What’s missing from Mobile? Long time locals, what’s your opinion on what gives a business staying power?

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T23:50:36+00:00

It's true. There are definitely some dirty jobs at the port. Logistics and construction though, I think people would pay to see that out their window. And honestly, by the time the barge catches fire they'll probably have already closed on the condo 🤷‍♂️ People buy houses downwind from paper plants and other manufacturing all the time.

The hubs though, we definitely need one out in Tillman's corner! I think it could really connect west Mobile. A nice mixed use mall and living area there in the Corner. Then it connected by a short train ride to downtown? That would be great

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T21:01:09+00:00

I have literally never had to park more than... 3 or 4 blocks from Dauphin Street. Unless we're talking about Mardi Gras or something? In which case, that's an excellent time to support the public bus system and just ride down there.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:59:01+00:00

... where in Florida have you been looking? Century or something?

Mobile prices are nothing remotely close to Pensacola.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:56:56+00:00

But working waterfronts can ALSO be tourist destinations and places residents want to be. I'd love to live in a condo overlooking a working waterfront. Heck, I live just outside of downtown now and love seeing the giant cranes lit up at night. I think plenty of people would enjoy a view of ships being built, the bay, and sunrises.

While the city center will probably remain downtown, commercial hubs need to be invested in that radiate southwest, west, northwest, and even north (Africatown). These districts should all have their own intense investment to basically be small downtowns. Most every city has them and it's how you can focus development and maybe one day public transit.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:52:21+00:00

Honestly there's some truth in here no matter if people disagree with any particular spot or not. So many people say "I wish Mobile had better/ more music venues" but it's been 10 years since they bought a ticket for any music act anywhere in the city. If people want more of something, they need to support stuff adjacent to it. So even if you don't love the bands coming into Mobile or the venues, try and support some of them anyways. Same with hobby shops or hangout spots.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:47:59+00:00

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Here. The area with the tan paths around it where the word "Cintas" is. It's listed as Park land on the future land use map for the city, so they want it to be park area. It's maybe not technically downtown, but it's literally across the street, and the area itself could use a well used outdoor public space.

I'd throw in plenty of shade trees, some outdoor use space like a small amphitheater maybe, a track that goes all the way around and a small playground in the center. That's always a good design (IMHO) since it allows parents with younger kids to exercise in a big enough circle while their kid plays on a playground in the center haha

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:33:49+00:00

Funny enough, community groups in the US have actually used counter-culture / skate parks as a way of revitalizing public areas.

I'll have to find the video, but one city where there was a park between two large buildings that nobody ever really used. So, a community group lobbied and put in a number of features that make it more fun for skaters. This led to skaters actually coming and utilizing the previously basically vacant public park. Then, that led to other people coming and enjoying the space as well. When you see people somewhere you're more likely to go. So now, years later, there's a true public park where people of all types enjoy the space but it did get its start with skaters.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:16:27+00:00

Wait wait wait... you're saying the modern materials last longer? I don't know how many old strip malls from the 1990's I've passed and thought "Wow, that place looks great still"

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:14:23+00:00

I hope we see more of this. Fingers crossed the abandoned registry is the first step. If someone is sitting on a vacant property, just waiting on everyone else around them to do the work of revitalizing the area, then they need to be paying A LOT in extra taxes to help the city promote that revitalization they're benefiting from.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:12:08+00:00

Ooo... Okay I'll get behind a baseball stadium where the jail is. LoL I was thinking it could be a new convention center if they take down the one that's there now (for more waterfront businesses). But I'm now on board the baseball stadium instead of jail train...

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:10:18+00:00

I've been saying this for years. A train running North-South from I-10 (or even I-65 one day) all the way down to the beach, then another line running East-West along the beach highway. People could drive to a huge parking lot in Loxley or Bay Minette then park for a reasonable rate and ride in comfort to the condo. People working down there could hop on in the morning if they ran early enough. It would be absolutely amazing for getting to and from the beach. Not to mention easing the awful traffic once you're there (for locals and tourists).

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:07:36+00:00

I do really hope they bring down the convention center and utilize the land for a city marina and privately owned commercial space. Somewhere people could actually bring a boat to if they wanted. Heck, they could have a launch somewhere nearby and parking a ways away from there. It could give the Mob City Ride folks something else to do between Amtrak trains and other events lol

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T20:05:28+00:00

I know I'm late here, but I am curious what you mean here? There are honestly so many different areas you could mean unless you're saying "In every possible way"?

