39 replies to this topic

[Southron]

Before moving forward with widening the Ross Clark Circle from four to six lanes around Dothan, ALDOT is studying how the proposed I-10 connector would affect Circle traffic.  If the I-10 connector would displace enough traffic to alleviate congestion on the circle, then ALDOT may use circle widening funds to jump-start the connector.  Currently, the circle project is set to begin next year, but it may have been pushed back all the way to 2012 or later.

Costs for the circle project have skyrocketed, from an original estimate of $10 million almost twenty years ago to now, when right of way acquisition alone will probably exceed $50 million.  ALDOT began studying possible improvements to the circle in 1985, and the first plans were proposed in 1990.

Once again, ALDOT's foot-dragging will cost the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

Dothan Eagle:  Ross Clark improvements going in circles

[Southron]

Over the next 15 months, representatives from the military and local governments will participate in a Joint Land Use Study designed to make sure Fort Rucker’s mission doesn’t suffer from encroachment, a process by which a military base is hemmed in by urban growth, competition for air space and other factors.  Officials hope the study recommendations will help communities make sure encroachment doesn’t harm the future of Fort Rucker and its estimated $1 billion annual impact on the Wiregrass economy.

Encroachment, an issue considered in the BRAC process, was the major factor in the Army’s decision to move the Armor Center from Fort Knox, Ky., to Fort Benning, Ga.

It'll be interesting to see what actions are taken by the sprawling Wiregrass communities.  The loss of Ft. Rucker would be devastating to the region's economy.

Dothan Eagle:  Study will focus on encroachment around Fort Rucker

[Southron]

With airports in Montgomery and Tallahassee already eating into Dothan’s travel base, Dothan Regional Airport officials say they are taking a “wait and see” approach to the upcoming international airport in Panama City.  Construction began earlier this month on the 4,000-acre, $330 million facility north of Panama City, the first phase of which is scheduled to be completed by May of 2010.

Dothan Eagle:  New Panama City airport could attract fliers away from Dothan

[Southron]

The Wiregrass Transit Authority plans to implement a study to explore the needs and feasibility of a fixed route bus system.  The WTA currently operates an on demand bus system.  Officials see the public transportation system getting busier as the population ages and people live longer, and increased ridership could help justify a fixed route system.

Dothan Eagle:  Aging population expected to increase public transportation needs

[aboutmetro]

Are the Dothan Economic Development groups aware that there are two competing suggestions/proposals to extend I-185 from Columbus?  An Albany, GA group seeks to have it extended southeast through Albany. Others in Columbus think it should be extended south thru Dothan to I-10, maybe further.  Click to read more....

[Southron]

Houston County officials approved the creation of Country Crossing, a $100-300 million Branson, Mo.-like resort with big-name entertainment, bingo, hotels, restaurants, retail shops and an amphitheater.

Check out the discussion here:  Country Crossing

[aboutmetro]

aboutmetro, on Feb 7 2008, 03:52 PM, said:

Are the Dothan Economic Development groups aware that there are two competing suggestions/proposals to extend I-185 from Columbus?  An Albany, GA group seeks to have it extended southeast through Albany. Others in Columbus think it should be extended south thru Dothan to I-10, maybe further.  Click to read more....

The Georgia DOT is holding regional meetings in Southwest Georgia to determine necessity, feasibility and desire for 'access' to Interstates. This area along with Southeast Alabama was like the land that the Interstates forgot.  I would think that, since the very definition of an Interstate involves more than one state, Alabama and Florida would be brought into the discussion...  Anyway, here's a link to the dedicated website.  There will be a stakeholders meeting (presentation link) in Columbus, GA on April 15th. Other area meetings have already occured.  Southwest Georgia Interstate Study website.

The study area map:

[Southron]

aboutmetro, on Feb 7 2008, 02:52 PM, said:

Are the Dothan Economic Development groups aware that there are two competing suggestions/proposals to extend I-185 from Columbus?

Good question.  I haven't noticed anything in the media about this, but who knows what's really going on.  One would think that they'd be all over this.

[Southron]

The Dothan city commission voted to appropriate another $400,000 for the redevelopment of downtown Dothan, and the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DDRA) will use the funds for renovations of building facades on North Foster Street.  Plans call for a mix of retail, restaurant, commercial office space, and residential uses for the buildings.

The DDRA will probably go to court to gain ownership of two buildings at 161 and 171 N. Foster St.  The DDRA already owns the building between the two and plans a $1.4 conversion of the three into ground floor retail space with residential units upstairs.

Nice to see downtown revitalization in Dothan continuing to move forward.

Dothan City Commission Approves Funding for Downtown Redevelopment Authority

DDRA looks to courts for help acquiring Foster Street buildings

[Alabadrock]

Southron, on Apr 9 2008, 10:58 PM, said:

The Dothan city commission voted to appropriate another $400,000 for the redevelopment of downtown Dothan, and the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DDRA) will use the funds for renovations of building facades on North Foster Street.  Plans call for a mix of retail, restaurant, commercial office space, and residential uses for the buildings.

The DDRA will probably go to court to gain ownership of two buildings at 161 and 171 N. Foster St.  The DDRA already owns the building between the two and plans a $1.4 conversion of the three into ground floor retail space with residential units upstairs.

Nice to see downtown revitalization in Dothan continuing to move forward.

Dothan City Commission Approves Funding for Downtown Redevelopment Authority

DDRA looks to courts for help acquiring Foster Street buildings

From what I've seen when driving through downtown Dothan, which hasn't been much, but what I'VE SEEN, it needs some help.  It had it's nice points, but it could use some help.  Though I don't think that $400,000 can do TOO terribly much, but it's a start.

