Huntsville updates [Archive] - Page 2

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 12:52 PM

in southeast Huntsville. This a very beautiful area of the city with
mountains and coves,

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
1,123 homes, pools, lakes, walking trails in the proposal

Developers of the McMullen Cove subdivision unveiled plans Wednesday that call for 1,123 homes, walking trails, lakes, a large clubhouse, two Olympic-sized pools and a picnic area.

A city planning subcommittee reviewed Enfinger-Steele Development's layout plans Wednesday morning for the 2,360-acre McMullen Cove. The property is less than a mile from the edge of Hampton Cove, a development of more than 1,400 homes (1,700 when completed).
The developer, state Sen. Jeff Enfinger, D-Huntsville of Enfinger-Steele Development, said lots should begin selling in 60 days. Construction on the first 200-home phase should begin in spring, he said, pending final approval by city planners.

"There's been a lot of interest," Enfinger said after presenting the plans to the city subdivision subcommittee. The city's Planning Commission will review the plans next week.

Plans call for 16 neighborhoods fanning around the head of a scenic valley off Little Cove Road. Homes will be a minimum of 2,500 square feet, with some sections dedicated to homes 5,000 square feet and larger. Prices are expected to range from $250,000 to near $1 million.

Enfinger told the committee about discussions with nearby landowners about granting the city access to their property for a future city greenway. If the owners agree, Enfinger said a continuous greenway could be built along the Flint River to U.S. 72. The connection would be around Salty Bottom Road.

"You'd have a 13-mile hiking, biking, walking trail," he said

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 01:43 PM

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 02:04 PM

Neilsons post mentioning the covered bridge reminded me that
Alabama has an impressive collection of these unique structures.
Many are located in Blount County and there are festivals and tours each year.

http://www.alabamatv.org/bridges/images/clarkston.jpg

Go here for more info
http://www.alabamatv.org/bridges/photos.htm

http://www.800alabama.com/tours-trails/covered-bridge/

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 02:48 PM

From staff and wire reports
Huntsville Times
Sporting News joins hotel to add themed restaurants

Sporting News magazine and Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts plan to develop sports-themed restaurants at all 91 Holiday Inn Select hotels around the country starting early next year, the companies said.

The Sporting News Grill restaurants will be part of what Holiday Inn calls a "Gen-X" concept for franchisees. Terms of the agreement and costs were not disclosed when the joint venture was announced Tuesday.
Holiday Inn Select has a hotel in downtown Huntsville. Virginia Osborne, a spokeswoman for Holiday Inn, said Select hotels are adding coffee shops, state-of-the-art workout rooms and other amenities to appeal to Gen-X customers, and the Sporting News Grill is part of that rebranding concept

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 05:49 PM

a couple floors to the south Huntsville facility.
Crestwood will add 30 beds and two floors at a cost of $16.9 million. The hospital will add a 24,000-square-foot surgical center in a new third floor and a fourth floor to the east tower.

Brad Jones, Crestwood's chief executive, said patients coming into Crestwood have increased to the point the hospital needed to expand.

"We're not generally able to accommodate these," Jones said.

The construction will take less than 18 months, he said, and the hospital likely will ask for 30 more beds later.

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 06:04 PM

in Meridianville 10-15 minutes from downtown, Madison County Executive Airport
serves business jets, flight training as well as charter flights.
Also home to Huntsville Hospital's MedFlight helicopters.

http://www.mceaa.org/images/terminal/termfront.jpg

http://www.mceaa.org/images/aerial/aerairport.jpg

http://www.mceaa.org/images/aerial/aerrunway.jpg

5,008 x 100 foot runway with extended taxiway

HSVTiger

09-22-2005, 06:46 PM

Another possible mega project in the making

TVA, government working for new start

By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel Page 1 of 2 | Next
Single-Page View

Published August 8, 2005

Jackson County officials should know by October 1 if NuStart Energy Development, LLC intends to locate a new generation nuclear facility at TVA’s Bellefonte Nuclear Plant site near Hollywood.

NuStart official Garry Miller said Thursday that the eight company consortium will decide by the end of September if Bellefonte is one of their choices for either a Westinghouse Advance Passive 1000 Reactor or a General Electric Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor. The site near Hollywood is one of six finalists. Other potential sites are located in La,. Md., Miss., N.Y. and S.C.

If built, the reactors would be the first new ones in the United States in 30 years. Currently 23 nuclear facilities are under construction worldwide.

While the state currently cannot legally provide tax abatements, credits and other incentives to utility companies it, along with local officials, is trying to meet an August 15 deadline to complete a package encouraging the consortium to locate a facility at Bellefonte. Governmental entities are working to meet the consortium’s request for proposal, covering concerns such as available infrastructure, education, workforce availability, training and outlining community support for the project.

“My job is to put together a response to your request,” Neal Wade, Director of the Alabama Development Office told NuStart representatives in a meeting Thursday. “This is something we want in this state. We’ll put together an aggressive response.”

State Senator Lowell Barron said he would work diligently to see that the Alabama Legislature passes legislation allowing the state to provide a first rate incentive package to the consortium.

“We’ll step up to the plate big time to support this facility,” he said. “We’ll put the incentives in place, the support in place. There’s no place in the U.S. that’s a better place to do business than North Alabama and Jackson County.”

Eight utility companies comprise the NuStart consortium. They are: Constellation Energy, Duke Energy, EDF International North America, Entergy Nuclear, Exelon Generation, Florida Power and Light Company, Progress Energy and the Southern Company.

TVA participates in the group through in-kind services. GE and Westinghouse are involved as reactor designers and manufacturers.

Tom Kilgore, President and COO of TVA said there are four reasons NuStart should choose Bellefonte to build a nuclear plant. “I call them the four C’s,” he said of commitment, community, construction and connections.

“TVA is committed,” Kilgore stated. He said the community supports the project and that construction would be easier and less costly because of the transmission switchyard and other infrastructure in place at the facility. Finally he called the utility’s direct connection to four members of the consortium a plus.

http://cryptome.org/npp2/pict346.jpg

Made the first cut
WASHINGTON A consortium of utilities has picked two sites in Alabama and Mississippi as possible locations for what could be the first nuclear power plant built in the United States in more than three decades.

The consortium emphasized that no decision had yet been made on whether to seek a license for a new plant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The group is developing an application for advanced approval of the two sites, which would allow for quicker completion of the project if a go ahead is given.

The group decided the new reactors would be built if a go ahead is given adjacent to the existing Grand Gulf power plant, operated by Entergy near Port Gibson, Mississippi, and at the site of the yet unfinished Bellefonte twin reactors near Scottsboro (Alabama). Bellefonte is owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The announcement was made in Washington by Nustart Energy Development, a consortium of eight utilities and two reactor manufacturers. It is the latest development reflecting the intense interest by the electric power industry to build a new reactor to meet growing electricity needs.

HSVTiger

09-23-2005, 08:53 PM

slowly but surely,
Seven of ten floors of the structure have been built, said Mike Skelton of Flintco Construction, the general contractor for the project.

An enclosed, climate-controlled skybridge will connect the hotel to the Von Braun Center South Hall from the second floor, Skelton said. The hotel will have 295 suites, including a presidential suite on the top floor. It will also have meeting rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a day spa and a restaurant, which has yet to be named.

HSVTiger

09-26-2005, 04:29 PM

of type style of water taxi that will be at Bridge Street, next year

http://images.chattanoogan.com/photo_images/gallery_12253.jpg

HSVTiger

09-26-2005, 04:42 PM

Huntsville along with many other cities, Birmingham, Anniston, Mobile, etc
are all effected by the freeze, but there is some activity.
No way to know but this could be a substantial high rise project.

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
Council resolution hopes to help clear way for project

Plans for a new federal courthouse downtown showed some movement last week. But construction still may be far off unless Congress lifts a moratorium on federal building projects.

