Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2009
CITYOFMOBILEALABAMA
STATE
of the
CITY
STATE Opportunity - A Year’s Look
of the
CITY Opportunities can be found in many places, shaped miraculously in the smallest, largest, Mobile Terrace residents made history two
and even irregular containers. years ago when they became residents of the city, but
For Mobile’s newest residents in Theodore and Windmill communities, opportunity came their opportunity became a reality the moment the
on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 when they voted to become a part of one of the nation’s fastest growing husky sounds of city garbage trucks could be heard
cities, opening up opportunities to stellar police and fire protection, weekly garbage collection, blazing a regular route through their westward
Mobile 311, and access to other quality municipal services. neighborhood. Their opportunity was further
Beautifully tucked along Hillcrest Road is an opportunity of a lifetime for senior citizens heightened by the $3 million earmarked to pave
throughout Mobile County. With a façade that extends a hearty welcome to every dirt road in the newly annexed area.
the area’s aging population is the new Mobile Regional Senior Community Some have said Mobile is the “City That
Center, hailed as one of a kind with state-of-the-art aquatic accommodations, Never Sleeps” because late night train whistles keep
exercise equipment, an inviting billiard room, culinary delights and hotel guests and residents awake. On November 20,
a computer facility that aids senior citizens’ expanding knowledge of 2008, city leaders reached an agreement with CSX
technology. Transportation and seized the opportunity to create
For the parents of a three-month-old child living in Mobile’s police a Quiet Zone in downtown. Locomotives traveling
jurisdiction, their opportunity came on the evening of November 28, 2008 in through downtown will not blow their horns when approaching the intersections of Adams, St.
a life or death situation. Their child was choking and it would take a while Anthony, Dauphin, Government, Monroe, and Eslava streets.
for medical assistance to reach their doorsteps. With one panic telephone Who would have thought an opportunity could be found on a two-way street? If getting
call to Mobile 911, they reached a qualified Mobile Fire-Rescue Public Safety in and out of downtown Mobile was cumbersome, you would welcome a two-way thoroughfare.
dispatcher, Sonnette Buzbee, who masterfully walked the father through Folks visiting downtown now have the opportunity to travel two ways along Royal, St. Louis and a
CPR instructions, an action that saved the child’s life. Their opportunity portion of Spring Hill Avenue at Broad Street, and Dauphin/Royal streets to Water Street.
was in Mobile, a city outside their home’s boundary.
If you live in one of Mobile’s flood-prone areas, access to timely and pertinent encompasses a ten-mile radius that includes
information on threatening weather conditions is an opportunity you would welcome the downtown waterfront to Houston Street
as part of your family’s preparation plans. Though used repeatedly, Mayor Sam Jones, in midtown; to the south ending at Arlington Street; and areas along Three Mile Creek.
Mobile County Emergency Management officials and the Mobile County Commission got A revamped Mobile Civic Center, a medical research corridor and a boat slip near Dauphin
the opportunity last year during Hurricane Gustav to make an electronic alert notification Street for dinner cruises are all part of the new plan. The “New Plan For Mobile” mission
system a reality when they reached thousands of households using Connect-CTY, electronic includes the following: visions of the future; ability to grow and expand; enhancements
telephone messages that can reach Mobile households in a matter of minutes. In an effort as the economic engine to the region; sustainable communities; connections to worldwide
to keep you informed, we strongly opportunities and attractions; economic development; high quality infrastructure; business
urge you and your family to log friendly; viable neighborhoods and quality public services.
onto www.cityofmobile.org and post Drainage is an issue that many historic cities grapple with everyday. However, last
your cell phone numbers and email year Mobile officials completed the first phase of the Southern Drain Project, an initiative to
addresses on our CONNECT-CTY relieve flooding from Virginia Street toward Broad Street. Though several other phases of the
alerting system. If you do not have project will be needed, city officials are hopeful the first phase will be a welcome relief for
access to the internet, call Mobile 311 residents in the neighboring area.
to provide those numbers. This is our Mobile is a beautiful historic city with countless potential that has been strengthened
way of keeping you informed and through a cooperative bond with other government entities, community agencies and
safe. business allies. Despite a downward turn in the economy, Mobile continues its commitment
Opportunities to keep our city to build alliances that will link service with citizens.
safe come in a variety of ways. After
noticing a litter ordinance violation, November’s Officer of the Month, Johnny Thornton,
pulled a car over and ended up finding several controlled substances, leading to an arrest.
All of it started when the suspect threw a piece of trash out of his car window.
Dreams only happen when you take the opportunity to make them come true.
