Mobile Development Thread

[CottonCity251]

Originally Posted by mobilebadboy

Mobile CVB wants to create a brand for tourism (and looking to spend $148k to figure it out). What they don't realize is there's nothing here for tourists. That should come first. Not random museums, not little open air markets. Not more shopping centers. Not skate parks.

Ok, we have a battleship. I went and visited it (out of necessity) today for the first time since I was a kid (I'm 39 now). They're repainting it. That's great. The wood decking has more patches than a convention of people trying to quit smoking. Our 1 'attraction' can't even be maintained to standard. I know it's supposed to be self-sufficent and all, but hey if you're going to throw around $148k to thinktank a city brand (which has worked well in the past) ...

While there I saw many out of state tags which was awesome (there was about 50-75 cars around noon~). Save for a couple of kids I was by far the youngest person not working there.

I like Bellingrath, but I've made that trek twice in the last 5 years (and only once did I drive myself - and it, like today, was for a purpose). I don't see it anywhere as a tourist draw, though I'm sure people might "stop in" if in the general area and know about it.

Mobile is in one of the best locations for this region. Hub of 2 major interstates, no major cities for miles in either direction (and I mean New Orleans type cities), but the most of what Mobile is known for is Mardi Gras (2nd best at that), a leprechaun and a bad tunnel.

Until something is built here to define this city, you can't define this city. It doesn't have to be unique, just something that is a must see (amusement park, world class aquarium, something that makes money for the city as well, not just rely on money from the city). Anything to do around here, is not in Mobile. Casinos, beaches, etc.

They need to quit trying to come up with witty brands to draw people here, they need to come up with something to draw people here. Then you don't need to brainstorm fancy brand ideas.

Every time I go to New Orleans, I have several things that I do nearly without fail (Riverwalk, Audubon ... hell even Jax). I rarely even go to our mall. But there's nothing to it. Riverwalk is even just a nice location. Or I drive 6-7 hours to Tennessee (with plenty to do). Or 7 hours to Disney World (yeah that's kind of different). Or just 3 hours to Panama City.

I can never think of anything to do here. I've had a vehicle at my disposal since Thursday (my truck's broke down). I've been 2 places, Walmart and then BMP today. And if I didn't need pictures of BMP for something I'm working on, it would've just been Walmart.

Side note: running around a submarine as a kid is quite different (and easier) than doing so as a 6'5" 39 year old. I left a few dents in the ole Drum, and a couple of new aches in my back.

Sorry for the long post/rant.

I totally agree... That is why we need more youth in the leadership here! The Master Plan of Mobile had great ideas but little has been put to work I'm guessing because of the economy. But yea we really do need SOMETHING!

[Port_of_Bama]

There is talk to takedown the civic center and I'm all for it.They should build an Atlantic Station style shopping center in that spot with a Ferris wheel and other small carnival like rides.

[Mobileman]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

There is talk to takedown the civic center and I'm all for it.They should build an Atlantic Station style shopping center in that spot with a Ferris wheel and other small carnival like rides.

Great idea! I think it would be awesome to recreate the hangout music festival scene there..... import beach sand, build boardwalks, provide retail outlets, stage for bands, ferris wheel, etc.

[Mobileman]

Anyone seen the arch rendering for the exterior renovations at bel-air mall yet? I will try to post later this afternoon

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by Mobileman

Anyone seen the arch rendering for the exterior renovations at bel-air mall yet? I will try to post later this afternoon

I'd be interested in seeing the renderings

[Randallg223]

The #1 issue with Downtown Mobile, not enough people living down there. I for one would definitely consider living downtown, but I'd want to live in a highrise condo....I agree the Civic Center needs to go, but I would keep the Theater portion. This is a great time for Mobile.....I only wish construction cranes were doting our skyline right now....

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by Randallg223

The #1 issue with Downtown Mobile, not enough people living down there. I for one would definitely consider living downtown, but I'd want to live in a highrise condo....I agree the Civic Center needs to go, but I would keep the Theater portion. This is a great time for Mobile.....I only wish construction cranes were doting our skyline right now....

I live downtown and can't agree more!

(I think we'll see more mixed-use developments announced soon)

[NitekKetin]

Originally Posted by Mobileman

Anyone seen the arch rendering for the exterior renovations at bel-air mall yet? I will try to post later this afternoon

I'm imaging something similar to Mall St. Vincent exterior renovations in Shreveport. Hopefully Rouse brings in another fast fashion junior anchor, preferably in the old Gap/Fino/Henig Furs spaces.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by Randallg223

The #1 issue with Downtown Mobile, not enough people living down there. I for one would definitely consider living downtown, but I'd want to live in a highrise condo....I agree the Civic Center needs to go, but I would keep the Theater portion. This is a great time for Mobile.....I only wish construction cranes were doting our skyline right now....

I wish the Van Antwerp was converted into condos.

[eshore78]

It's a step in the right direction

http://www.mobileriverbridge.com/news_02-12-15.html

[rolltider]

Originally Posted by eshore78

It's a step in the right direction

http://www.mobileriverbridge.com/news_02-12-15.html

With ALDOTs track record don't hold your breath waiting on this.

I live in Birmingham but Mobile has always been one of my favorite cities and I try to keep up on developments there.

This bridge needs to happen sooner rather than later but there is another issue that really bothers me about Mobile and that is the Mobile airport. It is in the wrong place and does not provide adequate service for the Mobile area. I believe there is too much competition from the airports in Pensacola and Biloxi. But neither of those airports offer much more than Mobile. I strongly believe that a city must have a vibrant airport if it wants to see significant growth so here is the plan.
Build a large airport (at least 24 gates) in Baldwin county just off I-10 and between Mobile and Pensacola. Entice airlines from both the Mobile airport and Pensacola to move to this newer, larger, more modern facility and capture air travelers from Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties (over 1.1 million), not to mention the surrounding counties in Alabama.

