2010 state of the city postcards

8/9/2019 2010 State of the City Postcards

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Sam Jones Mayor

Reggie Copeland President

Fred Richardson

Vice President

William Carroll Councilmember

John Williams Councilmember

Jermaine Burrell

Councilmember

Connie Hudson Councilmember

Gina Gregory Councilmember

STATE OF THE CITY 2010

As we embark upon a new chapter in our historic city with great hopethat our future will be paved with prosperity and a renewed spirit of greatness, weask you to join us in celebrating the assets that make Mobile special!

Despite the downturn in the economy, forcing belt tightening from theboardroom of city government to your living room, there is still room forcelebration. It is our solemn oath to carefully guide the reins of city government,ensuring a greater tomorrow. Please take time and share these postcards with therest of the country and world, touting the greatest of our 308-year-old city. 2010 iscertainly a challenge for all our pocketbooks, but we know Mobilians are resilient and can rebound under the toughest situations.


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MAYOR SAM JONES ... Mobile, Alabama: The jewel of the Gulf Coast!


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Mayor Sam Jones is a lifelong resident of Mobile who has championed a vision of economic growth, good government and top notch quality of life issues for the city. He is involved in various community and civic affairs. He has managed the city by strengthen ing its framework through the comprehensive ac countability program, CitiSmart, and implementing progressive changes that will continue to make Mo bile a better place to live, work and play.

Jones, elected to his mayoral seat in 2005, has seen Mobiles character transformed into one of the fast est growing metropolitan cities in the southeast. He previously served three terms on the Mobile County Commission.

[email protected]

S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y 2 0 1 0

M A Y O R S A M J O N E S

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S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y 2 0 1 0M O B I L E , A L A B A M A

C O U N C I L P R E S I D E N TR E G G I E C O P E L A N D

Council President Reggie Copeland has been the District 5 representative on the City Council since the

current

form

of

municipal

government

was

established in 1985.

Mr. Copeland attended Murphy High School, Spring Hill College, and the University of Alabama Mobile Center. He is a Korean War Veteran and spent 24

years in management at Alabama Power Company. He is the President of the Copeland Agency a full fledged advertising and public relations firm.

Mr. Copeland has led several economic boosting initiatives including improvements to Ladd Peebles

Stadium and the Copeland Cox Mobile Tennis Center, which is named in his honor.

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D I S T R I C T 1 C O U N C I L M A NF R E D R I C H A R D S O N

As Vice President of the Mobile City Council and Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, District One Councilman Fred Richardson stays busy.

District One stretches from midtown to Trinity Gardens and from St. Stephens Road to west of Interstate 65. Councilman Richardson covers it Beat by Beat, Street by Street, and House by House.

Councilman Richardson has also acquired the nickname Mr. MoonPie for his initiative in creating the MoonPie Over Mobile New Years Eve Celebration. Last years event drew an estimated 25,000 people to Cooper Riverside Park to ring in 2010.

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Councilman William Carroll, District 2With Extreme Makeover Producer!


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Stronger neighborhoods are the cornerstone of Councilman William Carrolls mission for District 2. The historic neighbor

hoods

include

Church

Street

East, DeTonti Square, Old Dau phin Way, Oakleigh Gardens, Leinkauf, the Camp ground in the Martin Luther King area.

Downtown is the heart of the city. Fortunately, it has been revitalized and is pulsating with thriving busi nesses, Carroll said. Carroll is a staunch preservation ist working to utilize grant funds to restore neighbor hoods. Councilman Carroll is a graduate of McGill Toolen High School and Florida A&M University

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Councilmember Jermaine Burrell District 3


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Jermaine A. Burrell is the newest member of the Mobile City Council, assuming the leadership reins of District 3 in November 2009. His initial action into office was to strengthen residents living and doing business in Mobiles south western district. In April, he

designed and implemented, along with members of a community wide taskforce, the districts inaugural comprehensive District 3 Pride Weekend, which included a breakfast honoring senior citizens, district wide beautification/clean up programs and a family oriented Fun Day. District 3 includes Maysville, Dau phin Island Parkway, Brookley Complex and Dog River on the south.

