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Bluff Park, Alabama Forum
http://bluffparkal.org/bpforum/YaBB.pl General Category >> General Board >> Bluff Park Revitalization http://bluffparkal.org/bpforum/YaBB.pl?num=1185558748 Message started by momof3 on 07/27/07 at 12:52pm |
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Title: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by momof3 on 07/27/07 at 12:52pm What ever happened to the whole topic of rennovating/revitalizing the shopping center areas in bluff park? I know there were some meetings and feesibility studies, but I've never heard what the outcome was. In my opinion, it would be a HUGE deterrant to crime to have a nicer, cleaner, busier shopping area. It would also be great for Bluff Park as I think it would attract more businesses to open in this area. We need more stuff up here!! |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by Bluff Park Forum Admin on 07/27/07 at 2:28pm momof3 wrote:
The study was completed in March of this year. I was able to get a copy of the report in the early part of July and am in the process of deciphering it. The completed report in in the form of PowerPoint slides that have been printed out, so there's some translation that needs to be done. Once that is complete, I plan on posting it on the BluffParkAl.org site. It is taking a little bit longer than anticipated due to the upcoming community event (if anyone would like to lend a hand, we're still taking volunteers... :) ). Admin |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by JBH on 08/05/07 at 8:00pm Who did the study, and would this be something to either be presented at, or possibly running the powerpoint presentation in the background on the 11th? |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by Bluff Park Forum Admin on 08/05/07 at 9:19pm JBH wrote:
A company out of Atlanta (I believe their name is listed under the original link in the Neighborhood Updates section of the BluffParkAl.org web site) did the study. Negative on the running of the Powerpoint presentation. We were given a handout, not the actual PPT show. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by momof3 on 08/09/07 at 9:50am I read on another topic (Grove Mall) that there is no "official" outcome yet on the feesibility study.... is this true? Is anyone going to fix up the area or not? Pretty simple question. I realize that a lot has to be done by the property owners - why not petition them as well as the residential property owners to make it nicer? I drove through Homewood (Edgewood) the other day and it would be great if they could just make it look like a nice small-town, quaint, classy area like that. Patton Creek style would be nice, but I think we'd be happy with just SOME improvement! Look what the residential property values are doing in Edgewood. I've heard many real estate people say that they can see Bluff Park looking much like Edgewood in the coming years. I think this definately ties in with the topic on unsightly homes, but we also have unsightly commercial areas as well. At least with the homes we don't have to go in them - just look. With businesses we have to shop inside there or go somewhere else - which is the whole point right?! We want people to shop here and Bluff Parkians want to shop closer to home. I know I don't like driving miles out of the way for groceries, but Piggly Wiggly kind of grosses me out. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by meredithshepherd on 08/09/07 at 8:18pm Mom of 3 - I completely agree with you.The Pig grosses me out too. We need to improve the commercial areas as well. If this is done then obviousely new homebuyers would be attracted to the area. These potential Bluff Parkers would most likely be the ones to keep up their homes. We do have the potential to compete with Homewood, we just need to step it up a little. I try very hard to shop in Bluff Park even when I would rather drive down the hill to much nicer area, but I know that Bluff Park shops need our money. I have been delighted to see a new shop Ashley Mac's in the Pig shopping center. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by momof3 on 08/09/07 at 9:16pm I agree - Ashley Mac's looks great! We need more stores like this!!! I just wish I needed something from catering - I too like to spend my money up here. That little Turquoise store on Shades Crest is also precious - but way out of my price range. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by kelechim on 08/11/07 at 10:46am I for one LOVE the Pig. They sell the best homemade chicken salad in the world, carry Sky Bread products, and are always friendly. They are what makes this place feel like a real community to me. I love reading the bulletin boards, talking with the regular checkers that I have come to know and they know me. I also love the fact that all the little old men sit and talk and drink coffee in the mornings up at the shopping center. It just makes the neighborhood feel special and old timey to me. When I first moved here a few years back I used to say it felt like Mayberry off the Andy Griffith show...a hidden jewel in Hoover. I am feeling less that way lately though as we are now having to worry about crime more. Also, I've been curious for years....what are those brick buildings used for that are located near the Carto Map place and the Snowcone place? If you haven't had a snowcone....you don't know what you are missing by the way!!! ;) |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by straycatmom on 08/11/07 at 11:08am I love the Pig too. It's clean, has excellent meat and produce. What, out of curiosity, does anyone find "gross" aboout it? |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by PharmD on 08/12/07 at 9:15pm I think a good start to making the shopping center nicer is to get the lot resurfaced....it would be a start. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by Bluff Park Forum Admin on 08/12/07 at 10:14pm momof3 wrote:
The study is complete, see my earlier post. No, at this time they have found that it is not going to be "fixed up", at least the city is not going to foot the bill for it. The study found it not to be feasable. If I can find someway of posting the study so everyone can see it, I will do so. The city paid $30,000 for it, so it should be available in electronic format. The brick buildings in the rear of the Shades Mountain Plaza next to Caribbean Ice are part of the Carto Map company. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by meredithshepherd on 08/13/07 at 2:14pm straycatmom wrote:
