217 replies to this topic

[depechecureguyorl]

Although I'll refrain from obscure approximations regarding Tampa's metro/city population (and I'll leave out all the exclamation points too), that city is definitely up and coming in Florida. It's working on plans to build up it's downtown with more infill projects and it's also collaborating a regional effort to improve transportation.

Another Florida city that comes to mind is Orlando. Yes, we all know it's well established tourism sector. However, the city is making great strides in the high tech & manufacturing industries. It too is also involved in regional efforts to improve transporation through commuter/light rail efforts and infill development projects.

Outside of Florida, I'd have to wager Austin, TX with it's young population and impressive job growth, Charleston, SC, and Raliegh, NC.

[ATLman1]

My list:

1) Birmingham ( great location and good interstate connections)

2) Mobile (could become a tourist destination with beaches and a cruise port)

3) Columbus (strong corporate base with AFLAC, TSYS, Synovus,
                    Carmike Cinemas. Also its proximity to ATL and Hartsfield)

4) Knoxville (beautiful area with a large university)

5) Greenville (proximity to ATL and Charlotte)

I would watch for those cities to take off soon.

[krazeeboi]

Doesn't seem like Knoxville has been making too much noise lately.

[Blazer85]

ATLman1, on Jul 27 2005, 01:06 PM, said:

My list:

1) Birmingham ( great location and good interstate connections)

2) Mobile (could become a tourist destination with beaches and a cruise port)

3) Columbus (strong corporate base with AFLAC, TSYS, Synovus,
                    Carmike Cinemas. Also its proximity to ATL and Hartsfield)

4) Knoxville (beautiful area with a large university)

5) Greenville (proximity to ATL and Charlotte)

I would watch for those cities to take off soon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good list    Birmingham's skyline will be quite different by 2010 I would say.  A potential 45-story building, a 27-story building, a 25-story building, and several other 25+ story buildings that could become a reality.

[TechBirmingham]

krazeeboi, on Jul 22 2005, 04:44 PM, said:

So how exactly are the cities named following in the footsteps of those that are already the big dogs or big-dogs-in-training in the South? What are they doing to put themselves "out there"? It's funny, because I see some cities mentioned here, but when I go to the state subforum in which those cities are located, there's little to no discussion about them. I mean "potential" is good and all, but what are these places doing to actualize their potential? Simply having "potential" doesn't cut it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Birmingham, by far.  I moved here from Atlanta (17 years there after escaping California in the 80's) over 2-1/2 years ago and haven't looked back.  The downtown is growing by leaps and bounds (see the post above for a short run-down).  There's been so much pent up demand for new living space. Finally the developers got itchy fingers and started building.  Virtually all new projects are presold at 50% before renovation begins.  The true validation is that "outside" developers are showing up in droves. For instance, the redevelopment of the old Cabana Hotel into lofts is being done by a California developer who chose Birmingham for their first development outside of California!

[NCB]

1.Mobile...Miami, the gulf coast of Mississippi, and now New Orleans are home to many cruise ships...IMO Mobile is next on the list..and tourism can bring alot of growth to a city

2. Birmingham... great city with plenty of things to do, almost 1.1 million in metro and it continues to grow..and if the buildings that blazer85 is describing are built, it will only add to the beauty.

^^Alabama has a VERY bright future ahead of them...

Baton Rouge.... it has city population is about 225,000(growing slowly) and the metro is around 750,000(growth has gone up) and the port is growing in tonnage of goods every year and unlike New Orleans, Baton Rouge is not below see level or surrounded by water, allowing for easier development of land.There are now plans to build a 35-45 story condo tower and a 30-40 story office tower in downtown. and a 32 story mixed use tower has already been approved.
BR is often overshadowed by New Orleans, but it really is a beautiful city(in most areas) and the history of the entire area is great.

i would also say Knoxville...very beautiful city and seems to be growing rapidly.
Little Rock...not much about Little Rock on this forum..but it is a very nice city and seems to be growing at a steady pace

[GvilleSC]

Can't deny that Greenville is a rising star. A diversified economy, lots of great projects being developed, and a prime location. (I know there is more, but i dont have much time, maybe someone could help me out here)

[Blazer85]

Quote

2. Birmingham... great city with plenty of things to do, almost 1.1 million in metro and it continues to grow..and if the buildings that blazer85 is describing are built, it will only add to the beauty.

And since I told you about those buildings, there are minor rumblings that an 800ft tower COULD be in Birmingham's future.

[neoanderz]

I would say Orlando is a city that is really starting to grow up and is going to be one of the nation's hottest spots to move to within the next few years.  There is a lot of great development going on downtown that should basically transform the skyline by 2009 or so.

[95-Souf]

I'd have to say,.....

1.  Winston Salem- High Point- Greensboro
2.  Birmingham
3.  Columbia, SC


I would say Orlando too, although the city's core has grown by leaps and bounds, I just feel with in the last 30 or so years it has been recognized as a well established city because everyone 200 miles outside of Orange County thinks Disney is in Orlando proper.

Edited by 95-Souf, 31 July 2005 - 07:50 PM.

[depechecureguyorl]

95-Souf, on Jul 31 2005, 08:49 PM, said:

I'd have to say,.....