[email protected]


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C o u n c i l me m b e r J o

h n C . W i l l i a m s

D i s t r ic t 4

2009 In District 4

Veterans deservesour respect, honor and gratitude, saidCouncilman John C.Williams who vigor-

ously worked toinsure funding for World War II veter-ans honor flights toWashington;

Mobiles city limits

expanded in 2009with the annexationof the TillmansCorner /Theodorecommunities.


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As a retired Army Major, Councilman John Williams knows first hand the challenges that face American communitiesbetter parks, streets and a strategic plan to address the citys social ills. The year 2009 found the councilman reaping one of the citys golden moments, the annexation of the flourishing Tillmans Corner/Theodore area into his district. Not only was the annexation historic, but it lead to the

southern district building a $2 million state of the art Fire Station, designing a long awaited park in the Theodore and securing an agreement to place a Police precinct in the heart of the community.

[email protected]


J O H N C . W I L L I A M SD I S T R I C T 4

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D I S T R I C T 6 C O U N C I L W O M A NC O N N I E H U D S O N

Councilwoman Connie Hudson is serving in her third term as the District 6 representative on the City Council. During her Council tenure, she has

participated in major economic development initiatives in our community.

She currently serves as President of the all volunteer non profit Mobile Regional Senior Community Center Foundation which was incorporated to provide

community input and resources for the new Senior Center.

To date, the Foundation has raised well over $200,000 in public and private funds for the Center's furnishings and equipment.

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D I S T R I C T 7 C O U N C I L W O M A NG I N A G R E G O R Y

Gina Gregory is Mobile's Council representative for District 7. She was re elected to her second term in August 2009. Councilwoman Gregory has contributed

to initiatives throughout her district including the Village of Spring Hill, revitalization efforts in Hillsdale, as well as expansions at Langan Park and the Copeland Cox Tennis Center.

District Seven was also the home of the first project

paid for by Federal Stimulus money with the resurfacing of Spring Hill Avenue west of Interstate 65.

Councilwoman Gregory is the chair of the Public Services Committee.

[email protected]

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A F R I C A N A M E R I C A NH E R I T A G E T R A I L

History comes alive through a variety of Tours. The Trail spotlights Mobile's culturally diverse heritage by linking historic contributions and events with

significant locations. The Trail reveals the forgotten chapters of history telling the stories of courage and contributions made by Mobiles unsung heroes.

Through the African American Heritage Trail experience, participants will develop a taste for the rich gumbo of ethnicity as revealed by Mobile's past and will enhance their lifelong understanding of the African Americans role in Mobile history.

The Trail includes 40 locations in the downtown, Campground, and AfricaTown areas.

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A R L I N G T O N P A R K

Arlington Park, Mobiles newest picturesque park, was born by a tremendous economic development project. The Alabama State Port Authority needed wetlands established for construction of the Choctaw Point Container Terminal, they acquired land near the Brookley Complex from the Mobile Airport Authority. In addition to the 30 acres of newly constructed wetlands, they developed 12 acres for a public park of which the City recently took

ownership.

Arlington Park features parking, walks, picnic sites, pavilions, restrooms, a viewing/fishing pier, landscaping, and lawns. All features are eco friendly and well designed. For instance, all of the paving is

pervious so there are no runoff issues.

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B A Y F E S T

BayFest will celebrate its 16th anniversary on October 13, 2010 with an expected crowd of more than 200,000 guests and over 125 live musical acts on nine stages.

BayFest has become known for its vast array of renowned musical talent that appeals to a wide variety of audiences and is suitable for the entire family. Such acts as B.B. King, The Temptations,

Widespread Panic,

Keith

Urban,

Kid

Rock,

Ludacris,

Travis Tritt, Velvet Revolver, LeAnn Rimes, Nelly, Alan Jackson, Anita Baker, Stone Temple Pilots and hundreds more have performed on BayFest stages.

BayFest received the 2009 Alabama Event of the Year

Award from the Alabama Tourism Department.

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A L A B A M A C R U I S E T E R M I N A L

Since opening in 2004, the Alabama Cruise Terminal has grown in size and prestige. Last year, Carnival Cruise Lines upgraded Mobiles home ship from the Holiday to the Fantasy . In May 2010, the Elation will

begin calling Mobile home. More than 170,000 passengers each year will set sail from Mobile.

