Mardi Gras Park vs High rise mix use Condo (Birmingham: 2015, casinos)

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by Himmel56

I disagree with Palm tree opinion, sorry, but they just dont make sense here. They seem tacky and over done. This Alabama, not Florida or California. Plus the ones that are remain rugged and look half dead throughout the year. They don't work! I think we should stick with azaleas and oaks ( more of course ) but more of that type of foliage. I think we need something indigenous of Mobile!

Sorry I have to correct you my friend but palm trees are native to Mobile and some of the palms that are in downtown and midtown are well over 100 years old. And Mobile was once apart of Florida before we were an Alabama city anyway but Palms are native to the Gulf Coast period. I have seen old pictures that date back to the early 1900's and late 1800's in Mobile that had palms in them. Mobile is known as the Azelea city but azaleas are not native to Mobile the French brough them here.The Cabbage Palm is native to this city.

This article explain the history of the Mobile Palm trees:http://blog.al.com/living-press-regi..._long_his.html

[MPC]

I would actually like to see Mobile incorporate some taller palms. As PC pointed out, palms are native to Mobile and we should use them to our advantage. I don't know if it would look great but maybe line Water with tall palms, but at the same time, we need to get rid of places like the jail and such so we can add some condos to the waterfront.

We need to take advantage of our waterfront, add some condos and attractions there to make Mobile more attractive. Our waterfront could be more modern and contemporary while we could keep downtown as is, or incorporate projects that fit downtown; ones that both compliment downtown and also keep it growing.

[bhamoutlook]

Wow! I never knew that palm trees were such a hot debate in Mobile and even other areas. Of course some palms are not native to Mobile but several and that really isn't the point. I think that azaleas can be charming but to me they remind me of an old southern small town. Not really what I think of as a focus when considering the future growth of Mobile.

I agree with both of you (obviously based on my original post) that palm trees make a DRAMATIC impact on the way a city looks and really modernizes it in a way. I would like to see palm trees along the water front but also as a landscape feature along medians of busy streets. And yes, the tall ones.

These have made a huge impact in cities like New Orleans. Where NOLA would normally look like some dirty old swamp land, in some sections it now looks like some type of exotic international city. There are other factors at play as well but I think Mobile already has some advantages that some additional landscaping efforts would play out well.

[PortCity]

I agree the King Palm should be planted ong the median of Water street. They are not native to his area but they look good going down Canal street in NOLA.

[bhamoutlook]

Yes, yes, the glorious King Palm! The look amazing going along Canal Street. This would definitely work well in Mobile. I only wish we could grow them here but I think the cold weather would be an issue.

[MPC]

Really, Mobile could try and mirror Canal Street in New Orleans with Water St in Mobile. They are already trying to make it more walkable and even trying to make it thinner. But if you look at Water, it's just as wide as Canal but Canal is covered in retail. Both sides could have retail on the bottom of condominiums. Giving it some density and creating a great look for downtown. Mobile could literally mirror Canal street on Water and would look great in my opinion. Including the trolley too!

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by PortCity

I agree the King Palm should be planted ong the median of Water street. They are not native to his area but they look good going down Canal street in NOLA.

Sorry about the typos you guys. I love my LG G3 but geez , lol.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by MrPortCity

Really, Mobile could try and mirror Canal Street in New Orleans with Water St in Mobile. They are already trying to make it more walkable and even trying to make it thinner. But if you look at Water, it's just as wide as Canal but Canal is covered in retail. Both sides could have retail on the bottom of condominiums. Giving it some density and creating a great look for downtown. Mobile could literally mirror Canal street on Water and would look great in my opinion. Including the trolley too!

Water street was lined with ware houses at one time MPC ,and if the city would have kept them today it would have been a thriving business and retail corridor.

Water Street then : http://theharbinger.org/then_now/t980512.jpg

Water street now ,the picture is dated but you get it : http://theharbinger.org/then_now/n980526.jpg

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by bhamoutlook

Yes, yes, the glorious King Palm! The look amazing going along Canal Street. This would definitely work well in Mobile. I only wish we could grow them here but I think the cold weather would be an issue.

Oh yeah ! It could but Birmingham would have to spend a lot of money maintaining them in the cold months. I read an article in Chicago one time and it explained how they take care some of there palms in Chicago.They up root them and bring them in a warm indoor environment.I`m not sure how successful that is though.Do you guys have live oaks in Birmingham ?

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by Himmel56

I disagree with Palm tree opinion, sorry, but they just dont make sense here. They seem tacky and over done. This Alabama, not Florida or California. Plus the ones that are remain rugged and look half dead throughout the year. They don't work! I think we should stick with azaleas and oaks ( more of course ) but more of that type of foliage. I think we need something indigenous of Mobile!

There is nothing wrong with having Palms where appropriate, the city is on the Gulf of Mexico after all.

But yes, the city is on the line for the best growth conditions, as is the Fla. panhandle. However, I see dead looking Palms anywhere that has them.

There is no reason that there shouldn't be variety to create different feelings in different areas of the city.