It was not my intention for you to think the east side had the press box. If this picture had been taken before its removal you would be able to see the field side of the press box from this view.

Interesting Article from The State on why Columbia's Growth/Layout has prevented more "upscale" retail from locating here.

Shoppers' wish list: high-end retailers

Has anyone Heard any news on Ermenegildo Zegna still opening a store at Lenox? I saw a nice space next to Bvlgari that would be perfect, Since it looks like all the spaces on the Neiman Marcus wing are taken.


Drew

The idea of the "flashmob" event is confusing to me. Exactly what is it going to accomplish? Is Google invited? So they get several hundred (or thousand) folks DT dressed in one of Google's colors...what's the return on investment for the corporate benefactor?

While I am still in the "fan" group on FB, I had to hide their updates (something like ten per day, and reiterated by the usual suspects). Things got aggravating when a community advocate asked a legitimate question, and was pounced on by respondents who implied that the project will cure the case of cancer that he'll eventually contract. (No kidding. Google cures cancer -- I read it on teh interwebs!)

Thank goodness we have a strong military and government presence here!!! L.G.N.M

This whole "effort" to attract Google to cities (not just GR) seems cheesy and almost exclusively groupthink. ...
I'm disheartened by the herd mentality that has recently taken over the internet infrastructure discussion more so in everyday conversation than on here. ...

I cant ven recognize Norfolk in these pictures. The only reason I know its Norfolk is the pictures say it is from 1930.

EQ3 is having an "end-of-season inventory liquidation" that looks suspiciously like is a store going out of business sale.

The commercial real estate available sign in front isn't too promising, either. It's really too bad, I like EQ3's merchandise quite a bit. Well, it's primo retail space, so I hope it isn't empty for too long.

I don't mean to bump the thread.... but there's a lot of stuff on the Westin site. I know that there is the facade work going on next door, but the materials and equipment weren't even near the Arcade.. they were closer towards Granby. Maybe I'm reaching...

It's almost spring time and the start of the 2nd quarter, and Census day, and we still haven't heard or seen anything of interest with this project. The thread was started back in '07 and I think this project was announced in '06, initially as a Hilton. Our downtown needs this project. Our two best streets, Granby and Main. Let's get something started this year. I'll become depressed if nothing happens by Fall.

Not on this end but I imagine things are moving forward. The only current empty spot in the mall I could see Anthropologie locating in is the old Borders Express space. I would love to see Payless Shoes and the bookstore relocate to make way for them.

Panera is slated to move into the old Ruby Tuesday's space in June or July. Heard a rumor that California Pizza Kitchen might take over the current Panera space. Can't confirm that though. I've also heard that Sephora, Bebe, and Forever 21 are looking at locating in the mall.

How come there are cities and states more liberal than Hartford and CT that thrive if this is the only reason Hartford is dead? Has brain dead urban and suburban land use policy played no role? Would some progressive laws and attitudes not help Hartford? Do you think that liquor should be sold on Sunday and that mass transit could help Hartford and other urban areas in CT? What party favors mass transit and urban investment? It sure is not yours my friend. I am not the blind one.

I am not quite sold on Lamont for governor. I'm still deciding who would best move our state forward in the ways important to me. I think that Malloy and OZ are also both very strong candidates. Any of the three would surely help our case more in DC where Rell never goes on this state's behalf.

I do see your point Varider, but the answer is not tearing down a 26 year old facility. If you want to assign blame for the slow death of Waterside lay it at the feet of the city. The city created this mess let the city figure out a way to make Waterside viable again. I still like the idea of keeping the upstairs clubs, restaurants, and kind of sports pubs (Jillians) and opening up the downstairs to become some type of farmers market or flea market. I think the knee jerk thing to do is to tear down the facility that the city pumped so much investment in. I am happy that the city is taking its time and soliciting inputs from citizens. I wouldn't be surprised to see Waterside turned into some variation of what I imagined it should be.

I know the health/medical industry could benefit from Google Fiber but how would the film industry?

I'd almost say that Augusta Road (between Church Street and Mauldin Road) is currently the "upscale" smaller shop retail corridor in Greenville. It is likely under-valued by most Greenville residents because it has no big box retailers to attract the common shopping crowd, yet it contains an impressive array of upper end small shops. Its main weakness, in my opinion, is the lack of a pedestrian-friendly street design. You can walk to every shop, but it is not easy or safe in many areas thanks to heavy auto traffic and numerous detached retail centers on both sides of the road.

