Montgomery development news

[thoraudio]

article on the slow progress of the 'Grocer's Alley" for the riverfront area.

Montgomery Riverfront Alleyway Development Stirs Debate

Plans are moving forward to add more restaurants and retail shops to the Riverfront area in downtown Montgomery.

Right now, the area is inhabited by parked cars and weeds, but Gordon Martin, part of the Riverfront development team, is optimistic about the way it will look in the future. He said the alleyway is, "Not much to look at now but you have to have a little vision and a little imagination."
Martin went on to talk about what he and the rest of the Riverfront development team think the alleyway will become. He said, "we think it's such a neat place to connect the convention center to the baseball stadium."

However, there are some problems in the development of the area. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright addressed those concerns. He said, "We have run across some issues, a lot of issues." The problem is getting the property owners and the city to agree on who will be responsible for parts of this project. For example the city wants to own the alleyway itself. Bright further said, "I will not improve the alley way until the city has ownership interest in that alleyway."

It seems the owners have agreed to do that but not formally. The mayor wants the property owners to form an association to make these decisions. There are other issues too, such as deciding who will be responsible for the maintenance of the alleyway. Mayor Bright also wants to know what the outside of the buildings will look like, as that is key to cost issues. He emphasized that, "Business owners and the city of Montgomery need to know if they need to make the back of their buildings accessible."

The property owners say they're reluctant to go ahead with development plans until they know there will be enough parking available. The city says there will be. If this alleyway should become a reality, plans are for it to be done by the time the convention center opens which is September of 2007.

The alley in question.

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Development in one of our historic neighborhoods.

Old Cloverdale is the latest site of growth site in Montgomery.

Construction workers have destroyed the old A&P grocery store at the corner of Cloverdale Road and Graham Street. Now, City Loft Corporation and the Colonial Company are teaming up to build a collection of stores and cottages on the spot. They two companies expect sidewalk cafes and coffee shops to be part of the development.

[bystander1]

The mayor seems to be complicating a simple matter. Just get each owner to sign their portion of the alleyway over to the city and start construction. If they don't want to form an association, don't make them.

If the city wants total ownership of the alleyway then it should take total responsibility of the cleaning and maintenance of it...is that so hard to figure out?

This issue should have been easily handled a LONG time ago. This alleyway was supposed to have been finished in 2005.





Some advice to the city: When developers are lining up and waiting for certain things promised by the city to be completed so that they can start their projects, quit lolly-gaggin' around and do what you promised to do before you lose them. Most of the developers are waiting for more public parking decks, for example. The Coosa Street deck was promised in 2004 with the completion date of January 2006. So far, not even a hint that the city is going to even start constructing it as promised; especially when money has been allocated for it already.

[bystander1]

Good news. More infill development for Old Cloverdale.

New Development Coming to Montgomery's Old Cloverdale Neighborhood
www.waka.com

A new development project in Montgomery's Old Cloverdale neighborhood has a lot of people buzzing.

Site work has already begun on what was the old A&P grocery store on Cloverdale Road and Graham Street. The project has residential, commercial and retail elements. Developers say the project is designed to fit into the historic character of the neighborhood.

"It's seven individual buildings and each building contains a combination of lofts, residential units and office or retail spaces on the ground floor," Anna Lowder of City Loft Corp. told CBS 8 News Monday.

"We're real happy to have some new development here it'll bring more attention to historic Cloverdale area," Brass Fountain Manager Kendra Voltz said.

Eight two-story single family cottages are also a part of the plans. Developers expect the entire project to be completed by this time next year.

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Our riverwalk ampitheater was completed a couple of years ago, but then almost immediately shut down so they could work on the Riverwalk... Supposed to get a bunch on concerts this year though... maybe this will become a consitant draw soon.

Bands sign to play at Riverwalk; more coming

How long will it be before the Riverwalk Amphitheatre becomes a consistently used concert venue? The answer is as easy as ABC -- and Tommy Tutone, Naked Eyes, Pure Prairie League, Poco and some yet unannounced major acts.

Promoter Royce Richardson announced Monday that he and the city are working on a five-concert series that will begin June 24 with ABC, which had hits such as "Poison Arrow" and "When Smokey Sings;" Tommy Tutone ("867-5309/Jenny"); and Naked Eyes ("Promises, Promises" and "Always Something There to Remind Me.")