The Elation features 12 lounges and bars, including a 1,300 seat theater showcasing lavish revues, a 12,000 square foot health spa, a jogging track, two

formal restaurants, a 700 seat casual poolside eatery and complimentary 24 hour stateroom service.

In addition to bigger and better ships, the best cruise terminal for customer service continues to get better. In the past year, weve added a new gangway and expanded parking for guests.

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Bienville Square in downtown at Christmastime

Mobile, Alabama


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D O W N T O W N M O B I L E

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Mobiles downtown is the economic and cultural hub, bringing together the beauty of the citys history andthe brightness of its future.

From the beauty of the oaks lining downtown streetsto the charm of downtown squares, the museums, artexhibits, the skyscrapers and a sweet aroma from finedining, Mobiles downtown is a testament to the 300year old citys resilience.

Visit our downtown, a place where Business and

Pleasure know each other!

Yes We Can In Mobile


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Yes We Can In Mobile

Were Growing Big Enough To Make A Difference ...one lesson at a time


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Public & Private Schools

Schools Students Teachers

Elementary 64 30,894 2,218

Middle 27 13,904 792

High 20 19,116 1,091

Parochial/Private 39 12,325 703

Two Year Colleges

Bishop State (Students) 3,813

Faulkner State Community (Students) 4,300

Four Year Colleges

Spring Hill College (Students) 1,500

University of South Alabama (Students) 14,522


E D U C A T I O N : M O B I L E A L A B A M A

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G U L F Q U E S T

GulfQuest is the first maritime museum of national significance to preserve and interpret the maritime history, culture and traditions of the Gulf of Mexico and its environs. As the only museum of its kind dedicated to inspiring people to understand and appreciate the Gulf Coasts rich maritime heritage, GulfQuest is destined to become the premier maritime museum on the Gulf Coast and a landmark attraction for the City of Mobile.

In addition, GulfQuest will primarily feature hands on, interactive exhibits rather than maritime artifacts. Once completed, GulfQuest will be owned by the City of Mobile and operated by a non profit organization through a public/private partnership.

The construction

completion

date

is

late

2011.

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H A N K A A R O N S T A D I U MA N D M U S E U M

Hank Aaron Stadium has become an even better tribute to the worlds greatest baseball player with the opening of the Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum. The home in which Aaron grew up was transported from the Toulminville area to the grounds at Hank Aaron Stadium to be used as a museum showcasing the legends youth and his journey to becoming Hammerin Hank.

The opening of the Museum was attended by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, alltime great Willie Mays, and dozens of Hallof Famers and All Stars.

The

Mobile

BayBears,

a

AAaffiliate

of

the

Arizona

Diamondbacks, play home games at The Hank.

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J O B S

Despite these tough national economic times, Mobile has been repeatedly recognized for having a good job market. According to Moodys Economy.com, Mobile ranked sixth out of 384 cities in America for the

expectation of positive job growth through 2013.

Contributions to Mobiles positive job market outlook are:

Regent Aerospace expects to create nearly 200 jobs at the Brookley Industrial Complex.

Austal USAs current employment numbers could potentially triple in size to over 3,000 employees.

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L A D D - P E E B L E S S T A D I U M

Over the past year, Ladd Peebles Stadium has seen a major renovation, both on the field and off. The inaugural, and undefeated, season of the University of South Alabama football team was played in front of great crowds. Three other great college games, the Senior Bowl, GMAC Bowl, and the Gulf Coast Classic were also played at Ladd Peebles. When you add in high school games throughout the fall, its easy to see why Ladd Peebles Stadium has been called one of the great homes to football in the entire southeast.

Renovations to the 41,000 seat stadium included installation of 11 skyboxes, painting and sandblasting, installation of new fencing and

expansion of

the

field.

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M A G N O L I A C E M E T E R Y

Established in 1836 Magnolia Cemetery started with a 30 acre parcel of land. It now consists of over one hundred acres, with 90 sections and over one hundred thousand burials. Its size, historical significance, and collection of rare and beautiful art make Magnolia one of the most important Victorian Era Cemeteries in the United States.

