Huntsville updates [Archive] - Page 7

HSVTiger

07-12-2006, 04:11 PM

Southwest is a long shot, but Frontier would be my first choice,
with AirTran a close second, in any case Huntsville will see more
flights and carrier(s).

Airport pursuing new carriers
Huntsville International Airport officials keep pursuing new air service and programs, recently meeting with route planners from 10 carriers in an industry version of speed dating for airlines and airports.

“I feel like we’ve got some positive things in the works,” said Barbie Peek, the airport’s marketing director. “We’ve got a lot of opportunities to (build) traffic in this community.”

Peek and Rick Tucker, the airport’s executive director, traveled to the daylong JumpStart 2006 in Austin, Texas, last month to meet with representatives of four of the airport’s five carriers – American, Delta, Continental and Northwest – and route planners with Frontier, Southwest, Allegiant Air, AirTran, Transtates and United. Tucker and Peek had met with officials of another Huntsville carrier, US Airways, just two weeks before at the airline’s corporate headquarters.

“Air service doesn’t happen overnight,” she said. “We’re planting the seeds right now for BRAC in ’09 and ’10.” Once the BRAC moves are complete, “the Washington market (for air travel) will increase 30 percent,” she said, and that’s a conservative estimate.

Marian Accardi

on a side note,

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com

A new sales incentive program for the Jetplex Industrial Park allows the purchase price of five parcels there to be deferred until construction is completed and all or any of the building is occupied or leased.

The program was developed to help market the park property more effectively, said Rick Tucker, the executive director of the Port of Huntsville, which includes Huntsville International Airport, the industrial park and the International Intermodal Center. It could help "land a few more prospects we've been working on."

The Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority owns and operates the 4,000-acre industrial park.

The sales incentive program is limited to five parcels in the park.

"We're trying to generate interest among potential developers within a 50-mile radius of the airport," who want to build speculative space, said Brooks Kracke, director of the industrial park.

Companies already located in the industrial park include SAIA Motor Freight Line Inc., Turner Universal Construction, Industrial Properties of the South, The Boeing Co., International Diesel of Alabama, Siemens VDO, Futaba Corp. of America, J.I.T. Services and LG Electronics.

HSVTiger

07-12-2006, 08:57 PM

Great airfare deals for a short time on Delta from Huntsville to Washington(National) and Orlando, $79 one way.

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/deals_offers/web_fares/index.jsp
Great last-minute discounts for U.S. travel

How it Works (The Rules)
Origins and Destinations From select U.S. cities to select U.S. cities
Fares $59–$99 one-way, based on a round-trip purchase*
Purchase By July 15, 2006
Travel Period Begin travel on Saturday, July 15, 2006. Return on Monday, July 17, or Tuesday, July 18, 2006.
Advance Purchase & Minimum/Maximum Stay None; minimum stay - first Monday after departure; maximum stay - first Tuesday after departure
Blackout Dates None
Other Rules Tickets must be purchased at delta.com, otherwise higher fares apply. Fares offered at delta.com do not apply for reissue/downgrade of previously purchased tickets.

HSVTiger

07-13-2006, 12:29 PM

By RYAN HICKMAN
Times Staff Writer ryan.hickman@htimes.com
$10M to $12M expansion includes gallery, auditorium

The Huntsville Museum of Art is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion and this week received a $500,000 boost from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

Clayton Bass, museum president and chief executive officer, said the money approved Tuesday by a Senate appropriation subcommittee chaired by Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, would be used to begin financing a future facelift.

The proposed $10 million to $12 million expansion plan includes a 300-seat auditorium, a family interactive gallery, 9,000 square feet of gallery space, underground parking and an entrance from Big Spring International Park on the museum's west side.

The design concepts are still preliminary, but Bass and museum board treasurer Lee R. Hoekenschnieder said the expansion would not infringe on the park.

"What we don't want to do is to intrude on anything that is not already part of the footprint of the museum," Hoekenschnieder said. "That's a given. Whatever we do will have to be in the confines of the footprint of the existing museum that was allocated to us."

