[Rail Claimore]

Where ya been Rail?

There and there over on SSC. I'm getting back into the swing of things for projects in this part of the country again.

[HSVTiger]

possibly Huntsville or Mobile

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. jobs will soon be on the line in a Pentagon cargo plane competition that so far has been dominated by foreign-made aircraft.
The Army and the Air Force seek a light aircraft for battlefield transport and other short-range missions. The two services recently agreed to team up on the Joint Cargo Aircraft, and the Army plans a press conference Friday to announce the new strategy.
Now the race is on to line up jobs in key congressional districts. The would-be prime contractors are L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (LLL) and Raytheon Co. (RTN), each working with an international industry team.
Both teams now are closing in on U.S. manufacturing decisions on where they would build planes if they win. The companies declined to discuss specifics, but people familiar with the matter provided details.
L-3 is in talks with Boeing Co. (BA) about using Boeing's Long Beach facility, which is threatened by Pentagon efforts to shut down the C-17 cargo plane. L-3's bid uses the Alenia C-27J, made by a unit of Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica SpA (FNC.MI).
At the same time, Raytheon (RTN) and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (5730.FR) are planning a U.S. manufacturing site for their CN-235 and C-295 offerings, both made by a Spanish unit of EADS known as CASA.
The new plant likely will be in the Southeast - where EADS has already planned tanker and helicopter assembly plants - since Raytheon has already announced a role for its Wichita, Kans., aircraft parts business. But first the companies must finish negotiations with Spain, which owns a small stake in EADS and wants to hang on to Spanish aerospace jobs.
Raytheon and EADS are likely to announce their plans next week, once the Pentagon formally launches the Joint Cargo Aircraft competition. The program has been on hold for months while the Air Force and the Army sparred.
The Army wanted a Future Cargo Aircraft to replace its aging Sherpas and augment its battlefield troops support. The Air Force wanted a Light Cargo Aircraft so it won't need to use as many half-empty C-130s for small, yet critical, missions.
Under the new joint plan, the Army will take the lead and move forward this year with an initial purchase of about 33 planes. The Air Force will have input on the chosen plane, since it would like to buy 100 or more aircraft in coming years; the Army also has said it needs up to 100 more aircraft in the long run.
The two teams have very different offerings. L-3's C-27J bid is heavier, more powerful and more battle-hardened, and it uses the same engines as the latest version of the workhorse C-130.
L-3 Chief Executive Frank Lanza said the C-27J is a logical choice because supply planes can no longer count on remaining behind the front lines. "I think they're going to see you don't fly out of harm's way. And that's a plus for us," Lanza said in an interview at his New York office this week.
But the Raytheon-EADS planes also have war zone experience, along with a lower fuel bill and a roomier interior. The C-295 is likely to be the primary entry, with the smaller CN-235 offered in an alternate or supporting role.
Ralph Crosby, head of EADS North America, said lower operating costs will more than offset any gains from common aircraft engines.
"This is about providing the Army, the Air Force and the National Guard [with] a FedEx kind of capability. The price per delivery is an important determinant," Crosby said in an interview at a New York investor conference.
Raytheon declined to discuss its U.S. manufacturing plans, other than to say that there would be some U.S. content before delivery to the Pentagon. "Raytheon as the prime for Team JCA is a US based company. The Team JCA aircraft will be sold off in the United States and (have) significant US content," said Tom Kennedy, vice president of Raytheon's integrated airborne systems unit.
Boeing could turn out to be a wild card in this two-card draw. That's because lawmakers have rallied round the company's Long Beach manufacturing site as the Pentagon prepares to shut down the C-17 long-range cargo plane line. Current plans call for ending production in 2008, but the Air Force has said it would like an extra seven planes if Congress wants to add money to the program.
Because Boeing doesn't have a small cargo plane, it has flirted with former Soviet aircraft makers and considered a range of ways to get involved. But Boeing officials recently met with L-3 to talk seriously about a joint venture, according to several sources.
Boeing declined to discuss specific negotiations, but spokesman Rick Sanford said the company certainly wants to make use of its local facilities and workforce for as long as possible. In addition to the C-17, Boeing also made 717 passenger jets in Long Beach and is now shutting down that line.
"We definitely want to be in the fight," Sanford said.
Long Beach city officials, who have lobbied hard to keep the C-17 alive, say any new aircraft jobs would be a welcome addition. "We'd be delighted if they continue to build anything in Long Beach," said Robert Swayze, the city's economic development manager.
-Contact: 201-938-5400


E

The Pentagon on Friday formally opened a competition to build light cargo airplanes for the Army and Air Force, inviting bids on a contract that is initially expected to be worth about $3 billion and include at least 145 planes.

So far, two bidders have expressed an interest in the winner-take-all contract. One of them, led by the Raytheon Co. and EADS CASA, a Spanish subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., has said it will assemble the planes in Mobile if it is selected for the contract, potentially creating 200 jobs.

[HSVTiger]

There were supposed to be several new parking decks underway, but don't know what happened, probably money issues.

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER
Times Staff Writer pmccarter@htimes.com
It was one of those "perfect storm" moments, when everything lined up just right for calamity.

All at the same time Saturday night, thousands of people were stuck in their cars, searching for parking places near the Von Braun Center so they could go to a Nickelback rock concert, Cotillion dance, Shakespearean play or symphony performance. Other drivers were stuck while trying to leave a crafts show and two weddings at the VBC.

For nearly a half-hour Saturday night, traffic didn't move in downtown Huntsville.

The performance of the Huntsville Symphony was postponed an almost-unheard-of 15 minutes to allow patrons the chance to park their cars and find their seats. Other ticket-holders missed the beginning of their performances.

Guy J. Spencer Jr. didn't make it to the symphony at all. He couldn't find a parking place close enough and, because he can't walk long distances, he left. He said he believes others may have done the same.

More than 500 parking spaces were lost in the city's garage on Monroe Street across from the VBC because of construction of the Big Spring Summit high-rise, and the entrance to that garage off Church Street has been closed during the project, which added to the standstill Saturday night.

The city and the VBC know about the parking woes, but they said the solution is within reach if patrons change the way they think about parking.

Besides the lots and garages adjacent to the VBC, the city has numerous areas that had few cars in them Saturday. Officials encourage patrons on these busy nights to park in those other areas and take a shuttle bus to the VBC.
when the Church Street entrance/exit of the city's Monroe Street garage opens. That could be as soon as six weeks, "or at least that's my wishful thinking." That garage, which offers 500 spaces now, soon will have more than twice that

[HSVTiger]

development area. This will eventually have new residences, park space,
hotel and restuarants in the downtown medical district. High value property
at least 1 million an acre.

By DAVID HOLDEN
Times Staff Writer dholden@htimes.com
Plan would rebuild units in 3-4 years, sell part of land

The Huntsville Housing Authority board of directors adopted a resolution Monday supporting its plan to redevelop the Councill Court residential community.

The plan calls for eventually razing all 196 units of Councill Court and building modern housing units. Councill Court sits on 17 to 20 acres of property near Huntsville Hospital along Gallatin Street and St. Clair Avenue.

The redevelopment will consist of 75 to 125 units primarily for elderly public housing residents. The implementation of the plan will take place in about three to four years, said Michael O. Lundy, chief executive officer of the Huntsville Housing Authority.

The project - calling for the destruction of the existing Councill Court units, building the new apartments for elderly residents and relocating other residents - will cost about $32 million, Lundy said. Selling 12 to 13 acres of the Councill Court property will yield about $16.5 million, he said.

That money, along with tax-exempt bond financing and low-income tax credits acquired with the help of a partner or developer, should bring in the remaining $16 million needed for the project, Lundy said.

[HSVTiger]

with these changes, things can start happening in this very unique area of
downtown (Uptown?) mill village area.

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
'Mixed use zoning' to draw investors to downtown plan

Rowhouses and revamped "village" clusters connected by greenways and public transportation services are part of the vision of a revised downtown master plan approved Tuesday night by the City Planning Commission.

The plan, an update from a 1989 study, shifts its emphasis north from Huntsville's traditional downtown core. The new focus area is north of Interstate 565, east of Memorial Parkway, south of Oakwood Avenue and west of Andrew Jackson Way.

The plan includes new zoning classifications to encourage investors to pump millions of dollars into aging neighborhoods without fear of an undesirable development next door. The plan includes some "mixed use zoning" recommendations to add vibrancy to redeveloped areas.
In his briefing to city planners Tuesday night, Newberry said the revised Downtown North Master Plan suggests rezoning the Lincoln Mill Village area from light industry to residential with some historic preservation protections. Proposed zoning changes in the Abingdon Road area would be conducive to live-work units, while zoning changes along Meridian Street could help transform it into a neighborhood business corridor. He laid out a vision for small research and technology-related companies along northern parts of Church Street.

[HSVTiger]

make your reservations now for after Nov. 1st. Should be a festive time downtown during the Thanksgiving /Christmas season. Dine at Ruth's Chris
and watch the multi colored 50 ' fountain do it's thing.:banana:

[HSVTiger]

Named after Senator Sparkman this is located on Redstone Arsenal which unless you work on base or visit you don't see it.

http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/pubs/dec99/redstone.jpg

Currently a lot of construction is taking place and planned on the Arsenal

[HSVTiger]

The Huntsville Museum of Art from under the magnolias:

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/4868/spring20060033xs.jpg

Taken from the proposed site for future high rise hotel,condos greenway and retail . Embassy Suite in background.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5820/spring20060096ew.jpg
Foothills of The Appalachians
Monte Sano Mountain looking south, Green Mountain in the distance.This mountain ridge divides Huntsville from it's eastern suburbs of Hampton and McMullen Cove. To the right(west) would be downtown.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3460/montesano324060209wh.jpg

[HSVTiger]

I like the aggressive part

Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Alabama, during a speech before the Association Builders and Contractors of North Alabama.
"I have been personally involved in economic development issues for North Alabama for many years and I am very excited about our area's future," Cramer said. "We have an aggressive group of economic developers in North Alabama and with all of us working together, we make North Alabama more attractive and this continues to have positive dividends."
Cramer said the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendation to relocate large parts of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Material Command, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command and the Aviation Technical Test Center to Redstone will bring at least 4,700 direct jobs to Redstone.

[TimCity2000]

great pics... last time i was in town, the embassy suites was still just a structural frame. the outside doesn't look very detailed, though... kinda bland. hopefully that will change when it's finished (i.e. with signage, lights, etc).

[Rail Claimore]

^I think they're going to paint it. That brown looks awful, and from the Parkway, it doesn't look permanent... in fact, it looks like tarp or stucco.

[HSVTiger]

^I think they're going to paint it. That brown looks awful, and from the Parkway, it doesn't look permanent... in fact, it looks like tarp or stucco.

Rail, I believe that is the final color, the architect has been known for some
unusual color picks. The building won't win any awards but I think the colors are a nice change and add some interest . It is stucco (or similar) and the brown is brick. The interior will be quite spectacular.

[HSVTiger]

Moving houses for parking deck

By KENNETH KESNER
Times Staff Writer, kesner@htimes.com
Five houses owned by the University of Alabama in Huntsville, in what was once the Sanderson subdivision, will soon be moved or razed to begin construction of a $9 million multilevel parking garage and transportation terminal.

UA System trustees meeting in Huntsville on Friday approved plans to sell the homes for $6,979 each to Kennedy Brothers Contracting, which submitted the best bid. Ray Pinner, UAH vice president for finance and administration, said the company may move, sell, salvage or do what they like with the houses after they are moved.

In any case, the lots will be cleared as part of construction of a centrally located, three-level terminal that will include parking spaces and bicycle storage and will link to city as well as campus bus and shuttle transportation services.
Clearing the lots will also open a path and "greenspace" between the terminal, Madison Residence Hall and the Applied Sciences Building under construction, Pinner said.

