Mobile Realtyreality

What would it take to make Mobile a perfect city for you? — better restaurants, more major shopping venues, an amusement park, parks, or professional sports teams? When asked these questions, I’m sure we would all give somewhat different answers for the most part. Obviously there are certain traits we all would like to see — a sustainable economy, more assessable healthcare, better roads, etc.

In a recent study by Terri Denard, an instructor at Samford University, she compared what we want with what we currently have in Mobile.

A perfect Mobile would have a better airport, more professional sports, better public transit, additional walking paths and better schools.

On the other hand, in the real world, Mobile already boasts a comparatively strong economy, low cost of living, a good climate and courteous residents (for the most part).

That was the consensus verdict of 30 community leaders polled last year for a qualitative study designed to get people thinking about their perfect city and how it might compare with Mobile.

Studies that rate “quality of life” factors for various cities have gained in popularity as communities jockey — much as corporations do — for what amounts to geographic brand identity. A city’s positive reputation can help it lure new industry and accompanying jobs.

Mobile’s pursuit of German steel manufacturer ThyssenKrupp and the players involved in the Air Force’s contract to build airborne refueling planes influenced her decision to study Alabama’s port city, Denard said.

People and companies now select locations “just like picking a can of coffee off the supermarket shelf,” Denard said.

Before cities can promote themselves, they must identify their strong points, and the information needs to run true, she said.

“Just as in the corporate world, city reputations can be lost overnight.”

For more on this study, see Picture your perfect city from a recent issue of the Press Register.