A Montgomery Downtown Master Plan was developed by Dover, Kohl & Partners after a September 2006 charette, and unanimously approved by the city planning commission in February 2007. Details and .pdf's available here:
http://doverkohl.com/project_detail_pages/montgomery.html,
http://doverkohl.com/project_detail_pages/...Res_cropped.pdf (http://doverkohl.com/project_detail_pages/montgomery/Montgomery_Report_Low_Res_cropped.pdf)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Plan_Implementation.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Plan_Implementation.gif

Montgomery Riverwalk

The first phase of the riverwalk (along the Alabama River) is under construction downtown, right across the railroad tracks from the minor league baseball stadium. The project includes a multilevel riverwalk, two amphitheaters, restrooms, a police precinct office, an observation tower, riverboat landing, and more. Eventually, the riverwalk is to be extended to Maxwell AFB to the west and to the Montgomery Marina to the east.

Riverwalk Plan:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Riverwalk_plan.jpg

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa and Convention Center Expansion

RSA is spending $157 million on a new 12-story downtown hotel, performing arts center and expansion of the adjacent convention center. Currently under construction, the project is scheduled for completion in early 2008.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RMHS_1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RMHS_2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RMHS_3.jpg

New RSA Headquarters

The Retirement Systems of Alabama has a new $100 million+ 8-story headquarters building under construction downtown. The structure topped out on March 5th, and is scheduled for completion in spring 2008.

The 280,000-square-foot complex will consolidate RSA employees and open up more first-class office space downtown. The lower four floors will be leased initially, and the former RSA headquarters building across the street will be available for lease after RSA moves into the new building.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/RSA_HQ.jpg

Riverfront Alley Way/"Grocer's Alley"

A New Orleans-style “Grocer’s Alley” will be built using a current alley and path that will be torn through a building on Commerce Street. The alley, which will connect the new hotel and convention center to the baseball stadium and Riverwalk, will feature restaurants and shopping. The proposed cost of the alley is $1.2 million and will include contributions from private developers.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/GrocersAlley.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/GrocersAlley2.jpg

Downtown Streetcar Proposal

The downtown master plan includes a proposal to reinstate part of the old Lightning Route streetcar service in downtown Montgomery. When it went into service in the 1880's, the original Lightning Route was the first city-wide electric streetcar service in the US. Hopefully, the city can get this funded and in place within the next decade.


Short older article here:
http://www.heritagetrolley.org/planMontgomeryRTOL1.htm

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/LightningRoute.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Dexter_streetsection.jpg

Capitol Park Proposal

A new public park is proposed for the area in front of the Capitol. From the downtown master plan: "The State Capitol Complex is the city's and state's most important civic space, but it lacks a well-ordered foreground which properly dramatizes the building's symbolic significance. The original landscape plan for the Capitol Complex, designed by the Olmsted Brothers, was intended to transform the area around the Capitol into a monumental setting flanked by physical structures and park space. Currently, oversized surface parking lots are the central feature of the foreground to the Capitol. A strategy that satisfies the parking needs but does not detract from the site's stately civic beauty is required."

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Capitol_grounds.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Capitol_before_after.jpg

http://doverkohl.com/project_detail_pages/montgomery/capitol_grounds.gif

The former Greystone Hotel, a 10-story building at the corner of Commerce and Bibb Streets downtown, across the street from the Renaissance Hotel construction site, is being renovated to become a Hampton Inn. The structure was converted to office use in the 1970’s, last used by First Tuskegee Bank. Expected to open by the end of 2007, the new hotel will feature 86 guest rooms, meeting rooms, a ballroom and a fitness room.

Downtown Hampton Inn project (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/BUSINESS/704050334/1003)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hampton1.jpg

Montgomery Area Intermodal Transportation Center

The new bus transfer center and parking deck is under construction next to the river. When the new riverwalk is completed (also under construction), this deck will be connected to it via a walkway to a tower on the riverwalk.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/IntermodalCtr.jpg

New Court Square Plaza

Court Square Plaza, which terminates the western end of Dexter Avenue (opposite the state capitol) and features a ca. 1885 fountain, opened for vehicle and pedestrian traffic on April 24th. The $1.3 million renovation of the plaza transformed the area into a signature public space and returned the plaza to its historic, pre-1950s roundabout design. The new plaza features flush pavement at the edges, traffic circulating around the historic fountain, bollards at key locations, and cobblestone pavers.