The expansion proposal is a "master plan that would actually enhance the park and not take any more park," Bass said. "Instead, we could build over our existing footprint."
http://www.tfaoi.com/am/7am/7am77.jpg

HSVTiger

07-13-2006, 02:52 PM

construction has begun on the building to house the original Saturn V (1 of 3)
that is currently being restored at the Alabama Space & Rocket Center It will be a very large building adjacent I-565
very similar to one at Kennedy Space Center.

http://conceptnext.net/albums/vivek/DSC00176.sized.jpg

http://www.spacecamp.com/saturnv/saturnv_center.pdf

official grounbreaking this weekend, already a lot of dirt has been moved.

The ground-breaking for the recently refurbished rocket's new home will be at 5 p.m. with the Saturn/Apollo reunion following from 6 to 9 p.m. Two Apollo astronauts will be guests at both events, Capps said: Apollo 12 astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr. and Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham.

Another featured guest will be Dr. George Mueller, head of NASA's Manned Space Flight Program from 1963 to 1969.

The ground-breaking ceremony is free and will be on the site of the new visitors center and transportation terminal, just below the towering Saturn V replica. The $17 million facility will include glass-fronted space facing Interstate 565 for the real, restored Saturn V rocket, now on its side at the rear of the Rocket Park.

HSVTiger

07-13-2006, 03:40 PM

Governor Riley announces deal with China, Huntsville company

By BRIAN LAWSON
Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com
A Huntsville biotechnology firm has reached an agreement to sell its testing technology, which can detect avian flu strains, to two Chinese hospitals.

The deal involving Huntsville's Genaco Biomedical Products was announced by Gov. Bob Riley, who is on a trade mission in Asia.

The technology, known as Templex, was described by the company's founder, Dr. Jian Han, as a kind of "CAT scan for infectious diseases."

The testing system can detect between 10 to 20 different bacteria and viruses that can cause the same clinical systems, Han, who is the Templex developer, said in a news release.

"Such 'one test, know it all' technology can significantly improve health care quality and may also become front-line defense against international public health crises such as SARS and avian flu."

The technology can allow for a rapid diagnosis and gives public health officials the opportunity to quarantine patients infected with avian flu.

China has had 19 reported cases of avian flu and 12 deaths since 2005, according to the World Health Organization.

Avian flu is blamed for 131 deaths primarily in Asia since 2003. The WHO reports 229 confirmed human cases of the flu.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control have been taking the Templex technology through a validation phase for the past three years.

The announcement of the sale to the private Chinese hospitals was exciting news, said Dr. Mei Lu, Genaco's chief operating officer.

"This is a very powerful technology," Lu said. "We are moving into the molecular age for diagnostics, and we hope this will benefit patients. It is a long step from research to health care for patients, and it is very exciting to see how this technology can be used for a hospital."

Riley is traveling to South Korea today from China.

"This an example of how Alabama's biotech industry is making revolutionary innovations in health care and life sciences," Riley said. "Alabama is becoming known around the world as an emerging leader in biotech."

Genaco was founded in 1996 and employs 18 people. The company will become part of the Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology scheduled to open here in fall 2007.

HSVTiger

07-14-2006, 12:56 PM

some waterfront potential maybe, it's a nice area. A retail/entertainment
complex tied in with the marina would be a good thing.

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com
Two years after buying a huge chunk of waterfront property along the Tennessee River, the city of Huntsville is taking steps to develop it into something useful for the public.

The 134-acre, oblong tract stretches west from the twin Whitesburg bridges to near the boundary of Redstone Arsenal. When the city bought the land in May 2004 from General Shale Products as the company was going out of business, city leaders talked of building a mile-long greenway that could continue under the bridges to the Ditto Landing Marina.

The land sat dormant until recently when it was finally annexed into the city. Thursday night, the City Council set a public hearing for Aug. 24 on a proposal to zone the land Commercial Recreation C-5 District.