UAH owns 28 of the 35 houses in the Sanderson subdivision, which runs through a central part of campus, and plans to acquire the remaining seven as they become available.

The purchase of a house at 4507 Austin Drive in the Flowers subdivision that adjoins the campus was also approved.

Trustees also approved plans for a new $895,000 Preschool Learning Center. The present center is in a home built in 1944 and too close to the Applied Sciences Building. The new preschool will be a "modern, well-equipped facility" that could be located across Sparkman Drive near the Olin B. King Technology Hall, Pinner said.

[Rail Claimore]

Rail, I believe that is the final color, the architect has been known for some
unusual color picks. The building won't win any awards but I think the colors are a nice change and add some interest . It is stucco (or similar) and the brown is brick. The interior will be quite spectacular.

Let's hope. I'll be in the Embassy Suites in Cool Springs near Nashville in a couple weeks for a convention. I'd expect the interior of ours to look somewhat similar to that.

[HSVTiger]

somewhat nondescript office building in Research Park. No image, but go look at a typical modern two story stucco or brick office building your town and you got it. But these type buildings aren't meant to win awards but house new jobs and that's all good:tup:
By WAYNE SMITH
Times Business Editor waynes@htimes.com


A company that got its start in Huntsville is beginning a new chapter in its history this week as it expects the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) moves to bring more work here.

Sparta Inc., an engineering company that provides support to defense and intelligence organizations, will break ground Tuesday on a new facility for its Huntsville operations.

The new office will consolidate Sparta's Huntsville operations into one facility at 401 Diamond Drive, at the corner of Old Madison Pike. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Tuesday morning at 10.

Sparta was formed in Huntsville in 1979 and has grown to 19 offices and approximately 1,400 employees nationwide. Sparta's headquarters is now in California, but it still has more than 300 employees in Huntsville. The company has seen 20 percent growth over the past three years and did $277 million in business last year.

Wayne Winton started the company in Huntsville, along with Bob Vickery in California. Sparta celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

According to Howell Lee, director of governmental affairs for Sparta, the new 15-acre site will accommodate a new facility with 97,000 square feet and future expansion for another 35,000 square feet.

[Exodus]

I was hoping for something better looking; but oh well, Huntsville has a new highrise/hotel, and I suppose that is better than nothing.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5820/spring20060096ew.jpg

[HSVTiger]

It looks better from the front, the side facing Big Spring Park. This view is actually the back side and this whole area should be under development
next year. So this side will have a drastic improvement, other buildings,
landscaping etc.

The white bridge structure is the pedestrian walkway over the canal to the Von Braun Center South Hall. It has not been enclosed yet

[HSVTiger]

The last paragraph is in reference to similar Bridge Street developments
that OS is doing most notably in Texas and Lousiana.
If anything the landscaping in this project should be wonderful.



From staff reports
Huntsville Times
O&S Holdings' hotel division hires new vice president

O&S Holdings LLC has hired a new contractor to handle the landscaping portion of the Bridge Street Town Centre project.

ValleyCrest Landscape Development, a division of Calabasas, Calif.-based ValleyCrest Companies, will be responsible for landscaping, irrigation, lighting, perimeter streetscapes, pond/lake coordination and parking structure landscape.

O&S Holdings is in final negotiations with a Southern-based, national contractor to complete the building construction. Last month, the developer parted ways with its general contractor, Turner Universal Construction, over financial disputes.

"We hope to make an announcement in the next 30 days," on a new general contractor, said Brett Thornton, senior vice president of development for O&S Holdings.

O&S Holdings also said one of its divisions, Huntsville Hotel Partners LLC has hired Steven A. Ragsdale to be vice president of hotel operations. He will oversee the newly created hospitality division of the company, working out of the Huntsville office.

Ragsdale has more than 31 years of experience in the hospitality industry. For the past six years, he was the general manager/vice president of operations for the Huntsville Marriott. Before that, he served in a similar capacity for several Southern-based franchised hotels.

"The hospitality industry is gaining such importance in our core business of developing mixed-use retail and entertainment properties," said Gary Safady, managing member of O&S Holdings. "We are actively seeking hotel development deals, and Steve's role is vital in establishing how the hotel component will be incorporated into all of our Bridge Street Town Centre developments."

[HSVTiger]

in reference to the Embassy Suite, this part of that project, renovation
of the VBC South Hall set to begin..

The VBC work is part of the city's commitment to lure the $40 million Embassy Suites Hotel. The development deal called for the city to spend up to $1 million renovating the South Hall for conventions and conferences.

The proposed $637,424 contract with Lee Builders Inc. of Huntsville lists repairs and improvement of carpet, the heating and cooling system, wallcoverings, ceilings, lighting and new main stairs. Officials say the stairs will lead from the skywalk connecting the VBC with the new convention hotel. The VBC committed to pay up to $750,000 for the climate controlled walkway.

[HSVTiger]

A new bakery/ restaurant is planned downtown across from the Huntsville
CVB on Church Street. Should be open by summer, will be a WIFI site as well. I plan to be a customer, nothing better than fresh bread, muffins cakes etc.:)

[HSVTiger]

This should be similar to the existing 6 level deck that features SmartPark.
It tells how many vacant spaces available on each level, very helpful.

A project to build a new parking deck and toll booth and make related improvements at Huntsville International Airport is expected to be completed by June 2008.

The 1,360 new spaces in the deck, the new toll booth and building and other site work, which includes reconfiguring the old toll plaza area for rental car parking, will cost an estimated $25.9 million.
The largest share of the money for the deck project - $17.8 million - is to come from airport revenue bond sales. The Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority on Tuesday authorized bond proceeds to help pay for the work.

The deck construction is expected to start in December and be finished Dec. 14, 2007, according to a presentation by Harry Wilson of the engineering firm Barge, Waggoner Sumner and Cannon. Wilson is the design/project manager for the parking deck project. The toll plaza and building construction is to begin next Jan. 11 and be completed April 4, 2008.

Source Huntsville Times

[HSVTiger]

By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com
The Army plans to lease sections of land on Redstone Arsenal to commercial real estate developers to build office space, a conference center and classrooms, Army officials said Thursday.

The development plan could eventually result in the arsenal's north fence being moved back, placing the post golf course and club outside restricted areas, officials said.

The plan, which the Army calls Enhanced Use Lease, will set aside about 422 acres on the north side of the base along Rideout Road near Gate 9 for 50-year leases, said Joe Davis, chief of Redstone's master planning division.

The development would help ease the traffic at Redstone's main gates because conferences, university classes and other nonclassified meetings could be held in the buildings just off the base.

Davis said the Army should choose a developer by early 2007, "and if that company has done some design work already, it should take about a year or 15 months" to finish most of the construction, depending on the size of the project.


"When the fence is moved is something that has yet to be determined," he said. "That whole area by Rideout Road is a viable commercial property because of its location near I-565 and Cummings Research Park."

Some of the proposed office space "would remain on the Redstone side of the fence," Davis said. "All the buildings will have to be built to our security standards." Those include a requirement that sites have limited parking near a building.

Davis said moving the fence line behind the Redstone golf course and the club would make those facilities more accessible to retirees and others.

"Also, some areas near the golf course could be developed for other commercial uses" under the plan, he said.


The Army would benefit from the commercial development, he said, but not through cash payments. Those, he said, "would have to be turned directly over to the U.S. Treasury, and Redstone wouldn't receive that much of it back" except through tradeoffs.

An example, Davis said, would be "if $1 million in rent was owed to the Army, then that company could pay for $1 million in work or services." One of the first such tradeoffs would be for a company to pay for the fence to be set back, he said.

The land use plan originally was aimed at giving the Army an opportunity to reuse older buildings on the outskirts of an Army post by turning them over to private companies instead of tearing them down. That evolved into the current plan to use vacant land, Davis said.

[HSVTiger]

Well restuarants come and go but this one didn't have to.
Probably been open 5 years the parent company chose not to renew
the lease. May mean they want a different location, even though this
is in an excellent spot next to Zaxby's, Starbucks, Home Depot, Costco,
and Books a Million. May mean the lease price went way up, but sadly I think
it was business dropped due to extremely bad service.
When on their game the food was excellent and service was too but this
was the exception and once that reputation sticks in the restaurant business
it's hard to shake, blame management on this one.:(

[HSVTiger]

Coming to your town or already there are the new designed stores for
Sonic restaurants. Two new ones Huntsville have this similar design, very colorful lighting,
plus a play area like MacDonalds and BK.
Don't you hate the Sonic tv ads? The couple they highlight are headed for divorce faster than you can say tater tot. The lady needs to lighten up,
she's kind of cute but as King of Queens Kevin James would say Beeiitch!

http://www.fastcasual.com/images/New_sonic_design.jpg

[Rail Claimore]

Well restuarants come and go but this one didn't have to.
Probably been open 5 years the parent company chose not to renew
the lease. May mean they want a different location, even though this
is in an excellent spot next to Zaxby's, Starbucks, Home Depot, Costco,
and Books a Million. May mean the lease price went way up, but sadly I think
it was business dropped due to extremely bad service.
When on their game the food was excellent and service was too but this
was the exception and once that reputation sticks in the restaurant business
it's hard to shake, blame management on this one.:(

Every time I've eaten there, it's been alright. More than anything though, I wanna see a Steak n Shake in Huntsville. I hate having to drive all the way out to Decatur every week just to get my fix.

[HSVTiger]

Every time I've eaten there, it's been alright. More than anything though, I wanna see a Steak n Shake in Huntsville. I hate having to drive all the way out to Decatur every week just to get my fix.

Your wish will come true, it just may be a while yet.
On a similar note a new downtown restuarant soon

By CHRIS WELCH
Times Entertainment Writer chrisw@htimes.com

In addition to Crossroads - a club that's hosted many national acts - moving into the Axis site (115 Clinton Ave.) at the end of May, there will also be an upscale sports bar/casual dining restaurant on the third floor of that same building.

CityScapes, owned by Jim and Susie Hudson, hopes to start renovating the third floor within the next couple of weeks and open around the first of September, according to CityScapes president Ralph Gipson. CityScapes purchased the building and will lease it to the Washington Square Group and Crossroads, Gipson said.

[HSVTiger]

coming to downtown Madison this summer maybe
http://www.madisonstationbrewing.com/

[HSVTiger]

a few nice shots from old Huntsville History

the Monte Sano Hotel
http://diglib.auburn.edu/images/sparcimages/356-IVB0620.jpg

and the train that ran up to it

http://diglib.auburn.edu/images/sparcimages/356-IVC0107.jpg

And King Cotton on Cotton Row downtown
in the background you can see the confedrate statue which looks to have been just put up(bracing). This statue can be seen today in about the same location on the courthouse square. The building on the right with the columns is the current First Alabama Bank. This picture is around 1905
http://diglib.auburn.edu/images/sparcimages/356-IVB0626.jpg

[HSVTiger]

in the process of improving, dredging is a high priority to improve
access on the Tennessee River. Ditto Landing is very popular in the spring summer and fall

http://www.dittolanding.com/
source HSV Times
The Huntsville marina has long suffered from an identity crisis. A recently revamped board is working to raise Ditto's profile with more riverside concerts, boat parades and other crowd-gathering events.

The Huntsville-Madison County Marina and Port Authority met for more than an hour in a work session Wednesday to plan a $30,000 fundraising campaign for extensive landscaping of the grounds.

A draft of the plan shows an array of ornamental plants, trees and flowers spread across the sprawling pavilion grounds. Other proposed features include a playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and an arboretum with bubbling stones and a children's play area.

[HSVTiger]

First American signs going up on Big Spring Summit
as they are the largest tenant in the building plus they financed it.
Nice lighting and landscaping around the building as well.

