Sample Vision Competition Program
page 3
Site
The proposed site consists of two city blocks which lie within the core area of downtown
Mobile, Alabama. They lie immediately north of the existing U.S. courthouse. The site,
consisting of 3.68 acres is bounded by St. Anthony Street on the north, St. Joseph
Street on the east, St. Louis Street on the south, and N. Joachim Street on the west;
with Conception Street separating the two blocks. These are all one-way streets. At
present, traffic cannot circulate around the entire property due to the direction of traffic
flow on these streets.
Block 3
This part of the proposed site covers one city block and is 97.5 linear meters (320 linear
feet) east-west, by 76.2 liner meters (250 linear feet) north-south, or 1.83 acres. There
are seven parcels, 94-100, on the site with varied dimensions and ownership.
There is one structure on the site that is occupied by businesses. It has been altered
significantly and does not appear to have any historic or architectural significance.
It would be demolished for development of the site. Surface parking on the site is
currently used by Alabama Power employees.
Block 3A
This part of the proposed site covers one city block and is 82.3 linear meters (270 linear
feet) east-west, by 76.2 liner meters (250 linear feet) north-south, or 1.56 acres. There
are six parcels, 101-106, on the site with varied dimensions and ownership.
There are two structures on the site, which are both occupied by businesses. One is a
house at 157-159 Conception Street built in 1852. It is currently used for professional
office space. It is both historically and architecturally significant structure and could not
be demolished but might be moved. The other structure is mostly warehouse which
houses a maritime supply business and is not significant; it would be demolished.
Conception Street
The street is an important north/south pedestrian and vehicular street. It spans 50 feet
from property line to property line and is approximately .29 acres. It contains most
utilities including a major storm water system and not only sanitary and water supply
pipes but the 36" sanitary sewer main line that runs south.
Historic District
The site represents the southeast side and border of the DeTonti Square Historic
District. It encompasses the northwest corner of block 3 and the north border of block 3
and Conception Street fronting on St. Anthony Street. Any development of the site must
be sensitive to the character, scale, and relationship to the district and its appearance.
The slope of the site is less than 3 percent. Site elevation is 11 to 12 feet above sea level.
The soil type throughout the downtown core area is a composite known as Urban Soil.
In general, Urban Soil is of sufficient strength to support the proposed development.
The exact depth of the water table beneath the site is not known. However, the site is
located two blocks from the Mobile River, so the water table is likely very close to the
ground surface.
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