Court Square Plaza may be the first new plaza of its kind on a major U.S. city street in over fifty years. The project included reopening a block of Court Street that was converted into a concrete pedestrian mall in the 1970s. Court Square is now a wireless hotspot, with coverage extending about a block from the square.

The restored plaza and roundabout are part of the first phase of a $10 million downtown revitalization effort, implemented according to the new downtown master plan. Phase one of the revitalization plan also includes restoring historic downtown building facades, converting one-way streets to two-way traffic, redeveloping the downtown Five Points area and marking the Montgomery portion of the Selma-to-Montgomery march.

Montgomery Advertiser story with photos and video links: Downtown roundabout comes full circle at last (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250332/1007)

Montgomery Independent: Reopening of Court Square roundabout a bright spot in downtown revitalization (http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1178047645262820.xml&coll=4)


Court Square in the 1950s
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Dexter_50s.jpg

Court Square prior to current renovation
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/CtSquare_old.jpg

Photos after completion:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Photo_042707_002.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Photo_042707_004.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Photo_042707_007.jpg

Construction updates, July 2007:

New RSA Headquarters
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RSA_hq_7-28-1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RSA_hq_7-28-e.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RSA_hq_crown1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RSA_hq_green.jpg


New downtown hotel & convention center expansion
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hotel7-28-1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hotel7-28-2.jpg
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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hotel-7-28-4.jpg

Intermodal transportation center
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Intermodal7-28-3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Intermodal7-28-1.jpg

Expansion of public safety building, per capitol park proposal
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/PublicSafety7-28b.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/PublicSafety7-28-1.jpg
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Balcony being added to building in alley project
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_7-28.jpg

Hey! I had no idea all this was going on in Montgomery. Looks nice. :okay:

Hey! I had no idea all this was going on in Montgomery. Looks nice. :okay:
Montgomery's got good leadership right now, and there's a major downtown revitalization under way. There's more to come. :soon:

Riverwalk construction photos:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Riverwalk1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk19.jpg
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Welcome terrace and pergola
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk14.jpg

This old silo will be the home of the riverfront police precinct.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Police_precinct.jpg

A floating boat dock has been built in front of the central riverwalk
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Riverwalk4_5-19.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Riverwalk1_5-19.jpg

New amphitheater
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk13.jpg

Old amphitheater
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk21.jpg

The riverwalk will eventually extend to the marina, pretty much where the big boats are to the left of the smokestack
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk17.jpg

The riverwalk will eventually extend westward to Maxwell AFB, beyond the I-65 bridge in this photo
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk10.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Rvrwalk23.jpg

Aaahh yes. This is what I've been hearing about. I'm glad someone finally posted this. There ARE good things going on in Montgomery!

Proposed: Cramton Bowl and Garrett Coliseum Renovations

Mayor Bright would like to upgrade Cramton Bowl, adding concessions, luxury suites and a new press box, so that the downtown stadium could host high school playoff and college football games, and the city could bring back the Blue-Gray game. The mayor is trying to get the county, school board and Alabama State University to help the city pay for the $14 million renovation of the 24,000-seat stadium, which was built in 1922.

Montgomery Advertiser: City looks to upgrade Cramton Bowl (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070830/NEWS/708300348/1001)

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Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks wants to renovate Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. According to Sparks, architects and engineers began drawing proposals to modernize the 1950s-era coliseum more than a year ago. The coliseum website (http://www.garrett.state.al.us/) lists a seating capacity of 13,500, with 31,000 sq. ft. of space.

WSFA-TV has a video with renderings of the proposed changes to Garrett Coliseum. It looks like a major renovation and expansion.

Video link on this page: Garrett Coliseum Set for Renovation (http://www.wsfa.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?vendor=wss&qu=garrett+coliseum)

wooooooooaahahhhhh!!!
Grrrreat projects! Thanks so much for sharing!

^ You're welcome, macon4ever!