First American Bank will occupy three floors of tthe eight-story Big Spring Summit, making the bank the largest owner of office space in the downtown building.

First American Bank is not only buying 41 percent of the building, it is also providing the $16 million construction financing for Triad Properties Corp., the project's developers.

[HSVTiger]

This will be a big and difficult project through a very congested area
but when finished:tup:

They have started moving houses which is always fun to watch

from WHNT

"This is a highly congested roadway," Huntsville City Engineer Tom Cunningham. "It's got about 38,000 cars per day, squeezed in to five fairly narrow lanes," he added.

The road will go from about 45 feet wide to more than 77 feet wide. The lanes will increase from eight and a half feet, to 11 feet across.


That impact includes moving several houses on the western end of the mile-long widening project, and that process is underway. The Huntsville Hospital crosswalk will obviously have to be reworked, and two buildings owned by the hospital will come down. Otherwise, the design manages to make the wide road fit in some fairly narrow spaces.
The overhead crosswalk will come down, guess a new one will be built later

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville Rave Theater 18 opens May 5th
The theater is located at Valley Bend in Jones Valley

http://z.about.com/d/huntsville/1/0/i/k/1/HsvRave.jpg

[Rail Claimore]

^I wish Valley Bend had been developed in a more "new urbanist" manner akin to Providence, only with a crapload more retail like it has now. Valley Bend has exceeded all expectations of its success but seeing so much parking right off Carl T Jones Drive is just a bit ridiculous.

[DruidCity]

HSVTiger, that 1905 photo is interesting. My grandfather briefly lived in Huntsville around 1900.

[SwitchbladeNGC]

Deleted:

Sorry, I missed this on the previous page.

[SwitchbladeNGC]

Raytheon employees and top brass gathered with local and state officials at Cummings Research Park on Thursday to celebrate the beginning of construction of a $20 million, 140,000-square-foot office building.

I've been working on this at work. I'll tell you more after the bids go out.

[HSVTiger]

:previous:
They are moving fast on the steel


By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com
$20M building will bring together 500 employees

Raytheon Co. will announce plans today for a $20 million building in Cummings Research Park that will consolidate operations in three facilities scattered around Huntsville.

The new facility will be situated on 20 acres in the park, at the corner of Old Madison Pike and Jan Davis Way. Construction will begin in February on the three-story, 140,000-square-foot facility that will house 500 Raytheon employees.

The new facility is being designed by Huntsville-based architect Fuqua and Partners and will be built by Huntsville-based Turner Universal, said Bob Demer, Raytheon's Huntsville director of operations.

"This type of building is really meant to be people friendly and efficient," Demer said. "We will have ergonomic designed furniture and it will be well lit. Also, it is designed to be energy efficient."
http://waff.images.worldnow.com/images/4383212_BG1.jpg

not a very good image but you get the idea[/QUOTE]

[HSVTiger]

Many cities could be in the top 10 but here is The Green Guides list

The Green Guide, which bills itself as the "go-to source" for information about earth-friendly living, has named Huntsville one of America's Top 10 "Green Cities." The only Southern town to make the cut, the Rocket City finished ninth - ahead of outdoorsy Denver, Anchorage, Alaska, and Seattle.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1145092637271560.xml&coll=1


1. Eugene, OR

2. Austin, Texas

3. Portland

4. St. Paul, Minn.

5. Santa Rosa, Calif.

6. Oakland, Calif.

7. Berkeley, Calif.

8. Honolulu

9. Huntsville

10. Denver

Cities were awarded points for air and water quality, electricity use and production, the importance of environmental concerns to local residents, efforts to improve the environment, green building design, green space, recycling, public health, public transportation and socioeconomic factors such as the percentage of families living below the poverty line

[HSVTiger]

coming to Huntsville's Providence development:
http://www.restaurantpartnersinc.com/images/owned/msc.jpg

Market Street Café, is an upscale diner located in the Disney developed town of Celebration, Florida. The restaurant is 4,400 square feet with an open stainless kitchen, counter seating and al fresco dining. Market Street Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days per week, with an overall check average of about $9.60.

A second Café is under development in Huntsville, Alabama. This unit will be located in The Village of Providence, a traditional neighborhood development, in northwest Huntsville. The 4,500 square foot restaurant will include many of the popular features of the Celebration location including outdoor, fountain-side seating and a soda fountain bar area. The Huntsville store is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2007.

and this one sound especially neat:tup:
http://www.grille29.com/images/pics/bar.jpg

A second Grille 29 stop will be a 6000 square foot restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama. Adjacent to its sister concept, Market Street Café, in The Village of Providence, this restaurant will feature a dramatic interior design. Towering 22 foot windows, an elevated bar area complete with 600 gallon salt water fish tank and a private banquet area will all be part of the Huntsville location. Lunch and dinner will be served seven days a week along with a spectacular Sunday Brunch. Look for this location to be open in the Spring of 2006.

[HSVTiger]

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."

Cabela's has announced it will build one of it's superstores in Adairsville, GA
south of Chattanooga on I-75. Questions are out there if a rumored Bass Pro
for Florence in Veterans Park be wise especially if Cabela's were to locate a store in Huntsville. Seems the Florence site would be an exception for Bass
Pro due to smaller population and revenue projections. Bass Pro in Florence is being driven by Retirement Systems so if they "buy" the location it may not matter cause they will have a sugar daddy. Cabela's has a history of getting in Bass Pro's face, similar to Lowes/
Home Depot., so we shall see.

[HSVTiger]

Just some fun info about the Tennessee River which impacts a large area of the deep south.

The Tennessee is an unusual river that follows an unusual path, flowing southwestward, then northwestward, then northward. Most theories of its unusual path indicate that at one time, it is likely that the original channel did not flow through what is today North Alabama.

As the Tennessee cuts westward across North Alabama it flows through the limestone formations of the Cumberland Plateau until it reaches Muscle Shoals in the northwestern corner of the state. It is here that the Tennessee crosses the Fall Line demarcating the coast of an ancient sea. It may appear odd to conceive of this area almost 400 miles from our present Gulf of Mexico as a prehistoric coastline. (McDonald –Lore of the River)

Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA)
Big Five" (municipal utilities in Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Memphis, and Knoxville), which constitute 30 percent of TVA's market.

This site with intersting facts
http://www.riversofalabama.org/Tennessee/TN_Physical%20Description.htm
http://www.riversofalabama.org/Tennessee/tennessee_all.gif

[HSVTiger]

HSVTiger, that 1905 photo is interesting. My grandfather briefly lived in Huntsville around 1900.

Is he in the picture :haha: :cheers:
My relatives are, see the donkey:)

[HSVTiger]

Expansion opening soon..
from their website
http://www.hsvbg.org/
The complex is scheduled to open June 1, 2006. Through generous local support, the Garden has already raised $3 million towards the $3.6 million campaign goal.

Specific features of the new complex include:

The Nature Center containing Native American butterflies, frogs, turtles, streams, and waterfalls. It soars over 30' with a 9000 sq. ft. footprint.
The Children's Garden is a two-acre area with 8 separate gardens:
Space Garden: with a real Space Station node (donated by Marshall Space Flight Center), aquaponic display and Water Rocket Clock (with a real missile - we have plenty of them in Huntsville!) On the top of each hour, large jets of water spray out marking the time, i.e. 2 squirts for 2 p.m.)
Dinosaur Garden: Children will be able to walk down a dry creek bed with dinosaur footprints and dig in a dino graveyard where 'bones' are buried in the sand.
Rainbow Garden: Features a child-size prism windmill - a hand cranked windmill that has prisms where the blades would be. When the handle is turned, sunlight shines through prisms making rainbows.
1/2 Acre Wood: Featuring a worm world, growing shed for hands-on planting, Faerie Bridge, Bee's Eye View - a mask where children can look through and see the world the way a bee does.
Bamboo Garden: Lots of bamboo plantings and bamboo instruments including a xylophone, drum and chimes.
Maze Garden: Three different mazes, including a build-your-own maze with moveable panels and a treehouse overlook.
Storybook Garden: Featuring toadstool seating, a pergola, hidden garden gate and a wishing well.
International Garden: Featuring annual exhibits, plantings and flags

[HSVTiger]

the location is ideal, just west of the I-565/Highway 20 interchange
in Decatur. The push is on to extend I-565 to help ease the danger on this stretch of road. I think we will see many more accidents along this road.
I pray that the Reverend is correct, but any development brings an increase
in the possibility of accidents, especially on a road that is not designed
correctly to handle the load. It is interesting to note that ALDOT will spend
thousands on studies to determine if traffic lights are needed.

By Martin Burkey
DAILY Staff Writer
mburkey@decaturdaily.com · 340-2441

Calvary Assembly of God is preparing to move dirt for its new church on Alabama 20, following recent state approval of two entrances on the busy four-lane highway.

Church officials expect thousands of people to use the entrances.

The Alabama Department of Transportation rejected Calvary's initial proposal for four curb cuts, said the church pastor, the Rev. George Sawyer. It approved two commercial access points:

A main entrance on Alabama 20 East with right-in and right-out deceleration and acceleration lanes on the south side of the highway, as well a crossover median cut with left-in and left-out deceleration and acceleration lanes on Alabama 20 West.
A secondary entrance east of the main entrance with right-in and right-out deceleration and acceleration lanes. It would not have a median cut.
Neither entrance would have traffic signals, but they could eventually have flashing yellow caution lights, Sawyer said. The DOT permit includes eliminating four existing median cuts to make room for the church's entrances, he said. Sawyer said he doesn't expect the plan to create traffic problems because peak church attendance will be Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, when commercial and commuter traffic is minimal.

[codyg1985]

the location is ideal, just west of the I-565/Highway 20 interchange
in Decatur

That would make upgrading that highway between I-65 and Decatur to an interstate-grade facility a little more difficult, wouldn't you think?

[HSVTiger]

That would make upgrading that highway between I-65 and Decatur to an interstate-grade facility a little more difficult, wouldn't you think?

sure, but the route will probably shift north slightly and the existing roadway would become service/frontage roads. This should help speed up the proposed
extension:haha: sorry I forgot ALDOT.

[HSVTiger]

Across from Parkway Place Mall
Cracker Barrel is coming. Workers turning up red soil at the corner of Drake Avenue and South Memorial Parkway signal its arrival.

"We broke ground on that location today," Cracker Barrel spokesman Jim Taylor said Monday. "Restaurants we are building now seat about 207, and each Cracker Barrel hires about 150 people full- and part-time.
Another location is near the Huntsville Airport in Madison /Wall Triana exit
I-565.

[HSVTiger]

The long promised renovations and streetscape upgrades supposedly
should begin in several months, waiting on the state:shrug:

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
146 more homes in district set to get special designation

Huntsville's historic Five Points is not only getting older, it's getting bigger.

The neighborhood is poised to add 146 homes to the city's Five Points Historic Preservation District. The move would mark the district's second expansion since the historic designation was achieved in October 1999 for 260 homes. A revision in September 2000 added 69 homes.

A city planning subcommittee got an overview of a plan Wednesday that would push the boundaries mostly north beyond Ward Avenue to O'Shaugnessy Avenue. The proposed new district line stairsteps back along Coleman, England and Grayson streets to abut the current district framed generally by Russell Street on the west, Wells Avenue on the south, Grayson Street on the east and Ward Avenue on the north.

The city's Historical Preservation Commission will decide May 8 whether to forward the proposed new boundary to the City Council for final approval.

Five Points was once a hub of city life featuring the city's first trolley line, easy access to mill jobs and downtown stores, and homes with deep lots and inviting porches. Many of the streets through Five Points are named after some of Huntsville's earliest industrialists: Pratt, Wellman, Ward, Humes, O'Shaugnessy.