[Southron]

Alabadrock, on Apr 9 2008, 11:15 PM, said:

From what I've seen when driving through downtown Dothan, which hasn't been much, but what I'VE SEEN, it needs some help.  It had it's nice points, but it could use some help.  Though I don't think that $400,000 can do TOO terribly much, but it's a start.

I agree, man, it needs a lot of help.  Tear-downs during the urban renewal area devastated downtown Dothan.  I assume you drove through along US 231 (Oates St.).  You really don't get the feeling that you're in a downtown in that corridor, even though you go right past the county courthouse.  N. Foster St. is one block to the east and it has real urban character, but downtown needs a lot of infill after the historic buildings are renovated.  According to one of the articles above, the DDRA will focus on some W. Main St. (US 84) properties after their projects along N. Foster St.

Google map

[Alabadrock]

Southron, on Apr 10 2008, 01:17 AM, said:

I agree, man, it needs a lot of help.  Tear-downs during the urban renewal area devastated downtown Dothan.  I assume you drove through along US 231 (Oates St.).  You really don't get the feeling that you're in a downtown in that corridor, even though you go right past the county courthouse.  N. Foster St. is one block to the east and it has real urban character, but downtown needs a lot of infill after the historic buildings are renovated.  According to one of the articles above, the DDRA will focus on some W. Main St. (US 84) properties after their projects along N. Foster St.

Google map

Oh no, I drove through most of downtown.  I usually go through Enterprise and Geneva when I go to the beach, but I decided to go through Dothan for once since all the times I'd been there I'd only traveled on the circle.

[Southron]

Over the past few weeks, WSFA-TV ran several stories over the about the resurgence of downtown Dothan.  Twenty-two new businesses have opened in the downtown area in the last eight months.  Seven new restaurants are in the works, including a new Italian restaurant highlighted in one of the links below.

Renovations are underway on a number of North Foster Street buildings, and some of those projects will be completed within about four months.  

Downtown Dothan Experiencing Economic Growth
Downtown Restaurant Opening Soon  (with video)
Downtown Dothan is Back

[Southron]

The Downtown Group, a downtown redevelopment organization similar in mission to the old Main Street Mobile, has a website up now.  The site includes copies of some recent Dothan Magazine articles about downtown revitalization.  There's more going on than I had imagined.

Links:  
The Downtown Group
Dothan Magazine articles


The Downtown Group's latest newsletter included this image of some proposed downtown facade improvements.

[Southron]

Movie Gallery moved its headquarters to Oregon and the old corporate HQ in Dothan is now for sale.  The company filed for bankruptcy last year, and struggled with debt since acquiring Hollywood Video in 2005.  Too bad Dothan lost a corporate HQ, but the company probably won't be around much longer anyway.

Movie Gallery Almost Gone From Founding City of Dothan

[kayman]

Southron, on Dec 15 2008, 04:51 PM, said:

Movie Gallery moved its headquarters to Oregon and the old corporate HQ in Dothan is now for sale.  The company filed for bankruptcy last year, and struggled with debt since acquiring Hollywood Video in 2005.  Too bad Dothan lost a corporate HQ, but the company probably won't be around much longer anyway.

Movie Gallery Almost Gone From Founding City of Dothan

It most likely won't be around much longer at all.  Their bankruptcy is result of what occurs when company like Movie Gallery attempts to take out its main competitors, but doen't have the cash to pay for its acquisition of them hence their situation now.  Movie Gallery doesn't even try to compete like Blockbuster who is now online as well as stand-a-lone store locations or online giant Netflix.  From Fortune 500 to total crap within 24 months.  You can stick a fork in them...

[kendal 8]

I no this is going to be a stupid question and I no my question is going to be off the subject that yaw are talking about.But my question is about the terrain and ground in dothan alabama my question is does dothan have any hills or any small hills in dothan or is dothan all flat land. The reason why im asking is because I will be moving to dothan alabama this summer from phenix city alabama but the reason why im asking about dothans terrain and ground is because I love to ride my bike down hills and we have small to median size hills here in phenix city alabama that I love riding my bike down. And im going to miss riding my bike down the hills or hill in phenix city alabama when we move to dothan alabama this summer. i have noticed also once you go further south from phenix city like to barbour county where eufaula is it seems like the terrain and ground starts to flatten out and gets flat and i no that dothan is a little far south from eufaula and i no that dothan is not far from the florida state line. so i was wondering does dothan have any small hills or any hills that i can ride my bike down.

[kendal 8]

Well never mind I will not be moving to dothan this summer I will not be moving to dothan I will just live and stay in the phenix city columbus area.I love it in the phenix city and columbus area so I will just live and stay here in the phenix city and columbus area.

[Southron]

kendal 8, on Feb 2 2009, 11:37 PM, said:

does dothan have any hills or any small hills in dothan or is dothan all flat land.... i have noticed also once you go further south from phenix city like to barbour county where eufaula is it seems like the terrain and ground starts to flatten out and gets flat and i no that dothan is a little far south from eufaula and i no that dothan is not far from the florida state line. so i was wondering does dothan have any small hills or any hills that i can ride my bike down.

The Dothan area is relatively flat but there are some small hills in the surrounding countryside.  If you do wind up moving to Dothan, go by a local bike shop and ask about the best rides in the area.

[ZachariahDaMan]

Still no final decision on the fate of the Dog House, Bauman and Super Bad Buildings.  

http://www2.dothanea...uilding/153294/