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A few project updates:

Phase I of the Intermodal Transportation Center is complete
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Intermodal_9-1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Intermodal_9-2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Intermodal_9-3.jpg

Work has begun on the downtown Hampton Inn renovation
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hampton_2.jpg

Renaissance hotel & convention center construction update
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/HotelCC_1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/HotelCC_2.jpg
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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/HotelCC_5.jpg

Good stuff going on in Montgomery! I especially like the Riverwalk plans. :okay:

This is a new RSA building on Dexter Avenue. Construction has just begun, but there is much controversy among people about how imposing it is on the historic street front.
http://wsfa.images.worldnow.com/images/7478866_BG1.jpg

Also, here is the new Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. It is nearly complete and scheduled to open in March.
http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=DS&Dato=20071227&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=712270803&Ref=PH&Item=4
http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=DS&Dato=20071227&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=712270803&Ref=PH&Item=5

Another Hotel For Downtown Montgomery?

Updated: March 12, 2008 06:56 PM CDT

Could a Fourth Hotel Be Coming to Downtown Montgomery?
Downtown Montgomery Could Get Its 4th Hotel

Montgomery, Al. (WSFA) -- It could very well be the sign of something new on the way. WSFA 12 News has learned a contract has been signed by Colonial Bank and a buyer but the deal has not closed at this point.

12 News has also learned the buyer is from out of state and right now that buyer is doing a feasibility study on the property located at the corner of Bibb and Commerce. The only thing commercial real estate agent John Stanley will say is the buyer is considering several uses for the property. Stanley represents Colonial Bank in the impending deal. However, WSFA 12 News may have found a clue.

"We have been told a major hotel brand is looking in downtown Montgomery," said Dawn Hathcock, Vice President of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hathcock didn't know which hotel chain but there is speculation that it may be Hyatt or Hilton. If the deal goes through and the buyer builds a hotel, does downtown Montgomery really need additional hotel rooms? After all you already have Embassy Suites, the Hampton Inn is on the way, and then of course you have the new $200 million convention center and hotel, right across the street from the property that's under contract.

"That will only make us stronger as we go out and look for more groups to come, more room supply helps the city," Hathcock said.

"There is always a chance of over-saturation," said Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner.

Bronner concedes failure is always a possibility in business but agrees with Hathcock a new hotel would only increase the city's chances of landing more visitors and conventions.

"Hotels especially downtown hotels are built with the basis you'll lose money in the first two or three years until you get rolling. This presents more opportunities to expand downtown," Bronner said.

For now no one is saying for certain just what will go on the corner of Bibb and Commerce. No deal yet, no word on who may be checking in.

If anything is built you probably won't see any dirt moving until the fall. That's assuming both parties close on the deal.

Reporter: Bryan Henry

I'm glad to see Montgomery growing an developing. I'm a brazilian guy who currently lives in Australia, but I was in Montgomery in 1999 as an exchange student at Trinity Presbiterian School...fun times... need to get back to Montgomery sometime soon!

Revitalization Update - 29 & 31 So. Court Square
“It makes economical sense,” says Durham Cornett, referring to the building on S. Court St. that he is renovating and plans to move into with his wife, Cheryl, and their daughter, Cammie.

The space, which used to house a jewelry store, currently includes a restaurant on the ground level that bustles during the week with the downtown lunch crowd. The Cornett’s tricked-out 2900 square foot residence will feature smart house technology, $35,000 worth of state-of-the-art appliances and a 2500 square foot rooftop deck with an outdoor kitchen. The vault that used to hold the jewels will soon be the wine cellar, and the 420 square foot garage will allow private entry into the home.

Durham and Cheryl moved to Montgomery from Texas, where they saw firsthand the potential of downtown living. “Deep Ellum” is the renovated warehouse district located just three blocks east of downtown Dallas, and is the home to the most fashion-forward, trend-setting people in the city. Durham says that he believes Montgomery is experiencing the same transformation that has happened in Dallas and so many other cities, and he and Cheryl want to be a part of it.

His advice to others seeking to renovate historic properties downtown: Once you see the historical value of a property and decide to take it on, get a good, creative and open-minded architect. Sounds like he’s following his own advice. The firm that designed this restoration: Cherry McNab Architects. Estimated completion: 4 months.


http://www.montgomery-city-guide.com/montgomeryalabamariverfrontdevelopment.html

Urban Green
Here Comes Hampstead
by Chad Emerson
appearing in the Feb/Mar 2008 issue of FUTURE Montgomery

For many River Region residents, the perfect beach vacation involves a trip to Gulf Coast hotspots like Seaside, Rosemary Beach or Alys Beach. The mixture of convenient uses combined with interesting architecture and a relaxed, walking atmosphere make these new towns extremely popular with locals.