Great store ideas (I'd love to see Urban Outfitters also), but where would they go? Add those to the other rumored stores, and I don't see where there would be room even with shuffling. I don't know the size of the stores, but most of the empty stores are so small they couldn't even move existing tenants in to them, much less something like Bebe. As stated, it'd be great to see some upscale stores move in that area between PB/Sears. Didn't Southpark? actually have some stores leave so they would have more room for other tenants (I have some ideas)? Maybe it was somewhere else...

Once again, Haywood is eating 1025 Woodruff's lunch.

vicupstate - great article.

Not on this end but I imagine things are moving forward. The only current empty spot in the mall I could see Anthropologie locating in is the old Borders Express space. I would love to see Payless Shoes and the bookstore relocate to make way for them.

Panera is slated to move into the old Ruby Tuesday's space in June or July. Heard a rumor that California Pizza Kitchen might take over the current Panera space. Can't confirm that though. I've also heard that Sephora, Bebe, and Forever 21 are looking at locating in the mall.

Panera is slated to move into the old Ruby Tuesday's space in June or July. Heard a rumor that California Pizza Kitchen might take over the current Panera space. Can't confirm that though. I've also heard that Sephora, Bebe, and Forever 21 are looking at locating in the mall.

Has it really been that long? I definitely remember this monster!

Okay, I guess I'll test the waters with this teabag for your cup:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=685

~John

I live in Ann Arbor where we have all of these stores, and all I can tell you is that Plum is ridiculously expensive. Trader Joe's is much more reasonable.

I've also heard that Sephora, Bebe, and Forever 21 are looking at locating in the mall.

There's no doubt that Waterside transformed downtown Norfolk. But 30 years later, it's a dump.. and isn't transforming anything. It's served it's purpose.

re: Plum's

Looked at the website -- wondered who the brothers were (I used to work in that industry). Jonna rang a bell - and sure enough, they were from Merchant of Vino. Can't remember the sequence of it all . . .
Fresh Fields, Wild Oats and Whole Foods all came to the midwest within a few years of each other. Whole Foods took over Fresh Fields. Merchant of Vino was taken over/purchased by them (not certain if it was before or after FF was taken over by WF). The Jonna's probably had to sign a non-compete for a given period which has now expired.

Fresh Fields was east coast, Wild Oats was Colorado, Whole Foods is headquartered in Austin TX.

I'd much rather see Plum's come to GR than Trader Joe's (swiss/german/dutch? owned) or Whole Foods.

Good news there. Positive. Hate the suburbs are losing business but, love that its possibly going to return home to the downtown area!!! L.G.N.M

Columbia is also unique in that you have two major retail districts with duplicate stores. I think this is unusual for a metro the size of Columbia. Big city chains may have a problem picking one over the other since there is not a clear concentration of wealthy people.

skirby - your captions imply that the view "without the press box" is the facade receiving the new press box. That's not the case. The east entrance in your picture - which is a beautiful example of an art deco facade - has been recently renovated and will remain as is. The new press box is replacing the existing on the west side...you can see the crane in the background.

My editorial on the facade rendering: I appreciate the design intent to infer art deco details. However, while I'll hold on any final judgement until seeing the final product, the rendering underwhelms me...too much going on. I'd like to see the rendering from the field of the glass skyboxes, pressrooms, etc.

The article says that it will incorporate the IHOP, which means that it is not being torn down, but rather, having the development built around it and possibly its exterior renovated to blend it in with the new buildings. Certainly a much needed project for this area!

If Norfolk had built on to this instead of tearing down and starting over... Norfolk could easily be a Baltimore right now.

I was in the "we buy gold" store today. The owner (?) told me that they're transitioning to a full music store, no more we buy gold. They'll have guitars, amps, plus all the regular accessories in front, plus some special stuff in the back area including guitar lessons. I didn't ask him what precipitated the change, but I think it's a great idea.

The crux of the proposal is that companies that either are or own subsidiaries which depository institutions may not engage in proprietary trading or maintain ownership interests in hedge or private equity funds (unless such ownership is for the benefit of customers). That's obviously subject to tweaking by the White House and by whichever incarnation it receives in Congress. I'll spare the main board my thoughts on whether or not that would be effective to prevent something similar to what has happened the past two-and-a-half years, but many people think that it would cause GS and MS to rescind their bank holding company election, which would likely cause MS to back away from the direction it has been headed w/r/t building a deposit capital base. After that, there's not much of a reason to keep Cece and the rest of any depository infrastructure in Charlotte or elsewhere.

