Eastern Shore Developments

[Southron]

Let's discuss news, projects and construction in the Eastern Shore communities of Mobile Bay.

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Bayside condo plans shaping up

A six-story, 39-unit condominium building overlooking Mobile Bay is planned on the bluff in Daphne. The mixed-use project also includes a three-building "Main Street" with retail or office space on the first floor and residential units on the second and third floors. Condo prices range from $299,900 for a one bedroom to $649,900 for a large three bedroom unit.

The developer has not yet submitted his final site plan for approval. Future plans include a boardwalk to the bay and a small 25-boat marina.

Mobile Press-Register article

Edited May 29, 2007 by ExpatBaman

[Southron]

Spanish Fort council votes to keep Causeway height limits

The Spanish Fort City Council voted to keep structures on the Causeway under 40 feet in height and no denser than 20 units per acre. The Council also agreed to allow commercial buildings up to 70 feet on the site of the proposed Spanish Fort Town Center near U.S. 98 and I-10, and at the Eastern Shore Centre retail complex.

The vote essentially killed the 26-story Gateway condominium project that had been proposed on the Causeway. Gateway developers said they would still develop the property, but don't have any plans yet.

It's not clear how the vote will affect the 7-story Las Brisas hotel, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and would need to be grandfathered in to reopen at its original height.

Mobile Press-Register article.

[DruidCity]

More info on the projects in the "Bayside condo plans shaping up" article :

http://www.daphnebayfrontvillage.com/ and

http://turquezaholdings.com/

Another condo project in Spanish Fort carries the "Cypress Point" name :

http://www.privatecommunities.com/visit/in...nk_location=top

Spanish Fort Town Center: http://www.cypressequities.com/Development...erty_category=2

The last time I drove through Daphne, I noticed that the site where a 16-story condo was planned is now for sale,

so it looks like this one isn't happening : http://www.apalacheelifestyle.com/news_1_06.html

Luxury neighborhood associated with the Grand Hotel in Point Clear:

http://www.colonyatthegrand.com/residences.html

[bayourat15]

More info on the projects in the "Bayside condo plans shaping up" article :

http://www.daphnebayfrontvillage.com/ and

http://turquezaholdings.com/

Another condo project in Spanish Fort carries the "Cypress Point" name :

http://www.privatecommunities.com/visit/in...nk_location=top

Spanish Fort Town Center: http://www.cypressequities.com/Development...erty_category=2

The last time I drove through Daphne, I noticed that the site where a 16-story condo was planned is now for sale,

so it looks like this one isn't happening : http://www.apalacheelifestyle.com/news_1_06.html

Luxury neighborhood associated with the Grand Hotel in Point Clear:

http://www.colonyatthegrand.com/residences.html

[PortofBama]

I say let the the developers build the gateway condos down on waterstreet north of the rsa tower! It would look good on I-165 SOUTH! And the apalachee would look nice where that ugly parking area is downtown, behind Grand Central and Boo Radlys

[Southron]

Employers build housing for foreign workers

A growing need for workers in coastal Alabama prompted area hotels and developers to recruit foreigners and build dorm-like buildings to house them because of high rents in the area.

PCH Hotels and Resorts, managers of the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, placed seven modular buildings in Fairhope to house 75 workers - from Argentina, Eastern Europe and Jamaica - for the hotel. PCH is also renovating an old orphanage in Mobile to house foreign workers for the Battle House and Riverview Plaza hotels.

Developers in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have built dorm-like buildings for workers as well.

Mobile Register: Resort plans housing for its foreign workers

[Southron]

Spanish Fort may create a downtown area

SmartCode expert advises city planners and leaders

Spanish Fort may develop a gridded mixed-use city center in the near future. Jones Law School Professor Chad Emerson made a presentation about the merits of SmartCode to the city Planning Commission and key leaders, and suggested a location for a new downtown.

The city is working on a comprehensive plan for future development, and hopefully SmartCode will be part of that effort. City leaders expect to begin development of a downtown within the next few years.

Mobile Press-Register: Spanish Fort officials listen to SmartCode downtown ideas

[DruidCity]

I can picture something similar to the Soho development in Homewood as a Spanish Fort "downtown."

[Southron]

Bay Minette widening and extending city sidewalks

Phase I of a two-phase sidewalk paving project added over a mile and a half of new or widened sidewalks in downtown Bay Minette. The new and improved sidewalks are six feet wide.

Nice to see small towns enhancing walkability for their citizens.

Mobile Press-Register: Walkway opens in Bay Minette

Edited April 20, 2007 by ExpatBaman

[elb401]

Twin Beech article at press registar

Did ya'll hear about twin Beech trying to incorporate. It will the only majority black city in Baldwin county and Eastern Shore bordering fairhope. It would have a population of about 2,000.

Edited April 26, 2007 by elb401

[Southron]

Twin Beech article at press registar

Did ya'll hear about twin Beech trying to incorporate. It will the only majority black city in Baldwin county and Eastern Shore bordering fairhope. It would have a population of about 2,000.