The City Council passed a resolution Thursday night that set in motion the paperwork for a formal agreement between the city and federal building authorities for a new federal building at Gallatin Street and Lowe Avenue. That's the site of the former Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Center.

The resolution follows a return visit to the site last month by a representative from the General Services Administration at the invitation of city leaders.

City Planning Director Dallas Fanning said local leaders asked for a meeting with the GSA after repeatedly hearing reports that the site may not meet federal security requirements.

"We kept hearing rumors that the blast zones weren't adequate," Fanning said.

The city bought the vacant mental health building and 5.13-acre site in 2003 for $3.9 million using federal money obtained by Alabama's congressional delegation.

Fanning said the site was bought for a new federal building. The city paid a demolition crew last spring to raze the 1970s-era structure. The vacant lot is now being used for concerts and other outdoor events.

The resolution passed Thursday night indicates the GSA is still considering the site for a courthouse.

City Attorney Peter Joffrion said Friday the GSA recently delivered a draft agreement that says GSA "has already performed studies that confirm the current existing security setback requirements for a U.S. courthouse can be met at the (site) ... based on current existing U.S. Court design requirements."

Attempts to reach the GSA representative, Michael Roper, director of development for the GSA in Atlanta, were unsuccessful. Joffrion said the only concern he's heard is parking. The city doesn't view that as a problem since the city owns most of the adjoining land, he said.

The city initially considered turning the site over to a local federal building authority, which would construct and lease the building for government office space. "We thought that would be more appealing to them instead of having to come up with a chunk of money up front to build it," he said.

HSVTiger

09-26-2005, 05:02 PM

is the mural in the old Federal Courthouse painted in 1937

http://159.142.123.16/facitjpg/finearts/FA324.jpg

Huntsville: "Tennessee Valley Authority," Xavier Gonzalez, 1937.
The Huntsville mural was the largest and most expensive panel commissioned in Alabama and the only one placed in a federal courthouse rather than a post office. Gonzales received the invitation for the panel based on designs he had submitted for a competition in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1936. He originally proposed a rather odd allegorical panel that the Washington office criticized for both its style and its lack of meaning for the people in Huntsville. Instead of making allegorical allusions it was suggested that Gonzalez place emphasis on the realities of life. Using a realistic style and basing his new theme on the work then being done by TVA in northern Alabama, he redesigned the panel several times. It was ultimately put in place in October of 1937 and described by Gonzales: "Huntsville, Alabama is situated in the lower angle of the Tennessee River and has profited immensely by the benefits derived from the Muscle Shoals Project. Before this undertaking was begun, the country, being unprotected, was at the mercy of floods and calamities. The benefits of electricity were a privilege of the few who could afford the exorbitant price, the soil of the country was being washed away by the floods, and industry and agriculture were underdeveloped due to the uncertainty of land conditions. Since the completion of this project tremendous benefits have been received . . . the control and proper use of water resources; . . . conservation and preservation of land resources; . . . [and] the disposition of surplus electric energy created as a by-product of the irrigation and flood control."

http://www.alnd.uscourts.gov/courthousemaps/huntsville_courthouse.jpg

HSVTiger

09-28-2005, 04:30 PM

Election year coming up, he is expected to announce a run
for the office..
a few hints in his speech, big things are coming

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com
North Alabama's development projects envy of nation, he says

It was titled a 2005 Alabama Update, but Gov. Bob Riley's address here Tuesday turned into a wrap-up of major economic development projects in North Alabama.

"You're not only winning the game, you're running up the score," said Riley, who called the area an "economic engine" for the state.

"There are few places in the United States of America that would even compare with the growth you're having today," Riley said. The BRAC relocations alone could result in 4,500 to 5,000 new people moving to this area, he said, "and I think that's just the beginning."

The area deserves the projects it's landed, Riley said at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce's program. "You've fought and you've scraped for everything you wanted."

The only limiting factor will be whether trained workers will be available to fill those different types of jobs, he said. In an effort to make the system more accessible and responsive to job hunters and businesses looking for workers, Riley signed an executive order two years ago to consolidate the state's work force development programs.

"It really is going to be interesting to watch what will happen in North Alabama in the next five, 10, 15 years," Riley said. "Most states would do anything" to be able to boast of just one of the area's recent economic announcements.

"You're on a roll but, over the next couple of years, folks, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Riley answered a variety of questions from the audience:

On the status of the proposed southern bypass, called Patriot Parkway, that would cross Redstone Arsenal: "We want to make this a priority, we will make this a priority."

On a state lottery: "I don't support it."

On Alabama Constitution reform: "The only way to do it is one article at a time." To think a group could be assembled to come up with a comprehensive plan to rewrite the Constitution "is being somewhat naive."

On improving education: "We spend 75 cents of every $1 in Alabama on education. ɠWe're going to have to prioritize." Riley believes the state has shown low rankings over the years because "we've never taken money and put into the programs that move those scores." He praised the Alabama Reading Initiative, which provides teachers in a school with specialized training on how to improve reading skills.

HSVTiger

09-29-2005, 07:17 PM

will put pressure on already maxed out schools in those areas.

On Tuesday, Huntsville approved a subdivision of 1,104 new homes off Little Cove Road. The site will be known as McMullen Cove, billed as a neighborhood of mini-mansions priced from $250,000 to several million dollars in east Huntsville.
McMullen Cove comes on top of another 2,000 single-family lots the city has already approved in the east Huntsville since 2003.

Meanwhile, in west Huntsville, the city has approved another 8,000 new homes and apartment units since 2001.

HSVTiger

09-29-2005, 08:58 PM

Copelands of New orleans has closed its Huntsville location
due to Katrina according to the manager. They can't get food
or access to bank funds they say, and owe back taxes. There was just a review last week in the paper saying how well this restaurant was doing, plus they had just added and revamped their menu.
Hopefully they will reopen but it sounds like a management
issue. The food was very good and made a fair substitute
for the real thing in New Orleans. The store had done a thriving business in Huntsville for 5 years.

Interesting follow up to this story, something just doesn't seem right but we will see. I have heard good and bad reviews on this
restaurant , management was the problem it seems but the food
is good. With Bonefish Grill down the street they may need to look at a different location, Bridge Street maybe. Didn't Mobile's
location close early in the summer? Wonder if it was a similar
situation.

By MIKE KAYLOR
Times Nightlife Columnist mkaylor@htimes.com
Timing added to the confusion. Hurricane Katrina crashed into the Louisiana coast about the time Copeland's of New Orleans became caught in a swirl of legal entanglements in Huntsville.

Now this premier restaurant imported from the Big Easy in 2000 is closed.

Padlocks bar the front entrance of the elegant white stucco building at the corner of Airport Road and Memorial Parkway. They were fastened to the doors by the Madison County Sheriff's Department two weeks ago as a result of unpaid state taxes dating back to 2003.
Two signs on the glass doors are optimistic. They read: "Due to a supply inconvenience from New Orleans, we are temporarily closed. We very much apologize for any inconvenience. We plan to reopen soon!"

That is possible. A spokeswoman with the Department of Revenue in Montgomery says the padlock order can be removed if taxes are paid. Hurricane Katrina only added to a wound opened Sept. 11, 2001, when many restaurants suffered. Owners of the Copeland's franchise would not immediately return calls, but insiders say an interested buyer is looking at the property.

This is certainly a great place to put a restaurant. But it may not return as Copeland's.

HSVTiger

09-30-2005, 02:12 PM

My unscientific ranking of the local tv talent as far as producing
a good product.

#1. WAFF 48, NBC, consistent, concise, and to the point. Excellent
weather, they don't take themselves too seriously.
Need to drop "heart of the valley" tag line for every report.
#2 WAAY 31, ABC, Very involved with community, non profits,
Good weather, Erin and Sharon are excellent.
#3 WZDX 54, FOX, no news program yet, just reruns of the usual
Fraiser, Seinfeld etc.
#4 WHNT 19, CBS, The most over hyped self serving station in
3 states. However the weather department is top notch,
probably one of the best in the south. This the only thing
that keeps them above water. Steve Johnson is an excellent
reporter.
#5 WZTV 11, Ind, Small but entertaining locally produced station,
Jamie Cooper and Gloria. Good family shows.