A July 22 show will feature Poco ("Crazy Love" and "Nothing To Hide") and Pure Prairie League ("Amie," and "Let Me Love You Tonight.")

Richardson said contracts still are being worked out for shows on Aug. 18, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7. He said these shows are likely to feature even bigger acts.

"It's really coming together. The city is excited about it, and we are excited about it," Richardson said, adding that he currently is signing sponsors and hopes to announce details about ticket prices and the other shows within the next few weeks.

He said with the new work the city is doing at the amphitheater, the site should be the best venue in the area, and he thinks this series will help bring people down to it.

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"Not the prettiest" is a big understatement.... bombed out hood would be more appropriate, so these changes will greatly appreciated. It's embarrassing that our big Air Force base is in such an area, as it gives an especially bad view of Montgomery to the military families.... This is a real good thing.

Montgomery and Maxwell Plan Changes to Bell Street
It's not the prettiest part of town. and it can get pretty congested at times -- just two reasons for some major changes to a major thoroughfare in Montgomery.

Two multi-million dollar projects are underway to improve the appearance and the effectiveness of Bell Street, which connects downtown Montgomery to Maxwell Air Force Base.

Bell Street is a major corridor from I-65 westward. But with boarded up businesses and an empty public housing complex, it's not the most eye-pleasing gateway.

The city plans to widen Bell Street by taking away land from the now-abandoned portion of Riverside Heights apartments.

There will be a divided median which will be elevated and landscaped. Two additional turn lanes into the base will be added as well.

While the city works on Bell Street, Maxwell Air Force Base is working on its Bell Street gate.

Maxwell's project will include additional lanes and booths at the gate, an additional building to process visitors, and added force protection measures.

"We're going to be putting in pop-up barriers. They are mechanical barriers that will pop up and stop a car," said Cashdollar.

The work will take a couple of years to finish. But in the end, the two separate projects will compliment each other, just as the city and the base have done for years.

The city project is likely to cost about $5 million. Maxwell is paying about $3 million for its share of the work.

The city is also donating that portion of Riverside Heights apartments to Maxwell. The deal is expected to go through in the next few weeks. Maxwell will use the property to build new on-base housing.

[thoraudio]

btw, on WSFA's teaser last night, they said that tonite (Wed 6pm) they are interviewing the guy who owns all the property on 100 Dexter Ave....

[bystander1]

It should be interesting to see what this goofball's reasoning is behind the ridiculously high prices for the properties.

[thoraudio]

this is a transcript, and it's real spotty in places, maybe they'll update it tomorrow

Mayor Said Dexter Avenue Should Be Fully Restored in a Few Years
April 12, 2006 08:00 PM

Good news for those of us who have an affinity for downtown Montgomery the mayor says if things go well historic Dexter Avenue will be restored to it's past glory in the next couple of years.

Mayor Bobby Bright is spending millions on the project. The only eyesore out of the mayor's reach are the storefronts. He says he can't use eminent domain because they not "unsafe." So all he can do it plead with the property owners to sell them or fi

Their are eleven buildings downtown that are owned by one family. Three of those buildings are boarded up. The owner says if he had a tenant he'd be willing to rent the buildings, but nobody is offering.

"Sell it for a price that's within reason that somebody can come in and purchase that property because it's very expensive to improve old historic buildings," said May

The owner asking 1.2 million dollars for the old Kress building.

"And that building is going to take major renovations. So. What you want me to do - give it away? tell me, just donate it to the public? well, some people say if they pay that much money for a building, they are going to have to pay three times that much to renovate it. So, what they want us to do, just give it away," said the owner of the

He says he has spent about 2-million dollars putting new roofs on 6 of his buildings and paying taxes and insurance over the years and the most expensive one is the Kress building.

"I bought it three or four years ago and it was vacant and for sale for twenty years. They kept coming to me asking me to buy it i said no I'm not interested and then i bought it and now they want me to sell it at whatever price they want me to sell it. I can not do tha

He said he paid 400-thousand for the former H& L Green building that his looking good clothing store now. And he said he's spent 400-thousand on for renovations. He said he spent over 800 thousand dollars on the building and he won't take less than a thousand for it.