[elb401]

Yeah that sounds great but what about traffic. that road is worst than shillinger and airport blvd. It took me almost 40 minutes to drive down it the other day. I even have friends that moved to the dog river area over the eastern shore just because of the traffic problems!

[The Dude]

Interesting -- looks to be a good thing for the residents there.

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Fairhope plans to improve parts of US 98 through the city by replacing center turn lanes with grassy, tree-lined medians. Sidewalks are to be added along both sides of U.S. 98 as well. Construction may begin next fall.

Nice to see more sidewalks on the way for the Eastern Shore.

Mobile Press-Register: Officials reveal U.S. 98 improvement plans

[Southron]

I'm not opposed to sidewalks by any stretch of the imagination, but placing sidewalks on a suburban corridor is just placing a bandaid on the problem. A coding overhaul needs to take place to enforce urban development that compliments the current form of old Fairhope and provides for pedestrian comfort.

[Southron]

New subdivision threatens Civil War fortifications

Developers plan to build homes around and possibly on the site of one of the last remaining Civil War Union fortifications in the Mobile area. The fortifications sit on a half acre within the 48 acre proposed development.

Giving up a half acre of these 48 acres wouldn't hurt these developers. These battefields should have been protected decades ago.

Mobile Press-Register: Subdivision would be built on location of 1865 Union positions at Spanish Fort

[Southron]

Baldwin County likely to adopt stricter building codes

Baldwin County commissioners are considering the adoption of the 2006 International Building Code for commercial, residential, gas, mechanical and plumbing projects in unincorporated areas of the county. Home builders are lobbying for the less stringent 2003 International Code, but the 2006 code is likely to be chosen. Currently, residential structures in unincorporated Baldwin have to adhere to 1995 Southern Standard Building Code and commercial structures to the 2003 International codes.

Mobile Press-Register: Building code upgrade possible

Edited May 10, 2007 by ExpatBaman

[kayman]

It is good to see Baldwin is looking into taking the measures similar to Shelby County when it comes to handling stricter development regulations. The 2 fastest growing counties in the state are not only setting the standard for growth, but how to grow and develop. Now if we could get Madison County to jump on board that would be the state's top 3.

[Southron]

It is good to see Baldwin is looking into taking the measures similar to Shelby County when it comes to handling stricter development regulations. The 2 fastest growing counties in the state are not only setting the standard for growth, but how to grow and develop. Now if we could get Madison County to jump on board that would be the state's top 3.

[Southron]

Giant expansion for Spanish Fort

Annexations within the last month have more than doubled the size of Spanish Fort.

International Paper Realty announced plans for The Highlands of Spanish Fort, a giant new development of nearly 11,000 acres. The development could include as many as 35 communities, with 9.7 miles of new roads, 168 acres of parks and pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathways throughout. Work could begin next year if plans are approved.

Mobile Press-Register: Giant project in Spanish Fort's future

[Alabadrock]

Giant expansion for Spanish Fort

Annexations within the last month have more than doubled the size of Spanish Fort.

International Paper Realty announced plans for The Highlands of Spanish Fort, a giant new development of nearly 11,000 acres. The development could include as many as 35 communities, with 9.7 miles of new roads, 168 acres of parks and pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathways throughout. Work could begin next year if plans are approved.

Mobile Press-Register: Giant project in Spanish Fort's future

[DruidCity]

International Paper Realty announced plans for The Highlands of Spanish Fort, a giant new development of nearly 11,000 acres.

[Southron]

Based on a recent traffic study that included 10 intersections in the city, Fairhope selected three intersections for improvements -- Fairhope Avenue and Alabama 181 (new Wal-Mart), Fairhope Avenue and U.S. 98, and Fairhope Avenue and Bishop Road. Specific plans haven't been made for each intersection yet.

Fairhope is planning a roundabout, with room for a fountain or statue or both, at Alabama 104 and Veterans Drive. Plans include flowers, paving stones and shade trees.

Mobile Press-Register: Fairhope looks to improve traffic woes

[Southron]

The city of Fairhope adopted impact fees for new developments, joining Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in doing so. Baldwin County and the city of Daphne are considering impact fees as well. The state caps impact fees at 1 percent of the value of property and improvements.

Mobile Press-Register: Fairhope latest city to adopt impact fee

Edited June 5, 2007 by ExpatBaman

[Southron]

The Apalachee condominium project in Daphne is officially on hold. Developers say they want to move forward with the project once the market heats back up. The condo caused a stir in 2005 when the city council granted the developer a height variance to build a 192-foot condo tower, despite the city's 50-foot restriction on buildings. City officials later designated the area, on the west side of U.S. 98, between Interstate 10 and Van Buren Street, as a high-rise district with a height limit of 200 feet.

Mobile Press-Register: Daphne condo project halted

[Southron]

Baldwin County commissioners are considering the adoption of the 2006 International Building Code for commercial, residential, gas, mechanical and plumbing projects in unincorporated areas of the county. Home builders are lobbying for the less stringent 2003 International Code, but the 2006 code is likely to be chosen. Currently, residential structures in unincorporated Baldwin have to adhere to 1995 Southern Standard Building Code and commercial structures to the 2003 International codes.

Edited July 4, 2007 by Southron