Simply a fun ranking and really changes on a daily basis depending on events taking place.

HSVTiger

09-30-2005, 04:11 PM

North Alabama Bird Trail now open. A beautiful web site with
all the info to see our feathered friends.
The North Alabama Birding Trail opening today provides signs, guides and information to help visitors find 50 bird-watching spots in 11 counties.

http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/

HSVTiger

10-06-2005, 01:23 PM

new Publix anchored shopping center.

A sixth Publix supermarket in Huntsville /Madison County is expected to be completed by next summer.

The 45,600-square-foot store will be the anchor of Winchester Plaza, a new 75,700-square-foot shopping center on Winchester Road at Homer Nance Road.

Site work started at the property several weeks ago, and is about 60 to 70 percent complete, said Peter Pelt, vice president of development for Equity One Realty & Management SE Inc. of Atlanta. That's a division of Equity One Inc., which owns, develops and operates shopping centers across the South and in the Boston area. Foundation work on the grocery store is expected to start late this month, and "after that you'll see walls coming up," Pelt said. The projected opening date for the Publix store is June 29.

From Huntsville Times
http://www.equityone.net/shopping_center/pictures/pic718.jpg

HSVTiger

10-06-2005, 05:57 PM

Obviously there are some Einsteins who have never been to Gulf
Shores. Skyline is a favorite term to be used by media types.

From Channel "it's all about us" 19

The skyline of Lake Guntersville will soon be changing. A seven story condo will be built along Highway 431. The site is next to the Dairy Queen.

The condo will house 42 units. There are already 12 commitments on units. The condo was approved by the city of Guntersville with a 4 to 0 vote.

Only two people complained. They are afraid the condo will ruin the skyline and beauty of Guntersville. They say Guntersville could end up looking like Gulf Shores.

The developer says the condo will blend in nicely to the area. The condos should be built starting in the next few months.

HSVTiger

10-06-2005, 06:42 PM

downtown has the crane in place and construction moving at a
good clip. The image is a little misleading , behind the building is a high rise old folks apartment complex. The view on the backside
if there is one won't be as nice. Notice the added retail on the ground floor. It looks like also to reduce cost, brick will be used.

http://www.301east.com/downloads/301East_72dpi.jpg

The historical marker in front, across the street, indicates the spot
where Andrew Jackson made camp.

TimCity2000

10-07-2005, 06:24 PM

i like the old rendering better... but i'm still excited to see something like this happening in downtown huntsville.

HSVTiger

10-10-2005, 12:40 PM

This does not include the planned tram/monorail, to the space and rocket center.

The $3.6 million project includes a nature center with what the garden says will be the largest seasonal butterfly house in the country, an education center, an amphitheater and a 2-acre children's garden. The complex will be built near the entrance and is scheduled to open June 1.

Since the garden opened in 1988, the focus has been on developing the landscape and becoming part of the community, said Paula Steigerwald, chief executive officer of the garden. For the last several years, the garden has added attractions specifically for children and families such as water play features during the summer and the scarecrow trail now on display, laying the groundwork for the latest project.

The expansion "raises us to a level not just of being a garden in Alabama that we're proud of, but something people all over the country will talk about," said Harvey Cotten, the garden's chief operating officer.

The garden's expansion includes a nature center with a turtle pond, frog pond, waterfall and "critter corner" as well as a 9,000-square-foot shade-cloth-covered butterfly house that Cotten and Steigerwald hope will become a major destination for students and tourists.

At the new 4,000-square-foot education center, students can receive an orientation to the garden and have educational programs. A 250-seat amphitheater will provide a "classroom under the sky."

DruidCity

10-10-2005, 03:43 PM

I really like everything I've read about Huntsville lately.

The botanical garden is very nice & has a lot of acreage to work with.

HSVTiger

10-12-2005, 01:34 PM

the latest building going up at the Von Braun Complex

http://www.waaytv.com/news/newspicts/missile.jpg

Ground was broken for a facility to house Missile Defense Agency employees who are now working off the military base. The $38 million building is the second phase of the Von Braun Complex. The first phase of the complex was completed in late 2003 and houses about 1,000 people from the Army Space & Missile Defense Command. The building, slated to be completed by May 2007, will be used by 828 Missile Defense Agency workers who are scattered across the city.

Being on base most residents don't see these buildings unless you work there.

HSVTiger

10-13-2005, 12:34 PM

to the downtown landscape..
Huntsville's downtown canal will open next summer with a big splash.

The waterway will feature a huge fountain with colorful lights and water plumes that can be choreographed to music.
The City Council tonight will consider a $284,000 development deal with Big Spring Partners Inc. to construct the fountain. It will be in a flared part of the canal just beyond the new arched Monroe Street bridge where the canal juts from Big Spring lagoon.

The fountain is a gift from the Thrasher family of Huntsville in memory of Tom Thrasher, a business and civic leader who died in 1999. The project includes benches and landscaping and decorative brick pavers.

The fountain will be the centerpiece in a planned 1,000-foot canal separating the 11-story Embassy Suites Hotel and the Von Braun Center's South Hall. The waterway and adjacent green space is part of an expansion of Big Spring International Park.

source Huntsville Times

HSVTiger

10-14-2005, 01:59 PM

HSVTiger

10-14-2005, 02:05 PM

kind of hard to tell much but it is a significant addition
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/biz_news/2005/101305_botanical.jpg

HSVTiger

10-14-2005, 02:51 PM

Some general photos of the Metro Jail under construction.
Located on the northwest edge of downtown at I-565/Memorial Parkway interchange, this conplex includes police HQ , and jail annex. The new 8 story jail is around
60% complete and can be seen in this old photo where the red dirt is (upper right)
http://www.sellersphoto.com/images/pagemaster/sm_IMG_0328_1.jpg

This blockhouse will house over 1000 inmates (sad state of affairs, isn't it ? most crimes are drug related) They will also have a premier view of downtown and the surrounding mountains.
The current jail atop the Madison County courthouse has been in the news lately with deaths and beatings in the jail. The 10th floor is called Thunderdome and no one wants to be placed on that floor. The new jail can't be finished soon enough.

http://www.waaytv.com/news/newspicts/jail.jpg

HSVTiger

10-18-2005, 12:28 PM

Tower under construction at Huntsville International..

http://www.faa.gov/news/artist_rendering/media/tower.jpg

ATLANTA – The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $13.1 million contract to the Carmon Construction Co. of Albertville, AL to construct a new 246-foot tall air traffic control tower at Huntsville International Airport in Alabama.

The new complex will include the control tower and a 10,000-square-foot administrative and operational base building. It will be located in the middle of the airfield between the two runways, 3,000 feet south of the airport terminal.

The new tower is necessary to accommodate future growth at the airport. The tower will give air traffic controllers unobstructed views of the entire airfield. Construction will begin in November, and the FAA expects to occupy the building in 2008.

HSVTiger

10-18-2005, 05:02 PM

Continuing to save the past

http://www.whcaa.org/images/gifs/new-life-for-councill.gif

hard to read but this area is sandwiched between the downtown
library and Huntsville hospital.
William Hooper Councill School Site, 1892 - 1966
The first public school for African Americans in the City of Huntsville was named for the founder of Alabama A&M University, William Hooper Councill founded in 1867 in the basement of Lakeside Methodist Episcopal Church located on Jefferson Street, the school was moved to a frame building on this site in 1892. The first diploma was granted in 1912. A brick structure replaced the original building in 1927. The school was closed due to integration, graduating its last class in 1966.

HSVTiger

10-18-2005, 05:13 PM

the changing of UAH from a commuter college to a more
traditional college atmosphere continues.
groundbreaking was back in September

Sorority and Fraternity Row has been under design for a year. University officials and SKT Architects PC worked with these organizations to come up with the final designs for the houses. Consolidated Construction Co. will build the houses. The houses will be located between Southeast Campus Housing and the University Fitness Center with parking behind the houses.

