[tredici]

Your logic is very ignorant and closed minded, I can afford to shop at Bridge Street and frequent the Monaco Theater, however if I had the choice I'd much rather use public transit. Then again, I've also lived in cities like Washington D.C. where it's common to sit next to a doctor, lawyer, or even an elected politician on the Metro.

Haha, I can back you up on that. The metro is very extensive. It was always much easier than the alternatives. Drive, cab, or walk... wow, yes, subway works just fine for me. And I've sat next to numerous high salaried people on the metro, even the MARTA.

[crr0004]

If you are ignorant enough to think that because you can afford 5$ a gallon gas then you probably haven't left your Huntsville bubble very often. I've been raised in a very affluent family and even I don't want to spend my money on 5$/gallon gas if there is a useful metro available. Most people can probably afford high gas prices, they are just smart enough not to if given the opportunity.

[bodagetta]

One lacking thing with Huntsville's transit plans is closing too early. A bus system from downtown to Bridge Street would be great if it ran until 2 or 3am. I'd love to go to a movie at Bridge Street then hop a bus downtown, or vice versa.

BTW, I'm also one of those people who can afford to shop at Bridge Street, but I'd still ride a bus if it had a regular schedule and didn't take me an hour to get downtown from BS.

[HSVTiger]

Where Huntsville should be leading is in light rail. A conglomeration of business leaders, UAH, A&M, NASA/Army and the state/federal could have created a
group to design and build a system that would connect downtown Decatur,
Huntsville International, Research Park/Bridge Street, Downtown Huntsville, with a north south spur that would start at Alabama A&M, south to Downtown/Constellation/VBC, Parkway Place and end at Haysland Square.
All the work being done to go back to the moon, create top secret weapons on the Arsenal, cutting edge biotech at Hudson Alpha, but no one can come up with a relative simple transportation method? Huntsville has the brainpower and resources but yet we still go fill up the car with fuel supplied from countries that hate us, so we can buy junk from China a country that also has plans to destroy us, either militarily or with technology.
The systen would be supplemented with feeder routes using electric busses .
What are we waiting for or do we think is going to happen? Gas going to get cheaper, wages going higher,? We need viable alternatives.
Chattanooga is doing a lot in this area, and now with VW on board you will see more coming out of there on energy solutions.

[HSVTiger]

If you are ignorant enough to think that because you can afford 5$ a gallon gas then you probably haven't left your Huntsville bubble very often. I've been raised in a very affluent family and even I don't want to spend my money on 5$/gallon gas if there is a useful metro available. Most people can probably afford high gas prices, they are just smart enough not to if given the opportunity.


True, to gleefully pay for gas is ignorant when better solutions exist.
For the majority of people high gas prices lead to other problems, and the economy is showing us that now. Watch the retail world, it is being choked
to death. Retail is the life blood for most cities, .. sales tax.

[jmanhsv]

Even though they won the VW plant, Chattanooga continues to bash Huntsville... according to this article (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jul/26/chattanooga-officials-vw-ask-about-snakes-bugs/?local), they implied to VW officials that Huntsville was "rattlesnake-infested" when asked about the bug-snake problems in the area.

And by the way, our "rattlesnake infested" city of ours got #3 on BusinessWeek's "Best Cities for Tech Jobs (http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/06/0623_tech_friendly/59.htm)" list, behind Boulder and San Jose (though the picture they used for Huntsville is actually Huntsville, TX- how the hell do people get the cities mixed up?). Chattanooga... well, it didn't even make the list.

[Rail Claimore]

Even though they won the VW plant, Chattanooga continues to bash Huntsville... according to this article (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/jul/26/chattanooga-officials-vw-ask-about-snakes-bugs/?local), they implied to VW officials that Huntsville was "rattlesnake-infested" when asked about the bug-snake problems in the area.

And by the way, our "rattlesnake infested" city of ours got #3 on BusinessWeek's "Best Cities for Tech Jobs (http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/06/0623_tech_friendly/59.htm)" list, behind Boulder and San Jose (though the picture they used for Huntsville is actually Huntsville, TX- how the hell do people get the cities mixed up?). Chattanooga... well, it didn't even make the list.

Ridiculous! Unbelievable that they took advantage of VW's ignorance like that.

[Jacknah]

If you are ignorant enough to think that because you can afford 5$ a gallon gas then you probably haven't left your Huntsville bubble very often. I've been raised in a very affluent family and even I don't want to spend my money on 5$/gallon gas if there is a useful metro available. Most people can probably afford high gas prices, they are just smart enough not to if given the opportunity.

I haven't left my Huntsville bubble very often? I don't live in Huntsville. I moved on to bigger and better things. I just come back to visit family, and do some business. And I don't agree with your socialist paradigm. Let the market decide if we need mass transit. If it makes economic sense, the private sector will provide it. If Bridge Street can profit more by having mass transit, then they will provide their own bus service. No doubt about that. The only reason government steps in is because it's DOESN'T make good economic sense. Hence, the strong arm of government and taxation has to provide it rather than voluntary contribution. Who is Ron Paul?

[tredici]

I haven't left my Huntsville bubble very often? I don't live in Huntsville. I moved on to bigger and better things. I just come back to visit family, and do some business. And I don't agree with your socialist paradigm. Let the market decide if we need mass transit. If it makes economic sense, the private sector will provide it. If Bridge Street can profit more by having mass transit, then they will provide their own bus service. No doubt about that. The only reason government steps in is because it's DOESN'T make good economic sense. Hence, the strong arm of government and taxation has to provide it rather than voluntary contribution. Who is Ron Paul?

Geez, I don't think it's all that much socialistic. It makes perfect economic sense without the private sector even thinking about it. It's simple, improve access to this private sector and they get a heck of a lot more business. Plus, more businesses located because of better access. I'm not liberal at all. I'm conservative, and I'm all for mass transit.

Please, can't we all just stop fighting about whether or not we can afford to buy gas and not the bus?

[HSVTiger]

Ridiculous! Unbelievable that they took advantage of VW's ignorance like that.

I think we are seeing that this selection process was made up of big lies,deception and ignorance. Jobs being posted for VW in Chattanooga before the choice was made public, VW picking an inferior site in Alabama,
TN officials knowing weeks ahead of time. It was a sham from the get go.
I doubt you will see new VW suppliers or future plant in Alabama.
It will all stay in TN.

[jonnie256]

Sweetwater=believe it when I see it.
Project off hwy20 and county line rd.=definatley believe it when I see it!
Constellation=possibly believe it(have seen them throwing dirt around).
Buildings over 10 stories in downtown=will never happen.

[tredici]

Buddy, the Decatur City Council is going to decide about the contract on Monday. I'm gonna be there. I think there are more than enough hotel developers that would love to be involved with this development. I think it's just a matter of finding the right one, and I have no doubt they will. This piece of land is possibly the most unexploited part of Alabama for some type of development. The developer knows this, and they'll find a hotel.

I say, get ready to believe.

