Alabadrock

I like it. Looks like a good rendering to me. I'm assuming this is on the route of the parades? Do we know any specific amenities that it will have.

This news comes not long after a report that Decatur's housing price increase is the second highest in the state, and the highest among those ranked. Also, it is 22nd in the country, anyways, for that topic, look at the article above. Decatur's Economic Outlook Fifth Best in the Naiton The Manpower Employement Outlook Survey recently released findings that not only are 60% of employers in the city of Decatur looking to hire more employees between January and March, but, none of them are planning to reduce their payroles. Also, the city is ranked 5th in the country in the in the Economic Outlook, trailing only Fresno, Calif.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Everett, Wash.; and Annapolis, Md. This is very good news for Decatur's housing market and rate of growth. In recent years, the growth of the economy and city as whole in housing and population has slacked and has been nearly stagnant. UAH economists say that this survey means that employers are confident in the city and confidence goes a long way in influencing the cities growth. EDIT: LINK:Decatur's Economic Outlook Fifth Best in Nation

Decatur Number 1 in housing price rises in Alabama At the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, Decatur had the highest house cost rise of any metro area in the state that was ranked. With a percent increase of 7.2%, Decatur beat out 265 other metro areas in the United States, ranking number 22nd in the metros that were ranked. Other metros were not ranked because they had fewer than 15,000 transactions over the past 10 years. Decatur actually had the second highest, Dothan came in first. But, because Dothan had less than 15,000 transactions over the past decade, they were not ranked. Article: Decatur #1 in AL for housing price increase

Well, if I'm not mistaken. That land that is in the picture is in Arkansas, across the Mississippi from Memphis. So, I'm sure the land is valuble, but, unfortunately, downtown can't expand onto it.

EDIT: Renovations in store for Decatur Mall The new owners of the "Decatur Mall" on the Beltline have announced renovations will take place on the mall and the specifics will be announced in May. City Officials encouraged the mall's former ower, Colonial Prop., to undergo renovations. Unfortunately, Colonial announced plans for a renovation, and after the city said they would give $4 Million towards the renovation, Colonial dropped all plans for renovating the mall. Also, one of the anchors, Dillards, has announced that they will close the home store which is located on the mall complex but, is not attached to the building. This will bring Dillards square footage down from 160,000 to about 140,0A00. Article: Renovation in store for Decatur Mall

Well, in all of the articles that I've read, Langford has a plan in the tax increases and all to help improve the infrastructure around the area in downtown where the dome would be built. But, it's still not apparent whether or not that amount of money will be anywhere near enough to get the area around it where it needs to be.

I agree 100%. No one wants the dome to get built more than I do, arguable I know. But this has come at a horrible time. I'm proud that Langford is putting so much effort towards a cause that should benefit the city. But, that being said, I think it's being focused on the wrong cause. The dome is not a lost cause, Legion Field is old and crumbling, I'm sad to say. I wish there were some way to renovate it and make it a viable economic sports venue. If there were some plan out there that would overhaul Legion Field and the surrounding land I would put forth every bit of my energy to support it instead of the dome. I'm sure we all feel this way. Not to be repetitive, but, that being said. Yes, build the dome, by all means, but, please, put some kind of means in the works to help improve the education. An odd example this is I know, but, look at the Civil Rights Movement. They went to the major cities first, and expected that after the larger cities like Birmingham and Jackson were desegretated, other cities would follow suit, and it was pretty effective. We can put that same plan in place here with education, crime prevention, and mass transit. It's hard, but, what isn't?

I agree. Except, I wouldn't really say that the East is "tougher" than the west. The only thing the east has really done is beat up on itself. LSU beat Florida, South Carolina, an they're sure to win out the rest of the season IMO. Alabama, pounded Tennessee, just barely lost to Georgia. As much as I hate to boast about this one, I will, Auburn beat Florida, but, got beat by an obviously better Georgia. Tennessee, good lord, wooped UGA, the east's supposed most highly ranked team. I could go on. But, nothing is going to really prove either is better or worse.

UGA will make it to a BCS bowl, for sure. They'll knock off Kentucky Saturday. Whoever wins the Iron Bowl will go to a better bowl than Liberty or Music City, I'm sure. At this point, I'm doubting Auburn will win, Bama still has two more games, so, that gives them enough time to win out an salvage the season. ROLL TIDE

Panera Bread opens in Decatur 10th store in state offers 'quick-casual' dining experience Alabama's newest Panera bread restaurant has opened in Decatur at the new Crossings of Decatur shopping center. It is now the newest addition to the shopping center that opened a few weeks ago and includes stores like Target, Old Navy, Ross, and Petsmart. Most of the article can be summed up in the paragraph above, surprisingly, so, I'm not really gonna go into anymore detail. So, if you wanna read the entire article, here's the link: Article: Panera opens in Decatur