Other historic districts in Huntsville include Twickenham (secured in September 1972 with an expansion in 2000), Old Town (1974), and the Alabama A&M University campus stretching to the Chase Road area (1992). All three are also on the National Register of Historic Places

[HSVTiger]

Staying in the green downtown should be easier if the proposed
extension takes place. Basically it will connect Bud Cramer Park
at 5 Points with the Veterans Park(GatewayPark) at the I-565/
Washington Street viaduct, This will link the Train Depot/Roundhouse
Skateboard Park as well.

[TimCity2000]

Cracker Barrel near Parkway Place? I thought they only built directly off of interstates... interesting.

[HSVTiger]

Cracker Barrel near Parkway Place? I thought they only built directly off of interstates... interesting.

Also from the article, sort of answers your observation. Sounds like
we will see many more urban locations.


Taylor said Cracker Barrel began in Lebanon, Tenn., where an industrious youngster named Dan Evins was working in his family's gas business. He saw so many customers passing back and forth along Tennessee 109, between Nashville and Knoxville, that he started figuring out ways to better serve them. He opened the first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store with gas and food on the edge of Lebanon in 1969.

By the late 1970s, 13 Cracker Barrel stores dotted the South's roadways, and the company began to phase out gas pumps. In 1981, Cracker Barrel became a public company, and Money magazine listed it as one of the top 10 stocks in America. The company had 84 stores in 1990 and had grown to more than 250 by the end of that decade. The total now is 538 stores in 41 states.

Huntsville's Cracker Barrel follows a recent trend by the company to veer off major interstates and into metropolitan areas

[neilson]

11 Years ago Cracker Barrel made history with its Madison location.

I-565 was the 1st non-2 Digit Interstate to have a Cracker Barrel at an exit.

Up until that time, the only non-2 Digit Interstate Cracker Barrel was located off US 71 in Branson, MO.

[HSVTiger]

this weekend, if it's art related you will probably find it here.


http://www.panoply.org/

April 28-30, 2006 to celebrate 25 years! At Panoply, children 12 and under are free and so are over a dozen make-in-take activities. You’ll see an exciting variety of art forms, as we strive to incorporate performances and exhibitions from theater, music, dance and visual arts. Panoply Arts Festival is located in the beautiful Big Spring International Park located in Huntsville, Alabama.

Panoply showcases the best in local and touring performances. Five performance stages, located throughout the park, are scheduled with performances from jazz bands, bluegrass, gospel and more. The Publix Kid’s Stage presents the best in children’s entertainment. You’ll see puppet performances, educational groups that teach different musical styles, as well as our local theatre groups delighting all audience members.

See artists at work while strolling through The Boeing Art Marketplace. Artists from all over the country enter this juried art show, in hopes of winning the Best of Show or an Award of Distinction. Artists range from painters and primitive artists to jewelers and photographers.

[HSVTiger]

A large public fountain planned for Big Spring International Park should be finished by August.

Officials hope to complete the mammoth fixture before the planned fall opening of the 300-room Embassy Suites convention hotel.

The $284,000 fountain project is a gift from the Thrasher family in memory of the late Tom Thrasher, a business and civic leader who died in 1999.

The fountain will be in a basin in the new canal extension off Big Spring Lagoon that threads between the Von Braun Center and Embassy Suites.

The Thrasher fountain will feature colored lights and multiple layers of spray that can be choreographed to numerous patterns. The plumes can be adjusted to shoot up several stories.

[HSVTiger]

Seems ALDOT has run out of excuses, time to get busy.
Of course just not doing it is their best response.
Why does a state entity have to be convinced when evryone else knows,
including the federal level? Because of their ineptness, they are now caught
and are almost unable to operate at all in any capacity.If it doesn't have
auto assembly tagged on it then it goes in the huge stack of planned projects. For you Birmingham folks hows that 280 project going? Exactly
On a side note the Patriot Parkway across Redstone is planned to have 6 lanes now insted of 4. Brilliant! another reason to delay the project, more study must go into this.
But by all means lets go full speed on the proposed I-85 extension across
rural Alabama.
This year, the group met with House and Senate leaders knowing that BRAC-related moves are expected to bring about 4,700 federal jobs to Huntsville.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/114647502313990.xml&coll=1

Dave Hargrove (chairman/Chamber of Commerce) said the issue of road projects came up time and time again during question-and-answer sessions.

He said local leaders are discussing ways to raise awareness in Montgomery "about the immense challenges ahead in infrastructure in North Alabama."

"One issue that stuck out above all others is that Washington is telling us that Montgomery needs to be paying more attention to where the dollars are going," Hargrove said. "Our senators and representatives have sent the dollars to Montgomery, and it's up to the governor and state legislators on how to spend that money.

"We believe we're generating a lot of economic development in this state and that we should be seeing more transportation dollars."

[neilson]

Seems ALDOT has run out of excuses, time to get busy.
Of course just not doing it is their best response.
Why does a state entity have to be convinced when evryone else knows,
including the federal level? Because of their ineptness, they are now caught
and are almost unable to operate at all in any capacity.If it doesn't have
auto assembly tagged on it then it goes in the huge stack of planned projects. For you Birmingham folks hows that 280 project going? Exactly
On a side note the Patriot Parkway across Redstone is planned to have 6 lanes now insted of 4. Brilliant! another reason to delay the project, more study must go into this.
But by all means lets go full speed on the proposed I-85 extension across
rural Alabama.
This year, the group met with House and Senate leaders knowing that BRAC-related moves are expected to bring about 4,700 federal jobs to Huntsville.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/114647502313990.xml&coll=1

Dave Hargrove (chairman/Chamber of Commerce) said the issue of road projects came up time and time again during question-and-answer sessions.

He said local leaders are discussing ways to raise awareness in Montgomery "about the immense challenges ahead in infrastructure in North Alabama."

"One issue that stuck out above all others is that Washington is telling us that Montgomery needs to be paying more attention to where the dollars are going," Hargrove said. "Our senators and representatives have sent the dollars to Montgomery, and it's up to the governor and state legislators on how to spend that money.

"We believe we're generating a lot of economic development in this state and that we should be seeing more transportation dollars."
So, where Exactly does ALDOT Projects go? Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile All complain that they don't recieve a fair shake, and yet you look at more rural stretches of road like 280 from B'ham to Auburn and 78 from Mississippi to B'ham and those roads are taking forever to work on too.

What areas are getting the ALDOT fasttrak is what I'm really trying to ask.

[HSVTiger]

So, where Exactly does ALDOT Projects go? Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile All complain that they don't recieve a fair shake, and yet you look at more rural stretches of road like 280 from B'ham to Auburn and 78 from Mississippi to B'ham and those roads are taking forever to work on too.

What areas are getting the ALDOT fasttrak is what I'm really trying to ask.

An excellent question, here's another; has ALDOT EVER finished a project on
schedule, (original) not the delayed ones which then gives them the chance to say, "see we finished it on schedule".
I think we see a very inept state organization that is totally controlled by the whims of the director who is in no hurry, because all the projects are the same to him. So the attitude is what's the point if it's not his project it will be another. The result is an ALDOT that is overwhelmed and so far behind
on just the basic projects that any other projects get pushed to the back.
It will take high pressure from high places to get any changes.

[HSVTiger]

Northwest's new low cost airline will be: Compass Airlines Inc

It will fly a couple of flights from Minneapolis to Dulles starting in June.
Northwest purchased Independece Air operating certificate, so hopefully they will service many of the same cities. The plan is to serve 100 markets in the south and midwest with new 50-75 seat aircraft. Won't happen quickly
they want to build up routes over several years.
By next month, Northwest will choose a plane for Compass' fleet. It is considering the Bombardier CRJ-900 and the Embraer-175, both with about 76 seats including 64 in economy class.

[HSVTiger]

drive safely..

Beginning today, the speed limit on Providence Main Street between University Drive (U.S. 72) and Old Monrovia Road will be 35 mph.

Weather permitting, the city on Monday will begin painting parallel parking spaces along the outside northbound and southbound lanes to allow on-street parking. The work is expected to end next Friday.

When the work is completed, Providence Main Street will become a three-lane road with one lane in each direction, a center turn lane and on-street parking.

Also Monday, the city will remove the center turn lane on Biltmore and paint parallel parking spaces on the outside eastbound and westbound lanes to allow on-street parking.

Biltmore will become a two-lane road with on-street parking.

The city plans next year to spend $1 million provided by the state to build a traffic median in Providence Main Street.

The conversion of Providence Main Street was among the concessions made by the city to developers David and Todd Slyman when the brothers announced their Village of Providence development.

The Slymans have said narrowing Providence Main Street will create parking and be safer for pedestrians.

[HSVTiger]

[QUOTE=HSVTiger]the location is ideal, just west of the I-565/Highway 20 interchange
in Decatur. The push is on to extend I-565 to help ease the danger on this stretch of road. I think we will see many more accidents along this road.
I pray that the Reverend is correct, but any development brings an increase
in the possibility of accidents, especially on a road that is not designed
correctly to handle the load. It is interesting to note that ALDOT will spend
thousands on studies to determine if traffic lights are needed.

By Martin Burkey
DAILY Staff Writer
mburkey@decaturdaily.com · 340-2441

Calvary Assembly of God is preparing to move dirt for its new church on Alabama 20, following recent state approval of two entrances on the busy four-lane highway.

Church officials expect thousands of people to use the entrances.

The Alabama Department of Transportation rejected Calvary's initial proposal for four curb cuts, said the church pastor, the Rev. George Sawyer. It approved two commercial access points:

A main entrance on Alabama 20 East with right-in and right-out deceleration and acceleration lanes on the south side of the highway, as well a crossover median cut with left-in and left-out deceleration and acceleration lanes on Alabama 20 West.
A secondary entrance east of the main entrance with right-in and right-out deceleration and acceleration lanes. It would not have a median cut.
Neither entrance would have traffic signals, but they could eventually have flashing yellow caution lights, Sawyer said. The DOT permit includes eliminating four existing median cuts to make room for the church's entrances, he said. Sawyer said he doesn't expect the plan to create traffic problems because peak church attendance will be Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, when commercial and commuter traffic is minimal.


[QUOTE]

Update
NewsChannel 19's Barry Hiett reports:

Calvary Assembly of God members dedicated land just south of Highway 20 in Decatur on Sunday. They plan to build a new worship center there.

"It's an absolute beautiful location. I've heard that it's called, between 20 and 65, I've heard it's called the gateway to Alabama and we're in a perfect location to be an evangelistic tool for north Alabama," says Huntsville's Karen Hindman.

The future church building site is also about 100 yards from Highway 20. That stretch of road saw nearly 100 traffic accidents last year -- four people died in them.

"We're quite concerned about the safety factor on the highway. It's one of the reasons we've waited until now to begin construction so that we could have these turn-ins," says pastor George Sawyer.

The pastor says construction of two turn lanes into the property will begin Monday, with two more scheduled for later this year.

Sawyer says church members have worked closely with the Alabama Department of Transportation to make sure Highway 20 will be a safe road for all travelers on church days.

"We'll have Alabama troopers or local police who will be here when we're having services."

Church members hope to touch the lives of others through God.

And they want to make sure that everyone, not just church-goers, who travels this stretch of road stays safe.

good luck with that

[HSVTiger]

Ever since Independence folded it's wings numbers have declined.
A new low fare (Compass, AirTran) would make money in this market.

In April, Huntsville International had 94,101 passengers

The number of passengers at Huntsville International Airport has dropped each month this year, compared to the same months in 2005. But "the general trend (in the airport's passenger traffic) is up," said Luther "Butch" Roberts, the airport's deputy director.

Passenger traffic for each month this year is actually above the same months in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, according to airport figures released at the Huntsville/Madison County Airport Authority's meeting Tuesday.

