Checking in: What has Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson been up to?
Ever wonder what your mayor been up to each month? Sure you may have helped elect them, but what happens after that? Alabama Today has you covered. Each month we’ll highlight what the Yellowhammer State’s Big 5 mayors have been doing in an effort to hold them accountable and keep things more transparent. In the last month, Mobile, Ala. Mayor Sandy Stimpson has implemented several changes to the city, traveled to the United Kingdom on behalf of his constituents, and announced the launch of the city’s first bike sharing program among other things. Here’s what he’s been up to for the last month: July 12 The city of Mobile enhanced Three Mile Creek Trail; adding picnic tables, fitness zones, pet stations, and several other amenities. “These new amenities will encourage fitness, support recreation and educate our citizens on one of our most precious waterways,” Stimpson said in a press release. “Our goal is to link neighborhoods, businesses and residents across Mobile. Within a mile radius of this segment alone, there are 69,000 residents, 900 businesses and 3 hospitals. Three Mile Creek was once Mobile’s drinking water source before World War II, and now it can once again connect communities throughout the City of Mobile.” July 15 – 17 Stimpson attended the Farnborough International Air Show in London meeting with Governor Kay Ivey, and several airplane manufacturers about expanding in Mobile. “Our strategy this week is all about jobs! Our momentum is surging with Airbus and Bombardier expanding at Brookley,” Stimpson posted to his Facebook page. “We have a busy week of meetings and businesses are eager to learn more about Mobile.” July 23 Stimpson attended and spoke at a community meeting at Williamson High School on the Ladd Peebles Stadium. July 25 Stimpson spoke to the Mobile City Council about the Ladd Peebles Stadium, addressing the comments of the community to the council. “For years, the problems at Ladd Stadium have been kicked down the road for someone else to handle. It’s time for that to change,” Stimpson posted on his Facebook page. July 30 Stimpson announced the launch date of Mobile’s first bike sharing program, Limebike. “In a statement, Stimpson called for Mobilians to help make the bike share program a success,” the Associated Press reported. “He asked motorists to give cyclists plenty of room, and asked cyclists not to park their bikes in places that block vehicular or pedestrian traffic.” August 4 Stimpson hosted the fourth annual Mayors Cup, a full day of football, soccer, and track events for young people in the community. “I am extremely excited to welcome back the Mayor’s Cup this year. I look forward to seeing the local community come together for a fun day outdoors and enjoy one of our beautiful parks in the City of Mobile,” Stimpson said in a statement. “This event teaches our young people the important values of teamwork and sportsmanship. May the best man or woman win!”
Bike-sharing service to launch August 15 in Mobile
Mobile will launch its downtown bicycle-sharing service on Aug. 15. The launch date means that rental bikes should be readily available during the Aug. 25 Dauphin Street Beer Festival, which serves as an informal kickoff for the downtown entertainment district’s busy fall season, and the Ten Sixty Five music festival on Oct. 5-6, Al.com reported. Back in March, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced a partnership with the company LimeBike, now known as Lime. Stimpson and company representatives said the service would launch in the summer, after local staff and other resources such as warehouse space were worked out. The plan calls for the first 500 bikes to be distributed downtown and on the University of South Alabama campus. In a statement, Stimpson called for Mobilians to help make the bike share program a success. He asked motorists to give cyclists plenty of room, and asked cyclists not to park their bikes in places that block vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Lime is one of several in the rapidly expanding field of shared transportation providers. It takes a dockless approach, meaning its bikes can be left anywhere. Riders use a smartphone app to find and unlock a bike and pay an hourly rental charge. The bikes themselves have built-in locks and GPS locators. One job of local staff is to move bikes around so they don’t just pile up at destination spots. Company officials said the name change reflects what it describes as its “exciting growth into multimodal transportation.” Lime rents electric scooters as well as bikes. In early July, Lime announced $335 million in funding in a deal heavily supported by Uber and Google Ventures. According to a CNet report, plans call for Uber to include Lime scooter rentals in its app. “Our investment and partnership in Lime is another step towards our vision of becoming a one stop shop for all your transportation needs,” Rachel Holt, Uber’s head of new modalities, said in a statement quoted by CNet. “Lime already has an expansive footprint, and we’re excited to incorporate their scooters into the Uber app so consumers have another fast, affordable option to get around their city, especially to and from public transit.” Lime announced in July that its machines had been used for more than six million rides since the company was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June 2017. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