City planning regulations say a C-5 designation would allow such uses as a campground, country club, marina, hotel, amusement park, golf course, entertainment business, restaurant, souvenir and curio shops, educational facilities, Class 3 lounges (no live entertainment), certain-sized convenience stores, beer and wine retailers, and public-use venues such as libraries, museums, art galleries and exhibit centers.

Spencer said the land offer was too good to pass up in price and give the city control of the waterfront. Only one property lies between the General Shale tract and Redstone, she said.

The council set the public hearing with little discussion. The $110,000 purchase price was less than half the appraised value, city officials said when it was bought in 2004. Planning Director Dallas Fanning said part of the tract can't be developed because of flood issues, but other parts can be developed with fill material.

The zoning movement comes as the Whitesburg Bridge replacement project continues and Ditto officials ramp up efforts to lure development in and around the marina.

HSVTiger

07-14-2006, 02:13 PM

Two new schools ready for August 3rd start. Before the new school, Sparkman had around 2400 students

http://www.moderntrade.com/images6-02/cecosch.jpg

NewsChannel 19's Barry Hiett reports:

When Madison County schools open in August, students at both Hazel Green Elementary and the Ninth Grade Academy at Sparkman High School will have brand new places to attend class.

Both schools will open on time, ready for the first day of the new school year.

That's what Madison County Schools Operations Manager Kerry Wilkerson says.

"When you see these kids come in, they get excited," says Wilkerson. "It's bright colors. It's new ideas, new train of thinking, new technology and it's just wonderful to see the students and when they're excited, they're going to learn a little bit better," Wilkerson adds.

Wilkerson says both schools will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and media centers. Each school will be fully equipped with computers and Internet services.

Plus, at Sparkman, freshmen will no longer go to the high school. That will free up around 700 students at the already crowded school.

AlabamaGuy2007

07-18-2006, 07:51 PM

The control cities used on I-565 westbound vary from "Airport" to "Decatur." Eastbound is "Huntsville" or "Scottsboro." I don't think that Decatur should be removed from the signs, especially since one of these days I-565 may reach Decatur itself, and technically the city limits of Decatur adjoins the I-65/565 interchange. I would use two control cities for I-565 westbound: Birmingham and Decatur. I would not use Nashville simply because it is better to take Highway 53 north to Ardmore and get on I-65 there to go north.

Unfortunately, that route still does not completely allow for a westward or a southern extension because of its proximity to the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads going into Decatur. Plus, the Wheeler National Refuge borders to the west. I think that any revision of the current plans should include an alternative that would allow for a westward extension to cross the Tennessee River west of downtown Decatur.

I-565 is supposed to continue to the interchange with US-31, AL-20, and Alternate US-72. They scrapped the plans for putting the 565 extension just south of Calhoun because of the proximity to the current I-65/I-565. They also scrapped those plans so that the proposed Memphis to Atlanta Highway would have better river crossing over the Tennessee River. As far as I know, the plans are still in planning, but work was already supposed to start. Just like the Beltline.

AlabamaGuy2007

07-18-2006, 07:59 PM

it appears that a large shopping complex (Decatur Crossings?) is about ready to begin construction at the Beltline (US 31) and Highway 67. Target is expected to be the main anchor. This is a project that Decatur officials have been working on for several years.

The Decatur officials didn't do squat. They just followed a suggestion by a developer. The council has been slacking off as far as developements for Decatur go. That's why we aren't what we could be. Oh, and the Beltline is Alabama 67, not US 31. :D

HSVTiger

07-20-2006, 01:26 AM

a new TIF proposal includes new high school, parking garage downtown police/fire station

Although previous TIFs built roads and other public improvements to lure retail, residential and commercial developments, the new TIF steers money to public facilities. This includes $4 million for a new combined downtown fire station and police precinct, $2 million for office renovations in the county courthouse, $4 million for a parking garage on a city surface lot on Green Street and $2 million for the expansion of the Huntsville Museum of Art.