Another key provision would prevent large bank holding companies, such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., from shedding their charter to elude the Fed's scrutiny. The bill is expected to include this provision to prevent banks from trying to game the regulatory architecture.

I just wanted to mention here, for the sake of being complete, that the Chick-Fil-A closure is a huge, huge loss for Dutch Square.

This is exciting for Dutch Square. This fits in with that plan we uncovered a while back. It would certainly bring new life to that part of town.

A further breakdown shows that suburban Peninsula office properties had the highest vacancy rate at 17.6 percent followed by suburban office properties on the Southside with 14.2 percent. Downtown Norfolk office properties recorded the lowest rate of 10.9 percent

That's what i'm thinking is going to happen. No reason to leave that little empty area in the back of the old Eddie Bauer space unless they were going to merge it with the chocolate store to make a larger space for a new retailer.

-Counting the back of the old Eddie Bauer space and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate store as one retail space along with where the Childrens Place is currently located temporarily, there are currently nine empty retail/restaurant spaces in Haywood Mall. Out of 150 tenant spaces, this is only 6% of the total mall that is vacant. Not too shabby for a major recession. I'm sure the number of vacancies you see will lower over the next several months too if the coming soon signage on several of the spaces are correct.

War Memorial Stadium without press box.

What the new press box will look like.

if the idea is to sit until a large office tower can be built here, its going sit in rubble for many more years. is the land so valuable that a few mixed-use midrises or something won't fly here?

Having a cheesy mini mart, a "we buy gold" store, and a cheap massage parlor open up do signify a trend that I hope does not continue. GVL has worked hard to turn the downtown of the 70's into what it is today. These types of stores seem to me to be a move backwards and not forwards, but they are a sign of the time. We are in an economic downtown still.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate is closing (located behind old Eddie Bauer). The Children's Place has their new store open to view (area for window display is painted up and ready)....doors were open and it is going to be very nice in there. Exterior sinage is up. Looks like a white/blue color scheme. The remaining part of the EB where there can/will be another tenant could be merged with the old chocolate store, I guess, to make a larger space.

Apple is totally gutted out inside and looks like an open space. Just a concrete/dirt floor (thank you door cracks!).

BTW; I noticed that when they remodeled in '05, they forgot one exterior entrance...the parking deck one near Dillard's. One of those ugly white metal structures with the 90s entrances and "gift" logo still graces that one.

What the fudge happened to all my pictures?

This page will probably need to be updated whenever anyone gets a chance. I don't have the time to keep up with it anymore..

So how are the various Vista projects (twelve14 Pulaski, 521 Gervais, SC Bar Conference Center, etc.) coming along? Has the Lofts condo building opened yet, and if so, any retailers on the ground floor?

I'd say open up a Catholic only apartment building, but i'm sure it would violate some laws.

Yeah the food court at Phipps was not that good but it was definitely better than the one at Lenox.

Hey Jones, not to hijack the thread, but what is the "Tryon Hill" of "Tryon Hill Drive" refer to? I've noticed it is sort of uphill as you walk up that street away from Irregardless...was there once some grand estate where that street deadends at the top of the hill?

You don't even have to click back a page to understand why this thread was idle, but I will elaborate. This project is virtually dead. The main tenant expected here was to be First Charter, contingent on them selling their University Research Park headquarters. Since that time, First Charter was sold to 5/3 (Fifth Third) Bank, the economy failed to the third degree, and 5/3 had to receive TARP (bailout) funds.

Recently, Electrolux has purchased the old First Charter HQ to become their US HQ, but instead of that triggering this project to start, 5/3 announced they will obtain uptown space in 201 N Tryon instead to make their NC HQ.

All of the above lead completely to this project not being anywhere near the horizon. If the economics changes or a tenant appears, then maybe.

I've heard that the new Visitors Kiosk at RIC opened today in a far more visible location. It is at the base of the escalators near car rental desks and baggage carousels on the departures level. My friend Judy says that one lady who uses the airport frequently remarked that she had not been aware of the kiosk's existence at its previous spot.

I come home via the Graham Street exit on th Brookshire and often wait at the light at Graham facing the Garrison and can report I've consistently seen lights on in 2-3 units for the past several weeks around the 6-7 p.m. time.

The units I see lit usually are the 2nd and third floors which in my guess must have horrible views of the roof of the gas station (at least the 2nd floor unitt).