1.  Winston Salem- High Point- Greensboro
2.  Birmingham
3.  Columbia, SC
I would say Orlando too, although the city's core has grown by leaps and bounds, I just feel with in the last 30 or so years it has been recognized as a well established city because everyone 200 miles outside of Orange County thinks Disney is in Orlando proper.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to agree with your last comment. In the past, Disney was the only thing to bring any National/Internation exposure to Orlando. Yes, Orlando is considered by many outside of Florida to already be a major city, but I think it's becoming a rising star only very recently.

With the arrival of higher end hotels, upscale shopping districts, more culture, and higher wage jobs; not to mention Orlando Int'l Airport reaching the status of the largest (by passenger arrival) in the State, I think Orlando is now finally to achieve a more "grown up" image. I'm glad to say the CITIZENS of Orlando are making this happen...not the tourists (but their MONEY helps!)

[qwertycc]

Memphis--a whole lot of money is being invested in a biomedical research park--it's an up-and-coming changing industry and memphis already has a good foothold in it and looking to expand.  also, Fedex is always looking good.  there's good growth downtown, in the suburbs of lakeland, bartlett, marion, germantown, and fayette and tipton counties; and great growth in collierville, arlington, and desoto county.  new interstate projects should also boost the city.  memphis is one of those cities that dips in and out of the national spotlight (and not always for good reasons), but i think it's on tap for realizing its potential finally.

now if we can just do something about the crime and budget deficits and get the citizens, media, and politicians focused about important issues and about making memphis better rather than being concerned about sensationalist park-renaming, big headed politicians, juvenile attitudes from government officials and Tennessee Waltz....


i also agree that birmingham is going places

and any city in north carolina and florida

[mandrws1]

qwertycc, on Aug 8 2005, 04:45 PM, said:

Memphis--a whole lot of money is being invested in a biomedical research park--it's an up-and-coming changing industry and memphis already has a good foothold in it and looking to expand.  also, Fedex is always looking good.  there's good growth downtown, in the suburbs of lakeland, bartlett, marion, germantown, and fayette and tipton counties; and great growth in collierville, arlington, and desoto county.  new interstate projects should also boost the city.  memphis is one of those cities that dips in and out of the national spotlight (and not always for good reasons), but i think it's on tap for realizing its potential finally.

now if we can just do something about the crime and budget deficits and get the citizens, media, and politicians focused about important issues and about making memphis better rather than being concerned about sensationalist park-renaming, big headed politicians, juvenile attitudes from government officials and Tennessee Waltz....
i also agree that birmingham is going places

and any city in north carolina and florida

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Memphis is my pick also.  The city has so much unrealized potential.  Louisville and Birmingham also are up and comers.

[timalucas]

krazeeboi, on Jul 27 2005, 01:39 PM, said:

Doesn't seem like Knoxville has been making too much noise lately.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Knoxville has been making a lot of noise, but there are not many Knoxvillians on UrbanPlanet!  We need better representation.  Even the Tennessee subforum misses out Knoxville in it's discription.

[Rural King]

I would agree with Memphis and Knoxville. Memphis I think is regaining its status in the whole scheme of things, while Knoxville is just emerging as a bigger player on the regional scene.

Little Rock I think will see big things in the future and I think it will perhaps the best potential to see its profile rise.

Jackson, MS is someplace that if the trend of the last few years continues could see a huge improvement its position among other cities in the South. I would still say its a darkhorse though.

[krazeeboi]

timalucas, on Aug 9 2005, 02:54 PM, said:

Knoxville has been making a lot of noise, but there are not many Knoxvillians on UrbanPlanet!  We need better representation.  Even the Tennessee subforum misses out Knoxville in it's discription.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I mean here on the forums. Seems like Nashville (and to a lesser extent, Memphis) wants to do all the shining in Tennessee.  

[cheeriokid61]

Yeah, I would say that's true. I'd love to learn what's goin on in my own state. I'm just not very good at the digging.

[sleepy]

cheeriokid61, on Aug 10 2005, 11:59 AM, said:

Yeah, I would say that's true. I'd love to learn what's goin on in my own state. I'm just not very good at the digging.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, Tennessee always had those 3 Grand Divisions, and most Tennesseans in each one were more interested in what was going on in their neck of the woods-- and surrounding states--rather than what was going on in Tennessee overall.

I had a friend who grew up in Jackson MS 200 miles south of Memphis and his parents got home delivery of the Memphis newspaper.  To buy the Memphis paper east of the Tennessee River, I think you'd have to look long and hard.

Each area just goes its merry little way.

I grew up in Memphis and was probably 16 or so before I ever went to Nashville or Knoxville, even though I'd been to Jackson MS, Little Rock, St. Louis, and New Orleans a bunch of times.

Edited by sleepy, 10 August 2005 - 12:53 PM.

[cheeriokid61]

I live in Nashville, and have not once been West of the Tennesse River (in our state, of course. I've been many other places.). I have only been to Chattanooga once, never been to Knoxville, only driven through it or gone to Gatlinburg, which is it's own little fourth neck of the woods.  Like you said, our three grand divisions are truly divisions. Not much crosses between those except I-40.

[krazeeboi]

Wow, that's really interesting. I was born and raised in the Midlands of SC; I can definitely remember traveling to other areas of the state (Upstate, Lowcountry, Grand Strand/Pee Dee) as a youngster.