The mayor says he knows the owner of the Kress building paid a little more than 300 thousand for the property. He says the city is willing to pay "that" right now plus what owner paid in insurance and property taxes if he will sell. But the mayor says 1-point-two million dollars is too much. The owner says he's "not" sel

Another property owner, attorney "Wil Sellers" and his family who own the old Montgomery fair building, said he is in the initial stages of negotiations to have that piece of property developed. And the owner of most of the property on the side of the street where the old Belk Hudson building used to be attorney "John Bowman" says he and his partners will renovate their buildings as soon as the city starts building a nea

The mayor says the city has run into a few obstacles but he's not giving up.

[bystander1]

Whoa. Spotty indeed.

[Capital Heights]

Any action on Dexter Avenue?

[bystander1]

^ Right now most of the action is farther up Commerce Street.

As in this article about the Hotel and Convention Center (along with this small rendering) from Business Alabama.




April 2006 Construction Focus

Creating a New Atmosphere in the State’s Capital

Southern hospitality, with its relaxed feel, is one of the elements architect Goodwyn Mills and Cawood Inc. is trying to bring out in the new Montgomery convention center and hotel.

By Lori Chandler Pruitt


A new convention center and hotel under construction in Montgomery is taking its inspiration from the Plaza Hotel in New York City, along with a healthy dose of "front porch" Southern hospitality.

"Dr. (David) Bronner had an opinion of how the hotel should present itself in the Montgomery skyline and the guest experience, as well," says Bill Wallace, executive vice president of the architecture division of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood Inc., the project's architect. "It had to be reflective of the redevelopment of downtown Montgomery, with symbolic but fresh interpretation. This design ensures there will be a new 'front porch' for the city."

The project includes a 346-room upscale hotel that will connect to the new convention center. It is close to the baseball stadium and the river amphitheater and 15 minutes from the Montgomery Regional Airport. And, of course, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is not far away. The entire project is to be completed by September 2007.

The hotel's foyer features a two-story glass sculpture, with beautiful, rich colors for the interior using the color palate from Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's paintings. There also are plenty of Southern architectural details in the veranda, the wrap-around porch that greets guests into the upscale, 140-guest restaurant and lobby bar.

The Cigar Lounge will have plush, upholstered seating and rich wood paneling, and is expected to be an inviting place for the capital city's large political community. The outdoor terrace will accommodate 50 to 60 people.

"It's near the water, and the old historic train station," Wallace says. "The hotel fronts a parking lot that will be a park, and its entrance will face more towards the river. There are just a lot of design elements that go into this."

The hotel will have 12 stories, with guest rooms starting at the second level. Luxury guest rooms will have 300-plus count linens, 9-foot ceilings and separate showers and tubs. King and double queen rooms will be available, and there are three luxury suites. There is a full-service business center on the first level.

The eight-story parking deck will have 660 parking spaces. On top of the deck, there will be an 8,000-square-foot European style spa, fitness center, signature pool with zero entry and fountains surrounded by a large deck for entertaining, a salon, a small cafŽ and a large running track around the perimeter of the deck.

Transforming Montgomery's Character
The convention center will have more than 103,000 square feet of exhibit and flexible meeting space. There will be a 14,000-square-foot ballroom on the main level that can be divided into five sections. Additional meeting space on the second level will feature windows, balconies and secluded lounge areas. A performing arts theatre, designed to accommodate traveling Broadway shows and other quality entertainment options, will have seating for 1,800.

Since this project is part of the transformation of Montgomery's downtown, yet is to retain the city's essential character, Wallace says there are plenty of challenges. "The sheer scale of this project with all its different components, trying to weave all of it together and to reflect the character of the existing context of downtown Montgomery is challenging," he says. "We're also transforming the area around it to relate to a pedestrian scale."

Other than making it fit well with the city's personality, there are plenty of other challenges, too, Wallace says. The design had to be such that every part of the project fit well together and was practical for those who would work there and use the facility.

"Whenever you are trying to put together several components, such as service areas, displays, where people will work and have access, public areas and the like, you have to have a building that functions well for all of those different uses," he says. "The important thing is that we all are working as a team to put this package together."

Lori Chandler Pruitt is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Business Alabama.

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nice like the 3-d render.

This is a neat time for MTGY, the Civic Center has started up with the concrete, and they're putting up the tower crane to work on the RSA headquarters building...

Cloverdale is Montgomery's main, historic, sustained neighborhood, on the other side of I-85 from the CBD.

April 18, 2006

Public invited to look over plan for Cloverdale

By Deborah Willoughby
Montgomery Advertiser


Ray Williams, president-elect of the Montgomery chapter of the American Institute of Architects, admits that most people don't recognize the word "charette."