Mobile’s dream for planned growth was developed last year with hundreds of citizens
participating in the process, which is dubbed “The New Plan for Mobile.” The plan
CitiSmart - The Accountability Link Between Citizens and Service
Mobile CitiSmart continues to serve as the accountability tool for city government. Every city
department appears before the CitiSmart executive panel to review performance and to work
together for more efficient and effective city service. Here are some success stories that originated
from CitiSmart’s 127 Department Briefs in 2008:
A citizen requests a 311 forwards service Department responds Mobile CitiSmart tracks data from response times as
municipal service request to appropriate to service request well as overtime costs and other expenses to measure
to Mobile 311. City department. within 72 hours. the efficiency and effectiveness of city services.
Mobile’s
R e v e n u e S o u rce
As the recession worsens, cities throughout the nation are faced with
dwindling revenues, lay-offs, reductions in municipal services and
spending freezes.
Through a conservative financial projection and long-range planning,
Mobile officials have managed to weather the downward turn in the CPI (Consumer Price Index)
economy by:
•• Reducing spending;
•• Reducing overtime.
•• No employee lay-offs;
•• No freeze in hiring;
•• No reduction in municipal services.
District One Councilman Fred Richardson
The neighborhoods that make up District One are diverse: from Trinity
Gardens in the north, to Midtown on the south, and into west Mobile along
Moffett Road. That’s why Councilman Fred Richardson goes beat-by-beat,
street-by-street, and house-by-house to connect with citizens.
Councilman Richardson has become well-known for bringing City Hall
to the people. Department Heads regularly attend the meetings to keep citizens
up to date with city government.
On December 31, 2008, Councilman Richardson’s dream of having a
giant MoonPie rise above the city skyline came true as thousands turned out
for the MoonPie Over Mobile New Year’s Eve Celebration. The event was
highlighted by the world’s largest MoonPie, weighing in at 55 lbs, containing
4,500 calories and stretching four feet across the table. At the stroke of midnight,
a giant electronic MoonPie rose to 200 feet to greet the new year.
District Two Councilman William Carroll
Councilman Carroll tours Police Chief Phillip Garrett and Carroll at the opening
District Two of Airbus Engineering Center.
The soul of District Two is the downtown area which is surrounded by some of the city’s most
prestigious historic neighborhoods — De Tonti Square, Church Street East, Leinkauf, Lower Dauphin,
Oakleigh Gardens, Old Dauphin Way, and the Campground in the Martin Luther King area.
“The transformation of downtown has been the crown jewel which has helped our city become one
of the most progressive cities in the country,” Carroll said, as he toured the district in preparation for the city’s
New Plan for Mobile.
With the restoration of the Battle House hotel, along with the construction of the RSA Towers and
an array of hotels, most recently the Hampton Inn, the district is bustling.
A thumbs throw from downtown lies the Down-the-Bay neighborhood and Plateau community,
which is undergoing such revitalization projects as Hope 6 in the city’s public housing developments.
Carroll, a staunch advocate of structural restoration, recently championed Mobile’s first Land
Bank, an initiative that will address rundown structures throughout the city.
Be it the talent of countless youngsters which make up the James Seals and Sullivan community
bands, a new roof on the Springhill Avenue Recreational Center or the major drainage project in Macy Place,
District Two continues to grow with a mixture of amenities. Downtown Mobile Skyline
District Three Councilman Clinton Johnson “A community pioneer who loves her community and has a zest to leave her
community better than she found it,” were the words recently uttered by District Three
City Councilman Clinton Johnson in describing longtime Oakdale community leader
Bernice Hudson.
Surrounded by residents of the Oakdale area and Hudson’s supporters,
Johnson sponsored a measure to rename Easton Street to “Bernice Hudson Drive.”
It is through the dedication of citizens like Mrs. Hudson, in partnership with
city leaders, that District Three has become one of the city’s most sought after areas for
industrial development at the Brookley Complex. In addition, the spirit of the district
will soon come to life with the construction of a new homeless shelter for women and
children, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Johnson praised the community recently for their willingness to allow the
shelter to be reconstructed in the area. “Their kindness speaks volume to the character of
the community,” he said. “Now that is true service to the community.”
District Six Councilwoman Connie Hudson and activities with the November 17, 2008 opening of the Mobile Regional Senior Community Center
(MRSCC) on Hillcrest Road. The MRSCC boasts amenities such as state-of-the-art fitness equipment,
a thermal plunge pool, a billiards room, 3 multi-purpose activity rooms, a full kitchen and café, and a
computer lab.
The staff, which includes Program Director Anita Mungenast, two Therapeutic Recreation
Specialists, and an Activities Specialist, brings decades of combined experience.
Hours of operation are: Mon – Thurs: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. / Fri: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. / Sat: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m./
Sun: 1 – 5 p.m. The phone number for the Mobile Regional Senior Community Center is 602-4963.
