255 replies to this topic

[RiversideGator]

Thanks for the pic on Cabana.  Now I know why I dont remember the mast - it was covered up.  This should definitely be restored, in my opinion, and perhaps the sign at the top of the building could be toned down.  It looks like an ego thing - is this the developer's last name?

And, can anyone cite an article on the proposed Westin Grand Bohemian downtown?  Or is this a rumor?

[Blazer85]

As far as the Leer Tower name, yes... it is the developers last name.  The site for it is www.leertowercondos.com so you can check it out.  They are based out of California and have several other properties there ... and most of those properties have Leer in the name too  

As far as the Westin Grand Bohemian, there's no article that mentions them specifically I dont believe.  There are several that mention "luxury hotel" though and it is proposed for the Birmingham Board of Education site.  If the city and board can reach an agreement, it's basically a done deal.  It's more than a rumor, but if the involved parties cant cooperate, it may as well be.

[Blazer85]

ALDOT plans to widen US280 from 6 lanes to 8 lanes.  The widening will be from I-459 to Hugh Daniel Drive.  It's not a permanent solution, but it'll certainly help!

[Dystopos]

Blazer85, on Jul 22 2005, 04:18 PM, said:

Long-vacant church in the Lakeview District to be converted to condos. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Blazer85, the CC: Attribution Non-Commercial license requires that you credit me with this photo, and include a copy of or reference to the license terms. No harm done, just a heads up (since this board seems to be policing copyright violations).

The original, by the way, can be found here on flickr.

Edited by Dystopos, 26 July 2005 - 05:03 PM.

[Blazer85]

A couple updates on metro road construction projects...


I-22 (Corridor X): I-22 will be open from the MS state line to Jasper by Thanksgiving. Soon, people driving on I-65 will be able to see land being cleared and earth being moved in preparation for work on the final segment.  Corridor X should be complete by 2011.

I-65 in Shelby County:  Two lanes will soon be added to the interstate from the Shelby County Airport to Valleydale Road (GREATLY needed).  

I-459/280 flyover: Work should begin by November, or at the latest early next year.

Northern beltline: It will be at least 18 months before work can begin on the road that is planned to complete the loop around Birmingham begun by I-459.

Edited by Blazer85, 27 July 2005 - 09:13 AM.

[Blazer85]

A midrise building of some sort is expected to be built in a site near the Daniel Building.

[TechBirmingham]

vulcan/elektra, on Jul 18 2005, 04:55 PM, said:

Mega-Sized Incubator Lands a New Home!


http://techbirmingha...am_archive.html
REBLOGGED from http://www.bjf.org/2...jf-archive.html

Actually, the story is here.  It was NOT reblogged from www.bjf.org (that was a different story mentioned elsewhere in the TechBirmingham Blog).  The incubator story first appeared in the TechBirmingham newsletter here.  Just thought I'd clarify that.

[Jaylon]

Courtyard by Marriott at UAB





We want to do the same thing at the hospital where I'm working.  I think it's a pretty good idea.

-J

[Jaylon]

http://images.main.u...105reporter.pdf

[Blazer85]

What hospital do you work at, Jaylon?

[Blazer85]

Looks like finally the Cherry Ave-Coalburg Rd section of I-22 made it through the letting period without being withdrawn.  Maybe the bid will actually be awarded so work can begin on that segment.  

Also important to note that $8 million more was recently secured for the Northern Beltline.

[kayman]

ExpatBaman, on Jul 24 2005, 11:38 PM, said:

Blazer, I realize that the northern beltline is a done deal and has been for a while.  I-459 drove most of the massive southward movement from the mid-80s onward, and the northern beltline will likely have the same impact.  I doubt it will have much impact on the southern sprawl area, it will likely finish off Pinson, Center Point, Hueytown and such areas.  The older areas, Wylam, Ensley, Woodlawn etc. will stay dead for years to come and the dead zone will extend to the older auto suburbs like Center Point.