The number of passengers was 94,101 in April and 364,582 for the first four months of 2006.

The Huntsville airport's first low-fare carrier, Independence Air, halted all of its flights after Jan. 5 because of continued financial troubles.

Rail cargo traffic at the International Intermodal Center had another record-setting month in April, with 3,608 rail lifts. That volume represents a 43.7 percent increase compared to April 2005, said Mitch Bradley, the center's director.

April marked the 10th consecutive month for record-setting performance at the intermodal center, which specializes in receiving, transferring, storing and distributing air, rail and highway cargo.

[HSVTiger]

who said crime doesn't pay?


City Council will be asked to authorize 3rd cost increase

The Huntsville City Council will be asked Thursday to authorize another $6.6 million for completion of the joint city-county jail.

The adjustment will mark the third cost hike since a major expansion of the planned $28 million, 1,300-inmate lockup began in 2004. The council authorized a $1 million adjustment in February 2004 and a $900,000 adjustment last October. The latest revision could push the total cost as high as $38 million to $40 million counting refinancing costs, if any, plus any more unforeseen costs, according to city finance officials.

Taylor said the city can comfortably handle the extra cost without jeopardizing its borrowing capacity for future costly infrastructure that may be needed for the thousands of defense jobs transferring to Huntsville. The city is still $162 million shy of its maximum allowable debt limit, he said.

Mayor Loretta Spencer said Tuesday the city wants to complete the joint jail so the city and county can save money by eliminating duplication. The new jail should save taxpayers $120 million over 30 years when it goes into service, officials have said.

[HSVTiger]

Most of this is around Research Park but sounds like a need and opportunity
for an office tower downtown, 90-95% occupancy!?

Bart Smith, managing broker of Graham & Co., said it's a landlord's market for office space. The commercial real estate firm recently completed its 2006 Huntsville Office and Industrial Market Survey.

According to the survey, the Huntsville office market has an occupancy rate of 93 percent, well above the national average. Cummings, the nation's second-largest research park, has a 95 percent occupancy rate, according to Smith. He said new developments inside the park will help free some office space.

"The question is, how much do you build? But you need to build enough to free up more space.''

Business Editor Wayne Smith contributed to this report.

[HSVTiger]

This one in the Hampton Cove area of Huntsville. Speculation is
Home Depot as well as several hotels and more restaurants are seriously
scouting the area.This is the 4th area Lowes.
The largest building permit issued the week of April 24-28 in the city of Huntsville went to McWhorter & Co. Inc. to build a Lowe's home improvement warehouse store at 6584 U.S. 431 South at Sutton Road. The amount of the building permit is $4.8 million.

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

[HSVTiger]

By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com
Missile testing,airfield work, child care center noted

A fiscal year 2007 defense spending bill working its way through Congress could bring about $38 million for new construction and expanded research programs for Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville.

The $517.7 billion defense spending bill provides money for an expanded Software Engineering Directorate, advanced Space & Missile Defense Command missile test programs, Redstone Airfield improvements and a child care center.

The bill would allow the Army to spend $20 million to expand the Software Engineering Directorate, which is used to design and test advanced military computer simulations and hardware.

[HSVTiger]

By GINA HANNAH
Times Business Writer ginah@htimes.com
More affordable homes may offset rate increases

The interest rate increases doled out by the Federal Reserve in recent months will take a bit out of many homeowners' budgets, a statewide housing expert said Thursday.

But Huntsville's housing market is likely to remain strong, said Dr. Leonard Zumpano, director of the Alabama Real Estate Research and Education Center at the University of Alabama.

On Wednesday, the Fed raised the federal funds rate, the rate banks charge one another for overnight loans, to 5 percent. With interest rates at their highest in five years, consumers with adjustable-rate mortgages likely will see their monthly payments increase, Zumpano said.

He cited a Countrywide Mortgage survey that says $200 billion in adjustable-rate mortgages will reset this year; nearly $1 trillion in mortgages will see increases in monthly payments next year.

With higher rates, "it gets more expensive to pay for the house and more expensive for people to move into the market," Zumpano said. "It's going to raise housing costs and adversely affect affordability."

A rise in interest rates can reduce demand for new homes, as more people get priced out of the market. That shouldn't be much of a problem in the Huntsville area, Zumpano said, where housing is more affordable than in many parts of the country. Household income here is higher than average and real estate prices relatively low, he said.

"As long as that's the case, housing will continue to thrive," he said. "With housing affordability so good, there's no real reason a slight increase in interest rates will have a noticeable effect. But it's not good news in other locations."

[HSVTiger]

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com
As Westar Aerospace & Defense Group Inc. celebrated the opening of an 84,000-square-foot building in Cummings Research Park West, company leaders also announced a second, even larger facility will be built next door.
The new two-story building at 890 Explorer Blvd. will accommodate about 400 employees in Huntsville.

A $13 million, 126,000-square-foot extension will be built adjacent to the property, said Rob Topping, president and chief executive officer of St. Louis, Mo.-based Westar Aerospace & Defense Group.
The three-story building is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
The new building is "a vision and dream we had many years ago," said Garrett Martz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Westar, a systems engineering contractor. "We're extremely pleased and happy to be here in Cummings Research Park."
"Our business is growing so quickly," said Topping, adding that the planned building will help accommodate the company's growing work force in North Alabama.

The thousands of defense-related jobs that will move to Redstone Arsenal because of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process "helped us have confidence in the decision" to expand, Topping said, and a floor was added to the planned building to accommodate expectations for "BRAC-driven growth."

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile; U.S. Reps. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, and Mike Rogers, R-Anniston; and Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer spoke at the ceremony. Westar's first employee in Huntsville, Bill Wahlheim, now the company's vice president of community relations, broke a champagne bottle on the side of the building.
1,100 employees

Westar Aerospace & Defense Group has more than 1,100 employees worldwide who provide engineering, software and logistics services to the Department of Defense and allied governments. Westar is a wholly owned subsidiary of U.K.-based QinetiQ, an international defense and security technology company.

[HSVTiger]

:previous:



Ranking: 2nd Largest Research Park in the USA
4th Largest Science Park in the World
1997 Most Outstanding Science Park in the World

Capacity: 3,843 Acres / 1,550 Hectares
225 Companies
23,000 Employees and increasing
175 Buildings currently 5 major buildings under construction
9,000,000 Square Feet

Bridge Street Towne Center
200 room Westin Huntsville Hotel


Huntsville International Airport (10-Minute Drive)
I-565 (Adjacent), I-65 (15-Minute Drive)

Current Tenants: FORTUNE 500 Companies
International Technology-Based Companies
Award-Winning Small Businesses
Local Entrepreneurial Startups
BizTech - Technology Business Incubator
Higher Education - 9,800 Enrolled Students in CRP
Technology-Oriented High Schools
Alabama Supercomputer Authority
Academic and Non-Profit Research Centers
Government and Military Research Facilities

http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/new_exp/crp/about/pics/overview.gif

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville's newest high school Columbia
in Research Park
http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/high/chs/Columbia%20High%20School%20Picture.jpg

[HSVTiger]

Many cities could be in the top 10 but here is The Green Guides list

The Green Guide, which bills itself as the "go-to source" for information about earth-friendly living, has named Huntsville one of America's Top 10 "Green Cities." The only Southern town to make the cut, the Rocket City finished ninth - ahead of outdoorsy Denver, Anchorage, Alaska, and Seattle.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1145092637271560.xml&coll=1


1. Eugene, OR

2. Austin, Texas

3. Portland

4. St. Paul, Minn.

5. Santa Rosa, Calif.

6. Oakland, Calif.

7. Berkeley, Calif.

8. Honolulu

9. Huntsville

10. Denver

Cities were awarded points for air and water quality, electricity use and production, the importance of environmental concerns to local residents, efforts to improve the environment, green building design, green space, recycling, public health, public transportation and socioeconomic factors such as the percentage of families living below the poverty line

And some more trails to add the extensive hiking options in and around the city. This trail is in the Jones Valley / Ledges golf course area:

By MARY ANNE ZOLLAR
Times Staff Writer, maryannez@htimes.com
The brand-spanking-new Fanning Trail should be renamed Goldilocks: It's not too short, not too long, not too hard and not too easy. It's just right.

"I'm excited about this trail. I think it's going to be very popular with hikers and bikers," said Andy Prewett, land manager for the Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama.

Prewett and Land Trust volunteers have just completed the "rough-cut" phase of the newest trail passing through two miles of lush woodlands just off Cecil Ashburn Drive in the shadow of The Ledges. The trail is not worn-in enough to take care of all the small plants growing in its path, but it is marked by eye-level orange ties on the trees.

It's the Fanning's accommodating nature to boast two trailheads, addressing the needs of both casual and more aggressive hikers.

"The official trailhead will consist of several picnic tables, a small bridge and a kiosk, paid for with a $3,000 grant from the Big Spring Jam Foundation," Prewett said. Completion date for these will be mid-June.

From the main trailhead, expect a 1/4-mile moderately difficult climb with steep but short switchbacks to an enchanting shelf of land exposed by a natural, eons-ago landslide. Seasoned bikers might attempt the climb but should wait until a dry spell or midsummer, when the terrain will be less slippery.

Resting benches are planned for this area as well as a spot about 1/2-mile in, where the path from the alternate, Walsingham trailhead intersects with the main trail. Most bikers and less-seasoned hikers will want to begin from this entrance with fewer rocks and a gentler grade.

From this convergence, the meandering trail flattens and winds through green glades featuring wildflower specimens and the rare American smoketree, so-called because of its "burnt" bark appearance and cloud of white flowers produced in spring. At one mile in, you'll find a small year-round creek flowing from a low cave uphill. Wet spots along the trail have been armored with stone, but Prewett wants users to know that the trail can still use fine-tuning.

Walking the trail out and back from the Southeast Church entrance takes about two hours. Always take along water, and wear sturdy shoes with lug tread on them. The trail is open from dawn to dusk to hikers and bikers, but not to horses. You can't build a fire or camp overnight.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville Rave Theater 18 opens May 5th
The theater is located at Valley Bend in Jones Valley

http://z.about.com/d/huntsville/1/0/i/k/1/HsvRave.jpg

some details

18 auditoriums ranging in size from 105 to 465 seats, for a total of 4,100.

A comfy 48 inches between rows for leg room and ease of motion. Most theaters are 36-40 inches.

The only theater in Alabama equipped with new Christie Digital projection capability in half the auditoriums. Devine said he can count on two hands the number of theaters in the U.S. with this new technology.

Huge 55-foot wide screens (many older theaters are 20 feet across).

Luxurious rocker seats with retractable cup holder armrests for convenience and/or cuddling.

Easily accessible handicapped seating designated in prime viewing areas. Larger auditoriums have elevator access.

Eight box-office windows and automatic 24-hour ticket machines.

Three concession areas.

A 60-foot ceiling in the lobby with translucent ceiling panels that feature a light show.

A party room available for birthdays, corporate and private events.

Chairs and tables so you have a place to wait for your movie.

[codyg1985]

Huntsville's newest high school Columbia
in Research Park
http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/high/chs/Columbia%20High%20School%20Picture.jpg

Pretty impressive campus. What's the capacity for that HS? Anything interesting about it other than it being named after the Space Shuttle Columbia?

[HSVTiger]

:previous:
a few details, it opened last year and is ecpected to be at capacity in a few
years.
the nickname is the Trailblazers
Additional sales tax revenue from an arrangement with the city was used to help build the two new schools – Columbia High School, which also houses New Century Technology High School, and Providence K-8 School.

Columbia High and New Century Technology together have about 600 students in an 800-student capacity building. Students from all over the county can apply to New Century Technology, where they are screened and selected, Moore says. If that enrollment continues to grow, there is enough land to expand the school in the future.