Mardi Gras, BayFest, and the Senior Bowl are all signature Mobile events,
drawing large crowds. Last year, the Mobile Police Department purchased a new piece
of equipment to ensure the safety of crowds.
Designed for establishing a presence at a planned event, the new mobile
command unit has the ability to quickly mobilize resources at the site of an emergency.
Here are a few special features:
Super Fire Station and Police Precinct being built at Mobile Regional Airport
The Mobile, Alabama Cruise Ship Terminal – the Best Gets Better
This November, the Carnival Fantasy will begin calling Mobile home, bringing with her room for 2,056 passengers,
a crew of 920, and a wider variety of cruising options. If you’ve ridden the Fantasy before, get ready for an even better
experience out of Mobile. The ship recently underwent a $250 million upgrade which includes a water park, a four-story
water slide, and an adults-only area.
To accommodate the stunning new ship, the City will add a state-of-the-art $2.5 million gangway for access to the
large boat. The City Council unanimously approved a contract with TEAM Ports & Maritime S. L. to design, build and
install the gangway. The gangway is needed not only because of the size of the Fantasy, but also so that it can dock on either
side of the ship.
Carnival Fantasy,
a 2,056 passenger,
900 foot cruise ship
Mayor’s 2008 Summit for in the U.S. Department of Labor, was the keynote speaker for Mayor Sam Jones’ Workforce
Development Summit in May 2008. The summit included mayors, industry, educators,
Workforce Development
business and civic leaders throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
On May 15, 2008, Mayor Sam Jones served as the host for the 2008 Summit for Workforce Development, convened as a critical next step for implementation of the
Mobile Workforce and Economic Development Strategic Plan. Over 250 leaders from throughout the region attended the event. Critical partnerships and collaborations were
started at this summit that are now key as we implement the strategies our community is depending on for regional growth and future success. The summit also provided a
template for the Youth Workforce Summit held in October. Over 300 area high-school students met with Mayor Jones and were provided critical information about their roles as
they move into workforce and leadership roles in Mobile.
Business leaders, educators, community agencies and
youth from throughout our area provided valuable input at these
events. That input has been used to establish the agenda we are
focused on as we work to build a brighter future for our citizens.
The picture for Mobile holds great promise as we put into place
the programs and services that will be critical to our success.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds)
will bring much needed revenue to our area and enable us to
improve job training and expand employment opportunities. We
will continue to work closely with industry and the Mobile labor
force to fill the high wage, high demand jobs of the future. Postsecondary Chancellor Bradley
The summit was co-sponsored by Mobile County, Byrne and the Regional Director for
Mobile Works, Community Foundation of South Alabama, the U.S. Labor Department Dr. Helen
Mobile Area Education Foundation, Mobile Area Chamber of Parker were among the panelists
Commerce, and Mobile Area Association of Realtors. for the Mayor’s 2008 Summit for
Workforce Development.
What’s Our Plan?
Last year, thousands of citizens participated in a strategic planning process that yielded a “New Plan for Mobile.” The final edition of the plan laid
out a blueprint for growth in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods for years to come.
A new retail/entertainment facility on the site of the Mobile Civic Center, a gigantic sportsplex in the Three Mile Creek area, wireless broadband
internet access throughout the Hank Aaron Loop, and a medical technology corridor along St. Stephens Road/Spring Hill Avenue are some of the
highlights the plan produced.
The city’s annexation process worked, and so did the democratic process.
“We’re very, very pleased with what we saw with the people who decided
to be a part of the City of Mobile. They were very enthusiastic about it.
They wanted the services the city offers,” said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones.
The two groups that approved annexation were the biggest and the smallest:
a section of Tillman’s Corner and Theodore containing 2,400 residents and
commercial corridors on U.S. 90 and Rangeline Road, and the Windmill
Place subdivision off Cody Road where 31 voted yes and 17 voted no.
The Downtown Renaissance — A senior housing residence. This initiative is part of The Mobile Housing Board is building
12 single-family homes in Church
the Mobile Housing Board’s Hope VI Revitalization project. Located on Bloodgood
Street East, off Washington Avenue
at Claiborne Street, the project is comprised of 88 apartments. The project partners near the Mobile Public Library. The
include the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Mobile, homes include both market-rate
homes and homes that are reserved
Alabama Housing Finance Authority and Federal Home Loan Bank.
for first-time homebuyers.