[g-man435]

Sweetwater=believe it when I see it.
Project off hwy20 and county line rd.=definatley believe it when I see it!
Constellation=possibly believe it(have seen them throwing dirt around).
Buildings over 10 stories in downtown=will never happen.

The first one sounds like it's moving forward to me. Reminds me of Dillard Creek/Creekside Village here. It will get built out in the surburbs and include a hotel conference center along with BPS too. :) Don't even know what the second one is. It seems like they have been saying construction will start this date and that date on Constellation for years. Are they actually ever going to start building anything? We have buildings over 10 stories tall downtown and nobody cares, so why should you?

[Y1wbahk]

What's the story of height restrictions of buildings in Huntsville? Any possibility of the restrictions being lifted--especially downtown?

Huntsville really needs a strong, focused center. More often than not, buildings are the visual reminders of dynamic central cores (check out newscasts, for example).

[g-man435]

What's the story of height restrictions of buildings in Huntsville? Any possibility of the restrictions being lifted--especially downtown?

Huntsville really needs a strong, focused center. More often than not, buildings are the visual reminders of dynamic central cores (check out newscasts, for example).

Not really. When was the last time an automotive company like BMW that has created over 5,000 jobs in the upstate of South Carolina alone built a highrise? A skyline does not define what a city is and how much economic development/jobs it has.

[David1502]

Where Huntsville should be leading is in light rail. A conglomeration of business leaders, UAH, A&M, NASA/Army and the state/federal could have created a
group to design and build a system that would connect downtown Decatur,
Huntsville International, Research Park/Bridge Street, Downtown Huntsville, with a north south spur that would start at Alabama A&M, south to Downtown/Constellation/VBC, Parkway Place and end at Haysland Square. .

It would be great if a light rail were on the existing Norfolk Southern line between Decatur and Downtown Huntsville with stops at the Airport, Madison, Bridge Street, Space Center/UAH and Constellation/Von Braun Center. However, at this time it would not be financially feasible as Madison County has about 300,000 people whereas Metro Atlanta has over 5 milllion people (with 2 million more expected by 2020) and still MARTA struggles to break even. Atlanta also has a large poor urban population with many who don't own a car and are totally dependent on public transit for their livelihood. Huntsville doen't have this base of support. Perhaps if more density were developed along the existing track in the future there could be a density to support public transit in Madison County.

[jmanhsv]

What's the story of height restrictions of buildings in Huntsville? Any possibility of the restrictions being lifted--especially downtown?

Huntsville really needs a strong, focused center. More often than not, buildings are the visual reminders of dynamic central cores (check out newscasts, for example).

Only downtown has height limits right now. The planning board and city council are going back and forth with it, with no progress being made. From how I see it, on one side, there are the old money (read: potential campaign funding) people of Twickenham and Old Town who want downtown to stay the way it is- small, insignificant, and boring. Then you have everyone else, who either don't care or want this city to progress in places other than the fringes. I think it's going to depend on the mayor/council elections next month; Tommy Battle has made raising/removing the height limits one of his priorities if elected (along with creating a new downtown master plan), which is why he's gotten a lot of support from developers; Spencer, well, I think she's going to go with the same old, same old, b/c that's what gets us in the magazine rankings, I guess. Don't get me wrong, I like what she's done for the city, but I think it's time for someone new to take over.

It would be great if a light rail were on the existing Norfolk Southern line between Decatur and Downtown Huntsville with stops at the Airport, Madison, Bridge Street, Space Center/UAH and Constellation/Von Braun Center. However, at this time it would not be financially feasible as Madison County has about 300,000 people whereas Metro Atlanta has over 5 milllion people (with 2 million more expected by 2020) and still MARTA struggles to break even. Atlanta also has a large poor urban population with many who don't own a car and are totally dependent on public transit for their livelihood. Huntsville doen't have this base of support. Perhaps if more density were developed along the existing track in the future there could be a density to support public transit in Madison County.

Oh, of course, a light rail/commuter rail line isn't feasible right now. But like I've said before, it doesn't hurt to plan early. We could start laying the groundwork (a comprehensive transit plan, a regional transit board) now, so that when we do get the critical mass to run a mass transit system (say, 30 years from now, when the Huntsville-Decatur area nears 1 million), we'll be ready.

[tredici]

Oh, of course, a light rail/commuter rail line isn't feasible right now. But like I've said before, it doesn't hurt to plan early. We could start laying the groundwork (a comprehensive transit plan, a regional transit board) now, so that when we do get the critical mass to run a mass transit system (say, 30 years from now, when the Huntsville-Decatur area nears 1 million), we'll be ready.


It'd be nice if people would actually start looking to the future instead of sitting there and deciding that since we don't need it right now, or couldn't support it right now, we just shouldn't build it, cause there's no need for it NOW. It seems that the area has this theory that time stands still and nothing progresses. Even though, there are space rockets being built in Huntsville and a huge shopping center proposed in Decatur.

I'm gonna start e-mailing my councilmen to get them to start at least looking at it. Maybe if they contact other council members in Huntsville and Madison, something could be planned and a goal could be set. maybe that's what we should all be doing.

[David1502]

I'm not convinced the people of Huntsville are really willing to spend large amounts of money at the type of stores in BridgeStreet especially with the way the economy is now. Some of my relatives came up for the weekend and stopped at BridgeStreet and they noticed how empty a lot of the stores were. And I've been there at least a dozen times and I always notice many of the stores empty even during peak shopping hours. A lot of the traffic there seems to be people waiting to get a table at one of the restaurants or waiting for a movie but are they actually buying anything? I'm interested to see how many of the stores are meeting or even coming close to their sales goal and remember the economy in Huntsville is still pretty good right now so the economic downturn can't be blamed entirely for BridgeStreet not meeting its expectations.

Back in December and the winter months I would have agreed with you that I didn't see how Bridge Street was going to make it. Now, however, the situation is totally different and there are consistent crowds and I see patrons in pretty much all of the stores (with the exception of Kate Spade which may be a little pricey for the market) These folks are actually carrying shopping bags. As far as the view that Huntsville shoppers will not support the high end, please keep in mind the former Parisian now Belk at Parkway Place is one of their top five stores. One of the sales agents informed me that when Belk bought Parisian they found out that the Parkway Place was the number one Parisian store for volume(others may have had a higher profitablity) When Parisian built that store several years ago they expected it do around $45 million. I'm sure it is more than that now. If you look at the brands carried it is in many ways comparable to a lot of the lines which a typical Nordstrom carries. Also, it has had a Kate Spade section for several years so there must be some ladies buying it or they wouldn't keep carrying it. (The presence of this Kate Spade dept. at Belk probably hurts the sales of the Bridge Street store.) Anyway, there is a higher end market in HSV. It may not be as significant as some might hope or as much as found in other cities (Hickey Freeman suits for $1,000 + at Belk Men's dept. are definitely "high end.")::D

[David1502]

Oh, of course, a light rail/commuter rail line isn't feasible right now. But like I've said before, it doesn't hurt to plan early. We could start laying the groundwork (a comprehensive transit plan, a regional transit board) now, so that when we do get the critical mass to run a mass transit system (say, 30 years from now, when the Huntsville-Decatur area nears 1 million), we'll be ready.

