lower bowl of the amphitheater is fitted with removable chairs to make it a general admissions area - only there's no grass.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/articl...EDIA/110329622

Anyway, the amphitheater is opening tonight with a sold-out show with the Avett Brothers and Band of Horses. We'll see tomorrow whether there will be a sound issue or not.

[bamastu13]

Well according to the original plans back in '07, Dynasty Park by the stadium was supposed to be opening around now. The most I've seen as far as construction goes is the fencing off of the old Stadium Apartments next to Bryant Denny. I've combed through the internet but I can't find any updated info on the project. Anyone have any updates on it?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by bamastu13

Well according to the original plans back in '07, Dynasty Park by the stadium was supposed to be opening around now. The most I've seen as far as construction goes is the fencing off of the old Stadium Apartments next to Bryant Denny. I've combed through the internet but I can't find any updated info on the project. Anyone have any updates on it?

As far as I know it's still on, they're just trying to get people to by units. I don't think there will be much of a problem as soon as the economy picks back up.

[bamastu13]

Awesome, I saw the renderings of it and its going to look real nice when it is completed. Hopefully it will spur more new developments around the stadium!

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by bamastu13

Awesome, I saw the renderings of it and its going to look real nice when it is completed. Hopefully it will spur more new developments around the stadium!

I'm hoping so. The "U" (the zoned area surrounding the University) really needs some good private investment. Commercial investment is something that needs to be capitalized on.

[bamastu13]

Yeah, definitely. I know that property developers are in the process of buying up older 2 and 3 bedroom houses around campus and are turning them into those 2 story, (up to 14 bedroom) deals.

I wonder what will happen with the auctioning of JD's food mart coming up? I hope they keep some kind of business or restaurant in that location but I wouldn't be surprised if they tore it down in favor of some kind of new condo spot..as long as it's not just a gameday rental I guess that would be okay.

[Electrical Porpoise]

Originally Posted by bamastu13

Yeah, definitely. I know that property developers are in the process of buying up older 2 and 3 bedroom houses around campus and are turning them into those 2 story, (up to 14 bedroom) deals.

I wonder what will happen with the auctioning of JD's food mart coming up? I hope they keep some kind of business or restaurant in that location but I wouldn't be surprised if they tore it down in favor of some kind of new condo spot..as long as it's not just a gameday rental I guess that would be okay.

Is it going to auction due to the Bryant Dr. construction?

...wish the BP station would go to auction.

[ttownfeen]

When and why did JD's close? I know it was under a change in management.

I know that property developers are in the process of buying up older 2 and 3 bedroom houses around campus and are turning them into those 2 story, (up to 14 bedroom) deals.

I hope those private developer don't destroy too much of the historic district in making those tenements.

[bamastu13]

JD's is still open but I guess the owner just wants to get rid of it for whatever reasons. I don't really know why though, the article said that they made $20,000 a year just on leasing out the parking lot for gamedays, sounds pretty good to me.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Construction on the Northport riverfront hotel is set to begin within the next 2 to 3 weeks. After construction starts, it's expected to take 15 months.

The developers also have an option to by land next to the current parcel that they're going to build upon. All that is known is that Hilton brands, or whoever they said in the article, wants to build two more hotels. But, this Hampton Inn has to be built first.

Sounds like the beginnings of a convention center to me. This Hampton Inn is supposed to have meeting space in it.

From the Tuscaloosa News

[ttownfeen]

It's prime land and it's about dang time. Northport has always been behind Tuscaloosa when it comes to commercial development, it seems to me. This should be the first step in catching up.

[ttownfeen]

A couple of downtown developments to report on.

First, a new restaurant is opening in Temerson Square. This restaurant will specifically to cater to the late-night crowd, a surprising rarity in a town with an active nightlife such as Tuscaloosa.

FIG opening late-night restaurant at Temerson Square downtown

The new restaurant will be in Temerson Square in downtown Tuscaloosa, and will cater to those looking for a late-night place to eat by staying open most nights until after midnight.

“I decided to do that because I kept hearing from my staff that there was a lot of activity downtown at night, but there were no good places to eat,” said Paulette Campbell, FIG’s owner.

...

The restaurant will be open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and then reopen at 9 p.m. for those looking for a late-night place to eat.

Trent Shattuck, who will be the chef at the 1,700-square-foot restaurant, said it probably will stay open until 3:30 a.m. on Thursdays and 4:30 a.m. on Fridays at first, but that could change depending on demand.

...

A lot of major cities around the country like Houston, Atlanta and Miami have nice places to eat that are open late. I think Tuscaloosa should have one, too.”

Secondly, and probably more excitingly, an old factory whose redevelopment into a condominium complex stalled has found new redevelopment life as a retail center. Metal Works Retail Center will feature Jim 'N Nick's BBQ out of Birmingham and two other tenants to be named later.

Metalworks site becoming retail spot featuring Jim 'N Nicks BBQ

If all goes as planned, the barbecue eatery will be open in time for the beginning of the 2011 college football season.

According to the designs approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, a drive-through will be installed for Jim 'N Nicks and the front windows of the existing brick structure will be replaced.

The rest of the property will be partially landscaped and a nearly 90-space parking lot will be constructed.

“We will be the only retail and restaurant area downtown with dedicated parking,” Brewer said.