“We’re seeing additional subdivisions being built and the approval for more,” Moore says.

[HSVTiger]

New building for Huntsville Laser Center, I believe it will be located
on South Parkway north of Airport Rd.
http://www.fuquaarchitects.com/portfolio/medical/hsv_laser/images/thumbs/1.jpg

[HSVTiger]

building coming up

http://www.uah.edu/admin/camtest/latest.jpg

[HSVTiger]

Mazda
The $2 million, 15,000-square-foot facility - at 6555 University Drive - will provide a "total customer-friendly atmosphere to shop for a car," owner Jeff Sikes said.

The new building will feature a salesperson-free cafe and lots of technological gadgets like plasma screens, interactive displays and Sony PlayStation 2 consoles with steering wheel and pedals for racing the new RX-8. The facility is expected to be completed in September.

The first of the 43 current Mazda Retail Revolution facilities in the United States opened in Bountiful, Utah, in January 2003. Mazda projects 200 Retail Revolution stores within the next five years.

In the next 12 months, Mazda will also launch six new or "refreshed" products, O'Sullivan said. The five-passenger crossover sport-utility vehicle, Mazda CX-7, will arrive in May and the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 will be launched in November.

Mazda has 700 dealers in the United States, 125 in Canada and 10 in Mexico.

[HSVTiger]

Apple planning Huntsville store? That would be cool.

a sign has been erected along the side of Highway 72 in Huntsville next to the La-Z-Boy furniture store, featuring the Apple logo and the words "Coming soon"

[neilson]

Apple planning Huntsville store? That would be cool.

a sign has been erected along the side of Highway 72 in Huntsville next to the La-Z-Boy furniture store, featuring the Apple logo and the words "Coming soon"
Could be, but I think it's more likely that it might just be Mac Resource relocating down the road.

I'm hoping for a true Apple Store though.

[HSVTiger]

not if but when and how to pay for it. Hey I bet Dr. Bronner would love to
help:tup:

By CHRIS WELCH
Times Entertainment Writer, chrisw@htimes.com
If the expected 10,000 or so jobs come here for the BRAC realignment, city leaders realize they'll have to build.

And that applies to expected demand for entertainment, everything from concerts to conventions to sporting events to meetings.

Local promoters and Von Braun Center officials doubt there will be a big bump in the kind of entertainment events Huntsville gets, just because of the nature of the business. But they have no doubt - and are excited - about the reports they get from people associated with BRAC.

The word is, the military leaders coming with BRAC like lots of meetings, get-togethers and parties.

That means the VBC will have to build more meeting space before they get here. The deadline for all the BRAC moves to be complete is 2011.

Huge demand

"People have told us the demand for meeting rooms will be huge," said Brandi Quick, assistant director of the VBC. "We're looking at some options on expansion and things to meet the increased demand of BRAC. We think we'll have to double our major meeting room space because of BRAC."

"The demands for space, because of the relocation of BRAC and the jobs it will create, should increase," VBC chief operating officer Steve Maples said. "A lot of that is tied to the Army officials' demands. When you have three- and four-star generals, you need a lot of meeting space. We're exploring and looking at what their needs are."

The VBC has 10 meeting rooms for groups of 200 or more, Quick said. About a dozen fit groups of between 25 and 100 people. Quick said the VBC is looking at adding 10 of the larger meeting rooms to the South Hall.

Quick said the VBC would also like to meet the technology needs of the people meeting here. That includes:

Video teleconference capability.

Secure communications.

High-speed wireless Internet connections.

A new arena?

One thing that's not going to happen anytime soon, and something everybody realizes Huntsville needs, is a new arena. The Von Braun Center Arena, built in 1975, is vastly out of date for its seating capacity and other amenities, especially compared to the sleek arenas in Birmingham and Nashville. But the city apparently doesn't have the money for a $100 million to $200 million arena or even an expansion.

VBC director Ron Evans proposed a $25 million to $40 million renovation three years ago, and Mayor Loretta Spencer said then she knew the need was there, but didn't think the city had the inclination or means to pay for it.

"We will certainly listen to anything they bring to us if they have a way to pay for it," she said then.

Renovation plan

Quick said VBC officials are working on the same renovation plan, which would include new restrooms, concessions and concourses, and ways to pay for it.

"What we want to try and do is create an experience, not just do a show, especially for the people coming from Washington and Virginia who are used to that," Quick said.

But until somebody figures out where to get the money to pay for the renovations, Quick and her staff are using all sorts of creative ideas to make the best of what they have.

For instance, for sold-out concerts involving Nickelback and 9,700 fans, and Brad Paisley and 6,500 fans, Quick and her staff divided a few men's restrooms to give women more access. They also brought in some portable restrooms for three outside landing areas and moved the merchandise from the arena area to the lobby and turnstiles outside the doors to curb some of the bottlenecks.

"If we can't improve the overall feel of the building, we want to make it convenient to get to restrooms, concessions and their seats," Quick said.

And anybody who has been downtown recently also knows the parking situation will have to be improved, especially with more people coming into the city.

"I'd imagine that between the city and the VBC, some of the flat lots will eventually be built into garages," Quick said. "Already, we're using the downtown shuttles to help people get to and from parking. We're also looking at the traffic flow to more easily direct people to downtown."

[HSVTiger]

related issue:previous:
Lee Builders, Inc. (LBI) has been awarded the contract to remodel the Von Braun Center to accommodate a bridge between the new Embassy Suites Hotel and the VBC South Hall. This entrance and the South Hall Ballrooms will be enhanced to match the hotel’s upscale look and feel.
In process now.

[codyg1985]

Mazda
The $2 million, 15,000-square-foot facility - at 6555 University Drive - will provide a "total customer-friendly atmosphere to shop for a car," owner Jeff Sikes said.

The new building will feature a salesperson-free cafe and lots of technological gadgets like plasma screens, interactive displays and Sony PlayStation 2 consoles with steering wheel and pedals for racing the new RX-8. The facility is expected to be completed in September.

The first of the 43 current Mazda Retail Revolution facilities in the United States opened in Bountiful, Utah, in January 2003. Mazda projects 200 Retail Revolution stores within the next five years.

In the next 12 months, Mazda will also launch six new or "refreshed" products, O'Sullivan said. The five-passenger crossover sport-utility vehicle, Mazda CX-7, will arrive in May and the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 will be launched in November.

Mazda has 700 dealers in the United States, 125 in Canada and 10 in Mexico.

There has been one of those type of Mazda dealerships down in Jasper, AL at John Crump Mazda (http://www.johncrumpmotors.com/en_US/frm_index.chtml?pageName=MiscPage_2&noc=1&overrideUrl=f_MiscPage_2.chtml), but I unfortunately can't find a picture for it. It's a really hip-looking building.

[HSVTiger]

NorthEast Huntsville/ over the mountain readies for growth.
The usual suspects are mentioned, Super Target , Walmart,
as eyeing sites.

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
Huntsville has extended its city limits along a narrow sliver of the Flint River to a prime commercial development in the Riverton area of northern Madison County.

The annexation, approved a couple of weeks ago by the City Council, will mean more sales and property tax revenue for Huntsville and sets the stage for future annexations in the fast-growing area along the Winchester Road corridor.

The council annexed 106 acres along the Flint River from the Mount Carmel area to the Publix shopping complex under construction at Homer Nance and Winchester roads. The L-shaped shopping center, named Winchester Plaza, will have at least 10 stores with the 45,600-square-foot supermarket. Publix is scheduled to open this summer.

City planner Marie Bostick said the store developers requested the annexation for city services, mainly sewer. The annexation was approved with no discussion.

City Planning Director Dallas Fanning said most of the adjacent land along both sides of the river are platted residential and will probably remain in the county. He agreed that property owners closer to the growing development along Winchester may pursue annexation for access to city sewer. Petitioning landowners seeking the annexation include Enfinger Steele Development Corp., IRT Capital Corp., the Mount Carmel Homeowners Association and about a half-dozen individual property owners.

[HSVTiger]

Jones Farm Park will be locate on 22 acres of land adjacent to the Valley Bend commercial area located between Carl T. Jones Blvd. and Four Mile Post Road. The project will connect to the recently completed Atwood Linear Park located south of Four Mile Post Road. When completed, Jones Farm Park will provide approximately .9 additional miles of trails and passive recreational features to the city’s existing greenway system.

In addition to the greenway trails, the proposed park plan includes 2 manmade lakes, each of which will host an open air pavilion and viewing platform for visitors to sit, rest and enjoy the park’s views and wildlife. Additional features include three pedestrian bridges, a water cascade between the upper and lower lakes, landscaping, signage, and drainage improvements on Aldridge Creek.

The project will consist of phases to be developed over the next several years. The completed Jones Farm Park will be a model of cooperation between private interests and governmental agencies to transform flood-prone land into a recreational space that can be enjoyed by all citizens. It will also preserve green space in a rapidly developing area of the city.

“I am extremely grateful to the Jones family for their generous donation to the city and I look forward to seeing this beautiful park take shape. I know that it will be used by residents of all ages and from every area of our city,” said Mayor Loretta Spencer. Construction of Jones Farm Park is expected to begin in Summer 2006.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsvilles adjacent suburb is doing it's own job of improving quality of life

Madison Mayor Emphasizes Sustainability, Long-Term Planning in State of the City Speech

One of the ever-larger number of municipal leaders promoting smart growth, Madison Mayor Sandy Kirkindall said in his State of the City speech he wants Madison to be more than just ''Anytown, USA,'' stressing the need to achieve sustainability and to ensure that development doesn't overwhelm roads and schools.

The mayor pointed out, reports Madison Record writer Leada Gore, that the city is working to increase walkability and pedestrian safety, and to prevent a further loss of green space. With 1,468 single-family home permits issued since 2004 and more projects on the drawing boards, long-term planning has become increasingly important, Mayor Kirkindall said, noting that the city has waived impact fees on retail development, but increased them for housing to make residential growth pay for itself.

Committed to improving the city's quality of life, the mayor noted that design work for the Bradford Creek Greenway Phase One is almost complete, with grants for its second phase already reaching $906,000. -- Madison Record 4/27/2006

[HSVTiger]

means more opportunities, maybe new buildings:sly: Plus the arena in Tupelo
is named the BancorpSouth Arena. They are active in the communities they serve,
The spacious 32,000 square foot arena seats nearly 10,000 for concerts and 8,000 for sporting events. The arena floor can accommodate wood, ice or dirt for events ranging from basketball to skating to rodeos.

This arena is a big competitor to the Von Braun Center, even though the Tupelo area is quite a bit smaller than HSV. Maybe a future investor in the VBC expansion.

Lee County Stats (2000)
Population

Lee County 75,755 Madison County 295,000 est
Tupelo 34,211 Huntsville 170,000 est


BancorpSouth Expands in Alabama and Texas
Friday May 12, 12:43 pm ET

Opens Loan Production Offices in Huntsville, Alabama and Tyler, Texas


TUPELO, Miss., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BancorpSouth, Inc. (NYSE: BXS) today announced its continued expansion in attractive growth markets in Alabama and Texas, though the opening of loan production offices in Huntsville, Alabama, and Tyler, Texas. The offices will focus on commercial lending, real estate construction and residential mortgage lending. Consistent with BancorpSouth's development strategy, the Company expects to seek regulatory approval to provide full-service banking operations at the appropriate time, including a comprehensive array of integrated retail and commercial financial products and services.

[HSVTiger]

By BRIAN LAWSON
Times Business Writer brianl@htimes.com
Work starts today on new building beside local HQ

SAIC plans to expand its presence in Cummings Research Park and combine a number of its Huntsville offices into a central-campus-style location, eventually bringing together some 2,000 local workers.

The employee-owned research and engineering company, which employs 43,000 around the world, will break ground for the new building at 9 a.m. today, hosting an event that will include the company's board of directors.