I agree with you. That is the reason I said that perhaps if greater density is built along the existing track, in the future it could be feasible. If you consider how much is already adjacent to the Norfolk Southern track it is amazing how much could be connected - the Target distribution center on Greenbriar Rd, the "Billion dollar development on County Line Rd", the Airport (with a spur), "downtown Madison", Bridge Street/ Cummings Research Park (Where a multi-modal facility will be), Space Center/UAH, Downtown Huntsville, the Von Braun Center and Constellation (in the future a south line to Parkway Place and Airport Rd.), Alabama A& M, and the Chase Industrial Park. All of these locations are right along this track. If more large scale developments with higher density are encouraged along this route then there is a market to support a light rail route.

[marvingardns]

Tommy Battle has made raising/removing the height limits one of his priorities if elected (along with creating a new downtown master plan), which is why he's gotten a lot of support from developers; Spencer, well, I think she's going to go with the same old, same old, b/c that's what gets us in the magazine rankings, I guess. Don't get me wrong, I like what she's done for the city, but I think it's time for someone new to take over.

I agree. Loretta has done a great job, but its time for fresh ideas to take the center stage.

[JuanHunt]

My understanding is that Norfolk Southern would never lease their right of way for that purpose.

[neilson]

My understanding is that Norfolk Southern would never lease their right of way for that purpose.
And why is that?

[HSVTiger]

My understanding is that Norfolk Southern would never lease their right of way for that purpose.

Even if they won't work a plan to add another track. There is actually alot of train traffic and a light rail would probably get in the way. At one time there was talk of having an elevated line in the median of I-565. Pure insanity:koko: ! (not really it was a good idea, imagine if we had it now) The point is let's do something, as is we are depending on lethargic ALDOT.
Research Park could have a tram, similar to Huntsville Hospital that would serve the park. Running north south or east west connect Bridge Street with the big comapnies, maybe have a station on University. Use that eyesore dead
shopping center as a Tram station.All of this could be done under the label of research and development for the nations future transportation needs. Disneyland has had a monorail for 50 years.
With all the technology our transportation is primitive.

[Jacknah]

It would be great if a light rail were on the existing Norfolk Southern line between Decatur and Downtown Huntsville with stops at the Airport, Madison, Bridge Street, Space Center/UAH and Constellation/Von Braun Center. However, at this time it would not be financially feasible as Madison County has about 300,000 people whereas Metro Atlanta has over 5 milllion people (with 2 million more expected by 2020) and still MARTA struggles to break even. Atlanta also has a large poor urban population with many who don't own a car and are totally dependent on public transit for their livelihood. Huntsville doen't have this base of support. Perhaps if more density were developed along the existing track in the future there could be a density to support public transit in Madison County.


Yeah. Let's increase the number of poor people in Huntsville so we can have that "base of support."

If you subsize poor people you're going to increase the number of them. I'm totally against public transit (unless it's private and operated for profit). If you don't have public transit, poor people move out of the area or they set higher income goals for themselves and we all benefit. But no, everyone here wants to go the socialist and taxation route. At one time Huntsville was the largest city in the nation without public transportation. That was something to be proud of. If you expand public transportation in Huntsville, get ready to see larger and more permanent poverty class, more housing projects to accomodate them, and more crime. And more taxation to pay for it all.

www.bobbarr2008.com

[tredici]

^^^ Wow...

[| BRAVO |]

:previous: Holy Crap!

[Rail Claimore]

Yeah. Let's increase the number of poor people in Huntsville so we can have that "base of support."

If you subsize poor people you're going to increase the number of them. I'm totally against public transit (unless it's private and operated for profit). If you don't have public transit, poor people move out of the area or they set higher income goals for themselves and we all benefit.

I think all transportation modes should be privatized, including roads. People should pay the full cost of transportation no matter what the mode. When something is subsidized, you get more of it, no matter what that might be.

But we don't live in that kind of world, and while I think any transit options outside of some random bus service (which Huntsville has already) and lunchtime shopper shuttles (between office buildings and Bridge Street or Madison Square) would be a big flop, that last sentence you posted is ridiculous. There's more to the cost of transit for its riders than just a subsidized fare. Other significant costs include a lack of time and place flexibility as well as increased travel time: Transit is not nearly as fast as the private automobile. No one no matter how poor (so long as they work) values time so little that they would not want a personal automobile if they could afford it.

And it's better that those people have an option to get to work rather than be forced to sit at home taking direct transfer payments from our taxes.

[Jacknah]

I think all transportation modes should be privatized, including roads. People should pay the full cost of transportation no matter what the mode. When something is subsidized, you get more of it, no matter what that might be.

But we don't live in that kind of world, and while I think any transit options outside of some random bus service (which Huntsville has already) and lunchtime shopper shuttles (between office buildings and Bridge Street or Madison Square) would be a big flop, that last sentence you posted is ridiculous. There's more to the cost of transit for its riders than just a subsidized fare. Other significant costs include a lack of time and place flexibility as well as increased travel time: Transit is not nearly as fast as the private automobile. No one no matter how poor (so long as they work) values time so little that they would not want a personal automobile if they could afford it.

And it's better that those people have an option to get to work rather than be forced to sit at home taking direct transfer payments from our taxes.


Funny how nearly everyone found a way to get to work when Huntsville had no bus service. People are industrious when they have to be, and not when they don't have to be.

Also, a major incentive to get a job, IS to be able to buy a car. If you don't have to buy a car to get around, you're not as motivated to get a job or to increase your income. If you're on welfare, might as well stay on welfare, since you can get where you want to go with little money.

[tredici]

I think all transportation modes should be privatized, including roads. People should pay the full cost of transportation no matter what the mode. When something is subsidized, you get more of it, no matter what that might be.

But we don't live in that kind of world, and while I think any transit options outside of some random bus service (which Huntsville has already) and lunchtime shopper shuttles (between office buildings and Bridge Street or Madison Square) would be a big flop, that last sentence you posted is ridiculous. There's more to the cost of transit for its riders than just a subsidized fare. Other significant costs include a lack of time and place flexibility as well as increased travel time: Transit is not nearly as fast as the private automobile. No one no matter how poor (so long as they work) values time so little that they would not want a personal automobile if they could afford it.

And it's better that those people have an option to get to work rather than be forced to sit at home taking direct transfer payments from our taxes.

Thanx you!

IMO, it's like communism. Privatised mass transit looks great on paper, but it would never work. You have to great some government to regulate it, or else quality is gonna go down the tubes and safety might be a nightmare.

A good solution might be a publicly run mass transit system with private investments to pay for most of it.

[Jacknah]

Thanx you!

IMO, it's like communism. Privatised mass transit looks great on paper, but it would never work. You have to great some government to regulate it, or else quality is gonna go down the tubes and safety might be a nightmare.

A good solution might be a publicly run mass transit system with private investments to pay for most of it.