Soon though, you won’t have to drive to the beach to enjoy such benefits, as the firm who designed Seaside—the awarding winning Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ)—will debut its first, and only, River Region community.

The project, called Hampstead, will open its initial buildings and residences in 2008, following two years of planning by some of the country’s best architects, designers, and engineers. Like DPZ’s Gulf Coast projects, Hampstead embraces the concept of mixing compatible uses in an interesting, safe, and walkable setting. This month, we take an inside look at Hampstead with two of the town’s founders, Anna Lowder and Harvi Sahota.

Located on Taylor Road between Vaughn Road and Troy Highway, Hampstead is conveniently situated on Montgomery’s rapidly growing eastside. Of course, that’s merely a fringe benefit when you consider that the project was designed from scratch to offer residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to walk and bike to a variety of neighborhood locations.

Indeed, early plans for this 400-acre project call for three separate phases, each comprised of a mix of single family detached houses, live-work units, and a host of useful amenities.

As Harvi Sahota explains, “we designed the
City Drug Montgomery project so that everyone can easily walk throughout the community and enjoy all types of conveniences.” According to Sahota, these amenities range from expansive park space to Hampstead Farms, a unique agricultural project that will combine small, individual plots for residents with a larger community farm. This environmentally-friendly feature will even provide produce for the project’s planned restaurants and market, several of which will open as part of the first phase premiere in Fall 2008. Early plans include everything from a casual bistro to fine dining.

Around the same time, the project will debut roughly 80,000 square feet of office and retail space. However, while large in size, the office space (like the rest of Hampstead) avoids the “big box” feel by incorporating the office units into a pedestrian-friendly design that includes plenty of parking (often located behind the buildings for convenience). In fact, over 60% of Hampstead’s commercial space is already leased, indicating significant demand for mixed-use office and retail in Montgomery. Other planned retail outlets include boutiques, a neighborhood market, banks, restaurants, a coffee shop, pub, and workout facilities, all within an easy walk from the residential areas.

While having a vibrant town center will be one of Hampstead’s major features, the diversity of its residential offerings will be another key advantage. Unlike many projects that take a cookie-cutter approach to residential design, Hampstead adopted a strategy of providing numerous different options, ranging from smaller townhomes and cottages to larger traditional houses. There are even a few estate lots sprinkled in for good measure.

Anna Lowder notes that this variety was intentional “as it provides viable options for all types of living, from the more urban attached units to private courtyard and cottage-style homes.” Of course, for any new community, pricing is always a key question with prospective residents. On this point, Lowder explains that Hampstead will start the smaller units in the $100,000’s with a host of competitively-priced homes in the $200,000 and $300,000 range. For those interested in the super-luxe life, a small group of custom estate homes priced in the million dollar range will be available.

In each case, the residences will incorporate classic architecture with the advantages of new construction, including energy-efficient design and modern technology wired into every home. Ultimately, buyers in Hampstead will enjoy a unique opportunity for new construction — the ability to walk to a neighborhood market or café while still enjoying the privacy of the residential setting. This means that on any given day, Hampstead residents will be able to park their cars and still eat out for lunch or workout at a family-friendly gym.

The developers of Hampstead hired DPZ to design the master plan in August 2005. As DPZ principal Andres Duany explains, the project offered a unique opportunity to create a new community near an existing high-quality retail core. Additionally, using such a large site meant that DPZ and the planning team were able to reserve space for an elementary school, several church sites and a large lake. Indeed, even at this early stage, Hampstead is beginning to garner national interest from Smart Growth proponents.

With other New Urban projects like The Waters in Pike Road moving forward, the 2008 opening of Hampstead will continue to enhance the River Region’s reputation as a hub for sustainable growth efforts.