SAIC employs about 2,000 workers here and is looking forward to growth continuing in its systems, communications defense and space business, said Bill Gurley, a senior vice president and general manager of SAIC's Huntsville's business unit.

"This is a very people-oriented business, and we want to consolidate our people in one location," Gurley said.

The expansion's first phase will include construction on the 18-acre campus of a four-story, 100,000-square-foot building next to the company's main Huntsville office. That building is used by some 400 employees, and the company has nine other Huntsville offices. The facility is also close to the Bridge Street development, which will feature a large hotel a short walk from the SAIC campus.

Construction is expected to begin in May and the work completed in June 2007. SAIC hopes to move people from five of its Huntsville offices to the campus.

The company also plans to add a third building on the campus.

Picture added, not much architectural excitement, but hey, take what you can get.The cars look to be 1960's vintage, notice the buildings don't cast much shadow, stealth technology. From the funky tree shadows it looks to be early in the day.
Bridge Street Westin would be beyond the tree line in the back
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/ed_highlights/pics/022306_saic_rendering.jpg

[HSVTiger]

region wide

Bud Cramer said that in addition to the 4,700 government jobs, there will be contractor and support jobs that "will mean an impact well beyond that." He said the region's low unemployment rate will also be a plus for families considering a move here.

"If we landed an industry here that would have two or three thousand jobs, we would say that's the biggest economic development announcement we've had," Cramer said. "We're talking about thousands more than that with no (state) incentives put on the table."

Joe Ritch, a Huntsville attorney who is co-chairman of the Tennessee Valley BRAC Committee, gave the group an update on preparations for the influx of new workers. Huntsville's Howard Thrailkill, Alabama's first representative on the Tennessee Valley Authority's board of directors, talked to the group about some of the issues the new board wants to address.

Cramer said Thrailkill's presence on the TVA board will be "a big advantage for us."

"I am confident that Howard will be able to take our needs back to TVA and help the agency become even more involved in the economic recruitment process," Cramer said.

Brian Hilson, the president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said Monday's meeting was a chance for us "as a region, as a team, (to) talk about our priorities and issues and discuss them together."

Like Cramer, Hilson said the entire region stands to benefit from BRAC.

"We have 11 communities in the Tennessee Valley BRAC region that stretches from the Shoals, to Jackson County, south to Cullman County and even into Lincoln County, Tenn.," Hilson said. "We expect that to be the area that will have the most obvious economic impact from the BRAC-related job growth.

"People will be working at Redstone Arsenal, but living all across the region."

[HSVTiger]

Dynetics new building nearly finished now, this photo is from probably a year ago,
but this is an impressive facility in Research Park
http://www.sellersphoto.com/images/pagemaster/dynetics_1.jpg

http://www.dynetics.com/news/img/NewHQ_small.jpg


The new 4-story building will house corporate executives and staff, as well as special conference and training facilities, classified and special program analysis and computing areas, an expanded library, and a fitness center.
Nearly half of new-hires at Dynetics are recent college graduates from outside the Huntsville area.”

[HSVTiger]

Some big plans for nearby Decatur,
story from Decatur Daily

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060517/arts.jpg

By Bayne Hughes
DAILY Education Writer
hughes@decaturdaily.com · 340-2432

Chancellor Roy Johnson told Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck on Tuesday to hire an architect and a director for a downtown Decatur arts center that could cost $30 million to $40 million.

Johnson, Calhoun officials and community leaders met Tuesday at Calhoun's newly renovated Noble Russell Building to continue discussion of a partnership they hope could start a revitalization of downtown Decatur.

Calhoun is looking at building a multi-stage complex between First and Second avenues and the Morgan County parking lot along Lee Street Northeast.

The city of Decatur owns most of the property in the block, which Mayor Don Kyle said would be a part of the city's contribution to the project. Kyle said the extent of the city's financial involvement in the partnership would be determined later.

Johnson wants to demolish the old Decatur Utilities building and the former Elks Lodge while renovating the old Robinson Furniture building on Second Avenue across from AmSouth Bank.

DECATUR DAILY General Manager Clint Shelton suggested building a parking deck where the old jail annex is. The county plans to open a new jail in June and won't need the annex.

The group at Tuesday's meeting revisited a master plan that was part of a Downtown Revitalization project, particularly drawings from Keith Weaver of EDSA planning as possible ideas for the Calhoun project.

Weaver and Rick Paler, a Downtown Revitalization Authority board member, showed Johnson a drawing that featured the theater facing the courthouse with several parking areas and use of Lee Street as a main entrance to the center.

Paler, who is also a local developer, said the authority anticipates this project to start a revitalization of the entire downtown, attracting restaurants and retail stores that want to serve the students, and restaurants and bars that might improve the city's night life.

The plan is to move Calhoun's Fine Arts Department, including music, drama, art and dance, to the downtown campus. Beck gave the chancellor a list of department requirements.

The performing arts would need a 750- to 800-seat theater, a 200-seat "Black Box" theater, drama and music classrooms, dance studio, recording studio, rehearsal rooms, box office and offices.

The visual arts would need art classrooms, a professional gallery, arts and crafts sales shop, computer design and art lab, and offices.

Other requirements include a lobby large enough for show audiences and college or community receptions, conference rooms, a food service preparation area for catered events and an outside patio.

Johnson said Calhoun would need more than one building to fulfill its needs, particularly because the visual arts and performing arts would not want to be in the same location.

[Exodus]

Well don't this fucking suck, this means I would have to travel farther to get to classes:hell: Good luck on balancing time between classes between Huntsville and D.T. Decatur:hell: If Calhoun can just get their shit straight and come up with the right classes for the Huntsville campus, this wouldn't be a problem, but that will never happen.:rolleyes:

[HSVTiger]

In Florence the city will resist giving Bass Pro 20 million in incentives.
Maybe this megastore has oversaturated the market and may not be
that great in some areas. Alabama could have at least 4, but probably won't.

This from a few months ago

Bass Pro competitor rips incentives
By Todd Twilley
Staff Writer
FLORENCE -- The city council was told Tuesday that Bass Pro Shops is not the tourist attraction the retailer claims.

They also urged the council not to provide Bass Pro Shops with retail incentives to locate in Veterans Park.

A $20 million taxpayer-funded incentive plan has been discussed to lure Bass Pro Shops to Veterans Park.

Developer Michael Ayres, chief operating officer of Oppidan Investment Co., represents Gander Mountain, which competes with Bass Pro and Cabela's in the outdoor sporting goods business.

Ayres said he wanted the council to understand the industry. In the past 10 years, he said, the retail sporting goods industry increased square footage from 1 million to 14 million across the nation.

He also said there would be 77 Bass Pros and Cabela's by the end of the year. "If there were 77 Grand Canyons by the end of '06, what would make it unique," he asked.

Ayres said they were scouting up to six locations to locate stores in Alabama, but they were not scouting Florence.

"We will gladly compete with Bass Pro on a level playing field, but we can't compete if they have a $20 million head start," Ayres told the council. Ayres said Gander Mountain does not take retail incentives.

Some council members did not take kindly to Gander Mountain's presentation.

"Nobody has any business inviting others to stab our mayor in the back," said Councilman Sam Pendleton. "I'm not discussing anything with anybody other than Bass Pro."

Pendleton said the Bass Pro project was something Mayor Bobby Irons was working on.

While representatives were in front of the council, a debate erupted among council members about who should be allowed to speak before the council during a work session.

Councilman Scott Carrier invited representatives of Gander Mountain to address the council.

Carrier said he was appalled at the way the council treated Gander Mountain representatives.

"All we were doing was listening to other ideas," he said.

Pendleton said the mayor and council president should have had more than 24 hours' notice that representatives from Gander Mountain would attend.

After the meeting, Irons said he knew the representatives would be at the work session. He declined to comment on their presentation.

An attraction in Veterans Park is part of the Retirement Systems of Alabama agreement with the Shoals that resulted in development of two golf courses and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.

David Bronner, head of RSA, has said he favors a Bass Pro plan.

According to the agreement between the Shoals and RSA, $2 million is supposed to be spent in Veterans Park. That money comes from a bond issue by the Public Park Authority of the Shoals that is being repaid with a 2-cent gasoline tax in Lauderdale and Colbert counties.

The agreement also states that an arm of RSA, Alabama Real Estate Holdings, Florence and the Park Authority would agree on a plan for Veterans Park "within the maximum cost of $2 million."

A study by University of North Alabama economics professors showed the city could lose more than $14 million on an incentive plan.

That study was shelved because it did not include ancillary retail that would be attracted with a Bass Pro.

Todd Twilley can be reached at 740-5728 or todd.twilley@timesdaily.com.

[HSVTiger]

Well don't this fucking suck, this means I would have to travel farther to get to classes:hell: Good luck on balancing time between classes between Huntsville and D.T. Decatur:hell: If Calhoun can just get their shit straight and come up with the right classes for the Huntsville campus, this wouldn't be a problem, but that will never happen.:rolleyes:

Easy Player, by the time this is done, you may be finished. But I do understand your frustration. Calhoun should install a high speed monorail,
that would really increase enrollment:tup:

[HSVTiger]

Possibly looking to locate in Huntsville and other locations these guys are
a little different:

The products in this business are so cool," Gander Mountain ceo Mark Baker told DSN Retailing Today at the company's newest store located at 2100 Randall Road in the Chicago suburb of Geneva.

The merchandising scheme for the store was developed after Baker, president Chris Chapman and evp of merchandising Al Dietrich spent several months visiting a wide range of stores and borrowing ideas from all of them.

"One of my concerns when I joined the company last fall was that we needed to make the stores bigger because there wasn't enough room to focus on our core businesses while growing new areas," Baker said.

At 105,000 square feet, the new store is roughly 2.5 times larger than the typical Gander Mountain, but Baker isn't worried about execution in the larger store because others have achieved success.
"We are not necessarily innovating here," Baker said, noting that stores operated by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are larger than 100,000 square feet. "We've taken a lot of pages out of their book."

The result is a new outdoor retailing concept that rivals, and in some case exceeds, the merchandise mix of Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's without incurring the expenses associated with the elaborate features found in their stores. Cabela's stores are known for their signature indoor mountains and stuffed big game animals, while Bass Pro Shops have large indoor fish tanks and lots of log poles.

By comparison, Gander Mountain's new store is very simple and borders on being a hunting, fishing and camping warehouse. Fixtures are adequate, but not elaborate and even the exterior of the former Kmart store, which Gander Mountain's new store occupies, is pretty basic. The exterior is clad with horizontal wooden planks and a wood beam gable above the entrance lends a rustic feel to the store. The sign on the exterior was also simplified to read "Gander Mtn." In large white block letters as opposed to the full, "Gander Mountain," which is written in green cursive lettering on older stores.

"With those green letters on the building at night, you couldn't tell whether it was a Chinese restaurant or a retail store," Baker said.

Inside the store, the old flooring material was removed to reveal the concrete floor, and overhead fluorescent lights hang from an open rafter ceiling. The layout of the store is a fairly standard racetrack design with apparel and footwear positioned on the inside perimeter of the racetrack and hardline departments arrayed around the outside.

While the store layout and fixtures are fairly basic, it is the breadth and depth of merchandise that will excite those interested in outdoor activities. Thanks to the larger store size, core departments could be expanded while some intriguing new departments were added.

Foremost among them is a new full-service all-terrain vehicle department offering approximately 70 Artic Cat brand ATVs and an extensive assortment of accessories. If demand for service grows, there is capacity in the garage area for four full-time mechanics.

"We have created a full-service ATV center inside a 100,000-square-foot store, and that has never been done by anyone," said Steve Bab-jack, the department's service manager. "It is going to change the history of these outdoor motor sports."
The approximately 1,800 guns--of which 400 are handguns--needed to stock the store required a transfer authorization from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which was the largest in the agency's history, according to Baker.