It can and does work. Several cities have legalized private competition. I was living in Jersey City. Black market buses (vans) were operating illegally, and charging lower fares than the public bus service. I rode them every morning. Finally they legalized them.

All you have to do is legalize private mass transit. If it's economically feasible, the market will provide it.

[tredici]

It can and does work. Several cities have legalized private competition. I was living in Jersey City. Black market buses (vans) were operating illegally, and charging lower fares than the public bus service. I rode them every morning. Finally they legalized them.

All you have to do is legalize private mass transit. If it's economically feasible, the market will provide it.

The only problem is that you can never be assured that it's always going to be there. A big financial problem in somewhere like New York City could make the company go under, or they might have to cease operation because they simply can't afford it. Then what happens?

I'm a capitalistic guy. But, unless the system is publicly operated, I do not believe I would be comfortable using a private mass transit system.

[Rail Claimore]

Thanx you!

IMO, it's like communism. Privatised mass transit looks great on paper, but it would never work. You have to great some government to regulate it, or else quality is gonna go down the tubes and safety might be a nightmare.

A good solution might be a publicly run mass transit system with private investments to pay for most of it.

Privatized mass transit actually IS great, where it does make a profit... and on a macro scale, that's in only one country in the world: Japan.


Funny how nearly everyone found a way to get to work when Huntsville had no bus service. People are industrious when they have to be, and not when they don't have to be.

Also, a major incentive to get a job, IS to be able to buy a car. If you don't have to buy a car to get around, you're not as motivated to get a job or to increase your income. If you're on welfare, might as well stay on welfare, since you can get where you want to go with little money.

Did everyone really get around town before there was bus service in Huntsville? I lived there for 20 years and noticed no fewer folks walking the streets and living in projects during the boom years of the 1990's than in the past few years since we've had bus service (and limited at that).

I'm not dogmatically pro-transit. But when you consider that all modes of transportation are massively subsidized, the cost/benefit ratio of transit (especially rail transit) in comparison to new highways cannot be ignored, particularly when an area reaches a critical size. Which is exactly why I'm for privatizing all forms of transportation... let the market sort things out and find the most efficient ratio between the two.

I really hope all new limited access highways in north Alabama are built as toll roads. We don't need people continously milking a system that should ideally pay for itself.

[Jacknah]

The only problem is that you can never be assured that it's always going to be there. A big financial problem in somewhere like New York City could make the company go under, or they might have to cease operation because they simply can't afford it. Then what happens?

I'm a capitalistic guy. But, unless the system is publicly operated, I do not believe I would be comfortable using a private mass transit system.


That's not a practical possibility. Imagine if government were producing all our cars and outlawed private competition. You'd probably be here with the same argument. As long there is money to be made, someone is going to provide the good or service. If there's no longer money to be made, then that's the indication that that good or service is not valued by society anyway. In that case that good or service ought to be no longer provided so that resources can be redirected to something that is valued. Anytime you tax to provide for something that is not profitable to provide, you're taking resources away from being invested toward things that are in higher demand by society. You're just making that society worse off.

[tredici]

You are right about a lot of things. But, it's a case by case thing. The region is going to need mass transit sometime in the near future, and I promise you, there aren't going to be private corporations jumping for an oppuritunity to provide it, unless in the form of taxis. Look at Birmingham, I think there is a private bus system there, but it's not well maintained. I could be wrong though..

[David1502]

Yeah. Let's increase the number of poor people in Huntsville so we can have that "base of support."

If you subsize poor people you're going to increase the number of them.


I made that comment about the poor urban population in Atlanta as a point that public transportation in Madison County would struggle to break even simply because there's not as much demand for it as might be found in other cities - not because I am eager to see an increase in poor people just so a public transit system can make it. Supply and demand should rule. There are other metro areas which have an extensive public transit system and have lower poverty rates than what is found in HSV/Madison County so poverty is certainly not a prerequisite. An example is the Silicon Valley area of California where in Santa Clara County (home of San Jose) there is a vast network of light rail (www.vta.org), longer distance rail (www.caltrain.com) as well as buses. The median house price for Santa Clara County until recently was over $800K so it can hardly be considered a community with a high poverty rate. As one who goes out there on businesss it makes it a lot easier to get around without renting a car.
My thinking is that public transit should be market driven and able to pay for itself. When I spoke of higher density along the rail route I mentioned higher end developments like Bridge Street, the Billion dollar development on County Line Rd., Constellation. These could hardly be considered public housing or magnets for poverty.

[tredici]

Also, you have to think about how much accessibility plays into demand. A lot of entities don't realize that second, mostly, to the independance of owning a car, accessibility is a big reason that people don't ride mass transit.

My aunt lives in Alpharetta, just north of Atlanta, and you have to drive your car to North Springs Station just to get on the train. People reason that they're already in the car, and they've already driven this far, so why park and get on something else. The main problem with the MARTA is how unexpansive it is. If the area were able to expand it massively, which is completely uneconomical feasable, but all costs of contruction aside, I think the system could in some way be profitable. But, that is only with MASSIVE, and boy do I mean MASSIVE investments.

[jmanhsv]

Well, here are my problems with privatized transit:

1) You can't elect a board of executives. Members/leaders of transit authorities run by the government are either appointed by the mayor/city council or, in some instances, elected like any other public official.

2) A private corporation would just probably look at some market surveys and be done with it. With a government-run system, transit leaders stay local, so they have a personal feel about where transit is needed the most. Public involvement is also crucial for a successful transit system.

3) Like what Alabadrock said earlier, what happens if the company goes under? Or if their contract is terminated?

4) If a private corporation takes over a public transit authority, it would more than likely have a monopoly in the area, which means FARE INCREASES galore, much more than a government-run transit system would have. Remember, its all about the $$$. The thing about government is, it's here to serve the people. Corporations are here to make a profit. Which is great in most instances, just not for infrastructure. Imagine having a private company run your local police department. Would you be comfortable with that?

Now, somebody mentioned having a public-private partnership with building a mass-transit system. That wouldn't be as bad, especially right now when the federal government doesn't really have money to spend. But there needs to be government oversight.

If you subsize poor people you're going to increase the number of them. I'm totally against public transit (unless it's private and operated for profit). If you don't have public transit, poor people move out of the area or they set higher income goals for themselves and we all benefit. But no, everyone here wants to go the socialist and taxation route. At one time Huntsville was the largest city in the nation without public transportation. That was something to be proud of. If you expand public transportation in Huntsville, get ready to see larger and more permanent poverty class, more housing projects to accomodate them, and more crime. And more taxation to pay for it all.

PUBLIC TRANSIT DOES NOT BRING POVERTY OR CRIME. That is some racist BS made up years ago to scare suburbanites out of voting for mass transit (look at MARTA). Look at Detroit for example- all it has in terms of mass transit is the People Mover downtown; and downtown's the best part of that city. Look at the DC suburbs, they don't look impoverished to me. Look at the links David posted. Transit-friendly urban areas all over the country are becoming very coveted right now, and are contributing to the gentrification of many formerly impoverished neighborhoods. And with a well-designed system, Huntsville can have the same success. Do your research, and you'll see that thinking that public transit is just a socialist extension of welfare is just crazy. Damn.