I don't know if there are people actually moving in/moved in or if there is final touches being made. If it is people moving in/moved in though (and this is just speculation on my part) I would guess the lower apartments must be a size-able price discount considering the gas station roof issue.


Lastly, I do think that there are two apartments per floor though based on how it seems lit at times. I may be wrong but this is just my perspective from what I see when some are lit.

While cable surfing tonight I ran across a program on New Jersey Public TV (Chanel 15 here in New York City) called "Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance." It details how the the Baltimore harbor development has influenced similar success in waterfront cities around the World. Among those shown as successful examples are Sydney, Rotterdam, Long Beach AND Norfolk. So maybe you guys are better known and respected than you think!

Water is where it's at!

Check this website:

http://www.Globalharbors.org, then click Model for the World.

Macy's went through a major renovation at Haywood Mall recently and updated their clothing line to include companies such as Lucky, Ed Hardy, Tommy Bahama, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, BCBGeneration, etc. You can see a video of it here: http://www.greenvillehd.com/greenville-sc-shopping/macys/ It's much more nicer and high-end now than it was.

Anybody else been around long enough to remember this guy that I posted in the old eyesores thread in 2005?

Oh, so you're the one that misspelled "Siemens" in the Observer!!! (j/k) To your question, I think ENN may be a possibility since that has to be a sizable HQ move here. Given Perdue's small hints that more large coups are coming I would believe it has to be more energy sector jobs. It didn't take long for that RadioShack move to lose steam.

I don't recall whether or not we've run this slideshow of THE BOATHOUSE AT ROCKETTS LANDING.

It is in today's Richmond dot com along with a review. If the critic's name doesn't give you a queasy feeling, it's a good bet you'll reach for the barf bag after reading the commentary in which he puts down the food, "anyone under 20" as well as "drag queens."

Enjoy the pix.

I am not posting the review because it is noted that the menu is being revised by Jimmy Snead and another visit will be scheduled by a Richmond dot com writer.

http://www2.richmond...ouse-slideshow/

Hahahaha!!! Your blind as a bat man! If Lamont wins along with a strong democratic majority in the legislature, then Hartford will be deader than a door nail. Tax and spend economics have failed Hartford and Ct miserably! Why on earth do you think a tax and spend liberal like Lamont would make things better????? Go ahead vote for him. Nothing will change.

I would like to see Ned Lamont win the Governorship. I think it would be nice to have a nationally recognized Dem leading the state who has connections to the Obama people. I feel that it would be very much to our advantage and that he would definitely be lobbying DC for the funds we need and enacting progressive policies. However as VOR points out, OZ is a Hartford guy and that goes a long way with me. I would definitely be fine with him winning. I really do not like Linda McMahon at all from what I've seen of her. She just seems totally untrustworthy to me and willing to say whatever it takes to get elected. I would be willing to bet that she has next to no experience working in the community or doing anything in any inner city anywhere. I strongly support Blumenthal for senate. I don't really care who wins the AG seat. Really doesn't matter which party either to me. So I'll just vote my gut come election day.

So....if the Chamber really is working on something bigger than 825 new Siemans jobs, what could it be?

Shouldnt someone take some time to update this? Its in desperate need of being updated.

On a related note I had something in my reader feed (and for the life of me can't find it now) that was from another forum. The poster was in Fort Worth and claimed their connections were deep inside Radio Shack who confirmed there was never any real intention to move so much as wring out some new incentives in their existing locale.

Not sure what that's worth and again - I can't find the original link - so take with a grain of salt.

The baggage carousels are on the arrivals (i.e., lower) level.

Surprised nobody has talked about Israels closing The Other Store.

Israels Closes Other Store, restructures

Target rising.The entrance will be on the north side with the back facing Doctors Hospital.

^yeah, the interrupted area of Fourth Ward is a residential neighborhood where we're not trying to add density or encourage new development (without knocking down something beautiful and historic), so i don't see much benefit. this is the only example i can think of where i'm against any reconnection, except for 10th which will be enough to make it easy to get around 4th ward. also, i love those little brick fountains and would be sad to see the one at 9th go!

I think the crane is supposed be coming down sometime this month.

I think they should do up the handle like an arc of electricity. It looks like a giant taser to me .

Anybody else been around long enough to remember this guy that I posted in the old eyesores thread in 2005?

Clemson will still be representing the state in the NCAA tourney. An early fall from the ACC tournament means little.