The streetscape will consist of three different facades selected by the respective organizations. Each house will be identified by their National Greek member letters.

Each house will contain 5,200 square feet, including a common living area and chapter room. Curtis said each organization is responsible for the final touches which will personalize their house such as carpet and furnishings.

http://urnet.uah.edu/news/newsImages/Greek_Row.jpg

along with new residence halls
http://www.skt.com/uah/dorm.jpg

HSVTiger

10-19-2005, 12:29 PM

rendering to come soon

"Officials with Breland Cos. planned to formally announce their redevelopment plans in a news conference today.

Breland bought the eight-story building from electronics manufacturer Sanmina-SCI several months ago and started gutting the interior Monday.

Architectural plans refer to the new development as the 2101 Clinton Commerce Center.

Mike Culbreath, chief operations officer for Breland, said the office building, which has been vacant for a couple of years, seemed ripe to be transformed into office space for sale or for lease

The building is located on the southwest corner of Memorial Parkway and Clinton Avenue and includes 4.5 acres for surface parking. An artist's rendering shows a planned new main entrance and fountain on the west side of the building where the old Huntsville News operated until 1996. The News building will be demolished.

Culbreath said the main structure and foundation appear in good shape, so demolishing the building and starting over wasn't necessary. Besides, preserving the building just seemed like the right thing to do. "It's part of Huntsville's historic skyline," he said. The makeover will cost $10 million to $12 million. "

This renovation seems even more important because this building could have gone either way, torn down or saved with the latter being the best option. It is also in an area of town that is less desirable, but now offers much potential along the west Clinton
corridor.

TimCity2000

10-19-2005, 01:29 PM

can't wait to see the rendering. i'm definitely going to miss those flags, though :(

the building could use some more development around it, also, as it is rather isolated from the rest of downtown because of the parkway. anyways, glad to hear it may be occupied again. i bet the view from the top is pretty neat.

HSVTiger

10-19-2005, 03:02 PM

renovation
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/biz_news/2005/101905_scibldg.jpg

http://waff.images.worldnow.com/images/4005409_BG1.jpg

image added

supastar

10-19-2005, 05:33 PM

Cool, I was Alpha Tau Omega at UAH, I wonder if they're finally getting their own house/

HSV79

10-19-2005, 06:13 PM

It's about time that the old SCI building is being used. I rather like the newer design, things around here are really starting to look upward. Wonder how long now until we get a 20+ something building now?

HSVTiger

10-19-2005, 06:20 PM

Cool, I was Alpha Tau Omega at UAH, I wonder if they're finally getting their own house/

from ATO themselves
On September 8th, UAH held its official ground breaking ceremony for UAH’s first Greek row. Along with ATO; KD, DZ, DX, and EN will also be a part of UAH’s Greek row to be opened fall 2006!!! ATO was the first fraternity to get their funds raised for this housing effort, and thus will be the first fraternity to occupy Greek Row as well. This is a big step in the right direction for UAH and the entire Greek System!!! ATO would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all of the donors for the entire Greek Row.

HSVTiger

10-19-2005, 07:41 PM

Higher and wider

Huntsville bridge to provide more clearance for Tennessee River boat traffic

(09/01/2005)
By Sandra Bearden
The Tennessee River bridge near Huntsville, which will replace an obsolete relic built in 1931, will provide nearly three times the clearance of the existing bridge.

After more than 70 years in business, there's not much in the way of bridge-building that managers for Scott Bridge Co. haven't seen. Then came the Tennessee River bridge on U. S. Highway 231 at Huntsville.

"The river got so high last winter that it was necessary to put our office buildings on stilts," said Chuck Davis, vice president of engineering for the firm, based in Opelika, Ala.

Davis said that the Tennessee River experienced its third-worst flooding in history in December, cresting 17 ft. above normal level, so the steel supports had to be high enough and strong enough to withstand torrential rains and swift river currents.

River flooding pushed the expected completion date back six months to summer 2006.
David said Scott Bridge took over the project from another company that was unable to complete the job. The current contract costs $18 million.

The 56-ft.-wide bridge will be an improvement over the northbound structure now in use, which is a functionally obsolete relic completed in 1931 with a total two-lane width of 19 ft., 10 in.

Johnny L. Harris, division engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation, said that many drivers hug the inside line and fear to pass when crossing the old bridge.

"Our average daily traffic over the northbound and (newer) southbound bridges is now about 22,600 vehicles," Harris said. "When the northbound bridge was built, traffic flow may have been 600 vehicles daily, going at much slower speeds."

Harris said plans are also under way to replace the southbound bridge, completed in 1965 and itself showing some signs of age. ALDOT will first shift traffic from the 75-year-old bridge to the new structure and then demolish the old bridge.

Eventually, a new bridge carrying northbound traffic will be built in that location and Scott's project will become southbound.

"The plan will take several years to complete, but when finished each new bridge will carry three lanes of traffic," Harris said. The new capacity will help meet future needs in fast-growing Huntsville, where the metropolitan population is now about 350,000.

Harris added that the new designs also will benefit the area's busy commercial and recreational boating traffic. Channel clearance will be nearly three times the 25-ft. clearance for the 1931 bridge.

River flooding wasn't the only problem plaguing Scott Bridge workers early in the job.

"When we assumed the job in March 2004, we began cofferdam construction," Davis said. "Plans called for building six cofferdams 52 ft. by 46 ft. by 40 ft. feet deep, using structural steel footings on rock. But in two of the six we couldn't find suitable layers of supporting rocks, so we had to drive pilings and convert the foundations from rock footings to pile footings."

Crews constructed the cofferdams with rock footings by using tremie pipes to place concrete underwater. That job was followed by pier construction.

"Piers are massive and heavily reinforced," Davis said. "Each pier is built to withstand the impact of a 1,500-kip (750-ton) river barge."

The toughest part of the project thus far has been setting the reinforcing cages inside the cofferdams.

"The cages were extremely heavy - totaling about 170 tons of steel," Davis said. "We used a 230-ton crane and a 150-ton crane, both mounted on 50- by 150-ft. barges, to set the cages in place."

In May, Scott's work crews began erecting steel girders to span the river. A three-span, continuous 975-ft. unit consists of two 300-ft. side spans and a 375-ft. main span across the navigational channel, providing a 66-ft. vertical navigational clearance. Another three-span, continuous unit is 600 ft. long. The 12-ft.-deep girders, manufactured by Carolina Steel Corp. of Montgomery, are trucked to the site and offloaded onto construction barges.

After completing erection of the steel spans, Scott employees placed metal deck forms and poured the concrete decking for the bridge. The deck will be completed this fall.

By the time Scott workers complete the job, the project will have consumed 1,500 tons of reinforcing steel, 3,700 tons of structural steel and 16,000 cu. yds. of concrete for the substructure, superstructure and deck.

Magnolia Steel of Meridian, Miss., is supplying the reinforcing steel and Carolina Steel Corp. of Montgomery is trucking in the structural steel. The concrete supplier is Alabama Concrete of Huntsville.

When the new bridge is completed, Scott will then demolish the 1931 bridge.

"We'll sell the steel to a scrapper and dispose of the concrete," Davis said. APAC-Alabama is in the process of constructing approaches to the new bridge.

the relic... to bad it can't be saved or used elsewhere

http://bellsouthpwp.net/l/g/lgeorge/claybridge.jpg

TimCity2000

10-19-2005, 10:01 PM

HSV79

10-22-2005, 04:51 PM

Hospital expanding again
Saturday, October 22, 2005
By STEVE DOYLE
State OKs larger ER, more rooms in $47M project

Huntsville Hospital is growing once again.

Earlier this week, the state Certificate of Need Review Board OK'd the nonprofit hospital's $47 million plan to build a large patient tower and more than double the size of its main emergency room.