"All of the TIFs have a school component and most of the previous ones were inducing retail development," said City Planning Director Dallas Fanning. "In this case, (the latest TIF) is really a school and public facility TIF. You have the public schools (Lee, Butler, and the mandated repair money for south Huntsville schools) and the rest is for quality of life, public safety-type projects."

Officials say the new fire hall/police precinct probably would be built along Clinton Avenue just west of Memorial Parkway. The downtown fire station on Church Street could become city offices or offered for private development, Spencer said. The VBC renovation money will help modernize the center to attract bigger conventions and events, officials say.

Creative drawing

The new TIF district took some creative planning to draw. The footprint extends in two directions from downtown - to the new Publix shopping center on newly annexed property off Winchester Road, to an older section of University Drive where redevelopment is beginning to occur. It stretches as far north as Bob Wade Lane where the planned Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will cross Memorial Parkway and through Meridian and Church streets, which are being widened as part of a downtown development master plan.

Fanning said the TIF should meet the goals if the development plans pan out as expected.

"We've got a developer on the east side prepared to begin as soon as the school (Lee) is committed," he said.

He described that area as south of U.S. 72 and north of the McMullen Cove development. Fanning said it's a "mixed use" development including residential and retail.

The TIF also ropes in the Councill Court housing project and land by the Embassy Suites hotel and the Big Spring Summit office/condo tower project.

Spencer plans to propose the TIF plan to the city council next week. The county commission and Huntsville school board must also sign off on the plan.

HSVTiger

07-20-2006, 01:31 AM

HSVTiger

07-20-2006, 03:41 PM

this was something announced awhile back and now it looks to have funding,
the Bridge Street Intermodal Center,

From staff reports
Huntsville Times
A development planned for Cummings Research Park will receive nearly $2 million in federal funds for construction of an intermodal transit facility.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said $1.94 million will go to Huntsville's Department of Parking and Public Transit. The city will use the money to help construct the bus station/parking garage planned for Bridge Street Town Centre.

The funding is part of federal money already authorized for the project, according to Alex Hardy, business development manager for O&S Holdings. O&S is the developer of Bridge Street. Hardy said Wednesday that the overall project is on track and is expected to open at the end of 2007.

The transit station will shuttle riders to the Bridge Street retail, office and condominium development. The station is expected to cost $9 million.

"Huntsville is expected to gain at least 10,000 new residents from the recent BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission) decisions alone, which will significantly change traffic patterns in the area," said Shelby, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

HSVTiger

07-20-2006, 03:49 PM

group to push for area projects

highlighted several road projects, including an extension of Interstate 565 from Interstate 65 into Decatur. Others included:

Tanner interchange at Brownsferry Road and I-565.

County Line Road interchange at I-565.
Widening of Alabama 53, which is in its first phase of construction and should be completed by December.

Widening of U.S. 72 from Research Park Boulevard to Athens.

Widening of Old Madison Pike between Slaughter Road and Research Park.

Widening of Zierdt Road, for which initial planning has begun.

Zierdt Road interchange at I-565.

Completion of Patriot Parkway across Redstone Arsenal.

Widening of Winchester Road

These two interchanges would really help traffic flow. This the first
mention of the Zierdt Rd one in a long, long time., but growth on Zierdt
will demand it now. Seems I saw some survey stakes along there back in the spring. It would be a fairly simple interchange, but I'm sure it will be a 5 year project with the usual delay excuse, "waiting on funding approval"

Meanwhile the Tanner interchange is fully funded and still nothing.

HSVTiger

07-21-2006, 01:44 PM

This is curious, the new planned parking deck. The location would indicate
maybe something else in the works for that area. 4 mill probably won't cover the whole cost, plus it is a fairly small lot, depending on how many levels
probally 4-6, 500 spaces? Maybe someone is interested in leasing the 10 story Art Deco Times building. It won't be condo's because of building codes and such.
Possibly more retaurant entertainment venues planned. 301 East condos
are supposed to have street level retail.

