Mobile Realtoreality

Since moving to Mobile over 5 years ago, I have continued to hear the phrase, "CIty of Perpetual Potential". For a while I found this a comforting ideal. Mobile is a city of enormous potential and apparently the potential is perpetual. Therefore, disconcertedly, it really never is fulfilled.

Consequently, sadly as I must, I now have a more appropriate catch phrase when discussing the City of Mobile -- "the city of continual complacency". According to one definition on Dictionary.com, complacency means "self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc. "

Now many readers will argue with this statement. There are a few city officials and citizens alike busting butt to boost economic development in Mobile. And given, a few monumental projects have seen fruition with supposedly many more plans on the drawing board. - Many plans never to be seen or heard of again.

Of course, Mayor Sam Jones is striving to develop a workable city plan and people are clamouring for downtown development - grocery stores, movie theaters, affordable housing, more city parks, etc. But the question is, do people in Mobile really care about development?

Again, I think a few citizens do, and people moving into Mobile from other cities and countries may not be as happy with the status quo and hopefully may somehow influence the pace of growth. But in general, I honestly believe people in Mobile really could care less, particularly those old Mobilians happy with their estates, beach houses, and worldly travels. Give them their social scene and Mardi Gras, and the world goes on. Growth and change are not their friends.

Eventually Mobile may become the world class port city I believe it should be. But how long will it take to ultimately maximize the potential for growth, prosperity, and viability? Another old saying may have to suffice -- "good things come to those who wait." Of course in terms of a new Mobile, some of us may die waiting.