A Conversation with Dr. David Bronner
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VOLUME 4 • NUMBER 1 • MARCH - APRIL 2009 A Conversation with Dr. David Bronner In our continuing efforts to grow Downtown Mobile, the Downtown Mobile a trail site down in Mobile, and then-mayor, Mike Dow, and I wanted to Alliance tapped into one of our most forward-thinking investors, Dr. David do something more. So we started looking at several projects trying to Bronner of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, to gauge his thoughts on the find the right fit. We turned down a lot of projects until the Battle House growth of Mobile and the development of downtown. Hotel and Tower came along. But even then it was the people of Mobile who have to be given the most credit. Their decision to vote for a tax increase to fund the public education system showed us Mobile was a city As most everyone knows, Dr. Bronner has invested millions of dollars in worth investing in because it had a future. Downtown Mobile with the construction of the RSA Tower, the restoration of the Battle House Hotel and the purchase and renovation of the Renaissance 3. The Press-Register quoted you about a year ago as Riverview Hotel. Here are his thoughts on our having called Dauphin Street area: “Whisky Alley.” This caused quite a bit of controversy among many of 1. What is one area you would like to see the businesses along Dauphin the leaders of Mobile focus on? Street. Please explain your com- In Mobile and Alabama we have made more ment in greater detail and share economic progress than other metropolitan with our readers what you envision areas and any other state in the last decade. Dauphin Street’s future to be. But, if we are going to be competitive with other I do not remember making that comment. But, I states for the types of industries to sustain that have used the Mobile “entertainment district” growth, then we are going to have to better idea in Montgomery. I feel it is essential to have prepare the institutions that can create a labor it in the core city, and I have promoted it in force capable of working for those industries. Montgomery. But, such a district is not beneficial How do you do that? Money. You can have the if there is not a very large police presence. Nei- best plans, put together with ideas from the best ther the public nor the city should tolerate un- minds, but without money they are going to lawful activity or nuisances that result in remain just that; ideas. So, how do you get the drunkenness, lewdness, fights or such behavior. money? Taxes. Everyone likes low taxes, and low Bars, entertainment, and restaurants are essen- tial, but only in an environment of a very strong taxes are good, but the lowest taxes in the police presence that will not tolerate the abuse country are dumb. We must not waste taxpayer of the citizens or guests of Mobile. monies, however we must also invest in our- selves. Our leaders have to be willing to invest 4. What is your view of the economy of in those institutions that can make us successful; southern Alabama? the schools K-12 and beyond to the colleges. If Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement South Alabama’s economy will reflect our coun- we can offer better research, education, manu- Systems of Alabama try, as well as our state. South Alabama has a facturing and tourism; along with the leisure number of pluses not available elsewhere. benefits and quality of life it brings, we will prosper. If we do not, other Clearly, the tanker contract will have the same major impact as ThyssenK- cities and states will take the lead, thereby securing the industries and their rupp. We cannot wait for the country, not even the state; we must grab economic growth for themselves and future generations. whatever opportunities we see, from a racetrack to medical research, and move forward in order to fulfill the destiny of this region of our country. In What has been/is your motivation for investing in 2. very simple language, the future is up to us! Downtown Mobile and the greater Mobile Bay Dr. Bronner, continued on page 3 area? In the late 1980s, with the start up of the RTJ Trail we decided we wanted 1 STAFF Director’s Letter Elizabeth Sanders, Executive Director Jo Ann Olivera, Office Manager Nurturing Entrepreneurship , Communications Manager Carol Hunter Recently Congressman Jo Bonner organized the “Alabama Economic Summit 2014: Our Susan Daniels, Membership and Fund Raising Director People and Our Economy” at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center in Downtown Mobile. Several hundred leaders from around the 1st Congressional District participated in a discus- Fred Rendfrey, Director of Downtown Economic Development sion coordinated by The Public Forum Institute. The day opened with an upbeat speech from Marketing Assistant Governor Bob Riley who encouraged the attendees in the genuine and enthusiastic manner Kathleen Tansey, we have come to enjoy