Magnolia is the final resting place for several historical men and women in Mobiles history, including John L. LeFlore, Augusta Evans Wilson, Miss Bettie Hunter, Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil War, and Walter and Bessie Bellingrath.

Magnolia Cemetery is open to the public to tour year round.

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M A R D I G R A S

As the original home of Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobiles Carnival festivities are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands each year.

This year,

on

Fat

Tuesday

alone,

more

than

160,000

revelers packed the streets of downtown Mobile, creating one of our largest economic engines and tourist draws.

The Mobile Carnival Museum, located at 355

Government Street, is open year round and celebrates the more than 300 years of Mardi Gras in Mobile.

Next years Fat Tuesday is March 8, 2011, so make your plans now to join us for Americas family

friendly Mardi Gras celebration!

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M O B I L E F I R E - R E S C U ED E P A R T M E N T

The City of Mobile FireRescue Department is made up of 490 firefighters and civilians. Together, they protect more than 270 miles of land and property as

well as hundreds of thousands of people who live in and visit Mobile everyday.

During 2009, the MFRD was given a $1.9 million grant to build a new fire station in the Theodore area which will improve response times to emergencies in that area.

The MFRD also made history in 2009 with the promotion of LeAnn Tacon, who became the first female firefighter to reach the rank of District Chief.

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M O B I L E A I R P O R TA U T H O R I T Y

The Mobile Airport Authority was created in 1982 by the City of Mobile to own and operate the Mobile Regional Airport, Mobile Downtown Airport and the

Brookley Complex. The Mobile Airport Authority is a self funded entity that receives no local tax dollars.

At Mobile Regional Airport, US Airways Express, Continental Express, Delta Air Lines, ASA and American Eagle provide service on 25 daily departures to five of the nations largest hubs.

The 1,700 acre Brookley Complex features two runways, 4.5 million square feet of industrial space and 300 ramp adjacent acres available for development, complete with utilities.

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Mobile is a wise choice for living and working.We work hard and live easy!


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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder especially when you look at Mobiles amenities. A scenic waterfront view from Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico has quickly made the city a popular tourist destination for Carnival Cruise Lines, and the awesome balmy weather is the right temperature for city dwellers and visitors. As the states second largest metropolitan city, Mobile is home to some of the nations top notch golf courses, namely, Robert Trent Jones and Azalea.

With a charming historic character that dates back 300 plus years, Mobile is accented by a variety of historic homes, beautiful parks, great shops and world class restaurants. The cost of living in Mobile is well below many other southern cities. Located on the central Gulf Coast, with a population of 198,915, Mobile is just 131.7 miles from New Orleans.


L I V I N G I N M O B I L E , A L A B A M A

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M O O N P I E O V E R M O B I L EThe MoonPie Over Mobile New Years Eve Celebration rings in 2010. The fun filled event brought an estimated 25,000 people to Cooper Riverside Park. A countdown featuring national recording group Wet Willie led to a 20minute, awe inspiring fireworks display over the Mobile River.

The event had a direct impact of over $55,000 for local hotels from visitors throughout the southeast. The event was also covered by hundreds of media

outlets from across the globe.

This years MoonPie rise was also accompanied by the first MoonPie Ball at the Mobile Convention Center. Over 300 revelers enjoyed live entertainment by The Grand Review, the worlds largest edible

MoonPie, and a midnight champaign toast.

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M O B I L E P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T

The Mobile Police Department has a great new leader, Micheal T. Williams who has an increased focus on crime fighting and prevention.

Williams will continue strengthening new initiatives as Bulletproof Mobile and CRIME411, which give citizens the opportunity to report crimes anonymously and earn rewards. Another is Project C.A.R.E., which reaches out to the senior population to prevent targeting crimes against the elderly.

The Mobile Police Department is made up of about 560 officers and approximately 250 civilians. There were also 160 Police Explorers in 2009, up from 134 in 2008. They also maintain relationships with 111 Community Action Groups throughout the city.

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Please Mr. President: Give EADS-NA a Fair Chance

MOBILE ALABAMA DESERVES THE JOBSAND OUR SOLDIERS NEED A TOP QUALITY WAR FIGHTER!