In response to the above inquiry- Look around you while you are shopping. Look at the walls when you get your cart. Look at the registers and around the floors when you are checking out. All it takes is a glance. I have no idea how they recieved a 97 rating. I am not trying to be critical. Just want to explain why it is hard for me to buy food there. I do however recognize the convience it provides when one is shopping in a hurry or needs to pick up an item or two. And I do give them credit for stocking some organic and local items. Most all stores now recognize the demand for that. I would not consider their produce section to be of great quality or of wide selection. I do love the nice people there and do not mean to offend anyone who works there. If the building was updated it would be easier for them to keep it looking clean. I am very sorry to hear that Hoover City does not want to put any money into our commercial area. It does not surprise me though. Our area seems to get "overlooked" at times. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by bpres on 08/13/07 at 2:57pm The PIG...The Pig is OK, as clean as most grocery stores. Bruno's in Hoover is not any cleaner, just a better selection of items. The Pig is convenient for us BP residents, has a friendly atmosphere, etc. The biggest complaint that I have is that they have a problem with OUT OF DATE merchandise. Noticed that on some dairy products recently. Whoever mentioned the parking lot it correct. The lot is terrrible!!!!! The tenants on both sides should insist on a cooperative repaving effort, since each side of the center has a different owner. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by RockviewResident on 08/13/07 at 3:18pm straycatmom wrote:
I think it smells funny, but other than that I love it. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by bpresident on 08/13/07 at 7:12pm meredithshepherd wrote:
In response to the above inquiry- Look around you while you are shopping. Look at the walls when you get your cart. Look at the registers and around the floors when you are checking out. All it takes is a glance. I have no idea how they recieved a 97 rating. I am not trying to be critical. Just want to explain why it is hard for me to buy food there. I do however recognize the convience it provides when one is shopping in a hurry or needs to pick up an item or two. And I do give them credit for stocking some organic and local items. Most all stores now recognize the demand for that. I would not consider their produce section to be of great quality or of wide selection. I do love the nice people there and do not mean to offend anyone who works there. If the building was updated it would be easier for them to keep it looking clean. I am very sorry to hear that Hoover City does not want to put any money into our commercial area. It does not surprise me though. Our area seems to get "overlooked" at times. [/quote] Curious about your last sentence. Tell me what you mean by Bluff Park getting "overlooked". And how did you enjoy our party on Saturday. What did you think of Ryan Kinder and the Alabama Pipes and Drums? |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by meredithshepherd on 08/14/07 at 9:24am The slow progress of improving the area, the increase in crime, and the previous lack of police presence. It seems we have to fight here to get anything done. I see some progress though. We were unable to attend the meet and greet. My husband and I were putting in hardwood floors in our house. A whole weekend project. I would have liked to put some names with faces especially since very few people on the forum use their real names. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by Bluff Park Forum Admin on 08/15/07 at 8:03am The Birmingham News has an article with the results of the study in the August 15, 2007 paper: http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/hoover.ssf?/base/community/1187167428197260.xml&coll=2 |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by BluffParkwriter on 08/15/07 at 10:11am After reading the story I think it shows some positives. We cant expect the city to pay for everything, revitalization of private business building etc is up to the owner. Mr. Harden has done a wonderful job with Bluff Park Village, I remember when there was nothing up there but trouble. Question- Does anyone know who owners the Shades Mtn Shopping center? I think it is split into 2 parts each side (piggly Wiggly side and the dentists side) being owned by different people/ developers. They might be back together now.. I am not sure. I know in the 90' John Gibson owned it (lived across from me) but he sold it.. and then I think it sold again. It does not look like the owner (s) are interested in revitalizing that complex.. never interviewed by media, never at any of the community meetings..etc |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by banshee67 on 08/31/07 at 7:54pm It would also be a nice thing if the Hoover Library would open a branch library in the shopping center. I was curious if city hall was going to let the revitalization thing die a quiet death. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by fitgrl on 08/31/07 at 8:24pm I don't see much difference with Bluff Park Village. If anything I think it is much worse now than it was 8-10 years ago. Back then we had Delchamps, Harco, the cleaners, Deja Vu now we have....a storage building and dollar general?? That doesn't show improvement to me. I appreciate that he cares about the revitalization but I don't think putting in that huge storage co is doing much revitalizing. Just my opinion! As far as Shades Mtn. Plaza goes...it is owned by several different people. One guy owns Team Spirit, the Cleaners and the empty space where Team Spirit used to be I know. I'm not sure what else he owns. He is very nice though I can't remember his name. On the other side Barron's old space and down to the cleaners old space is owned by another person. I never met them because a real estate company manages the property for them. They aren't very nice. The white building is owned by another real estate co with several partners. I think some of the partners are also partners in the Superior Mortgage Co. that is in the left side of the white building and live in Buff Park. |
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Title: Re: Bluff Park Revitalization Post by Forolemiss on 09/11/07 at 4:47pm How can you hate the Pig?? Their honey chicken salad rocks and they are very friendly!! Try shopping at Bruno's on Lakeshore or 31 and you will see how good you have it. My wife and I have to practically beg someone to bag our groceries!!! And do you remember what it replaced: The Western. Talk about a pit. I would like to see more eateries like Tip Top and the new diner. Talk about convenient. Decent food, right around the corner and a good price. |
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