from our successful governor. This was followed by comments from DOWNTOWN MOBILE ALLIANCE Dr. Tim Kane, Senior Fellow in Research and Policy at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Founda- AND MAIN STREET MOBILE BOARD tion. Dr. Kane gave a humorous presentation on the importance of the mobility of talented OF DIRECTORS people using Joe Namath as an example. His point – don’t fret over your kids not moving President home right after college. All communities lose talent, he reminded us. Create an environ- ment that nurtures talent and creativity and the superstars will come to you. The key, he Cooper C. Thurber, Lyons, Pipes & Cook Vice President, Development pointed out, is creating an environment that nurtures growth in human capital. This will pro- Sam Covert, Alabama Power Company* duce the job churn that signals a healthy economy. Vice President, Public Spaces Steve Clements, 301 ST. Louis Street, LLC* Dr. Kane conducts extensive research on entrepreneurialism and innovation. Dr. Kane Vice President, Membership & Marketing opines that to see growth in our economy we have to create a growth climate by: , Dauphin Realty Mickie Russell 1. Engaging in key partnerships to create a support network, Vice President, Parking & Transportation 2. Streamlining the regulatory and licensing processes, Sydney Raine Secretary 3. Improving the human capital pool by improving the K-12 system, Margo Gilbert, Battle House Hotel* 4. Providing capital for business growth, Treasurer 5. Promoting the commercialization of invention, and Joseph Mareno, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce* 6. Adopting entrepreneurship as a regional strategy. Past President Regions Bank* Dee Gambill, In our collective efforts to redevelop Downtown Mobile, we all must work together to pursue Mary Anne Ball, Bienville Properties* these strategies so that we create an environment conducive to innovation and forward, vi- Ann Bedsole, White Smith Land Company sionary thinking. Let’s reflect on a few of the visionary projects and their creators of 2008. Howard Bronson, Press-Register* The year ended with the opening of the Hampton Inn at the corner of Royal and Conti. Mike Stephen Carter, S&A Investment Strategies* Cowart quietly came to town in 2006 and put together a complicated property package in David Constantine, Lyons, Pipes & Cook* order to bring in a specially designed inn for this key corner. John Serda started the year off Christ Episcopal Church Rev. Johnny Cook, with the opening of his delightful coffee house/entertainment venue. What a difference that Cooper/T Smith Corp. Angus Cooper, III, project has made for Royal Street. The future holds bright things for this entrepreneur. Har- Mike Dean, Mobile County Commission* Richards, LLC* grove & Associates completed their innovative remodeling of the long-vacant Neisner and Richard Dorman, Kress buildings, bringing their 150+ creative employees downtown into the heart of things. Robert Drew, Willis of Alabama How quickly they have become part of the fabric of downtown! All total, several dozen busi- Christopher Gill, Hand Arendall nesses opened in our small downtown in 2008. Several dozen others expanded. This is job Palmer Hamilton, Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom Ralph Hargrove, Hargrove & Associates* growth that goes unheralded. Chuck Harmon, Wachovia Bank Cedric Hatcher, RBC Centura Bank Downtown is clearly conducive to entrepreneurship. We must not stop here, however. We still Michelle Herman, Mobile County have vacancies to fill and product lines that are not offered. The Downtown Alliance will be John Klotz, The Three Fifty Corporation* doing its part in 2009 and beyond to nurture a growth climate. We will advance our efforts Brian Metcalfe, Metcalfe & Company, Inc.* to work with city officials to make opening a business or renovating a building an ever more , Tensaw Land & Timber Lee Moncrief efficient and friendly process. We will be looking for seed capital to create an incentive fund Spot of Tea Ruby Moore, for retailers looking to start businesses downtown. And we will be looking for ways to con- Stephen Nodine, Mobile County Commission* Olensky Brothers Office Supply vene like-minded people around topics of concern to the creative and visionary members of Fabian Olensky, our downtown community. John Peebles, Peebles & Cameron* Randy Setterstrom, Grand Central* Contact us with your issues and ideas so that we can share them with others of like mind Joseph P. Toole, The Retirement Systems of Alabama* and seek solutions to common problems and share in common opportunities. Our dense EX-OFFICIO urban environment, while it can sometimes be frustrating to have neighbors so close, pro- Mobile Historic Development Comm. Devereaux Bemis, vides opportunities for benefiting from others’ fortunes and successful ideas. Let us put the Samuel L. Jones, Mayor of Mobile opportunities to work for all who are willing to be creative and innovative.