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Dear Mr. President:

We thank you and your administration for giving an

extension to EADSNA, the parent company to Airbus, to bid in the Air Force tanker competition. We strongly urge your leadership in reaching a solution that will be fair and in the best interest of our military men and women. Mobile, Alabama, located along the Gulf of Mexico, is a perfect site for

the manufacturing facility. Jobs will be provided to workers in 49 states if EADSNA is successful in the competition.


E A D S - N A D E S E R V E S

A F A I R C H A N C E I N T H ET A N K E R C O M P E T I T I O N

TO:

The Honorable Barack Obama

President, United States of America

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

THE PORT OF MOBILE


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THE PORT OF MOBILE

The Port of Mobile is currently ranked the 9th largest port in the nation in overall waterborne foreign trade

by cargo volume. The Port handled more than 67 million tons of cargo in 2008. The Alabama State Port Authoritys terminals are connected to two interstate systems and five Class I railroads CSX, Canadian National, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Alabama & Gulf Coat Railroad), Norfolk Southern and Kansas City Southern. It is home to the C.G. Railway, which provides waterborne rail service every four days to Coat zacoalcos, Mexico (Vera Cruz Region). The Authoritys terminals also connect to two interstate systems and to nearly 15,000 miles of inland and Intracoastal waterways providing shippers with low cost water access to ports along the Gulf of Mexico, the Tennessee, the Ohio, and Upper Mississippi river systems.

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The Port of Mobiles full service, public seaport termi nals are owned by the Alabama State Port Authority handling container, general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, frozen poultry, and oversized and heavy lift cargoes. Since 2000, the Alabama State Port Authority has invested over $600 million in improvements at the new Mobile Container Terminal, McDuffie Coal Termi nal expansion and a rail ferry terminal. In January 2009, the Authority completed the $100 million steel terminal set to serve annually an estimated three to five million tons of carbon steel slab. The transporta tion assets coupled with a strong favorable labor mar ket and community state federal support make the Port of Mobile one of the nations fastest growing ports.

For more information, log onto www.asdd.com.


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T O U R I S MMobile has become known as the premier destination for tourists along the Gulf Coast. We boast some of the best sporting events like the Senior Bowl, GMAC Bowl and the Gulf Coast Classic, the world renowned BayFest and year round amenities like the Copeland Cox Tennis Center.

In total, the Mobile Bay area attracts more than 7 million visitors each year. They come for Bellingrath Gardens, the Azalea Trail Run, the Battleship USS Alabama, the MoonPie Over Mobile, not to mention our hospitality and charm.

The largest tourist attraction for Mobile is Americas original Mardi Gras celebration, which started in 1704. More than 160,000 people come downtown

for Fat

Tuesday

alone.

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UNITY POINT ... DOWNTOWN GREENSPACE WITH A PURPOSE


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Mobiles unified winning spirit is a testament to the origin of Unity Point, a down town triangular park that beautifully overlooks the citys downtown core, and stands as a lasting legacy to two noteworthy leaders whose leadership guided the city to a common theme a better Mobile. The park was opened on August 22, 2009 by

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones in commemoration of the legacies of former mayor Joseph N. Langan and Civil Rights activist John L. LeFlore, whose unselfish alliance created a better city in the midst of turbulent times in Mobiles history.

The Wise Words Of Great Leaders!

You love your God and you love your neighbor. So if you love your neighbor, youve got to see that he has the same rights as you have, Joseph N. Langan

Blacks in our judgment must not forget that they have not carried the ball alone, John L. LeFlore

Artist: Casey Downing Photography: MyShotz.com

Parks and services are right where we need them: at the end of a

well paved intersection...the greenery of Mobile never looked better!

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Unity Point is located between Broad and St. Anthony Streets and Spring Hill Avenue, a stones throw from downtown Mobile. Local artist Casey Downing de signed the magnificent statues which are facing downtown, poignantly done to represent the citys unified winning spirit. The park honors the legacies of former Mayor Joseph N. Langan and Civil Rights activist John L. LeFlore .

Dedicated August 22, 2009


U N I T Y P O I N TD O W N T O W N G R E E N S P A C E

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2010 state of the city postcards

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