Chad Emerson teaches at Faulkner’s Jones School of Law, while researching, writing, teaching and blogging on all things smart growth and new urban related. He lives at the Waters with his wife, Betsy, and their three sons. They enjoy their T4 lives, walking to the Y and the corner store almost every day.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/brad0022/0514-MasterPlan-HiRes_y.jpg

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Building has begun on the commerical/mixed use building facing Taylor road. Some houses are under construction last time I was out that way.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/brad0022/WatersMasterPlan.jpg

This is the Waters on the Waugh exit of I85 but it has a Pike Road address. It is a smart growth community. Its similar to Seaside, FL. Houses are dense with narrow streets and it promotes walking. There is a faux downtown with a 2 or 3 story mixed use building. Lofts on top and commercial on street level. Not sure of what the total unit number is.

http://www.thewatersal.com/index.html

interactive map for the Locus Point hamlet
http://www.thewatersal.com/map.html#

The A&P Lofts

If more of a neighborhood feel is what you want, the Atlantic and Pacific development is also nearing completion. It's located in Montgomery's Old Cloverdale neighborhood.

The buildings are new construction, but built to blend with the surrounding architecture. The development is named for the old A&P grocery store that used to sit on the site.

"Everybody wants to be in Cloverdale because of the neighborhood," developer Anna Lowder said. "It's exciting and diverse."

Lowder and her husband, Harvi Sahota, spared no expense on the project. They expect the A&P Lofts to be even more successful than their first project, the 246 Lofts downtown.

"I think we were kind of ahead of our time then," Sahota said. "Now the concept is really catching on."

There are 18 retail spaces and 14 residential lofts available, some of which are two stories. They range from 1000 square feet to 2700 square feet and are being offered for sale. Prices range from $210,000 to $625,000.

From: http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6970405

I dont have any photos of the A&P Lofts.

A good friend of mine just moved in last weekend. The weekend before there was a young professionals club meeting in the Montgomery Fair building that we attended and most of the lofts were open to check out.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/brad0022/0731081801.jpg

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click here for progress photos: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DS&Date=20080930&Category=COMMUNITIES010305&ArtNo=809300806&Ref=PH&Profile=1007&Params=Itemnr=1

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/brad0022/bilde.jpg

Entertainment district to open in early '09

Just across from the new Renaissance Montgomery hotel, there's another rebirth going on: the development of an entertainment and dining district with a few retail shops sprinkled in.
Advertisement

Most of the district, bounded by Commerce, Bibb, Coosa and Tallapoosa streets, is what its developers call the Alleyway Project. They also intend, though, to renovate a couple of other empty buildings in the same block.

At least five years in the making, the 120,000-square-foot Alleyway Project will be officially unveiled early next year. One building is completed already and has a banquet room open for events.

In those five-plus years, the developers have watched downtown come alive. Riverwalk Stadium, home of the Montgomery Biscuits, went up. Then the new convention center.

The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center opened in February. Hampton Inn, next door to the Alleyway Project, began taking guests this summer. Another hotel is on the drawing board.

"We feel like the time is right with all the things going on down here, and we feel like we are recycling the whole inner city," said Jerry Kyser, one of the developers.

Kyser along with Greg Allen, Jere Beasley, Bill Helms and Randy Roark are individual investors. Businesses with interests are Summit Development Group, the O'Connor Law Firm, the 2WR Holmes Wilkins Co., the Junior League and Coldwell Banker Commercial Moore Co. Realty, a partnership of Helms, Roark, Steve Hughes and Jerome T. Moore III.

The building already finished belongs to Kyser.

Called 129 Coosa for its street address, the structure has three levels: a banquet room at the top, the site of several events a month so far; the middle space for an Italian restaurant, which will open soon; and a private dining area and wine cellar in the basement.

The back of the restaurant opens to the old railroad alleyway between the century-old buildings. The trains served warehouses on either side of the alley, which will be paved over in decorative concrete patterns.

The developers envision residents and tourists strolling through the alley, stopping for a bite to eat or to enjoy a band.

Allen, a partner in the Beasley Allen law firm, owns the property at 138 Commerce St., where the alley breaks off through a former storefront.

A trio of shops, about 1,000 square feet each, will line one side of the pedestrian walk. On the other, a restaurant -- possibly a high-end pizza place. A bar area will extend into the walkway, giving it an airy feel while keeping it protected from the elements.

Upstairs, Allen plans luxury-loft apartments, with maybe some office space mixed in. Renderings of the building show a rooftop garden.