Officials hope to have the supersized ER and four-story patient wing finished by the end of 2006.

"I think the community looks at the emergency room as the front door of the hospital," spokesman Burr Ingram said Friday. "We very much need to expand it to take care of the volume of patients we're seeing."

A decade ago, Huntsville Hospital's ER treated about 60,000 patients a year. Now at 90,000 patients and growing, it's the busiest emergency room in Alabama - a blur of broken bones, wreck victims and heart attack patients.

The improved emergency department would have more of everything: Treatment rooms (80, up from 56); trauma bays (six, up from four).

The new patient tower, featuring 84 private rooms, will crown a hospital parking garage under construction on Madison Street. Ingram said the project will allow the hospital to convert its remaining shared rooms to private.

When the dust settles, there will be 746 total patient beds between the main hospital and the adjacent Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. The hospital is licensed by the state to have up to 881 beds.

Robins & Morton Group, a Birmingham-based commercial contractor, will do the construction work. The hospital plans to pay for the project with a combination of borrowed money and cash on hand, Ingram said.

Chief Executive Joe Austin previously estimated it would cost the hospital an extra $7 million a year to run the larger emergency room and new patient wing.

This is the latest notch in a hospital growth spurt that started in 1999 with the construction of two parking garages, two professional office buildings and an elevated tram. The hospital has expanded its Madison Medical Park, built two members-only fitness centers and turned Huntsville Hospital East into a women's and children's hospital.

Rail Claimore

10-23-2005, 08:26 AM

I have crossed the 1930s bridge many times growing up in Huntsville. It's a brave soul that attempts to pass another car on it. Most drivers (including myself) straddle both lanes as soon as they get on the bridge.

I am glad to see more glass being added to the front of the SCI Building. The old structure did look a bit dated.

I've passed people before on that bridge, but you really have to be relaxed and alert at the same time. A small car like mine helps as well.

I'm always a bit concerned that the bridge will collapse whenever I cross it.

TimCity2000

10-24-2005, 02:16 AM

Here are a couple of update pics I took this afternoon:

http://www2.msstate.edu/~tja2/cities/embassysuites1.JPG

http://www2.msstate.edu/~tja2/cities/bigspringsummit1.JPG

Downtown is really seeing some nice changes. I think I counted 4 cranes strung out across the skyline! I took a bunch of photos in and around Big Spring Park... I might try to post a new thread later when I can get them up. Maybe a post to celebrate Huntsville's 200th birthday. :)

HSVTiger

10-24-2005, 02:56 PM

TimCity
yeah a lot of activity and more is on the way.
In the bottom photo (It looks just like the rendering) on the extreme left you can see the garage expansion, 3 more levels
I believe. One of the cranes is for it.

HSV79

10-24-2005, 04:58 PM

Good job HSV TIGER.... you beat me to the punch on getting some pics taken and posted on here. The First American Bank building is yet to receive it's logo near the top but yes that building looks like the rendering and is a very nice addition to downtown. The new Dynetics building kinda looks like the First American Bank building (Big Spring Summit). There are 7 cranes in the downtown area. 2 at the new metro jail and 1 at the Embassy Suites, 2 at the Summit site, 1 at 301 condo tower, 1 at the the Hospital. The hospital is about ready to add the 4 story tower on top of the 6 level parking garage here soon.

HSVTiger

10-24-2005, 06:30 PM

http://cache.nmn.speedera.net/pics3/400/QD/QDQWDPRADWOJSXN.20051021155901.jpg

The Tennessee Valley Vipers will return for the 2006 season in the arenafootball2 league after sitting out last season. HSV Sports, LLC, who own and operate the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League, will also own and operate the Vipers af2 team.

"It is very important to recognize that it was this unique relationship, between the Havoc and the VBC, that brought back hockey and also contributed to stabilizing the Southern Professional Hockey League in Huntsville last season," HSV Sports President, Keith Jeffries, said. "And it is this successful foundation of hockey that leads me to believe the same success can be achieved with Vipers football."

"For the past several weeks the Huntsville Havoc and the Von Braun Center have searched for the solution to keeping football in the Tennessee Valley," Von Braun Center Executive Director, Ron Evans, said. "We decided the best chance for success was to have Keith Jeffries and the Havoc operation involved. And as we have done in hockey, we told Keith if he would stick his neck out, the VBC would stick ours out with him."

The Vipers were one of the most successful teams in af2 from 2000-2004 both on the field and in the stands. Tennessee Valley put together a 63-17 record from 2000-2004, 34-6 at home and 29-11 on the road.

The organization currently ranks first in af2 history in winning percentage (78.8), third in all-time wins (63), second in post-season appearances (5), third in home wins (34) and third in road wins (29). They are also tied for the most divisional titles with four

HSVTiger

10-27-2005, 01:14 PM

This is what happens when you have the same architect on a
developers separate projects. These two buildings are several
blocks away. They are both very nice buildings but the architect
could have been more creative. Wonder what a different architect would have done for a comparison.
http://www.triadproperties.com/property/firstcommercial.jpg

http://www.triadproperties.com/property/bigspring.jpg

HSVTiger

10-27-2005, 08:42 PM

this affects many communities across the country but here
locally...
BRAC gets final OK
The Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations made in May were approved by the U.S. House this morning, according to House aides and news reports.

This clears the way for the moves of several major military units and commands - including the Army Material Command and a majority of the Missile Defense Agency - to Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal. This could bring as many as 5,000 jobs to North Alabama.

The final House vote was 324-85 to reject a measure that would have killed the BRAC recommendations. There is no measure in the Senate to kill the BRAC bill.

HSVTiger

10-31-2005, 06:19 PM

[QUOTE=HSVTiger ]a new quality President.
Expect great things from this University
Maybe he will purge it of deadwoods and hanger ons.
His relationship with Marshall Space Flight Center will be interesting. Universities are such a key element in a cities growth.
A future enrollment of 10-12,000 is not out of reach, not to mention new developments in this college town area of Huntsville.
A&M Board Selects Earls as 10th President

Huntsville, Ala. ---- Following a one-hour executive session, Alabama A&M University’s Board of Trustees today returned to a packed Clyde Foster Multipurpose Room to hand over the realm of the 130-year-old school to a top NASA center administrator.

Dr. Julian Manly Earls, director of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, since 2003, has been named AAMU’s tenth president. His affiliation with the Center dates back to 1968. Dr. Virginia Caples, a long-time AAMU administrator and provost/vice president for academic affairs, served as interim president before and after Dr. John T. Gibson’s nine-year presidency, which ended in February.
.” Earls earned the B.S. degree in physics in 1964 from Norfolk State University (Va.). He went on to receive the M.S. degree in 1966 in radiation biology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He later earned the Ph.D. degree in environmental health from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Start Over
Earls turns down top job at A&M
Dr. Julian Earls, the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees’ unanimous choice to become the school’s next president, has turned the job down, according to Clinton Johnson, president pro tem of the board.

Johnson said this morning he is “very, very disappointed” and would confer with trustees later this week to decide whether to offer the post to one of the other two finalists in the seven-month long presidential search, or to begin anew.

HSVTiger

11-01-2005, 03:33 PM

Maybe before we all die, it's been in design/engineering stage for 15 years. Some construction is scheduled to begin next year.
Connects I-565 with South Parkway at the Tennesse River and eventually will be part of the Memphis,Huntsville,Atlanta expressway. Possible future I-30 something maybe.

Mayor Spencer said the bypass is crucial for the increased traffic demands the new jobs on Redstone Arsenal are expected to create. The project will require state and local matching money. The multimillion-dollar bypass, dubbed Patriot Parkway, would improve access to and around Redstone to office buildings that would house the new defense workers.

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, said last week that he and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, plan to meet soon with the state Department of Transportation over money for the highway. A federal highway bill approved in July authorized $2.4 million for planning and engineering work on the bypass.

neilson

11-01-2005, 06:30 PM

^Just remember; 565 was on the design board for 20 years, and then BAM! from about 1986 until the end of 1991; continuous construction on that 20 miles of road from I-65 to Highway 72 at Chapman Mountain.

