Downtown Mobile Updates (Birmingham: tax credit, versus, moving)

[eshore78]

Looking forward to getting over there and seeing what the city has in mind.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1675...10586430430307

[eshore78]

Here's the master plan for the Civic Center site. The only thing keeping me from jumping on board with the art district idea is I think we need some type of arena. Not as big as what we have but something


http://www.cityofmobile.org/pdf/1711...esentation.pdf

[PortCity]

I would say we we need a bigger arena and move the Senior Bowl to the new arena. Having a bigger arena would allow the city to attract bigger NCAA bowl games. A 50k-60k arena would be nice. Mobile already has an arts district but if they want to expand on it.Then there is a lot of underutilized land near Broad street where that could happen.If they are going to put residential with a smaller arena venue then high density should be the route to take it because it would compliment the skyline.

[P_Mac]

Originally Posted by PortCity

I would say we we need a bigger arena and move the Senior Bowl to the new arena. Having a bigger arena would allow the city to attract bigger NCAA bowl games. A 50k-60k arena would be nice. Mobile already has an arts district but if they want to expand on it.Then there is a lot of underutilized land near Broad street where that could happen.If they are going to put residential with a smaller arena venue then high density should be the route to take it because it would compliment the skyline.

With all the new apartments being built downtown is there really demand for more high density housing though? I would love for there to be, but it seems like a ton of new apartments/lofts are being built or are going to be built in the next year or so.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by P_Mac

With all the new apartments being built downtown is there really demand for more high density housing though? I would love for there to be, but it seems like a ton of new apartments/lofts are being built or are going to be built in the next year or so.

I agree with you on that. I just saw that as an option and if they were to go with the residential mixed use.Then high density would be the best option.

[MPC]

They should build a new ~5,000-capacity ballpark there and a new ~10-12,000-seat arena. I had a plan designed for this exact scenario a while ago on my pc. Will look if I can find it and share it.

But basically I had a huge lake behind the ballpark and the stands were facing the skyline, so you'd see water and the skyline. On the opposite end of the lake was a boardwalk with carnival rides. Directly behind the ballpark about 2-300 feet north was a street similar to Dauphin Street where bars and venues would be. On the other side was the new arena. The idea was everything would be within walking distance.

I also had housing planned as well but probably the best bet is what PC is recommending with high density like a 300 or 400 unit condominium, maybe 2 or 3. The height would add to the skyline, but only 3-400 feet.

Total cost I estimated was $250 to $350 million excluding any housing. That would include the arena, ballpark, retail, lake, carnival rides and boardwalk.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by MPC

They should build a new ~5,000-capacity ballpark there and a new ~10-12,000-seat arena. I had a plan designed for this exact scenario a while ago on my pc. Will look if I can find it and share it.

But basically I had a huge lake behind the ballpark and the stands were facing the skyline, so you'd see water and the skyline. On the opposite end of the lake was a boardwalk with carnival rides. Directly behind the ballpark about 2-300 feet north was a street similar to Dauphin Street where bars and venues would be. On the other side was the new arena. The idea was everything would be within walking distance.

I also had housing planned as well but probably the best bet is what PC is recommending with high density like a 300 or 400 unit condominium, maybe 2 or 3. The height would add to the skyline, but only 3-400 feet.

Total cost I estimated was $250 to $350 million excluding any housing. That would include the arena, ballpark, retail, lake, carnival rides and boardwalk.

My guy ! I like the way you think ! Dis you go to the Civic center meeting ? And if so I hope you offered this idea.

[MPC]

Originally Posted by PortCity

My guy ! I like the way you think ! Dis you go to the Civic center meeting ? And if so I hope you offered this idea.

I didn't get to make due to work but here is the plan I was talking about. I thought I put housing on there but did not. However, I used more land than would be used for the civic center

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by MPC

I didn't get to make due to work but here is the plan I was talking about. I thought I put housing on there but did not. However, I used more land than would be used for the civic center

Dopeness ! I think the extra land could be shrunken by transforming the parking lots from surface to deck. And since it would blend in with the skyline I hope it wouldn't be anything basic but more in the line of this https://goo.gl/images/fgoZUo

I like your concept and it would be cool if the city would consider it.

[MPC]

Originally Posted by PortCity

Dopeness ! I think the extra land could be shrunken by transforming the parking lots from surface to deck. And since it would blend in with the skyline I hope it wouldn't be anything basic but more in the line of this https://goo.gl/images/fgoZUo

I like your concept and it would be cool if the city would consider it.

It'd be dope if they were to build a parking deck like that. I wonder how much that would cost though. Would be a great thing to revitalize the area. In my plan above you could add parking decks which would make room for high-density housing.

I think it would be cool to leave a Baybears game (if they stay) and walk just 1-2 minutes and depending whether you have kids or not, hit the bars or eat by the lake; or only walk a couple more minutes and ride rides at the boardwalk.

There would be a possibility to include even more venues, such as a bowling alley, arcade, miniature golf, kart racing, movie theater, paintball course, etc. Even the idea of adding an open-air market, even though they already have plans for this at Mardi Gras Park.

Just as a side note to my plan, the arena is modeled after the Ford Center in Evansville, IN, the domed stadium is modeled after the Georgia Dome and the ballpark is modeled after Hank Aaron Stadium.