Down the alleyway, toward Tallapoosa Street, another old warehouse will be converted into a barbecue restaurant. A rooftop bar, a dream of the developers, would let patrons watch the Biscuits from on high.

Over on Coosa Street, Roark and Moore have a building. Their offices are upstairs and they want to open a restaurant on the street level.

The developers, each used to calling the shots, had to work together to get -- and keep -- the project moving. For example, they had to agree on a consistent exterior appearance for the buildings. The result: the recycling of bricks and lumber, taken from demolished walls and floors, to keep an authentic look.

Roark, who wants a restaurant in his building, knows he can't put up exactly the same thing as another owner.

"I think there is a market for all these restaurants," he said, "as long as they are diverse."

Kyser has had to spend more money protecting a neighbor building just to improve his 129 Coosa. The building had a small basement, but he wanted a bigger one.

To dig under his building, built in the 1890s, Kyser had to work under a neighboring building. That wasn't an easy feat: he had to shore up the foundation of the neighboring building with several cubic yards of steel-reinforced concrete, all pumped under ground.

Down the block, where Coosa crosses Bibb, are a couple of empty buildings that Kyser and other owners plan to renovate as well.

A former gas station likely will be turned into a diner, open late for partiers looking for a midnight snack.

Perhaps some of those patrons will come from another Kyser bar -- one he calls a "pure beer joint" at 108 Bibb St.

Kyser expects to cut out part of the floor on the second story, allowing patrons to look down at a country band on the first-floor stage.

From Montgomery Advertiser: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081001/NEWS01/810010369/1007
Down the alley

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/NEWS01/809180331/0/NEWS

Montgomery moves up in business ranks

Montgomery rocketed from 78th place to No. 38 in a Milken Institute ranking of cities that have experienced business success.
Advertisement

The Milken Institute, an economic research group, ranked cities based on factors that include job growth, wage growth and technology growth over one-to-five-year periods.

The group said its Best Performing Cities Index is a measure of job growth and does not measure cost of living or other factors, only increases in the number of jobs and salary increases.

Keivan Deravi, an economist at Auburn Montgomery, said he believes the ranking stems from Montgomery's successful recruitment of Hyundai, along with the area's base of government jobs and its growing technology sector.

He said the two are largely interrelated. Much of Montgomery's technology sector is based with the U.S. Air Force, he said.

"We have a pretty good government anchor," he said. "And we have a pretty good high-tech base out at Maxwell. They have some pretty serious high-tech programs going on."

Hyundai, he said, also increased technology jobs in the area.

"They have so much automation, it had to," he said.

Deravi said Hyundai made all the difference in job and wage growth.

"With Hyundai, we had to raise wages to the regional level," he said. "A lot of structural changes happened with that."

He predicted wages in the area will level off as the area job market adjusts to Hyundai.

"That wage growth is beginning to slow now," he said.

Wages should not fall, but Deravi said the sudden increase that came from thousands of new manufacturing jobs is hard to maintain.

Provo, Utah, ranked No. 1 in the survey.

Huntsville was fifth overall.

Alleyway Project
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alleyway.gif
Alleyway - Commerce St. entrance
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AlleyEntrance1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AlleyEntrance3.jpg
Alleyway - adjacent Commerce St. bldg under renovation (restaurant/bar, condos, offices)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AlleyNear1.jpg
Alleyway from Tallapoosa St
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AlleyConstr1.jpg

New RSA headquarters
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/RSA_HQ_009.jpg

Rennaissance Hotel (complete)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hotel5-31-3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hotel5-31-1.jpg

New wings on old Highway Dept. bldg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AttyGen02.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AttyGen01.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/AttyGen03.jpg

Old newspaper building converted to county offices & parking garage
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Advertiser_1.jpg

A couple of new city parking garages in progress
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/WashAveDeck2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/CoosaDeck_1.jpg

Old downtown car dealership converted to office space
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Destin_Energy_2.jpg

Building has begun on the commerical/mixed use building facing Taylor road. Some houses are under construction last time I was out that way.

Yeah, it's really come a long way in the past few months. The last time I went by there the only buildings under construction were the two at the entrance next to Taylor Rd.