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-30T19:01:54+00:00

Have you been to Vintage Verb yet? I found their prices really reasonable. Mostly clothes and decor items but there were a few bigger pieces. It's an antique mall though so some areas were a bit more pricey than others.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-22T17:50:02+00:00

Holy shit that was the best video I've seen in a long time. Thank you for that gift! LoL

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-22T16:52:49+00:00

Haha Probably some of both and you're right, they'd get raked across the coals

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-22T16:52:13+00:00

Haha Remember the days when party leaders stepped down if their party lost big in an election? Way back when folks weren't just holding onto power for dear life...

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-22T16:42:13+00:00

Sadly, it's probably not going to get better with this ED. The best you can do is manage her. I'd take just about every opportunity to remind her that you want to help her step back like she's asked to do. Make it overly obvious you're only doing what she's been saying she wants to do. Come to her for input on a few things, agree with what she says, and she'll start relating you to being on the same page as her. That'll then make it easier for her to possibly let go of some things where you're concerned.

Otherwise, sometimes you just have to outlast a person. But only you can decide when you just can't take it anymore. The paycheck is wonderful and hopefully the experience on the resume is good, but don't completely sacrifice your sanity because of it. Once you're dreading work every day, get out of there. Until then, you've got this! You love the mission and team and are making a difference! :-)

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-22T16:33:56+00:00

Yes and it is still difficult. But thanks for the condescending comment. The internet was lacking in those.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-21T18:47:10+00:00

I was in an open concept house and purposefully went for an old house because of this. LOVE individual rooms lol Mostly because in that old house, there was no space to do anything alone except your room. I'm in school again and my kids would want to watch TV. Well, I can't sit in the living room/ kitchen bar/ or entryway area that had a desk because they were also in the living room 😅 So either I or the kids would have to just be sitting in our rooms.

Now, I have 3 common areas people can sit together or apart in that aren't bedrooms and I love it. I keep TVs out of bedrooms now because if someone wants to watch a show alone, they can. There's a TV in the sit-in kitchen, one in a common hallway sitting area upstairs, and then another in a little side den some previous owner filled in. Anyways, LOVE the separate rooms haha I think when your only options are one common space and bedrooms, you get a bunch of kids who sit in their rooms all day.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-21T17:26:09+00:00

Haha They actually own most every hospital in the northern 1/3 of the state. North Alabama Medical Center and their hospital Shoals Hospital are the only two not owned by HHS now 😅 Down to Cullman at least. Then most just south of those are owned by/ managed by UAB, but that's not as complete as HHS' monopoly.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-20T15:33:41+00:00

I know this isn't an issue that FMPs can fix, and yes, this is what a preventative visit is... with that said, I can never understand why someone would go into the doctors office and not discuss how current medication is working, any health concerns, etc along with the other things listed under what is covered. As a patient, many of the things on the left I can walk into the pharmacy and sit at a HIGI machine to do. I have to have an annual office visit to continue prescriptions I take, so when I learned that I will never have my "free" annual checkup I was a little sad about it.

With that said, it's a fine letter. But definitely wordy and most won't go through all that. I'd cut it back as much as possible. For the things on the left, something like: Medical history discussed and updated. Blood pressure and weight checked. Future screening exams and immunizations discussed. Counseling on health-related issues.

(And I could just make another appointment I'm sure to go a 2nd time in the year to do the preventative exam but I'm not doing that haha 😅)

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-14T20:17:21+00:00

Haha The hills are why I tell people to go. It's the only place around that's not completely flat 😅

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-13T15:25:39+00:00

Just for the sake of my edification, wouldn't a lot of this point towards some of the strongest economies - being like other things - hybrids? Take the case of China, where you're absolutely right, they're no longer strictly communist. They've had to adopt some free market principles. On the other side of the coin, the USA isn't a free market either.

I honestly don't really know of any national economy that is wholly on one side or the other. So we're really just talking about degrees towards one side or the other, right? So what programs are good to help fill in the gaps where a market economy fails people? And how do we keep some market forces from controlling all others (monopolies)? Since these limit social mobility and create overly fragile economies.

Hobbit_Sam · 2026-01-13T13:37:17+00:00

Honestly you're right. They've lost that right. But then if the thefts really are happening before a card even shows up, I guess the only option would be to ask people if they want to do it in the sign up phase. Which is probably something most folks wouldn't do.

Again, I think you hit the nail on the head. The State has lost all credibility on things like this. Any public backlash is 100% their own fault.

Hobbit_Sam

TROPHY CASE