On a Police Segway @ the Fire Academy @ the Mobile Museum of Art @ the Museum of Mobile
The graduates of the first City of Mobile Neighborhood A highlight of the course was allowing each participant
College got a first-hand view of the inner workings of city to become a Mobile 311 operator. The exercise gave participants
government. But their seven-week course didn’t stop at City hands-on experience of the department which allows citizens
Hall. One citizen from each district took part in interactive easy access to City Hall.
tours and exercises at the Police Department, Fire-Rescue The next neighborhood college class will be held
Department, Museums and the Recycling Center. The Office June 2 - July 14. For more information, please call the Office of
of Neighborhood and Community Services designed the Neighborhood and Community Services at 208-7443.
program to educate and assist in disseminating information
back to their respective neighborhood associations and/or
community action groups. Members of the first Neighborhood College join
Mayor Jones at a City Council Meeting
Citizens Crack Down on Litter
Inspired by Mayor Sam Jones, Keep Mobile Beautiful continues the quest for a cleaner, more
beautiful city. Through radio, television and print media, the city has educated Mobilians on the
importance of a clean community image for tourism and economic development.
The “Cut out Cops” have popped up on street corners to remind motorists that a fine for littering
will cost them $406.
Keep Mobile Beautiful was recently honored by receiving four national awards from Keep
America Beautiful. The awards include:
Litter removal and tree planting on Demetropolis Road
• President’s Circle Award
• Distinguished Service Citation for the “If I Can – You Can” litter prevention television commercial
• Second Place National Award in the Litter Prevention category for the “Cut-out Cops on Patrol”
• The top “Innovation Award” in Litter Prevention
The company is located in Mobile on a 30-acre site with 600 feet on the bustling Mobile
Ship Channel. Building and repair facilities include five bays under roof, two outside
bays, a 2000 ton dry dock and a new 600 ton travel lift that was delivered in 2007.
Austal USA is putting the finishing touches on the USS Independence (LCS-2). It’s the first littoral
combat ship being built at Austal’s Mobile shipyard. Austal was also recently awarded a contract
to design and build the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint
High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over $1.6 billion.
Later this year, Austal USA will finalize an expansion that includes a new Modular Manufacturing
Facility and a new administration building. Here are some figures on the expansion:
U
An Eye to the Future
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We’re now using YouTube and Blogger to spread the word and video
about upcoming projects, social networking sites like Facebook and
Twitter for better communication and feedback, and technology such as
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds so that everyone can have up-to-
the-minute news.
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Market in the
Park
August - 2009 LoDa ArtWalk - 14 12th Annual Dauphin Street International Beer Festival - 29
September - 2009 LoDa ArtWalk - 11 Brown Bag in Bienville Square - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Labor Day - 7
Saturday / Saturday /
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Pipe
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October - 2009 LoDa ArtWalk - 9 Market on the Square - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 BayFest - 2 - 4
Brown Bag in Bienville Square - 7, 14, 21, 28 Columbus Day - 12 November - 2009 LoDa ArtWalk - 13 Market on the Square - 7, 14, 21 Thanksgiving Holidays - 26, 27
Mobile International Festival - 21 Veterans’ Day - 11 Lighting of the Trees - 20
Saturday / Saturday /
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December - 2009 LoDa ArtWalk - 11 Mobile Holiday & Christmas Parade - 19
Christmas Holidays - 24, 25 MoonPie Over Mobile New Year’s Eve Celebration - 31 January - 2010 LoDa ArtWalk - 8 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - 18
Under Armour Senior Bowl - 30
Saturday / Saturday /
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday
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Bowl
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February - 2010 LoDa ArtWalk - 12 Mardi Gras Holidays - 15 - 16 March - 2010 LoDa ArtWalk - 12
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Mardi Gras 29 30 31
Hampton Inn
Downtown Mobile Regional Senior
Community Center
April - 2010 LoDa ArtWalk - 9 ArtsAlive! - 10, 11 Brown Bag in Bienville Square - 7, 14, 21, 28
State of the City - 21
Mobile 311 - Your Three Digit Connection to City Hall
Saturday /
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday
Mobile 311 continued to serve as the quickest and best way to connect
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citizens to the services offered by the City of Mobile. As the chart below
shows, Mobile 311 answered over 55,000 Service Request Orders (SROs).
Mitchell Cancer The most popular SROs were trash, animals, and garbage.
Institute Litter Campaign 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 Along with Mobile CitiSmart, Mobile 311 allows accountability for municipal
service requests. Mobile 311 sends each SRO to the appropriate department,
11 who has 72 hours to respond. Citizens can follow up with 311 to check the
status of their SRO.
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ReAct Report Total Service Request Orders - 2008
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Heritage Trail
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May - 2010 June - 2010
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Sunday
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September - 2010 October - 2010
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Sunday
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Mobile’s Growth
Photos by:
MyShotz.com © City of Mobile, Alabama