Development News From Downtown Mobile Alliance

I have been given permission to publish news from the Downtown Mobile Alliance on my blog, so here is some current Mobile Updates:

At recent economic and real estate summits, we've been reminded that there are winners and losers in every economic crisis. Mobile in general and Downtown in particular seem poised to come out of the current recession in better shape than much of the rest of the country. Our overall economy is fairly diversified, with a healthy mix of manufacturing, health care and knowledge-based industries.

As for Downtown, Richard Florida, the economist who coined the term "creative class," has written recently that urban centers will fair better than the suburbs as the economy shifts. The cost and aggravation of commutes will encourage many to move closer to city centers, which has the additional benefit of fostering more innovation since living a little closer together encourages the exchange of ideas.

So will we be a winner or a loser in this "reset" of our economy? Much depends on how livable our Downtown is. Do we offer the amenities people are seeking, is there a variety of housing options and is it a place of constant delight? These are the issues the Alliance works on daily, because, in the words of the great urbanist Jane Jacobs, "When a place gets boring, even the rich people leave." With our "colorful" personalities and events (see the photo of the Cathedral Square fountain on St. Patrick's Day), it is a fate we stand a good chance of avoiding!

The Gardner Law Firm soon will be moving into the former Hargrove and Associates offices at Washington and Canal Streets. The firm is currently on Government Street in the Oakleigh Garden District, in superbly renovated space that was once a motel. It's very encouraging that such a significant corner was not vacant for long, and we look forward to another beautiful renovation.

In other development news:

• The beautifully repainted Daniels, Elgin & Co. Building at 2 South Water Street is now home to Louisiana-based Iberia Bank. Seabulk Towing has also moved into the building from offices on the State Docks property. Austal has also moved some of its offices into the building from across the river.
• Our arts and entertainment district is expanding with the addition of two new galleries. Blue Velvet Studio will open next month at 709 Dauphin Street in the newly renovated Carriage Works project. Artist Brad Robertson will be opening up a studio/gallery in the wonderfully funky space at 450 Dauphin Street.

The former Fashion World on Dauphin Street is in the process of being converted into space for a new silk-screening business. Unity Print Collective will be a screen printing operation and gallery for local artists to showcase their talent.