I'm gonna be as realistic as possible here. I'm really going to focus on just the Alabama cities and out of state cities that I know pretty well. Cause, after all, I'm trying to be realistic right? Huntsville - definitely a city that puzzles people. I still don't understand what the cities problem is about the heigh allowance with buildings. I'm thinking that in 30-40 years, it could mirror a slightly taller Birmingham. Frighteningly, that's a stretch. Mobile - I think everyone expects to see this downtown bloom at some point in time. Something's gotta give right? I'm thinking Nashville in about 25-30 years. Montgomery - Very hard to say. But, with all the downtown revitalization that they're doing, which, btw, seems to be more than any other Bama city I've seen, they should stand to gain some infill in a good bit. In about 25 years, I'd say a taller Chattanooga. I say this mainly because of Chattanooga's density, true, it's not super dense, but, Montgomery isn't exactly either at the moment. I'm gonna end the list with Birmingham, but, for now I'm gonna go over the smaller major cities all of us may not be familiar with. Tuscaloosa - this is a hard one to look at. All the condo developments that are sprouting up, and you should see how much bare clay there is in downtown now in preparation for construction. Eventually, downtown will be more desirable. It's already a beautiful place, even at night, I think we'll see some more infill in time. I'm thinking in about 40 years it's gonna be a smaller Huntsville. Dothan - very hard to say. I don't know really. The city is growing quite fast, but, at the moment, there isn't enough corporate support to make any major height additions to the downtown area. I say, maybe a taller Decatur. Decatur - too confusing to even analyze. So, I'm not even gonna try. BIRMINGHAM!! - wew, wow, probably one of the trickiest ever attempted What happens here, really depends on what the city plans to do as far as establishing a good base in the economy. Yes, the city has made great strides in trying to get a foot in the door. Well, we all know that foot has been slipping out as the city continues to fall behind in the race to keep ahead of the curve. I'm really gonna have to think as if the city is going to be on the right track for at least 5 straight years. If they can do that, the city stands a great chance at gaining some height. The city has already established itself at the forfront of density in the Southeast, so, eventually the city is going to have to build up because of the lack of space. If and when that does happen. The city could look a lot like New Orleans (minus the river) in about 30-40 years. I'm sure even the height is possible. This might be the most radical of my predictions. but, hey, it's possible.

It has a regular boring, short bridge that leads up to the main span. The bridge to Dauphin Island is a great example. It's all short until you get to the center and it's rather tall. Except in this case, the tall part would be a cable stayed design.

Ahhh, what a wonderful line up. USC over UK LSU over Florida Oklahoma over Texas Ohio State over Purdue Rutgers over Cincy Nebraska over Missouri V Tech over Clemson Wisc over Illinois Tenn over UGA For rankings?? USC and Florida will switch UK will fall to 13 LSU will be 1 of course Tex will fall to 23 Oklahoma will move to 8 Ohio State won't budge Purdue will drop out of the rankings Rutgers will be 18 Cincy will no longer be with us Nebraska will move up to 20 Missouri will fall to 24 V Tech will move to 12 Clemson will move out Wisc will not budge UGA will fall to 21 Tenn, who knows Auburn will break in FSU will as well

I think locating the bridge further south is a fantastic idea. No one says the bridge has to POP out over the river. It doesn't have to instantaniously turn into the main span. Build shorter causeway segments that lead up to the main span. Sorta like the new Sunshine Skyway in Tampa.

Well, the fact is that Alabama's made some great headway in attracting people to the state. All you have to do is attract the right audience. That's what they've done. I mean, they don't play big on the trilling stuff like amusement parks, because there aren't many. They play big on arts, outdoors, etc... because Alabama has a great source of them. Probably one of the best groupings of it in the country.

Governor to announce new industry in Decatur Governor Riley will be in Decatur on Friday to make an announcement about a new industry for the city. The announcement will reportedly not be an expansion, and is not linked with any current industry in the town at the moment. Riley will also be just south of Decatur for the celebration of the last segment of fourlaning of AL 157. Link: Industry announcement

Haha, I know what you mean. Cause, when I saw it, it didn't really scream....."fun". But, you never know, I'm hoping for the best. Taylor Hicks is also rumored to be going to Memphis soon to negotiate a club deal. These things could be successful, but, I guess we'll have to wait until they open to see.

Mutual Savings moving downtown Decatur based Mutual Savings Life Insurance will soon be moving from their current location on US 31 to the former Amsouth tower at the corner of 2nd Ave and Lee St. This is good news for downtown because the 110 employees that will be working at the building for Mutual will mean a lot of business for restaurants and stores in downtown. The insurance company has requested that additional parking for the employees be provided by using the Princess Theatre parking lot. Mutual moving downtown

Oh, I know we can do it. It's all 100% possible. But, the fact is, we're obviously the only two that will admit it. The thing is, some of these proposals might be ligitimate (sp?). But, no one wants to believe them, because everyone thinks it's TOO good for Alabama, so, it must not be true. The truth is, we have access to whatever we want, but, thanx to some horrible leadership in the state, we don't believe we deserve it.

I don't think anyone in the Birmingham area expects the Grizzlies to move to Birmingham. To them, this proposal is just one more huge joke. Oh, and it's one of more than three, many more proposals have been made. Oh, and New Orleans already has one, as does Seattle.

Can we please remember that this thread is for discussing a dome proposal? It doesn't matter at the moment about who wants the Grizzlies the most, the stupid thing has to be built for anything to happen.