I can remember 1993 like it was yesterday when the Southern Bypass was proposed; I've actually asked Bud Cramer time and time again on Where's the Money to get the Bypass started? When's it gonna get rolling?

So far he kept sticking to a 2006 start date; and that's what I'm holding him to.

HSVTiger

11-01-2005, 07:19 PM

ALDOT should be abolished or left to maintance and private industry sourced to build roads..this article from back in the spring.

ATHENS — U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, says the state has enough federal funds to build an interchange at Interstate 65 near Tanner if it doesn't "sit on the money."

Cramer met with local leaders at the interstate overpass on Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, the proposed location of a $5.5-million interchange.

He said the 2005 Fiscal Omnibus Appropriations Bill and Transportation Equity Act includes $2 million for the project. Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, previously secured $2.5 million in federal money.

"We need to keep pressure on the Alabama Department of Transportation because this should finish funding for it," Cramer said. "If the state waits one to two years to begin construction, the cost could go up."

Cramer said ALDOT was "often a frustrating body for me."

"I look for opportunities to earmark funds to enhance their budget," he said. "They will move on some projects like Keller Bridge but delay on others like four-laning (U.S.) 72 in Jackson County."

ALDOT Division Engineer Johnny Harris said construction is more than a year away. He said a consultant is doing the engineering design, and the Federal Highway Administration soon will review environmental studies and the design.

"We certainly appreciate and understand the congressman's frustration," Harris said. "We absolutely appreciate him securing funds for us, but we have so many hoops we go through to get a project approved."

Harris said state and federal requirements include feasibility and environmental studies and preliminary design work.

"We have to make sure there will be no negative impact on wetlands or endangered species, or even wildflowers," Harris said. "In this case, there is nothing major, but it still must be reviewed."

Harris said once the preliminary design is complete, the state can identify right of way needs. Obtaining rights of way should begin by the end of this year or early 2006.

"Construction would begin 12 months after that," he said. "Construction will probably take 1½ to two years."

Cramer said the interchange is necessary for industrial and residential development.

He said industries have expressed interest in the site, which is now farmland.

Cramer said he expressed the need to "act fast" to Gov. Bob Riley.

"A sit-down with the Department of Transportation and myself may also be overdue," he said. "I'm just not understanding their reasons on why they don't move on some projects."

DruidCity

11-01-2005, 09:39 PM

It sounds like ALDOT is no better for y'all than it is for us.
They even had the gall to blame long delays on one of our road projects this year on "weather," even though it has been mostly dry for months. Their delays have driven up our local matching funds on just that one project by $millions.

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 01:38 PM

on a spectacular fall day

Embassy Suite
http://tinypic.com/fbgo4x.jpg

Big Spring Summit
http://tinypic.com/fbgo6q.jpg

Mid Rise Density!
http://tinypic.com/fbgocj.jpg

Embassy will connect to Von Braun Center South Hall
http://tinypic.com/fbgoib.jpg

Downtown Sunset
http://tinypic.com/fbgom1.jpg

TimCity2000

11-04-2005, 01:47 PM

nice pics! that downtown sunset pic is especially nice.

DruidCity

11-04-2005, 01:50 PM

Nice !

My brother will be touring Adtran in a couple of weeks, and I don't know yet if things will work out where I can get a ride with him to check out Huntsville myself, but it looks from those photos like the city is changing rapidly.

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 01:55 PM

Here is a shot of one of Adtrans building, I like the maple trees
http://tinypic.com/fbgtj4.jpg

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 03:25 PM

and an overall shot of the Adtran complex, the buildings on the fringes are other companies.
http://www.sellersphoto.com/images/pagemaster/SM_adtran_1.jpg

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 03:45 PM

a nice shot showing in progressive order front to back

Huntsville Museum of Art
Portion of Big Spring Park
Von Braun Center, arena, convention center, Concert Hall the Embassy is to the left out of view.
In the distance the Clinton building which is being renovated
(see above posts)
http://www.hsvmuseum.org/Graphics/Aerial.jpg

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 03:49 PM

good views of the tram system, these shots from Huntsville Hospital web page
http://www.huntsvillehospital.org/tram/images/tramtrack.jpg

http://www.huntsvillehospital.org/tram/images/tramtrack3.jpg

HSVTiger

11-04-2005, 03:55 PM

with I-565 alongside.
The Saturn V laying down is currently under renovation and will be housed inside a new building. This is only 1 of 3 real Saturn V's in existence. The upright version is a lifesize mockup
363' tall.

http://www.insideout.org/documentaries/fightingthenextwar/images/aerial101.jpg

TimCity2000

11-04-2005, 04:54 PM

^that's a cool pic showing both saturn Vs.

and i would love to see a photo tour of just huntsville hospital... that place is booming!

Laseter

11-04-2005, 05:25 PM

Great pictures HSVTiger! Especially the sunset one. I was in Huntsville a couple of times last week. One of the times for a job interview. btw have any of you seen this video about the world famous bridge street ( link to video is to the left)
http://www.osholdings.com/world_famous_bridge_street.asp#

DruidCity

11-04-2005, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the photos !

I'll add that when I was young, my father was offered a job at Adtran (by a friend of his, who's high up in the company) when it was a much smaller company. Had it been earlier in his career, he'd have probably taken it.

HSV79

11-04-2005, 10:40 PM

I use to work at Adtran, yes it is a nice company but things are changing rapidly within the company. You'll find that out for yourself should you join the company. The pic you have posted is of the East tower on the Adtran campus. It stands 122' tall and actually has 10 floors. The balcony on the 9th floor penthouse offers some spectacular views of Huntsville from the west side of the city. Also, if you're lucky enough like myself you have pics from up there and I also have some great shots from the top of the space shot tower at the Space and Rocket Center which stands 185' tall. Great pics...hey HSV TIGER I would like to meet up and we could get some pics of our great city sometime.

HSV79

11-06-2005, 05:41 PM

This was in Saturday's paper and it seems a new 115,000 sq. ft Comprehensive Cancer Institute will be taking shape on a 33 acre lot on Holmes Avenue. The project will cost $29 million and the building will only be 3 stories tall and will be finished by October 2006.

neilson

11-06-2005, 08:14 PM

^Will that be next to Butler High School?

If so, it's MUCH NEEDED for that part of town.

HSV79

11-07-2005, 10:45 PM

It will be right down the road from Butler High School. In the big open field off the the right as you head down Holmes toward downtown.

neilson

11-08-2005, 12:59 AM

That ought ot be a revitalizer for that part of town; God knows it is definately needed!

HSVTiger

11-08-2005, 06:45 PM

The Governor has made the Aldot director wake up.
Was he waiting for someone to tell him?
this project is in Decatur

Gov. Bob Riley announced Monday that the widening of Beltline Road and a corridor study for the Interstate 565 extension will start in the spring.

"I know I'm not supposed to talk politics, but every project you asked about will start in the spring of '06," Riley told the Rotary Club of Decatur on Monday.

Riley is seeking a second term, and former Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore is trying to take the Republican nomination from him.

Riley said projects like the Beltline and I-565 extension are important infrastructure as the state continues its economic development push.

Alabama Department of Transportation spokesman Tony Harris said the current estimate to six-lane the Beltline is about $17 million. Harris said the governor's comments mean that construction on the Beltline will begin.

HSVTiger

11-08-2005, 08:06 PM

in Florence, Bass Pro? this has been floating around for a year,
20 million in incentives!!! wow. There is also talk of a 10,000
seat arena. The proposed store in Leeds has yet to begin construction and no tellin when the Prattville store will start.
Oversaturation? has to be a concern. Huntsville and Decatur may not be completely out of the picture. Bronner is involved so
money may not be a problem.
from WAFF
The debate continues in Florence over whether or not the city should supply incentives to lure a new retail venture.