[tredici]

Big news! I was at the Decatur City Council meetings. The ordinance for all the stuff involved Sweetwater was adopted. It was a bit confusing, Bill Jackson (council president) wasn't very straight forward, but it sounded like they are accepting the contract assuming that all of the city's concerns are worked out.

If I read something that clarifies this, I'll pass it along to y'all.

[Colin Giersberg]

I believe that light rail running on existing NS mainline tracks would be unwise. The traffic issues of the different types of trains is begging for an accident. Yes, freight and passenger trains ran the same tracks years ago, but then there wasn't anywhere near the freight density then as there is now. Perhaps, an elevated track system would work, but the added expense of the system would make that prohibitively expensive.
Our highways already cost $2 million a mile (minimum) for any major construction, and throw a bridge or two in the project, and the cost goes up fast, especially if the bridge is tall, long, or of a unique design.
If memory serve correctly (it probably doesn't), the US. 72 bridge over the Elk River at the Lauderdale / Limestone County line cost around $26 million, and it was built several years ago, and it is a relatively simple bridge in design.
The cost went up with the supports near the river channel, which involved drilling into the mud, and then several feet into solid rock. This helps prevent undermining of the supports in strong currents. So you can see that the costs would make an elevated light rail line very unlikely. And I don't know that NS would even allow light rail to run on their tracks.

Regards, Colin

[HSVTiger]

I believe that light rail running on existing NS mainline tracks would be unwise. The traffic issues of the different types of trains is begging for an accident. Yes, freight and passenger trains ran the same tracks years ago, but then there wasn't anywhere near the freight density then as there is now. Perhaps, an elevated track system would work, but the added expense of the system would make that prohibitively expensive.
Our highways already cost $2 million a mile (minimum) for any major construction, and throw a bridge or two in the project, and the cost goes up fast, especially if the bridge is tall, long, or of a unique design.
If memory serve correctly (it probably doesn't), the US. 72 bridge over the Elk River at the Lauderdale / Limestone County line cost around $26 million, and it was built several years ago, and it is a relatively simple bridge in design.
The cost went up with the supports near the river channel, which involved drilling into the mud, and then several feet into solid rock. This helps prevent undermining of the supports in strong currents. So you can see that the costs would make an elevated light rail line very unlikely. And I don't know that NS would even allow light rail to run on their tracks.

Regards, Colin

adding to the problem

"GINNY MacDONALD
News staff writer
The number of road-building projects funded by the Alabama Department of Transportation dropped significantly through the first half of this year because of the rising cost of fuel and petroleum-based construction materials."
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1217319319233240.xml&coll=2

[JuanHunt]

Huntsville has buses in order to meet some kind of federal requirements to qualify for downtown redevelopment grants and road construction funding. Right now, the taxpayer is chipping in about $.50 per fare just to break even.

I think mass transit will require a lifestyle change and thats not going to happen just because there is a alternative. The alternative has to be significantly cheaper than a personal car, and nearly as convenient. Buses are the simplest and cheapest way to initiate the change.

[tredici]

Huntsville and Decatur were ranked in the top 100 cities to do business. Huntsville metro was ranked 32nd while Decatur metro was ranked 100th. The Opelika area led the state with a top five finish at #5.


http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1217319388233240.xml&coll=2

Look at that link for the complete list of Alabama metros.

[jonnie256]

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

[bodagetta]

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

[jonnie256]

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.



Thats why I shop at Publix now off County Line rd.! Its very clean and neat and FAST!;)

[Colin Giersberg]

I shop at Publix off County Line Road too. The one on US. 72 next to Books a Million is one store I try to avoid. It seems to be forever crowded, cramped and difficult to find some of the things you need. Also, everyone at the County Line store is real friendly and seem to be knowledgable about where most things are.

Regards, Colin

[daveyp]

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

the madison hospital isn't likely to be built anytime soon. i believe crestwood can eat up as much as 5 years during the appeal process, and hsv hosp will not take a chance breaking ground before crestwood gives it up. pretty pathetic.

[HSVTiger]

the madison hospital isn't likely to be built anytime soon. i believe crestwood can eat up as much as 5 years during the appeal process, and hsv hosp will not take a chance breaking ground before crestwood gives it up. pretty pathetic.

That's the states fault because of the boards that have to approve and justify a need for a facility.

No problem for Madison to want a hospital but it's interesting that Hoover a city nearly twice the size of Madison doesn't have a hospital either if I'm not mistaken. This thing has been going on for like 8-10 years, do they work for ALDOT?

[HSVTiger]

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

well if you shop at WalMart you get what you pay for, I haven't even been in one of their stores in 6 months. Target 2-3 times a week maybe.

[| BRAVO |]

do they work for ALDOT?

Good one! :cheers:

[mlog]

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

Yes, the WalMart at University and Perimeter Road is terrible. The lines are extremely long and you can't find anyone to help you.

[HSVTiger]

Hopefully we will hear something about Constellation in the next few days. Maybe some surprising changes will be revealed. Something needs to break us out of this summer funk.

[Huntsvillenative]

Hopefully we will hear something about Constellation in the next few days. Maybe some surprising changes will be revealed. Something needs to break us out of this summer funk.

I was downtown last Saturday and I noticed bulldozers over on the Constellation site. There's definitely something already started. The pipes are also lined up to be put in. I would assume we'll see actual construction take place by fall.

[mustanggt]

Does anyone know what is being built on Enterprise Way behind the Dollar Tree and the old Hobby Town? Its on the corner of the road that runs behind Target and Enterprise...They have started moving dirt and staking it out.. resturaunt maybe?

[jmanhsv]

^ It's a ServisFirst bank branch and a "possible" restaurant...

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/business/1203588987323550.xml&coll=1

[tredici]

I just posted on the AL.com forums. No I remember why I spend most of my time on this forum. They're so freaking obnoxious/backwards over there!

[HSVTiger]

I just posted on the AL.com forums. No I remember why I spend most of my time on this forum. They're so freaking obnoxious/backwards over there!
not to mention nearly wrong on everything.

[neilson]

not to mention nearly wrong on everything.
They'good ppl, but there's that damn feud between MrsCarey and her ppl vs. BamaKrissy/Hereiis and their ppl. I've posted it in there before, we're not Scottsboro or Decatur where we need to be throwing down against each other. All it does is make them look bad and keeps new ppl from posting over there. So what if one person is or isn't lazy or and so what if someone is or isn't working hard? We can't make them change, so we might as well accept it and have constructive conversations on Huntsville.

[tredici]

They'good ppl, but there's that damn feud between MrsCarey and her ppl vs. BamaKrissy/Hereiis and their ppl. I've posted it in there before, we're not Scottsboro or Decatur where we need to be throwing down against each other. All it does is make them look bad and keeps new ppl from posting over there. So what if one person is or isn't lazy or and so what if someone is or isn't working hard? We can't make them change, so we might as well accept it and have constructive conversations on Huntsville.

