City of Mobile to host series of planning workshops

May 11th, 2015

"This is your opportunity to share your hopes and aspirations for Mobile. Everyone's ideas will be considered no matter how small. These plans will identify core needs for Mobile, shape the long-term vision for the community and serve as a guide for long term preservation, revitalization and growth."

       -Mayor Sandy Stimpson

Map for Mobile: Framework For Growth

• For the first time in nearly 20 years, the City of Mobile is creating a community-wide plan deemed "Map for Mobile: Framework for Growth."
  
• The city is hosting a multi-day design event at The Grounds on May 18-21 that will build upon the Focus on the Future workshop held in March.
  
• Participants will draw their vision for Mobile's future at the Hands-on Design workshop on Monday, May 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  
• Everyone is invited to drop in and talk with the planning team during the Open Design Studio from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20.
  
• The workshop will conclude with a Work-in-Progress Presentation on Thursday, May 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event will also be live-streamed on the City of Mobile's website.

Downtown Mobile Non-Motorized Mobility Study

• The City of Mobile, the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, the Downtown Alliance, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee are completing a study to consider bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity within the downtown area.
  
• Toole Design Group will spearhead the study.
  
• The Downtown Design Workshop will be held on May 11-14, 2015.
  
• The workshop will begin with a drop-in public meeting from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Government Plaza Media Center.
  
• The workshop will continue throughout the week with the design team performing fieldwork, conducting traffic analysis, developing concept solutions and associated graphics, holding stakeholder meetings, and interacting with the public throughout downtown.
  
• The workshop will culminate on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Temple with a public presentation of the design products that have been developed throughout the week.

Bring Back Broad Complete Streets Initiative

• The City of Mobile will introduce its "Bring Back Broad Complete Streets Initiative" during the Downtown Design Workshop this week.
  
• The City is requesting a $13.6 million TIGER VI grant to complete reconstruction of Broad and Beauregard streets.
  
• The goals are multi‐faceted:
  
  • Reconstruct aging infrastructure that is near the end of its lifespan
    
  • Provide efficient connectivity between residents, the transportation system, and major economic employment centers
    
  • Reconnect neighborhoods currently divided by Broad Street's currently unbroken 5‐lane expanse of concrete
    
  • Provide safe, pedestrian and bicycle‐friendly access
    
  • Make the streetscape attractive
    
  • Stimulate a vibrant local economy along Broad Street's edges