"We are actually very lucky that we're even in the running to land this kind of business." Herman Graham represents District 3 in Florence.

Part of that district is Veteran's Park. The City of Florence has designated the area just across from the Marriott Hotel and Tower as a potential location for Bass-Pro Shops. A large retailer becoming known for more than just shopping.

"They are as much a tourist site as a retail outlet. People drive from all over to shop and to take in their exhibits and clinics."

But the city may have to cough up 20 million dollars in incentives to get Bass Pro.

A developer says the project needs a definite neighbor. A new idea to go along with the proposal of an indoor arena, an outlet mall. One that would host dozens of brand names selling popular merchandise.

Decision makers like Graham now just want to see if the incentives would be worth it all. And if an outlet mall would even be feasible.

"We must look at all of the numbers and perhaps even see what kind of sales tax impact Bass Pro has made in other areas."

Council members say they assume an outlet mall would mean more retailers and obviously more tax dollars.

More tax dollars might make the equation work out an equation currently including incentives

neilson

11-08-2005, 08:15 PM

When's the last time Bronner's done anything for Huntsville?

HSVTiger

11-08-2005, 08:43 PM

was when the Hampton Cove Course was built and a retirement village in south HSV. He does keep an eye on this area, so we shall see.
Birmingham has also been looked past with the exception
of Ross Bridge
It would take years to get on the level of Mobile and his
Capital.;)

DruidCity

11-08-2005, 09:04 PM

HSVTiger

11-09-2005, 01:02 PM

and down

Even though Huntsville International Airport's passenger traffic slipped last month compared to October 2004, traffic is still up more than 9 percent so far this year.

The number of passengers for 2005 is expected to break last year's record of nearly 1.2 million. The count through October this year has already passed 1 million, according to airport figures.

In October, there were 106,468 passengers, down 6 percent from 113,434 during the same month last year. Previously, the airport had 29 consecutive months of passenger traffic increases, said Rick Tucker, the airport's executive director, at the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority's meeting Tuesday. Last October was a busy one for the airport because it was the first month that the low-fare carrier Independence Air offered service here. HSV Times article

Independence Air recently file bankruptcy so it is unclear what will happen with that carrier. Maybe AirTran will step in.

HSVTiger

11-09-2005, 01:09 PM

It is weird to think AL could have 4 Bass Pro Shops -
Leeds, Prattville, Florence, and Spanish Fort.

With these major incentive packages, AL cities are treating Bass Pro as a "destination" that people will drive 300 miles just to visit. It seems to me that if every city has one, it will cease to become any such "destination."

Not to mention one in Nashville, and Jackson MS.
There are lawsuits involved with the one in Spanish Fort over wetland destruction and there does not seem to be a hard timetable on the others. Maybe Cabela's can sneak in the backdoor. There was some discussion as well that these may not all be the huge store that is normally built, but a "mini version".
I would love to see their marketing strategy.

DruidCity

11-09-2005, 01:29 PM

They have one of the "mini-versions" in Destin, at 50,000 sq ft:
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=17

That looks comparable to the Woods-n-Water store in Tuscaloosa (40,000 sq ft at the main store, plus a 10,000 sq ft bargain outlet in Northport): http://www.woods-n-water.com/store.asp?storeSearch=STO

... certainly nothing worth $millions in incentives !

HSVTiger

11-11-2005, 02:33 PM

Career World magazine puts Huntsville No. 2

Huntsville ranks No. 2 on a list of the "Ten Most Affordable Cities" in the November/December issue of Career World magazine.

The magazine gives students in grades seven through 12 information on the latest career trends and vocational opportunities.
Huntsville ranked behind New London, Conn. Other cities making the list, in order, were: Baltimore; Harrisburg, Pa.; Tulsa, Okla.; Rock Island, Ill.; Troy, N.Y.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Schenectady, N.Y., and Las Vegas.

HSVTiger

11-18-2005, 06:36 PM

blah, blah, blah, basically standard stuff, my question is why hasn't this stuff been done already like 25 years ago.
Not much to it.. the shift of focus is now from the central core to North downtown between Pratt and Clinton, and along Meridian St. Alot of opportunity in this area.

Vision and goals of Huntsville’s Downtown Master Plan Update:

Identify ways to lessen land use conflicts.

Devise strategies for encouraging reinvestment.

Emphasize historic preservation.

Allow mixed uses.

Identify ways to make downtown a unique, lively area that is aesthetically appealing and economically and socially vibrant.

Keep buildings and public spaces clean, landscaped and well-maintained.

Ensure adequate movement between downtown core sites through a variety of transit options including car (and adequate parking), bus, bike paths and walkways.

Devise and promote events and activities.

Is everyone asleep now.

HSVTiger

11-22-2005, 01:08 PM

Growth will go in a new direction
Panel OKs 178-lot project near A&M: 'ahead of the curve'

Thursday, November 17, 2005

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com

Huntsville's housing boom is spreading north.

A city planning subcommittee approved plans Wednesday for a 178-lot subdivision north of Alabama A&M University.

Ed Starnes, chairman of the subdivision subcommittee, said that's the largest residential development for extreme north Huntsville in the 15 years he's been on the Planning Commission.

"It's good for Huntsville," he said. "I'm glad to see it because nothing much has been done east of the Parkway as far as residential developments of any significance in some time."

neilson

11-22-2005, 01:15 PM

^Any word on what will be going into the old Sam's Club space on North Parkway, and if there's any expectation that the Southern Bypass will begin construction next year as planned?

neilson

11-22-2005, 01:25 PM

Lowe's plans new store in southeast
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
From staff reports
Huntsville Times
There's an improvement on the horizon in southeast Huntsville - home improvement, that is.

Lowe's announced plans Monday to build a store at Sutton Road and U.S. 431, where site work is already under way.

The 117,000-square-foot home improvement warehouse store is expected to open next fall, according to the company. It will include a garden center with more than 31,000 square feet of space.

According to the company, a store of this size can create up to 175 jobs and represents an average investment of $18.5 million.

Lowe's, the country's second-largest home improvement retailer, has 31 stores in Alabama, including two in Huntsville and one in Madison.

© 2005 The Huntsville Times
© 2005 al.com All Rights Reserved.

HSVTiger

11-28-2005, 12:43 PM

Slowly but surely,,

Condo complex looms alongside Big Spring
Sunday, November 27, 2005
By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
Project height could be as high as 8-story Summit, twice space

Huntsville's downtown skyline is poised to take off again, this time with the possibility of condominiums overlooking Big Spring International Park.

Two years after the City Council approved Big Spring Summit, an eight-story office tower beside the Big Spring International Park lagoon, plans are in the works for a second high-rise structure that could include as many as 40 condos, plus restaurants, retail stores and offices. The second phase of Triad Properties' project could rise just as high as the Summit building, but stretch twice as far along the waterfront.

Triad executive William Stroud said spiraling construction costs make pre-planning difficult without knowing yet which venues the building will offer. Triad hopes to have more details fleshed out by early next year so it can begin submitting formal plans and acquiring the necessary permits.

"Our primary focus would be residential," Stroud said last week. He anticipates as many as 40 condos and preferably some restaurants, retail stores and maybe something like a health club on the ground level. "We're pricing plans now," he said.

Triad was given two years to exercise its option to build the second phase, but the actual deadline on the option agreement is still months away because the timetable is based on the construction startup on the Big Spring Summit office tower. That project has been under construction now for about a year.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1133086782115000.xml&coll=1http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/biz_news/2005/112705_downtown.jpg

neilson

11-29-2005, 01:17 PM

We had one of these back in the 80s, across from Red Lobster; I'm glad they're coming back to town the same way Bennigans did a few years ago.......

Bojangles' will open University Drive site
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Huntsville Times

Q. What is going in the old Hardee's restaurant on University Drive next to UAH? It looks like they're remodeling the outside.

A. Ganaway Contracting of Roswell, Ga., is remodeling the building for a Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits restaurant, according to the company. The projected opening is at the end of December or in early January.