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by rolltider

With ALDOTs track record don't hold your breath waiting on this.


Build a large airport (at least 24 gates) in Baldwin county just off I-10....

Let me stop you right there...
I just don't think the county - read: people that live in the vicinity - would go for that, unfortunately.

What would have made sense to me would be to have one large facility around Bookley for passenger and cargo and maintenance facilities, but that's becoming less and less possible.

[SlidellWx]

Anecdotally, I see a lot of AL plates when I park at the New Orleans airport. Not sure how many drive the 3 hours, but at least a few do. The Brookley complex was a logical place to put an airport, but not sure how feasible that is with the Airbus complex going up.

BTW, when is Airbus expected to go operational? A big win for you guys in the long term.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by SlidellWx

Anecdotally, I see a lot of AL plates when I park at the New Orleans airport. Not sure how many drive the 3 hours, but at least a few do. The Brookley complex was a logical place to put an airport, but not sure how feasible that is with the Airbus complex going up.

BTW, when is Airbus expected to go operational? A big win for you guys in the long term.

Airbus should be assembling airplanes by the end of this year. I think they'll be at full power by the end of 2016.

I've heard some rumblings that moving the passenger airport back to Brookley is a possibility and that it "may" happen by 2025. Though, that rumor and 50 cents might buy you a cup of coffee...

[elb401]

That guy started that petition to move the airport. I don't like the idea. There is already a strong opposition from people in Midtown. Every time they have to do work on the runway or when there is certain type of weather they divert the planes over Midtown and downtown. It is horrible!! We had two go over our house last night.......one at 7:30 pm and the other at 10:00 pm. Not to mention the numerous during the day. The big ones can shake your house! This has been going on for months as they are working on the runway. I could not imagine what it would be like with passenger service too. When that guy from Daphne got on TV and started trying to build support for moving the airport a lot of my neighbors started to organize for a possible fight if it ever became an actual possibility.

Honestly, I think the best spot would be to transform the St. Elmo airport into the regional airport. 15 minutes down the interstate from Downtown, 10 min from I-65, and 25 minute from the Eastern Shore. the location would also have excellent, possibly direct, access to interstate 10.

[eshore78]

It's been my belief that one of the more important attractions to a city is sports venues, whether it be stadiums, city fields, arenas, etc. My whole life nothing has left an impression on me quite like an impressive field that I've either played on or watched a game. If you want to attract people to this city, Mobile needs to figure out a way to somehow seriously upgrade these venues, including Ladd and the Hank. The Hank doesn't attract people(see other SL stadiums) and once you watch a game there there's nothing to bring them back. It'll be without a team sooner rather than later if they don't drastically change it. Horrible place to watch a game.

Museums, parks, and entertainment districts are great things for people to do once they get to the city but they don't attract them here.

[eshore78]

Health department getting rid of another tradition. They're planning on putting a stop to the bars having free crawfish boils unless they have a liscensed kitchen. They've been doing this for decades and it brings a lot of people downtown. Aggravating

[Del]

Yes, I just heard about that this afternoon at SouthSounds. So glad that Mobilians will only be able to consume the abdominal muscles and hepatopancreas of bottom-dwelling freshwater arthropods that have been boiled alive under sanitary conditions.

[SouthSky]

A quick Downtown update:

- van Antwerp renovation (nearing completion)
- Dauphin/Royal parking garage - including ground level retail (nearing completion)
- retail space renovations in Trustmark Building - ground level - Chick Fil A (complete) and Walgreens (TBD)
- Baumhower restaurants in Trustmark Building - basement and penthouse (in progress)
- 360 Dauphin apartment conversions (ongoing)
- 7 story Hilton Garden Inn hotel on Bienville Square (announced, July groundbreaking)
- old P-R building conversions into apartments (announced, no movement yet)
- Gayfers Building renovations - a deal to renovate has fallen through (unannounced)
- Admiral Semmes Hotel renovations nearing completion - hotel to become a Hilton Curio Hotel (semi-unannounced)
- unnamed brewery - Ft Conde Village (announced)
- unnamed brewery - St. Michael Street (unannounced)
- Ft Conde Village loft/retail conversions/new construction (announced, not yet started)
- refurbishment and expansion of Federal Courthouse (funding received, design started, construction not yet started)
- 951 Government St. - conversion into apartments (announced, underway)
- 558 Dauphin - historical renovations - conversion into retail/apartments (announced, underway)
- 459 Conti - small, 6-7 unit apartment conversion (semi-announced, not yet started)
- renovations on building connected to Moes on Dauphin - use unknown - (ongoing)
- Jimmy John's space in Hampton Garden Inn on Royal - (complete)
- 222 Dauphin - building refurbishment - (nearing completion)
- Terezza Optical on Dauphin (unknown)
- unnamed restaurant on Conception/Conti corner - (ongoing)
- 220 St. Michael refurbishment - (complete)
- 250 St. Francis condos - (still no word)
- 551 Dauphin - conversion (paused?)
- I-10 ramp realignment - thereby expanding Ft Conde Village - (pushed to 2015)
- GulfQuest Museum - (opening soon?)
- 167 Dauphin - restaurant conversion - (complete)

[Randallg223]

I wonder what the chances are of someone convincing Brett-Robinson to build one of their massive condo projects in Downtown Mobile....I honestly feel like there is a need.