I was posting in the Decatur forum. I just thought I'd put a link to my development blog on there, and now they're talking about how Decatur pays money for me and all. And now I'm not anonymous, and how Decatur is such an AWFUL place. It was weird...

[neilson]

I was posting in the Decatur forum. I just thought I'd put a link to my development blog on there, and now they're talking about how Decatur pays money for me and all. And now I'm not anonymous, and how Decatur is such an AWFUL place. It was weird...
Decatur's forum has taken a nosedive since Channel 19's expose of Morgan County's Gov't a year or 2 ago. Ever since then, it's gathered a reputation for strong opinions and fast deletions of entries.

[mustanggt]

^ It's a ServisFirst bank branch and a "possible" restaurant...

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/business/1203588987323550.xml&coll=1

Thank you JMAN! I drive by it everyday so I was just curious!

[HSVTiger]

New bus route, hopefully it will be popular. If it ran till 8 might help.

Huntsville officials unveiled the city's newest shuttle bus route today - this one running through Cummings Research Park. For $1 each way, commuters can now drop their cars downtown or at any other bus stop and ride to stops in the research park, then back to their cars after work.

The new route, which also includes stops at Bridge Street Town Centre, the Target shopping center and University Drive Wal-Mart, runs weekdays from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Within two months, it will also connect to a new bus transfer station being built at UAHuntsville.

[Jacknah]

New bus route, hopefully it will be popular. If it ran till 8 might help.

Huntsville officials unveiled the city's newest shuttle bus route today - this one running through Cummings Research Park. For $1 each way, commuters can now drop their cars downtown or at any other bus stop and ride to stops in the research park, then back to their cars after work.

The new route, which also includes stops at Bridge Street Town Centre, the Target shopping center and University Drive Wal-Mart, runs weekdays from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Within two months, it will also connect to a new bus transfer station being built at UAHuntsville.

Why didn't they allow a private company to do this? Wake up people. These things would be done by the private sector if they would only legalize it. That's what we should be pushing for. Less government, not more. Government creates the illusion that only they can provide things, but they're the ones that create their own need in the first place by making it illegal for the private sector to provide these things. And people fall for it hook, line, and sinker.

www.bobbarr2008.com

[tredici]

Why didn't they allow a private company to do this? Wake up people. These things would be done by the private sector if they would only legalize it. That's what we should be pushing for. Less government, not more. Government creates the illusion that only they can provide things, but they're the ones that create their own need in the first place by making it illegal for the private sector to provide these things. And people fall for it hook, line, and sinker.

www.bobbarr2008.com

Probably because no private company wanted to do it. Anyways, I'm not gonna get into this again.


You're def right Neilson about the County g'ment exposure. I just stopped looking at the forum, cause I new that if I looked at it again I would get mad. Plus, the forum wasn't letting me post anything again.

I think the reason why they didn't like me was that there is now someone who is posting news that isn't very bias and makes Decatur sound like a good place. Cause, we ALL know just how AWFUL it is.

[tredici]

This just keeps getting better and better on the AL forums.

from Softballmom:

of 19.

write about decatur.

comes to decatur all the time.

doesn't live in decatur.

hmm. why does he bother?


********************************

I really don't see why it matters. I do live in Decatur, I go to school in Tuscaloosa, I spend most of my money in Decatur. Is there some law that says I have no right to celebrate development in Decatur. It seems like because the info of development is coming from someone who just doesn't spend most of their time in Decatur, they don't like the info of the development.

Confused??? I know I am...

Of course, she could be on my side for all I know, I can't tell because it seems like everyone on that forum dislikes me except for one person.

Anyways, I know no one wants to read about me whining and moaning about all this. So, I'll do my best to stop. I just find all this rediculous. Long live skyscraper Page!

[jonnie256]

Decatur is full of mexicans(I mean illegal immigrants)!LOL Have you tried going to the walmart in Decatur on a Sunday,OMG they are everywhere! They are gonna have to get spanish translators to be cashiers there. Athens is also seemingly beginning to become infested with them too! Sorry if this offends anyone,just stateing my opinion.

[tredici]

Wow... Ok, my best friend is Mexican... But, of course, her parents came here legally, started from scratch, and now her father owns a very successful business. You're right that there are a lot of illegal aliens in Decatur and the population of the city is probably vastly underestimated because a lot of inhabitants aren't in the books... but, what does your statement have to do with anything I was talking about?

Not, trying to be mean, that was just really random/outta the blue/borderline offensive...

[neilson]

Wow... Ok, my best friend is Mexican... But, of course, her parents came here legally, started from scratch, and now her father owns a very successful business. You're right that there are a lot of illegal aliens in Decatur and the population of the city is probably vastly underestimated because a lot of inhabitants aren't in the books... but, what does your statement have to do with anything I was talking about?

Not, trying to be mean, that was just really random/outta the blue/borderline offensive...
RE: Decatur and Hispanics. It's to be expected with all the chicken processing plants over there. Lotta agricultural and manufacturing jobs that attracts them to Decatur(where the cost of living is quite low). %wise, Hispanics are probably the dominant minority in several Alabama counties and cities, having out populated the existing Black population in those same areas.

[jonnie256]

I was just saying that there is alot of them in Decatur/Athens area. I didn't say that they were a threat or anything,its just they seem to me like they are taking over those cities. And yes,I just threw this in as a random subject. I have had a few friends that were half white,half mexican and thier cool as hell. But they are here legally. I am just scared to drive in Decatur worrying that one of the illegals will hit me and knowing they probrally won't have insurance,will run from the scene and I will be up shiat creek!LOL

[TimCity2000]

^when you use words like "taking over", it does suggest that you view "them" as a threat.

[gkcooper]

So it's not OK to say that an illegal invasion is a threat?

[Bogue]

A persons legal status isn't something that is visible. It's just something that the previous poster implied was so.

Heck, I'm "white" (Irish & Scottish descent) & my family's been in the South for 300 years or so (primarily in NC, KY, & AL) but b/c of my native american heritage (less than 10%) being so visible I have more than once had people act dodgy around me later to discover it was b/c they thought I was Hispanic. Visible characteristics can be wildly deceiving in America, particularly in our sun-blessed part of the country.

The debate over illegal immigration has some perfectly legitimate arguments to be made on both sides, but it's when it steps over to assuming someone's status b/c of skintone or cultural proclivities that it starts going over the line.

However, it was that a group of people was referred to as an infestation which is the truly offensive portion of the statement. None of our brothers & sisters in creation should ever be referred to in such a clearly demeaning way, regardless of their legal status in our country.

...and back to talking about H'ville & its assorted area developments. :)

[marvingardns]

New bus route, hopefully it will be popular. If it ran till 8 might help.

Huntsville officials unveiled the city's newest shuttle bus route today - this one running through Cummings Research Park. For $1 each way, commuters can now drop their cars downtown or at any other bus stop and ride to stops in the research park, then back to their cars after work.