The city did indeed play up both Gateway and the Firestone site with no or failed results. But you seem to be missing a few.....the city demolished the row of buildings in West End that is now Riverplace. The city demolished the old apartments that are now McBee Station. The city demolished the car bridge for what is Liberty Bridge. The city demolished an old warehouse site for what is now Fluor Field and the Fieldhouse. The city demolished the park and old fire station for what is now the new Main at Broad development.On and on. Seems the numbers speak positive FOR the mayor and the cities history of bringing projects to fruition. Why would you assume the mayor is bluffing with so many wins on his side?

The Baptist Center over at Hilsborough and Gardner Streets:

Infiniti would be a good fit for that location. I've found it incredulous that Infinity built a high-end dealership on Colonel Glenn, and within a year turned it into some lame Korean joint, then moved back to their old, inadequate location (where they still are).

By the way, I'd hate to see Lincoln go from the Jaguar/Range Rover (and now VW) dealership. Lincoln is now building some fine product, and it made sense when Ford owned all three. Now that they don't, I can see the chances of a possible change becoming more likely.

Driving past it a few minutes ago, it appears as though there is grass seed down, but i was trying to peek under the fence from a moving car

Maybe there is a back-up plan :-)

How so? via the Walnut Creek Greenway?

How sketchy is that Greenway once it leaves the Farmers Market area and cuts through S. Saunders area, etc. across SE Raleigh? Would it be reasonably safe during daylight hours?

Looks like Rio loads are pretty poor. This was expected post-carnival, but I wonder how bad it really is.

http://www.usaviation.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48369&st=0

So USC falls to Alabama in the SEC tournament, and Clemson falls to NC State in the ACC tournament. Oh well. Once again, it's up to the schools in lower-profile conferences to represent SC in the NCAA tournament. It would be great to see Winthrop get past the first round this year, but I won't hold my breath.

Google Maps now has a bicycling travel option. It's in beta, but it works.

And when it routes you down, say, the east beltline, you can report that back to Google for future corrections.

Very believable to me and I said as much when the news first broke.

The city's proposed $40 million deal to buy an old rail corridor for a possible light-rail project could cost more because a federal agency is asking questions about the land's value.

Federal Transit Administration officials say past appraisals of the 10.6-mile-long strip are too old and that a new one is needed. The concern is important because FTA approval is needed before Hampton Roads Transit can use $5 million in federal funds toward the land purchase, a key part of the multi-agency deal crafted last year to buy the corridor.

I'm not sure I care for the design of it. It looks so.... pseudo-50s.

On a related note I had something in my reader feed (and for the life of me can't find it now) that was from another forum. The poster was in Fort Worth and claimed their connections were deep inside Radio Shack who confirmed there was never any real intention to move so much as wring out some new incentives in their existing locale.

Not sure what that's worth and again - I can't find the original link - so take with a grain of salt.

I can't imagine a building like the Gherkin in Raleigh.

More eyesores:

Glenwood Towers http://www.rhaonline...es/glenwood.jpg
614 Glenwood: http://www.godowntow...nwood-Ave-w.gif

With three a day to DTW now, makes sense that they would add a fourth. Most cutbacks in CVG have resulted in more traffic for DTW. Next on the chopping block (and it has already started with reductions)....Memphis.

I noticed that it didn't mention Lincoln, either. I could easily see it being lifted out.

On another automotive dealer note, I noticed that the former Chenal Parkway Pontiac/Buick/GMC at the corner of Chenal and Markham has survey stakes around the edge of the property. The for sale sign is still up, but the stakes are usually a sign that someone is making an offer or expecting to close. As far as possible auto dealers to take it over, I guess it could be a Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Not sure what other company would even need a location, but let's speculate, shall we? Personally, I'd move the Infiniti dealer from Markham. Their lot is not well laid out at all.

Apple at Haywood is perfect, IMO as it cemments Haywood's position as the best mall in the state, as well as ensures the longevity of Haywood. Due to the location of Haywood, between downtown and the money of the Eastside/Golden Strip, the area should continue to turn more and more dense, urban, upscale.

If I were a betting man I would rule out a Radio Shack announcement in the short term. The Wall Street rumor mill has the company in play as an acquisition target. While they will need a new hq site (due to lease agreements) if they are bought by private equity (which seems most likely) -- a corporate buyer may fold command into their own operations. Either scenario may involve substantial corporate downsizing (in order to increase RS focus on the wireless business)

I would think (without any direct knowledge of the specifics) that any negotiations about new hq sites will be delayed until the ownership question is settled.

http://www.reuters.c...20100303?rpc=44