Got a question? Submit it to htimes@htimes.com or phone it in to 536-8255. Include your name, hometown and phone number.

HSVTiger

11-29-2005, 02:18 PM

HSVTiger

11-30-2005, 02:46 PM

Bruegger's Bagel Bakeries plans to open its first Alabama store in the Big Spring Summit, which is now under construction downtown. An official agreement signing is scheduled today at 9 a.m. on the first floor of the Summit. Vermont-based Bruegger's operates 250 bakeries in 17 states. Local franchise group Bama Bagels plans to develop four bakeries in the Huntsville area by 2008.

source Brueggers

HSVTiger

12-01-2005, 12:36 PM

Huntsville's hands on science museum looks to move

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer said Wednesday he's working with local officials to get the museum to a downtown site near Big Spring International Park. Sci-Quest currently occupies space owned by Calhoun Community College across Interstate 565 from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

"Sci-Quest is important to our community, like the space program has been," he said.

Cramer was in town Wednesday to have a look at the progress of current projects downtown.

He said he has gotten $2 million in federal money that could be used to renovate a building for the museum. He declined to specify any potential sites.

Sci-Quest director J.D. Horne said he and the Sci-Quest board support moving the children's hands-on museum downtown. "We'd welcome that. There's no big negative I know of," he said.

A new planetatarium may also be in the mix but nothing official

HSVTiger

12-05-2005, 02:16 PM

Having flown them several times I hope they make it.
They have been a big plus to the local airport, if they don't
make it ,I see a push for AirTran.
Charlotte, Columbia, Knoxville a few other cities served.
Nationwide fuel costs have really hurt.
this from early November

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing Monday by Flyi Inc., which launched low-fare Independence Air last year, is not expected to affect the airline's flights at Huntsville International Airport.

Airline spokesman Rick DeLisi said flights would operate on their regular schedule Monday and that customers should not expect any immediate disruptions.

Independence Air last year became the first low-fare carrier to serve Huntsville International Airport, offering flights to its hub at Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C.

http://www.columbusairports.com/media/images/NL_139_Independent.jpg

This would be a great move I think, forumers in Charlotte should watch this closely as well as everyone on Independence's route:

+ Virgin mulls bid for bankrupt U.S. airline
Virgin is considering making an offer for America's recently bankrupted low-cost operator Independence Air in a move which would finally allow Sir Richard Branson to break into America's budget airline market.

HSVTiger

12-06-2005, 01:31 PM

in all 3 systems in Madison County

According to the average head count from the first 40 days of school, which is the state's official record of enrollment, Huntsville now has 22,803 students - an increase of more than 300 children since last fall.

Although some of the jump can be attributed to hurricane evacuees, any growth is welcome news in a city system where enrollment tends to drop or remain flat year after year.
"I'm excited we've had an increase in our enrollment," Superintendent Ann Roy Moore said. "That's a great thing."

In practical terms, she said, the growth helps because the system will get up to $4,000 in state tax dollars for each new student. That could help provide salaries for 35 more teachers next school year, she said.

According to average enrollment for the first 40 days, the county system has 18,252 students this year, and Madison has 7,728. The county added more than 500 students since last fall, and Madison added about 450.

Both will receive a similar bump in their share of state tax dollars to hire dozens of teachers.

HSVTiger

12-07-2005, 01:29 PM

Main Street loft groundbreaking

http://www.villageofprovidence.com/images/splash/building1-small.gif

The Village of Providence will soon add the Main Street Lofts and two Florida-based restaurants to its Huntsville locale.

The lofts are designed for luxury living and the restaurants will be right downstairs along with other shops and a grocery store for Providence residents.

"We're doing buildings with a mixed use in nature so everybody in neighborhoods and lofts can enjoy convenience. Live, learn, work, shop, and play is our whole philosophy and that's what we've developed here," says David Slyman, the developer.

The new restaurants added with Main Street Lofts are Market Street Cafe and Grille 29.

HSVTiger

12-07-2005, 01:34 PM

Westin Huntsville at Bridge Street under construction.

http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/biz_news/2005/041405_westin.jpg

The new year will ring in the USA's first smoke-free major hotel chain.

Westin notes 92% of guests request non-smoking rooms. Its Ft. Lauderdale hotel, among others, will be ready.

Westin Hotels & Resorts will announce today that it is snuffing out smoking in all rooms, restaurants, bars and public areas at its 77 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean properties starting in January. Guests may smoke only on balconies or in other outdoor areas.

The policy reflects "a demand from guests for a smoke-free hotel experience," says Sue Brush, Westin senior vice president. "Nobody likes to walk into a smoky guest room — not even smokers." Westin research shows that 92% of its guests request a non-smoking room.

USA Today

HSVTiger

12-12-2005, 03:42 PM

DruidCity

12-12-2005, 07:58 PM

Glad to hear the Bridge Street is still coming along nicely !

neilson

12-12-2005, 08:13 PM

In a wise move , World Famous Bridge Street
will be called; Bridge Street Town Centre

That's a little better, many of these preliminary names are
just for marketing studies and consumer reaction.
Any time you say world famous you set yourself up for problems.

Tenants will be announced soon, and some may be big
surprises.

How so? Like Department Stores(Because I don't want to see Madison Square Mall lose any Anchor Stores ahead of its own renovations beginning this January).

Humm, Borders perhaps? After all, it would be their 1st location in Alabama. Maybe that's it, a lot of businesses that will be opening their 1st Locations in Alabama, right?

Rail Claimore

12-14-2005, 08:21 AM

We need to organize a forum meet some time for all this Huntsville stuff going on.

HSVTiger

12-14-2005, 03:23 PM

Not much to see now, as the work taking place is below ground
foundation work. In a few months the 12 story building should be showing up.
http://turneruniversaljobs.com/Webcams/westin_streaming.html

HSVTiger

12-14-2005, 03:25 PM

and slightly to the west in the same development the
site prep work continues on Bridge Street Town Center
http://turneruniversaljobs.com/Webcams/bridgestreet_streaming.html

HSVTiger

12-16-2005, 12:45 PM

seems like a good move, parking available , Big Spring Park
adjacent to the space.

Utility gets city's OK for office renovation
Friday, December 16, 2005
By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
Sci-Quest could move into empty space downtown

The City Council authorized Huntsville Utilities on Thursday night to spend up to $1.8 million to renovate some of its empty office space downtown that could become the new home of Sci-Quest.

The cavernous space in the utility's administrative building on Spragins Street faces the cascading canal in the east end of Big Spring International Park. The unfinished area resulted from a top-to-bottom makeover of its downtown headquarters in the late 1990s.

John Thomas, vice president of services for Huntsville Utilities, told the council that U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, recently secured $2 million for the renovation. Thomas said city leaders support moving Sci-Quest downtown. The Huntsville Utilities building may be just the place to accommodate Sci-Quest, he said, if legal agreements can be met among the private, nonprofit museum, the city-owned utilities building and federal grant money.

"There are a lot of questions we'll have to reconcile," he said.

Cramer discussed the possible Sci-Quest relocation during a news conference this month plugging downtown revitalization efforts. In announcing the $2 million renovation money, Cramer did not specify a site but said the hands-on science center for children would be a welcome addition to downtown.

Sci-Quest Director J.D. Horne has said he and the Sci-Quest board support moving downtown. Sci-Quest currently occupies 42,500 square feet in a building owned by Calhoun Community College on Interstate 565 across from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Outside the council chambers Thursday night, Thomas said several companies have inquired about the Huntsville Utilities space. An engineering firm has offered to lease 7,000 square feet at $16 to $18 per square foot, he said, and at least two other professional firms have expressed interest in the other parts of the 25,000 square feet.

Thomas said the utility could create as much as 40,000 square feet for Sci-Quest in a renovation.

Picture added of the location, the first floor is pegged for the museum
http://www.hsvutil.org/images/pics/hubuild2.jpg