The new route, which also includes stops at Bridge Street Town Centre, the Target shopping center and University Drive Wal-Mart, runs weekdays from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Within two months, it will also connect to a new bus transfer station being built at UAHuntsville.

A stop at Providence Main would be nice for this route. If it ran until 10pm, I'd definitely ride it. I've always gotten plenty of reading done on mass transit in larger cities.

[tredici]

^^^ It would be so awesome if the would put, just 2, routes between Huntsville and Decatur. One in Downtown, and one out by the interstate or something. I would love to go to Huntsville more, cause now that I'm in college, more and more of my friends don't live in Decatur. So, it'd be nice if I could pay like five dollars to ride over there. Sure as heck beats the ten to fifteen, probably more, that I pay in gas to get over there.

Can you say e-mail to the city council?????

[jmanhsv]

That's not a bad idea... Have one "express" route go to the Airport and another go to Research Park/Bridge Street from, say, a park-and-ride at Sweetwater. Buses could run every 15 minutes during rush hour, and every 30 at non-peak times between 5am and 10pm (midnight on the weekends; this is how is should be on most bus routes). But I think $2.50 would be a more reasonable price for a commuter express bus. For this to happen, however, there needs to be some sort of regional transit authority in place, since Huntsville's not going to provide service outside of the city limits.

But hey, if you're serious about it and want to make it REALLY effective, put dedicated bus and/or HOV lanes in the middle of 565. But I don't see that happening for another 30 years or so, maybe never if the commuter rail ever gets off the ground.

[tredici]

I think it would be a synch for Decatur, Huntsville, and Madison to get together pooling their resources and creating a 565 regional bus route. Combining all three cities would help with funding. I sent an email about a route to all of my councilmen.

[jonnie256]

When are they going to actually start construction on Constellation? And what will be the first thing built? Anyone know?:shrug:

[Shawn35816]

When are they going to actually start construction on Constellation? And what will be the first thing built? Anyone know?:shrug:

I think that I read a while back that the first buildings to be built were the ones used as the hotels. Could be wrong though.


Back to the busroute thing. Before they have a regional route to other major cities in the area, they need to get it right in Huntsville first, and the Huntsville vicinity. I would definetly like to see a bus route that would, go to and through Redstone Arsenal. Of course only those who have access to get there would be able to, but there are at least 30,000 people driving on and off the Arsenal each day. I think if you got that up and running, and if it was used regularly by a large number of people, it would be a real jumpstart to regional transit. It would add money to the system, I guess Shuttle, that could go directly to expanding services.

Although I just asked a guy today if bus service was offered onto the Arsenal, would he take advantage of it. He's from LA, so of course he said no.:) He did suggest if they had a bike trail that ran through, that he would ride his bike. I'm thinking that a lot of people would take advantage of the bus service though. They just don't need to wait a hour or more at a stop.

[crr0004]

I think an even better start would be Park and Rides. They could put a few large parking lots in Hampton Cove, Jones Valley, Madison, Monrovia, and somewhere off Winchester and have buses running from those parking lots to Redstone, Research Park, downtown, etc.

[Huntsvillenative]

I think an even better start would be Park and Rides. They could put a few large parking lots in Hampton Cove, Jones Valley, Madison, Monrovia, and somewhere off Winchester and have buses running from those parking lots to Redstone, Research Park, downtown, etc.

That's a FANTASTIC idea!!:tup: This needs to be brought to the attention of the city council ASAP!!

[Jacknah]

I think it would be a synch for Decatur, Huntsville, and Madison to get together pooling their resources and creating a 565 regional bus route. Combining all three cities would help with funding. I sent an email about a route to all of my councilmen.

Why does it have to be the government? Contract Greyhound and ask them to start a Huntsville/Decatur route, if they don't already have one.

[jmanhsv]

I think an even better start would be Park and Rides. They could put a few large parking lots in Hampton Cove, Jones Valley, Madison, Monrovia, and somewhere off Winchester and have buses running from those parking lots to Redstone, Research Park, downtown, etc.

Yeah, but the first thing they'll have to do is increase the frequency and the hours that the buses run. You can't just stick a bunch of large parking lots and expect people to use them with the current service. If they put a park and ride near the intersection of Winchester and Meridian, for example, inbound buses only run by there at :28 past the hour... sometimes sooner, sometimes later. So if you miss the 7:28 am bus, you'll have to wait for the 8:28 bus (or you can just drive to work, in which case the park and ride becomes ineffective). So, like I said earlier, they need to increase the buses to every 15 minutes during rush hour and every 30 all other times. And what happens if you're late getting out of work? Then you're either stuck at the office, or stuck downtown at the bus terminal. Many cities have "guaranteed ride home" programs to prevent something like that from happening. But it would be better if they extended the time the buses run to 10pm/midnight.

Another problem with park-and -rides: they are more effective far away from the city center, say, 15-20 miles out. If they're closer in people won't use them as much because they think "it's only 10 minutes to work from here. Why stop here?" So these communities would be better park and ride points: Hazel Green, Riverton, Brownsboro, Owens Crossroads, extreme south Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, and Harvest. But wait! Our current bus system is confined to Huntsville city limits! Another good reason why we need regional transit.

[HSVTiger]

Regional transit would be a great topic for the current mayoral candidates.
A trial program between Huntsville/Redstone and Decatur maybe. Running busses between the two cities during rush hours to a location on Redstone and or Research Park. Everyone hypes regional cooperation, this would be a possible project.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville International Airport 1300+ space parking deck expansion update.

http://www.parkerbuilding.com/Pics%20Huntsville%20Airport%20005.jpg

http://www.parkerbuilding.com/Pics%20Huntsville%20Airport%20010.jpg
Parker Building photos

[ThatGuy]

I think adding retail to each park-and-ride site would go a long way toward making it acceptable to our residents. It could be something as simple as a gas station/convience store/waiting area at each of the outer "spoke" stops. It could be a deal where the city buys the land if the retail will pay for the construction.

IMO the city doesn't do enough looking at ways to offset costs by including possible retail locations. I also think all parking decks should have some retail space allocated, but that is a seperate discussion.

[HSVTiger]

I think adding retail to each park-and-ride site would go a long way toward making it acceptable to our residents. It could be something as simple as a gas station/convience store/waiting area at each of the outer "spoke" stops. It could be a deal where the city buys the land if the retail will pay for the construction.

IMO the city doesn't do enough looking at ways to offset costs by including possible retail locations. I also think all parking decks should have some retail space allocated, but that is a seperate discussion.
the new parking deck scheduled for construction downtown, across from 301 east is to have some retail spaces. I think it is the desire of the city for that to be the case in the future. When that deck is set to begin I don't know.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville brewery back in business

Local brews soon will flow yet again from Huntsville's downtown taps.

Thirteen months after a fire destroyed the Olde Towne brewery on Holmes Avenue, Huntsville's only beermaker has reopened in new quarters on Leeman Ferry Road.