Photos from 10/11/08:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp003.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp001.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp013.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp019.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp018.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp010.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Hamp009.jpg

The long-rumored new downtown hotel project has finally been revealed. Two hotels, a Hyatt Place and a MainStay Suites, and a parking deck are being planned for the parking lot on Bibb St. between Commerce and Lee. The $30-35 million project could be completed by 2011, and would add more than 200 hotel rooms right across the street from the convention center.

Awesome infill project! It'll cover up a surface parking lot and is designed as a proper urban building -- built out to the sidewalk with ground level uses and parking in the interior of the block. :okay:

Plans for 2 hotels moving forward (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090116/NEWS01/901160321)


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/HyattPlace1.jpg

Hey, that's a pretty spiffy project there. I just hope the building materials are of quality, which they should be given the downtown location.

These are some pictures I took of the Alleyway in October (2009), and the area immediately surrounding it. Sorry about the quality they are cell phone photos...

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone044.jpg
Looking at the Water Tower and Dreamland BBQ coming up from Tallapoosa Street

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone045.jpg
The heart of the Alleyway with the Alley Bar, and Dreamland

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone046.jpg
Looking down and out towards Commerce Street, where SaZa's now is

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone048.jpg
From the other side of Tallapoosa Street, the green roof in the back is the Renaissance Hotel

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone049.jpg
Across from the Alleyway going up Commerce, a restaurant whose name I forgot

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone050.jpg
Looking back at the Alleyway, the future home of the Alabama Children's Museum

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/a_chamberlain88/AbramsPhone051.jpg
Just off of Court Square is Wintzell's Oysters

These picture were taken early afternoon on a Saturday. There was a lot of work going on, but there were barely any pedestrians out and about. I hope that this will change, as Montgomery's downtown is very walkable.

How's this Alley Project coming along?

Here is an article about the Cramton Bowl renovation.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/brad0022/rendering.jpg

http://www.mymaxmore.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120:the-cramton-conversion&catid=1:current&Itemid=32

A multisport facility will be added to the renovated stadium.



"under the conservative estimate, it would be enough to pay for the whole $22 - 23 million for the renovation of Cramton Bowl,” Strange said. Financing for the renovations were included in a $100 million bond issue the City received earlier this year."

"If the venue performs according to the “best case” scenario of hosting around 50 events per year, the number could increase to 1,100. Translated into dollars and cents, those events could generate an estimated $87 million in annual revenue."

A $20 million downtown residential project was announced yesterday in Montgomery. The 220-unit infill project will cover an entire block that is currently used for parking. If successful, the developers will build a mixed-use development across the street.

So glad to see this kind of infill for downtown. The apartments will be within easy walking distance of the baseball stadium, riverfront, and the Alley.

$20 million apartment complex coming to downtown Montgomery (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110428/NEWS01/110428011/-20-million-apartment-complex-coming-downtown-Montgomery)

Downtown may get apartment complex (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110429/NEWS01/104290328/Downtown-may-get-apartment-complex)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Columbus_Apt.jpg

How's this Alley Project coming along?

It's still underway, but most of the retail and restaurant space is in use now. A new restaurant is about to open and a basement bar below Dreamland is in the works I believe. Not sure about the work on the upper floors, but I assume that will be completed last.

Below are a few cell phone photos taken this morning before the lunch rush.

New Cantina Tortilla Grill restaurant, opening this month. It will have seating in the alley.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_Cantina1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_Cantina2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_Cantina3.jpg


Saza, an Italian restaurant at the Commerce St. entrance
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_Saza1.jpg

The Deli at Alley Station, also at the Commerce St. entrance
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Alley_Deli1.jpg

The city is pushing hard for revitalization of the lower Dexter Ave area, and is selling properties to developers for renovations with a two year deadline. Two of those buildings are pictured below, with work already started at 78 Dexter and the plans for the Kress building up for an approval vote in early August. Several more properties have been sold or are up for sale.

78 Dexter Ave will become a restaurant.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Dexter_reno1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/78Dexter1.jpg


The Kress building renovation will create 30 new residential units, a 200-person performance venue, a bar, a small eatery, a rooftop terrace and a small fitness center.

Plan Details (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110718/NEWS01/107180310)


Dexter Ave facade rendering
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Kress_renov1.png


Older pics of the Dexter Ave and Monroe St facades
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Kress_Dexter1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a37/expatbaman/Montgomery/Kress_Monroe1.jpg