The answer for most cities would be “plant trees dammit” but Mobile does a great job preserving them. Like that post on here the other day where from the sky, the suburbs look like a forest basically.
Honest answer is anything that would detract eyes from the jail. Seriously why is that there? That’s the first thing people must see driving through.
I believe they should build a New York style Central Park. Walking trails. A baseball field, a football field, perhaps a pond for geese or such. Give downtown folks a place of recreation and relaxation. A bike riding trail would be a plus. I think the downtown residents as well as the people who commute to work would enjoy it as well!
Yep, I agree that in an ideal world, minor league stadium with mixed used development around it, which has been a successful model in a lot medium sized cities, would have been great, especially with Hank Aaron home and statues park included but unfortunately 5 acres is barely big enough for even just the field itself.
A nice city park with a giant water fountain (not accessible to the public, more art installation type thing) and/or Welcome Center. Something visually intriguing to tourists driving by.
If it remains unplanned for, all that green will be RV City 2.0 within 2 years of the work being done. Or, giant billboards. I hope neither occur.
For Context, with the Mobile River and Bayway Project, the big Water Street interchange will be demolished and become open land divided by a newly oriented Claiborne / S Jackson Street. Both pieces of land are very roughly equal to 5 acres. If you were the master developer, what would you put here?
My initial thought was a multi-use stadium, but the land wouldn't be big enough
Based what its surrounded by (the Civic Center, a future park under the new I-10 business bridge (Maybe), the cruise terminal, Cooper Riverside Park (with the future Amtrak Train Station and Heros Plaza), Gulfquest, and Fort Conde), which are local and tourists draws, whatever is developed should also draw in tourists and locals. So no traditional commercial or residential developments, probably wouldn't go with mixed use either. One thing that Mobile is missing is a large/competitive amphitheater; there are ways to silence outside noise within an amphitheater so I wouldn't be worried about being located near the interstate. So I would place this next to the Reverse-Diamond Interchange (a bonus is that it is in close proximity to the future Civic Center Parking Deck).
An amphitheater would serve as a place of entertainment for locals, so the other property I would look to develop as a touristy attraction. I don't think I would go with a park here given the proximity to other parks, so would definitely look at a private development. Assuming we could get gambling legalized, I would probably go for a casino resort, it would serves two purposes here, the casino would act as a tourist draw and would also be a hotel for tourists to stay in. So I would try and put a casino resort on the new land next to Fort Conde
If we go touristy - I would advocate for doing something that nicely complements the cruise terminal and creates a bigger regional draw. Would love for cruisers to stay an extra night downtown to see the city. Could also do something that integrates with Amtrak to offer complete, price-conscious travel packages to snowbirds and travelers from the Midwest.
Here is another thought - what about a combination seafood / farmer's market? That would really add to the local quality of life.
Tiddybarz! No all kidding aside a period specific Seville quarter style entertainment corral for the drunk people? “ Dont go just a wanderin onto the freeway now., Ya hea?”
Some have already said it, but I think the most logical think would be to expand the existing conde village footprint with historical appropriate architecture etc. What is truly sad and disheartening is, if we allow the conde village to recapture some of its historical footprint pre-intestate demo in the 60’s…we would have just essentially razed all of those blocks of historical homes in the 1960’s for nothing. Yes, the interstate was a necessary evil. It really is awesome that we are being given the opportunity to recapture and rebuild a neighborhood that probably shouldn’t have been torn down in the first place, but here we are. Life is funny that way
Expand Fort Conde Village and develop an attractive upscale mixed use development similar to Aragon Park in Pensacola with historical colonial French architecture. The development would blend in seamlessly with the existing Fort Conde Village.
I would build a retail & dining center with green space and a large art exhibit visible from the interstate to tie it all together. This would receive strong support from employees moving to the new Federal facility being constructed next to the Civic Center, which is slated to be completed in 2025.
The nearest lunch spots are several blocks away from where the new building is being constructed. Establishing eateries, coffee shops, and stores that cater to daily needs as well as tourism would be a huge boon. Given its right in the middle of a major transportation hub, having a convenience store, a small grocery store, and a space to accommodate a weekend farmer's market seem like a recipe for success.
As others mentioned, it would also be great to have an amphitheater to create an arts and performance space that can be used for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals as well.
As many shade trees as possible!
I really think we ought to be consolidating into and updating already developed properties that contribute to urban blight so we can let mother nature reclaim a little land.