"I brewed the first batch of beer two weeks ago," said founder and co-owner Don Alan Hankins during Saturday's open house for friends and customers.

The first kegs are set to go out a week from Wednesday, said Hankins. Six-packs could appear in local stores a month later.

For those who don't wish to wait, early samples can be had during a beer tasting Monday at 5 p.m. at The Nook on Bob Wallace Avenue and again at 6 p.m. on Aug. 13 at 801 Franklin.

Hankins said he's already cooling kegs of hefeweizen and pale ale for shipment. The amber will be added next. Olde Towne Brewing Co. will re-introduce the pilsner a month later, he said, and also sell a pumpkin ale in October.

The renewed brews can also be sampled during the official Grand Re-opening Party, featuring live music on Aug. 23. The party will run from 5 until 11 p.m. at the Lowe Mill on 9th Avenue. Admission is free. The public is invited.

[HSVTiger]

Road construction updates from the Huntsville Planning Department, (from HSV Times article)
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/kclines.ssf?/base/news/1217754911118160.xml&coll=1

The service road for the proposed Harris Hills commercial development at U.S. 72 and Moores Mill Road "is well ahead of schedule." The service road, which runs from High Mountain Road to Old Gurley Pike, is about 80 percent complete. The job was scheduled to be completed in February, but now is expected to be done this month.

The widening of Governors Drive to seven lanes between Monroe and Gallatin streets is expected to be completed this fall. Storm drainage work is under way with curb and gutter work to follow.

The update reports that city engineers said the actual Governors road work may be completed late in the summer followed by "off the roadway" work such as building sidewalks and installing utility poles to finish the project.

The widening of Oakwood Road from Old Monrovia Road to Research Park Boulevard is about 60 percent complete and is expected to be finished late this fall.

The pedestrian improvement project in Five Points is about 35 percent complete and is scheduled to finish in October.

Changing the Jeff Road intersection at Alabama 53, and widening Alabama 53 on both sides of the intersection, is about 35 percent complete but no completion date has been set.

The Memorial Parkway overpass and main lanes from Whitesburg Drive to Weatherly Road is about 20 percent complete and is expected to be finished in January 2010.

The Gillespie Road extension from Browns Ferry Road to Balch Road in Madison is about 20 percent complete. A completion date has not been determined.

Widening Winchester Road to five lanes from the Huntsville city limits near Valhalla Funeral Home past Moores Mill Road to Dominion Circle began in early July. Problems getting utilities such as telephone and television cable lines moved prevented construction from beginning sooner. The contractor has 300 working days to complete the project, which means it could continue through much of 2009.

Clinton Avenue closing

The west end of Clinton Avenue will close to through traffic for several months beginning Monday morning for a bridge replacement project at Broglan Branch.

Miller and Miller Inc., which was awarded a contract by the city for the work, will close the street at 7 a.m. Monday, said Mark Sealy, project manager for Miller and Miller.

The bridge replacement and related drainage improvements to Broglan Branch on each side of Clinton could take four or five months, he said.

A detour using Seminole Drive to travel between Clinton and Governors Drive will be marked, Sealy said.

[HSVTiger]

A Q&A on planned restaurant downtown. They did a real nice job on the restoration of the building.

Q. What's going to happen with 100 Southside Square on the courthouse square downtown. A restaurant was going in there, and there was a fuss about tables on the street or something; the corner was remodeled but nothing happened.

A. Huntsville businessman Jeff Sikes, the owner of Sikes Automotive Group, and three partners plan to open Cotton Row restaurant in late summer or early fall. The fine-dining restaurant will seat 71 people inside and 54 on the patio. The basement will have a chef's table and wine cellar and will accommodate up to 16 people. "Unique features in the basement and kitchen have taken time to assimilate and construct," said Sikes. "It'll be worth the wait."

[tredici]

Another problem with park-and -rides: they are more effective far away from the city center, say, 15-20 miles out. If they're closer in people won't use them as much because they think "it's only 10 minutes to work from here. Why stop here?" So these communities would be better park and ride points: Hazel Green, Riverton, Brownsboro, Owens Crossroads, extreme south Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, and Harvest. But wait! Our current bus system is confined to Huntsville city limits! Another good reason why we need regional transit.

I actually sent e-mails out to all of the city councilmen in Decatur about this. But, I only got a reply from my councilman. He said it was an interesting idea, but wondered whether we would really want to provide people an easier route to leak tax dollars out of the cities. I replied back citing regional cooperation as a good reason to consider this.

[tredici]

Road construction updates from the Huntsville Planning Department, (from HSV Times article)


To mention some Decatur projects. The first phase of the Beltline is about 95% finished. All that's left is some smoothing of the roadway and some median work.

The city resurfacing projects, which included about 30-40 roads is about 99% complete.

Market Street realignment near the riverfront is almost finished.

Work on turning lanes into Ingall's Harbor is still in planning stages.

[mlog]

The widening of Oakwood Road from Old Monrovia Road to Research Park Boulevard is about 60 percent complete and is expected to be finished late this fall.

Looks a lot farther along than 60% to me.

[Y1wbahk]

Church parking lots make convenient parking during the week. Most churches want to be of service to the community and it could be a win-win for the church (except for special events like funerals).

I would love to park my car and take a bus to work (medical district).

[HSVTiger]

Site work and construction has begun on the previously announced addition
to Depot Professional Village downtown. The three story 30,000 sq ft building is at the corner of Church St and Cleveland Ave. Just across from the Huntsville Depot.
The old caboose from Twickenham Station restaurant is located there. That restaurant used to be a fancy place downtown(you would dine in actual train cars) about where the current
Ruth's Chris is now.

[neilson]

Church parking lots make convenient parking during the week. Most churches want to be of service to the community and it could be a win-win for the church (except for special events like funerals).

I would love to park my car and take a bus to work (medical district).
Madison's already doing this.

[jonnie256]

This is off subject but.....I was going from Decatur to Athens on I-65 and I noticed at the Browsferry rd. bridge,it looks to me that they are starting to create on and off ramps on the western side of I-65. Are they actually going to make it a exit finally there? Are they planning something big there we don't know about yet? And there are signs around there that do say planned"mega site".:shrug:

[Colin Giersberg]

The exit is going in. As far as the TVA mega site, that was certified a couple of years ago, but to my knowledge, there is no big project about to go in.
The bridge across I-65 will be raised to allow taller loads to go under it.

Regards, Colin

[ThatGuy]

Yesterday it looked like a permanent street sign might be going up to replace the temporary "Govenors Drive this exit" sign that has been there for years. All I actually saw was a truck full of workers near the temporary sign. The truck was pulling a trailer that had one of the overhead frames to which they attach the signs.

[tredici]

Yesterday it looked like a permanent street sign might be going up to replace the temporary "Govenors Drive this exit" sign that has been there for years. All I actually saw was a truck full of workers near the temporary sign. The truck was pulling a trailer that had one of the overhead frames to which they attach the signs.

Let's hope that's what it is. Course, I'm still waiting for the sign to be replaced that directed traffic from I-65 northbound to Decatur.