Virtually every imaginable firearm suitable for hunting is available and displayed in a manner that allows customers to shoulder and sight rifles and shotguns. The assortment ranges from used .22-caliber rifles that cost less than $100 up to a stunning $6,000 German-made Merkel brand double-barrel .410-gauge shotgun.

Fisherman will also find a massive assortment of rods, reels, artificial lures and electronics items. A bait shop installed at the front of the store opens early--at 5 a.m.--and offers at least six different types of live bait.

The hardline areas of the store were clearly the most heavily shopped on opening day, but the softline areas also presented outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of footwear and apparel choices. Special signage identifies branded areas such as Columbia, North Face, Wool-rich, Gore-Tex and Carhartt, and Gander Mountain also offers a large assortment of its proprietary GS apparel brand.

more info

http://www.gandermountain.com/

[HSVTiger]

related to the above post this from WHNT 19 website, actually it has been well over a year that they have talked about it

NewsChannel 19's Tom Woodard reports:

The city of Florence has been talking about a Bass Pro Shop for months. City officials are now asking a developer to see what it takes to build the multi-million dollar outdoor store. Mayor Bobby Irons says, "That's what we've never had in our hands, a firm proposal that says this is what it takes to bring the project here."

A project which Councilman Scott Carrier voted to delay because he believes other projects should be considered. Carrier says, "I just don't think Bass Pro should be singled out as the only game in town, there's got to be other options."

Options which include a waterpark or an all-purpose arena and would wipe out most of Veteran's Park, including the diamonds where Kevin and Wesley May play ball. Wesley May says, "I don't like that they're getting rid of all the baseball fields, I wish they'd keep 2 or three or even just one, I'd like one to come here and pitch, hit and my dad hit me some balls too."

Councilman Carrier probably won't be able to save the ballfields because the city has committed to building a new attraction at Veteran's Park whether it's Bass Pro Shop or something else. So, he's not giving up the fight...yet. He says, "I think we should try to do something there that the citizens can believe in and like, and buy into and feel good about."

But even a 12-year-old ballplayer knows...majority rules. May says, "If it's the people choice, as long as they're having fun, I guess I will."

Some say a Bass Pro Shop will cost the city of Florence 20 million dollars in incentives. Mayor Irons says the city doesn't have 20 million to give to anybody and any project which comes to Florence will have to pay it's own way, using the business it's generates.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville lost a great piece of history when the Dallas Mill burned in
1991. all that is left is a water tower

http://www.rison-dallas.com/images/mill_genesco1.jpg

http://www.rison-dallas.com/images/dallas_mill_backside.jpg

But the surrounding village is part of the the new downtown development
update mostly along Meridian Street to Oakwood. Could the watertank
be the symbol of new development in this ripe area? Many think so as it is a historic district with many surviving homes being restored, and developers beginning to eye this hidden gold mine. Adjacent to Five Points Historic District which is already undergoing transformation along Andrew Jackson
the Dallas Mill Village may be in for some exciting changes.
This will be the place to be I think in the coming 5 years. Can't happen soon enough.

[HSVTiger]

in the new downtown canal between the Embassy Suite and Von Braun Center.
Testing of the fountain will be soon.
The canal will provide an additional 5 ½ acres of
land to the park and is also part of the city’s flood mitigation program.

The canal features two circular basins, two additional pre-cast bridges similar to the
Monroe Street bridge and a stepping stone bridge. Additional enhancements will include brick
pavers, decorative light fixtures and handrails as well as park benches. The canal begins under
Monroe Street and will empty into Pinhook Creek via cascading weirs.

The next phase between the Von Braun and the Market Square development
should begin soon, Another hotel is planned to overlook this section as well as condos, amphitheater, and retail, no timeline has been released but a lot
hinges on ALDOT's construction of Monroe St from Memorial Parkway.
Currently that may be this summer:shrug:

[HSVTiger]

This hospital is located in a dense residential /commercial area:
adding two floors and 30 beds, will have 150 when complete,
Huntsville Hospital has over 900 beds
http://www.crestwoodmedcenter.com/About/default/Crestwood.jpg
The M-2 zoning limits building height to five stories, imposes tighter landscaping requirements and includes a 100-foot buffer between any building and the residential property line, according to Lisa Leddo with the city planning staff.

Resident leaders from a subdivision just north of the hospital have complimented Crestwood for its willingness to work out traffic and building concerns. Leddo said the hospital agreed to property plat restrictions that impose a two-story building height on the northern part of the new M-2 property that abuts the neighborhood. Any buildings on the northern boundary are limited to either a parking deck or office building

In addition to adding two floors to the hospital for the extra beds, Crestwood is considering building a medical office complex off Whitesburg Drive next year. The building possibly would be built on the site of the old Mayfair Church of Christ and old Girls Scouts administrative office, both of which Crestwood now owns. Those sites total 7.5 acres.

[HSVTiger]

By Eric Fleischauer
DAILY Business Writer
eric@decaturdaily.com · 340-2435

Fares from Huntsville International Airport have increased steadily since Independence Air went out of business, said Huntsville Airport Authority Executive Director Rick Tucker.

He predicted fares will continue upward until the airport attracts a major discount carrier.

He said Limestone and Morgan counties, combined, are home to about 2,600 people who work at the airport or in companies that are near enough to the airport that airport officials believe they are dependent upon airport employees. The airport itself, including its tenants, employs 7,740.

Tucker said he has been unsuccessful in attracting another discount carrier because the main one, Southwest Airlines, already gets area business. Southwest has a 27 percent market share in the Tennessee Valley, even though its nearest airports are in Birmingham and Nashville.

A recent downward trend in passengers is a “bump in the road” attributable to increased fares since Independence Air left, Tucker said. The Base Realignment and Closure process, which will add several thousand jobs to the Huntsville area, will increase the amount of passenger traffic.

As an example of the cutthroat price competition that kept fares down while Independence Air flew out of Huntsville, Tucker recalled when AirTran tried to enter the Mobile market. The main carrier there, Delta Airlines, immediately matched AirTran’s fares. That move, combined by frequent-flyer programs, forced AirTran out of the market.

“Within 24 hours after AirTran announced it was leaving Mobile, (Delta) fares more than doubled,” Tucker said.

Southwest, which knows most people will drive up to 120 miles for its flights, can enjoy North Alabama market share without landing a single jet.

Tucker said Huntsville airport has 54 construction projects ongoing. Some of the major projects include an expanded corridor between the concourse and parking deck; food and beverage facilities; an air traffic control tower twice the height of the existing one; an additional parking deck and large, computerized flight display systems.

Interstate to Atlanta

One of the major hurdles inhibiting airport growth, Tucker said, is the lack of an east-west interstate to Atlanta. That problem is a barrier to air cargo and passenger traffic.

“Does anyone know a good way to get to Atlanta?” Tucker asked. “There isn’t one.”

From an acreage standpoint, Tucker said, the airport has unlimited growth potential. The property could handle an airport larger than the one in Atlanta.

The intermodal facility at the airport is growing quickly, Tucker said, fueled by ship-to-rail cargo from both coasts. Ninety percent of its cargo has a non-U.S. origin or destination.

Tucker said “legacy carriers” like Delta have no choice but to lower fares. To do that, they need to reduce costs, a move that many have accomplished through bankruptcy.

“Airline fares are close to being a commodity,” Tucker said. “It’s all about price. The legacy carriers are beginning to realize this.”

[HSVTiger]

Southern EmergenceBy Laura Huckabee-Jennings
Why Huntsville, Alabama, will be the next biotech hotbed.


April 14, 2006 | When thinking about biotech centers, Alabama is probably not at the top of most people’s lists, but it may be moving onto radar screens across the country, thanks to some visionary local entrepreneurs, a very supportive government, and communities rich with intellectual capital looking for new outlets.

Huntsville, Alabama, has long been known as a fast-growing community of entrepreneurial defense and space contractors. At the heart of the space program in the 1960s, Huntsville attracted brilliant scientists and engineers to the area to work with Werner von Braun, and many of them stayed to start their own companies in related fields. The small town of 15,000 boomed to nearly 300,000 over the succeeding decades, boasting the highest concentration of engineers in the country, and continues to grow rapidly.

But why is biotechnology thriving here? As entrepreneurial environments go, this is one of the best — in May 2005, Forbes magazine rated Huntsville the sixth “Best Place for Business and Careers,” noting it as one of 10 areas that “stand out when it comes to keeping costs down and attracting smart people.” For growing companies, all the successful entrepreneurs of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s have created a wonderfully open angel capital network eager to share expertise as well as provide funding to local companies, creating a friendly and nurturing environment for starting or growing a business. While support is plentiful, the expertise in the biotech industry is working to catch up, and as local capitalists become more experienced in biotech, the Huntsville area will experience greater, rapid and more long-term growth and funding.

Following in the great tradition of Huntsville entrepreneurs, biotech scientists and engineers formerly employed by Research Genetics (now part of Invitrogen) and other successful local bio and pharma companies, have started biotech companies of their own. Throughout the last 15 years, these companies have overcome the stigma of being located outside the traditional biotech centers, and today more than a dozen biotechnology companies now call Huntsville home, including companies developing and manufacturing products such as genomic research tools, novel drug delivery systems, drugs, and diagnostics.

Institutional Initiative
Pulling together this entrepreneurial spirit and innovative research is the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology (HAIB), which broke ground on its 230,000-square-foot facility earlier this year. With more than $130 million in capital already, the HAIB is recruiting world-class scientists to its facility to work on projects driving genomic innovation towards personalized medicine and bringing those innovations to market more quickly through close collaboration with biotech and pharmaceutical companies. In support of the HAIB, the State of Alabama contributed $50 million toward the construction of its main building.


These and other biotech and pharmaceutical companies, along with the HAIB and local universities, have formed a cooperative organization called the Partnership for Biotechnology Research, which encourages sharing of research results and helps nurture young scientists in biotechnology and pharmaceutical-related fields. The organization brings in scientific leaders from around the world to share their enthusiasm and developments in the field and encourage local scientific work.

With these meaningful advantages and so much enthusiastic support from the community and government, Huntsville’s biotech community is gaining momentum and praise from locals and new biotech transplants alike. Just ask the CEO of Operon, who recently moved the company’s entire facility to Huntsville from Maryland, and anyone who made the transition to this vibrant and diverse community with high growth potential.

The biggest challenge for biotechnology in Huntsville is finding enough qualified people to fill the growing number of jobs being created. Universities provide some candidates, but others are continually being recruited from elsewhere to fill the gaps and continuing to develop the cosmopolitan feel of this midsized city. Expect to hear more about Huntsville and Alabama in biotech circles. Momentum is building, and biotech companies from Alabama may be recruiting you next!

Bring it on:tup:

[Exodus]

Huntsville lost a great piece of history when the Dallas Mill burned in
1991. all that is left is a water tower

http://www.rison-dallas.com/images/mill_genesco1.jpg

http://www.rison-dallas.com/images/dallas_mill_backside.jpg

But the surrounding village is part of the the new downtown development
update mostly along Meridian Street to Oakwood. Could the watertank
be the symbol of new development in this ripe area? Many think so as it is a historic district with many surviving homes being restored, and developers beginning to eye this hidden gold mine. Adjacent to Five Points Historic District which is already undergoing transformation along Andrew Jackson
the Dallas Mill Village may be in for some exciting changes.
This will be the place to be I think in the coming 5 years. Can't happen soon enough.It's about time the older sections of Huntsville are getting some attention. Another shame is when The Merimac(spelling?)Mill was demolished. My grandparents worked there back in the early 50's before my grandfather landed a job at Fords in Detroit.