Birmingham has sprawled further than much larger Boston already, and it will only get worse.  The other 3 major cities in AL are on the same path.  ALDOT doesn't do transit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ALDOT doesn't do transit, NOW, but sooner than later the movement to get an improved mass transit system in Greater Birmingham will come to fruitation.  Basically, as some point those "oldheads" in Montgomery will died off and those who left will realize that t Birmingham can't remain as an automobile-oriented city if it want to revitalize its urban core.

Edited by Leonard23, 01 August 2005 - 08:13 PM.

[Southron]

Leonard23, on Aug 1 2005, 08:12 PM, said:

ALDOT doesn't do transit, NOW, but sooner than later the movement to get an improved mass transit system in Greater Birmingham will come to fruitation.  Basically, as some point those "oldheads" in Montgomery will died off and those who left will realize that t Birmingham can't remain as an automobile-oriented city if it want to revitalize its urban core.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope it happens sooner rather than later.  B'ham missed the boat when MAPS failed in the 90s.  If local leaders can get their heads together, Sen. Shelby can get the necessary federal money.

[kayman]

ExpatBaman, on Aug 1 2005, 10:19 PM, said:

I hope it happens sooner rather than later.  B'ham missed the boat when MAPS failed in the 90s.  If local leaders can get their heads together, Sen. Shelby can get the necessary federal money.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, the Spring legislative session having the bill to fund mass transit making out of the House with being killed proves that it just a matter of time.  I have always say it not a matter of if, but a matter of when mass transit will be improved and made into a regional mass transit for Greater Birmingham.  

[Blazer85]

300 new mixed-income units have been approved for the area around the Civil Rights District.  100 or so would be available for those needing rent assistance.  The remaining units would be available at market price.  This will be Phase II of the Hope VI project in BHM.  Pennrose Properties LLC (Philadelphia) and Formation Methods LLC (Birmingham) were the master developers chosen to work on the project.

[Southron]

Blazer85, on Aug 23 2005, 07:53 PM, said:

300 new mixed-income units have been approved for the area around the Civil Rights District.  100 or so would be available for those needing rent assistance.  The remaining units would be available at market price.  This will be Phase II of the Hope VI project in BHM.  Pennrose Properties LLC (Philadelphia) and Formation Methods LLC (Birmingham) were the master developers chosen to work on the project.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent news.  I trust that these will be built to the same design standards of those further east.

[Blazer85]

ExpatBaman, on Aug 24 2005, 10:30 PM, said:

Excellent news.  I trust that these will be built to the same design standards of those further east.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not 100% certain, but I do expect that to be the case.

[Southron]

I hope so, because those were particularly well done.  What a difference they've made replacing those depressing old projects.  Hopefully our other Big 4 housing authorities would follow Birmingham's lead in replacing these awful projects with real neighborhoods.

[where_am_I]

Hey guys, does anyone have an update on the proposed dome stadium near the civic center?  I know that the BJCC bought up all the needed land to get it done, but still had some financial ground to cover.  Also, does anyone have any other info on the tower that I read in an earlier post that is proposed in downtown Birmingham?  I think someone said that it was a submittal to the FAA for a proposed 675-700 ft tower for downtown B'ham or something similar.

[Blazer85]

where_am_I, on Aug 26 2005, 05:55 PM, said:

Hey guys, does anyone have an update on the proposed dome stadium near the civic center?  I know that the BJCC bought up all the needed land to get it done, but still had some financial ground to cover.  Also, does anyone have any other info on the tower that I read in an earlier post that is proposed in downtown Birmingham?  I think someone said that it was a submittal to the FAA for a proposed 675-700 ft tower for downtown B'ham or something similar.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There were two proposals for towers.  One about 800ft and the other about 675ft.  The 800ft tower proposal has been scrapped or at the very least put on the backburner because they realized the market for that type of building isnt here yet.  The 675ft tower is still a real proposal I think, but havent heard anything new on it.  There's supposedly a 27-story tower that's closer to reality than the 675ft tower, however.  We'll keep you posted.