Sounds like a plan! Maybe we should sit on the board-lol. The thing about the teachers is, unfortunately, they do this EVERY year. It is always something with the school board. If we were able to build a theme park, perhaps some of the tax revenue could be earmarked for the school system, but have it managed by an independent agency.

I'm not a "business" person, but it seems to me that if the attractions were here, the residents would spend their money closer to home. It would also bring in business from surrounding areas, as the closest family attractions are Atlanta, Orlando and New Orleans. Especially with the price of gas, etc. who wants to drive that far and spend the money it cost for admission etc on top of it? Maybe Mobile needs to rethink some of their plans. If we are going to have industry brought here, we definitely need to find ways to keep the people here. Otherwise we will end up with more vacant industrial buildings-what a lovely sight.

rmseek1234 - 21 June 2008 12:06 PM

I agree Bobcat. Mobile needs to offer things for the public to enjoy. I had a thread the other day -What to Do In Mobile?-because we are going to be hosting a French student for 3 weeks this summer. While I did get a few ideas, and some info from the convention center, I am still at a loss as to what to do. I seriously don't think a teen is going to be interested in the multitude of museums (nor am I, especially). But if we had some festivals, or an amusement facility (like SeaWorld, or even Aquarium of the Americas), I think Mobile would be rolling in the dough. As it is, to do any fun-filled family activities, other than the beach-you have to drive to another state entirely-Florida, Louisiana, Georgia.....

HEY I AGREE WITH WHAT I SAW IN THE PAPER( mobile cant even put together a tricycle how do you expect or mayor and council to to win a big contract when our city dont have enough police and fire protection and now that the mayor and his clowns are messing with police and firefighters and other city workers benifits and pay and health insurance . why would any one want to work for our city to protect it from crime or medical emergencys, or fires or pick up trash our citys mayor and council have split tounges ( telling you what you want to hear but lieing to you at the same time

After being here for one year, there has only been a couple of 'entertainers' that I would like to see come to the Mobile Civic Center. I don't know how the Civic Center stays afloat. The calendar is always half empty. Pretty pathetic.

Back during the 70s and 80s, the political scene was so full of corruption that bilked the artists and promoters to the point that most claimed they would never visit Mobile again. From a revenue stand point this makes sense. Why have one show in Mobile when you can have two, One in Pensacola and one in Biloxi?
Thanks to the likes of guys named Greeno, Mims, and Outlaw, Mobile has been all but completely left out of entertainment venues. So you see Mobile is NOT a destination but a dreary little town that commuters must pass through to get to there destination.

As far as having something to do, supposedly Mobile will be getting a (ONCE) quality racing and entertainment facility. That is looking kinda grim at this point due to tree huggers worried about messing something up in prichard

We said good-bye to our French student yesterday, she was such a joy to have as part of our family for the 3 weeks she was here. We had such a great time in fact, that we will be having a student from Belgium stay with us for a semester beginning Saturday.

While we did find things to do and to show her, it is sad that a city the size of Mobile does not have more. It is also sad that so many of the "attractions" that are offered can be fairly costly-ie...Exploreum, Bellingrath, some of the museums. Five Rivers on the causeway was interesting and free. You can do airboat and pontoon rides, but those are kind of expensive. We enjoyed taking her on our boat to the Delta and night fishing out by the rigs at Dauphin Island. She actually learned to fish, and even got the hang of exaggerating how big the fish is-lol. We went downtown-not really much to see there, in my opinion. Though she did get to taste our pecans and pralines. She even took a tin of pralines back to France, she enjoyed them so much. Our big splurge was Waterville and the beach at Gulf Shores. We are fortunate that we have land, horses to ride, and a boat to go out in-because truly, without those things she would have probably been bored.

I really don't see how we can attract and keep new business, if we have nothing to offer, other than run-down buildings downtown, a multitude of over priced antique shops and museums-that take about 5 minutes to go through, and bars galore downtown. Even outside the city limits or in other parts of the county, there is not much to do. We really need to develop something to motivate people to WANT to visit Mobile, not just pass through.

rmseek1234,
I am in total agreement with you. I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and it seems to me that Mobile is simply lacking in most areas of entertainment. Take Atlanta, for instance...on ANY given weekend, there are numerous attractions and events going on throughout the city and it's suburbs. There are several different clubs and organizations that sponsor these events and most are inexpensive (if not free) to attend. But more than that, the restaurants have such an amazing mix of variety and themes that eating there is an event itself! (Google: Twist, Bluepoint, Eclipse Di Luna, Two Urban Licks, Strip, Dave & Busters)) Look closer to home at Pensacola. So much to do there and it is the same size, if not smaller, than Mobile. Their downtown area is MUCH cleaner and has a plethora of excellent restaurants. (Google: Dharma Blues) Not to mention the Quiet Water Beach Boardwalk... Mobile seems stuck in a stagnant funk. We have become, in essence, a rest stop along the interstate. Even our Mall (Bel Air) is outdated and most of the retailers within seem like second tier stores...no flagship status for us. An aquarium would be great here...but it will never happen.
You hit the nail right on the head in your last paragraph: "we have nothing to offer, other than run-down buildings downtown, a multitude of over priced antique shops and museums-that take about 5 minutes to go through, and bars galore downtown. " Mobile has potential...but what good is potential if it isn't put to use? Don't get me wrong, there are worse places...but Mobile needs to look at the bigger picture and stop thinking inside the box. In fact, throw the box away and start with something new... I enjoyed reading your post because you brought up so many good points and I am glad to hear your student had a nice time here...but it's also nice to know that I am not the only one who realizes Mobile is lacking in so many areas.