"It's kind of loosely described as a one-day idea session to commit ideas to paper, and then those ideas are refined into a master plan," he said.

Fred Williams, gallery director at Stonehenge (no relation to Ray Williams) is accustomed to people wondering what a charette is.

"It's kind of like a slumber party for the neighborhood, and designers and architects to get together and brainstorm," he said. "It's just a planning session where ideas from architects, designers and the public are all rolled around and tossed into the fire."

Last year, a coalition of neighborhood and business associations called Historic Southview joined with the American Institute of Architects to create a master plan for development along the commercial and residential area around east Fairview Avenue in Cloverdale.

This year, a similar blast of planning will center on the Cloverdale Village Business District, bordered by Maury Avenue, Norman Bridge Road, Felder Avenue and the commercial lots just east of Graham Street on Cloverdale Road.

The real work for the architects will take place May 19-20, with intensive review of the input and creation of a cohesive document.

"A core of business owners has already contributed their wishes and desires for pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic, beautification, sidewalks and streetlights," Ray Williams said.

Homeowners associations also have been contacted. Next week's session will allow for public comment on the ideas.

"All of this information will be collated and transformed into architectural responses to these wishes during a two-and-a-half-day design charette," he said. "It will set a framework or master plan for future development, a product to design how future developments would be proceeding."

What does Williams personally look for in terms of quality of life?

"I live in the Edgemont neighborhood," he said. "For quality of life, I think there are several factors: quality of pedestrian avenues are key to quality neighborhoods. Architectural enhancements, if they are nicely done, add to the neighborhood's appearance. The signage and streetlights all being similar adds a lot to the character of a neighborhood. Landscaping ordinances are very important. The Old Cloverdale Association has done a good job."

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btw, while the Biscuits are doing great in attendance, the Maulers are... umm... yikes.

The Maulers (indoor football) had a good run last year, with decent attendance, and good promotions. At the end of the year, they put up signs "We came to play, we're here to stay..." etc... but somewhere between then and now, the $$ dried up.

They've done no promotion, most people don't even know when the games are, and in a sign of really bad things to come, one of my buddies is an official, and this weeks check.... ((boing))

[bystander1]

The Maulers' promotional hype machine has been virtually non-existant this season. I believe it was mostly the result of the turmoil between the former head coach and the owners. They finally hired a new head coach one week before the season started. Too much time seemed to be wasted trying to work things out with the old coach, and the owners lost valuable time getting its promotions together.

I was looking forward to this season at one time, but maybe they'll turn it around. I'm supposed to go to the May 6th game with my brother when they play Miami. Maybe I'll be hype by then.

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I know, I know.... common sights in other cities... not so common here.

It's interesting to see the different construction techniques they're using on the RSA headquarters vs. the Civic Center/Hotel.

On the hotel, they're pouring columns first, and putting up pre-engineered forms for the second floor, and so far are just using normal truck cranes.





On the RSA headquarters, they haven't started up with the concrete yet, but spent the last 3 days putting up these 2 tower cranes.













It was neat to see the cranes go up so fast.

[bystander1]

Wow! I went downtown Tuesday and didn't see any cranes. And I was wondering the same thing about the hotel. Where are the 'real' cranes for it? They will need at least two in order to build it and the deck on time.
Nice pics btw.

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I had a seminar in the Missing Person's building, and drove by the RSA headquarters on my way to the interstate Tuesday night. They had the 1st crane half-way finished.

Weds I stay in town for church (no need to drive to Pville just to turn around 30 mins later) so I drove down there, and the 1st one was finished, and they had put a couple of spans up on the 2nd one.

Went down to pay the power bill today, and voila', there they are.

Maybe Steel City will put the ones up at the Civic Center next...

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I had been driving down 31 the last few days because of potential traffic, but on 65 south today I saw that the cranes are very visible, about 3/4 of the relative height of the RSA Tower. The new headquarters is only supposed to be 10 stories, but because of its location on Centennial hill, it will be a very prominent addition to the skyline, much more so than the Civic Center/Hotel.

It's hard to get pics of that angle of downtown, but I'll see what I can do.

[bystander1]

Have you got the pics yet?

Yes, it is kind of a difficult angle to take pics, but maybe that will improve when most of the trees are cleared to make way for "Gateway park II" on the peninsula along I-65.