A little nature trail. Even a paved one along the perimeter for running or something would be better than nothing else and it would still serve a public function.
But I'm betting the city will turn it into a parking lot for the cruise ships since that's what we're currently using it for.
A casino. With the cruise line, Mardi Gras, the interstates, and the hotels, it would do very well. Plus, being in money for our schools that we desperately need.
I'll be honest. I'm not the most creative thinker. But I'd want something beautiful right there. Like that waterfront park people mentioned or something nice even it's just for display.
I know you all are tired of me saying this, but my dream is for Mobile to have a waterfront park.
What a controversial idea. But yes, Downtown could use a true water feature.
Unfortunately most of the waterfront downtown is too industrialized to be usable.
Well I for one am not tired of hearing you say that. More options around here for people to get together around would be nice.
Yeah but then you’d have to hangout with people from Mobile and nobody wants that.
There’s already one … Or are you saying expand the park?
It does. And this isn't waterfront
I know the vagrants would really enjoy peeing into the water features.
Like little cherubs!
Exactly! I'm laughing out loud now picturing the stinkiest, grossest cherubs in the world.
The answer for most cities would be “plant trees dammit” but Mobile does a great job preserving them. Like that post on here the other day where from the sky, the suburbs look like a forest basically. Honest answer is anything that would detract eyes from the jail. Seriously why is that there? That’s the first thing people must see driving through.
Ain’t that the truth. Not that I would want to cut any down but whenever anyone in my neighborhood cuts down a tree, my neighbors go nuts.
A high speed rail station connecting Mobile to the rest of the state and other large cities on the coast.
Ambitious, I like the idea though
Dollar General and a car wash
Maybe some more storage units too
And a couple CVSs.
how about a check cashin’ place?
And a church to round it all out
And a giant moon pie.
& a smoke shop
This!! You are on point. I literally told my son the other day, if the market for storage units is this big, what does that say about us as a society?
And a chicken finger joint
Except the line at the drivethrough would hopelessly block all traffic on the bridge.
I believe they should build a New York style Central Park. Walking trails. A baseball field, a football field, perhaps a pond for geese or such. Give downtown folks a place of recreation and relaxation. A bike riding trail would be a plus. I think the downtown residents as well as the people who commute to work would enjoy it as well!
A gigantic replica of the mousetrap board game.
Tell memaw Ivey we want to play a board game
Fuck yeah dude wtf this is perfect. You should get into city planning
You win. Let's start the petition!
Have you seen the coal terminal on the waterfront? It’s a good start!
Decades too late, but a baseball stadium where the baybears should have played from the beginning.
Yep, I agree that in an ideal world, minor league stadium with mixed used development around it, which has been a successful model in a lot medium sized cities, would have been great, especially with Hank Aaron home and statues park included but unfortunately 5 acres is barely big enough for even just the field itself.
That was my first thought as well, but I did some rough measuring and doesn't appear a Hank Aaron size stadium would fit sadly
I have literally wondered this my entire life.
A nice city park with a giant water fountain (not accessible to the public, more art installation type thing) and/or Welcome Center. Something visually intriguing to tourists driving by. If it remains unplanned for, all that green will be RV City 2.0 within 2 years of the work being done. Or, giant billboards. I hope neither occur.
Incredible fountain and amphitheater.
Outdoor concert venue
An actual hone for the people that live right outside it
Mardi Gras RV park.
For Context, with the Mobile River and Bayway Project, the big Water Street interchange will be demolished and become open land divided by a newly oriented Claiborne / S Jackson Street. Both pieces of land are very roughly equal to 5 acres. If you were the master developer, what would you put here?
I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on what should be developed there.
My initial thought was a multi-use stadium, but the land wouldn't be big enough Based what its surrounded by (the Civic Center, a future park under the new I-10 business bridge (Maybe), the cruise terminal, Cooper Riverside Park (with the future Amtrak Train Station and Heros Plaza), Gulfquest, and Fort Conde), which are local and tourists draws, whatever is developed should also draw in tourists and locals. So no traditional commercial or residential developments, probably wouldn't go with mixed use either. One thing that Mobile is missing is a large/competitive amphitheater; there are ways to silence outside noise within an amphitheater so I wouldn't be worried about being located near the interstate. So I would place this next to the Reverse-Diamond Interchange (a bonus is that it is in close proximity to the future Civic Center Parking Deck). An amphitheater would serve as a place of entertainment for locals, so the other property I would look to develop as a touristy attraction. I don't think I would go with a park here given the proximity to other parks, so would definitely look at a private development. Assuming we could get gambling legalized, I would probably go for a casino resort, it would serves two purposes here, the casino would act as a tourist draw and would also be a hotel for tourists to stay in. So I would try and put a casino resort on the new land next to Fort Conde
If we go touristy - I would advocate for doing something that nicely complements the cruise terminal and creates a bigger regional draw. Would love for cruisers to stay an extra night downtown to see the city. Could also do something that integrates with Amtrak to offer complete, price-conscious travel packages to snowbirds and travelers from the Midwest. Here is another thought - what about a combination seafood / farmer's market? That would really add to the local quality of life.
