48 replies to this topic

[tombarnes]

I was horrified to read this recent article in the Alexandria Town Talk.....

  http://www.thetownta...=73229151310069

The loss of this important building would be incalculable for the city and the state as well.

[tombarnes]

The city is taking steps to prevent this....also from the Town Talk...

   http://www.thetownta...=73229151532926

I suppose the recent application for demolition might be "payback" to the city for refusing to allow Dean to house Katrina evacuees in the building.  Whether this is hot air or not, the idea of destroying this grand building is an extremely bad one, especially as the Bentley is in good shape.

[NCB]

This is a horrible idea.
I just cannot see the city of Alexandria letting this happen.
The Bentley is much to important to the city for them to allow it to be destroyed.

[imaterry78247]

tombarnes, on Dec 11 2005, 02:17 PM, said:

I was horrified to read this recent article in the Alexandria Town Talk.....

  http://www.thetownta...=73229151310069

The loss of this important building would be incalculable for the city and the state as well.

Alexandria leaders get off your butt and do something to make your city progressive. I do not think Alex has grown since the 1960's. This is a xhame for a city at the crossroad of LA

[NCB]

imaterry78247, on Dec 13 2005, 06:53 AM, said:

I do not think Alex has grown since the 1960's.

Yea, I think it's been declining in populations since the 60's. When you drive through the city on I-49, it seems like your going through a city with a much larger population than around 60,000.

[Mith242]

NCB, on Dec 13 2005, 05:08 PM, said:

Yea, I think it's been declining in populations since the 60's. When you drive through the city on I-49, it seems like your going through a city with a much larger population than around 60,000.

I don't know if it's an accurate analogy but from what I'm hearing it reminds me of Pine Bluff in southeast Arkansas.

[imaterry78247]

NCB, on Dec 13 2005, 05:08 PM, said:

Yea, I think it's been declining in populations since the 60's. When you drive through the city on I-49, it seems like your going through a city with a much larger population than around 60,000.

Well you urban planners , how can we bring Alexandria back. The  city pop should be a 100K by now

[NCB]

^I think if I-49 is actually extended all the way from New Orleans to Kansas City, ot could definately help Alexandria start to move forward. Having a major national interstate running through your city has many positive effects.

[richyb83]

I think Alexandria has dropped to 10th in State's population,behind Bossier City.
Last check pre-Katrina only had 46,342 .  Across the river,Pineville had 13,829 .

[NCB]

^Yea Alexandria has been losing population for quite some time now. It's sad IMO because I really like Alexandria and the surrounding area, and I think the city could do well with the right leadership.

[tombarnes]

The Bentley is now on the state's list of the 10 most endangered buildings.  Something needs to be done quickly before it becomes another King Edward.

[NCB]

tombarnes, on Jan 21 2006, 11:00 PM, said:

The Bentley is now on the state's list of the 10 most endangered buildings.  Something needs to be done quickly before it becomes another King Edward.

Hopefully someone important in Alexandria feels the same way, Tom.

[tombarnes]

A task force is being created to save the hotel.  This article also mentions the Texas and Pacific Raiway Depot in Natchitoches.  I had forgotten what a striking building this is.  I hope the plans to restore it as a museum are successful.  

From the Alexandria Town Talk....

   http://www.thetownta.../601250305/1002

Edited by tombarnes, 25 January 2006 - 01:03 PM.

[tombarnes]

Also from the Town Talk.....Alexandria's airport terminal is getting a makeover.....

   http://www.thetownta...NEWS01/60125012

I had thought that the Alexandria airport had been losing both passengers and flights.  Is the airport on the site of England AFB?  My grandfather was briefly in command at England AFB in the late 1940's.

Edited by tombarnes, 25 January 2006 - 01:10 PM.

[NCB]

tombarnes, on Jan 25 2006, 01:07 PM, said:

Also from the Town Talk.....Alexandria's airport terminal is getting a makeover.....

   http://www.thetownta...NEWS01/60125012

I had thought that the Alexandria airport had been losing both passengers and flights.  Is the airport on the site of England AFB?  My grandfather was briefly in command at England AFB in the late 1940's.

I look forward to seeing what the new airport terminal looks like!

I believe Alexandria Int'l is a few miles away from England AFB, BTW.

[tombarnes]

Maybe I was simply fooled by the domain name for the airport's website...

   http://www.englandai...g/aex_index.htm

Edited by tombarnes, 25 January 2006 - 02:48 PM.

[NCB]

^Yea I can definately see why that would lead you think it was on England AFB. Though I believe the airport used to be called England  Airpark, and the name was recently changed to Alexandria Internation Airport to bring a larger "sound" and appeal to the city and the airport.

[tombarnes]

Hotel Bentley For Sale

The  Town Talk has a small article mentioning that the Bentley is now offered for sale- at over 12 million!  Has Mr. Dean lost his senses?  isn't this more than twice what he was asking the last time he had the building on the block?  Looks like a transparent bid for demolition is coming again.

Edited by tombarnes, 30 January 2006 - 07:00 PM.

[NCB]

tombarnes, on Jan 30 2006, 06:58 PM, said:

the Bentley is now offered for sale- at over 12 million!  Has Mr. Dean lost his senses?

I really have no idea what he is thinking on this on.

[tombarnes]

More on the Bentley asking price in today's Town Talk.  I think Mr. Dean may have lost his mind.    

Edited by tombarnes, 31 January 2006 - 04:20 PM.