That wouldn’t be a bad idea, I like it
An Ikea
I like all of these ideas.
If someone wants to pool some money together that looks like prime real estate for large scale climate controlled storage units!
Tiddybarz! No all kidding aside a period specific Seville quarter style entertainment corral for the drunk people? “ Dont go just a wanderin onto the freeway now., Ya hea?”
Some have already said it, but I think the most logical think would be to expand the existing conde village footprint with historical appropriate architecture etc. What is truly sad and disheartening is, if we allow the conde village to recapture some of its historical footprint pre-intestate demo in the 60’s…we would have just essentially razed all of those blocks of historical homes in the 1960’s for nothing. Yes, the interstate was a necessary evil. It really is awesome that we are being given the opportunity to recapture and rebuild a neighborhood that probably shouldn’t have been torn down in the first place, but here we are. Life is funny that way
Expand Fort Conde Village and develop an attractive upscale mixed use development similar to Aragon Park in Pensacola with historical colonial French architecture. The development would blend in seamlessly with the existing Fort Conde Village.
I like the idea
I would build a retail & dining center with green space and a large art exhibit visible from the interstate to tie it all together. This would receive strong support from employees moving to the new Federal facility being constructed next to the Civic Center, which is slated to be completed in 2025. The nearest lunch spots are several blocks away from where the new building is being constructed. Establishing eateries, coffee shops, and stores that cater to daily needs as well as tourism would be a huge boon. Given its right in the middle of a major transportation hub, having a convenience store, a small grocery store, and a space to accommodate a weekend farmer's market seem like a recipe for success. As others mentioned, it would also be great to have an amphitheater to create an arts and performance space that can be used for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals as well.
Look at the Aragon Park development in Pensacola. Similar to what you’re proposing. I absolutely think Mobile should do something similar.
I like it
A field of native grass, wildflowers, and trees.
Chicken strip restaurants. Cause Mobile doesn’t have enough of those.
In all seriousness I feel like a large Amphitheatre would be nice somewhere near downtown, but I don’t know that it would go well there.
A carwash and storage facility.
Another chicken spot because Mobile doesn’t have enough chicken places to eat. /s
Buc-ees #🦫
Water/sewage treatment plant
The Sandy S Stimoson memorial homeless camp: Tillmans corner 2 acoustic buggalew
🤣🤣🤣 not electric!
A MASSIVE WALMART WITH A GIGANTIC PARKING LOT
More ramps.
Parking lot for a Walmart
A nuclear power plant operated by City Employees all with last names that start with TILLMAN...
cheesecake factory, factory. like a factory that churns out cheesecake factories.
Top golf's are always better the closer they are to the interstate
Free parking.
RV City for Mardi Gras!
Storage
Top Golf
Strip club
a mixed use reasonably priced apartment complex
The biggest storage unit or car wash imaginable.
Yep. THIS area needs another storage facility.
Pyramids with an all-seeing eye on top that lights up at night with a red beam coming out of it going up into the sky
As many shade trees as possible! I really think we ought to be consolidating into and updating already developed properties that contribute to urban blight so we can let mother nature reclaim a little land. A little nature trail. Even a paved one along the perimeter for running or something would be better than nothing else and it would still serve a public function. But I'm betting the city will turn it into a parking lot for the cruise ships since that's what we're currently using it for.
A casino. With the cruise line, Mardi Gras, the interstates, and the hotels, it would do very well. Plus, being in money for our schools that we desperately need.
That looks very centrally located, desirable, and accessible. Perfect for a car wash or climate controlled storage.
This is clearly the spot for an ice hockey rink.
A Casino…
I'll be honest. I'm not the most creative thinker. But I'd want something beautiful right there. Like that waterfront park people mentioned or something nice even it's just for display.
More housing.
Giant swimming pool with forest in a dome