$4 million for a parking garage on a city surface lot on Green Street

HSV79

07-21-2006, 05:46 PM

HSVTiger

07-21-2006, 06:01 PM

growth causes severe weather concern. Before a tornado might be in open fields but that is becoming less and less possible in Madison County.

From WAFF Channel 48

Population boom and severe weather. One is heading for the Heart of the Valley, the other is always a threat. New housing is shooting up into parts of the county previously uninhabited. So what about assured warning when severe weather hits? Well, county officials say give them 16-square feet and they can fit a device that could save lives.

Unsafe to climb on and invaluable during bad storms, severe weather sirens stand as tall as 40 feet. One overlooks Big Spring Park. 111 others cover three-quarters of Madison County. The remaining quarter is on the cusp of population.

"In fact," Jim Pockrus of the Madison County EMA says. "Subdivisions are going in quicker that we can keep up with them right now. it's hard for us to keep up and put a siren in each new subdivision."

Subdivisions being built in all different directions, shooting growth outward into parts of the county where severe weather sirens do not sound.

So how do you make sure that the people who will eventually live in those neighborhoods will know when severe weather is heading our way? Well, ask nicely and hope for the best.

Emergency management officials are requesting subdivision developers designate space for a weather siren so when they catch up on installation, a pre-picked spot would decrease displeasure over a no longer unexpected neighbor, a potentially life-saving tool most want, just not next door.

"Sometimes we, when we go into subdivisions after it's already complete we do have some issues with some of the residents that really want it but they don't especially want to see it from their living room window," Pockrus explains.

The newer weather sirens across the county sound across a one-mile radius. Some of the older weather sirens sound across a quarter-mile radius.

HSVTiger

07-21-2006, 06:07 PM

You said pretty much what I was thinking.....Why put a parking garage on Green St. when there isn't much need for one. Especially since 301 has there own parking...Must indicate something stirring about for the area. The Old Times building is 12 storeys tall but of course not all the floors have been refurbed yet. To bad the parking garage was not for Holmes Avenue...cough cough...for the Holmes condo tower.

I thought of that, but this garage would seem to be too far even though it is just a couple of blocks. The Holmes deal probably won't happen. Schrimsher
or whoever needs to build it as part of the complex and keep the city out of it unless it wants to use some spaces as well.
There needs to be some major redevelopment in the properties north of Holmes and maybe this is the beginning of that.

HSVTiger

07-21-2006, 09:02 PM

State jobless rate holds steady
Alabama’s unemployment rate remained steady in June, with the state measuring 3.6 percent for the third consecutive month.

The June rate was down from 4.0 a year earlier, and it was below the national rate of 4.6 percent, Phyllis Kennedy, director of the state Department of Industrial Relations, said today.

Madison County’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.2 percent in June from 2.5 percent in May. The jobless rate is down compared to June 2005, when it was 3.5 percent.

Madison County still has one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates. Only three counties have lower rates: Shelby at 2.6 percent, Baldwin at 2.9 percent, and Lee at 3.1 percent.

The Huntsville Metropolitan Area, which includes Limestone and Madison County, had a jobless rate of 3.3 percent in June, up from 2.5 percent in May.

Rail Claimore

07-25-2006, 03:44 AM

group to push for area projects

highlighted several road projects, including an extension of Interstate 565 from Interstate 65 into Decatur. Others included:

Tanner interchange at Brownsferry Road and I-565.

County Line Road interchange at I-565.

Widening of Alabama 53, which is in its first phase of construction and should be completed by December.

Widening of U.S. 72 from Research Park Boulevard to Athens.

Widening of Old Madison Pike between Slaughter Road and Research Park.

Widening of Zierdt Road, for which initial planning has begun.

Zierdt Road interchange at I-565.

Completion of Patriot Parkway across Redstone Arsenal.

Widening of Winchester Road

I like the new interchange proposals, but Zierdt Road and County Line are going to be a little more complicated than standard diamonds thanks to the close proximity of Madison Blvd.

Old Madison Pike is long overdue. That's the one missing link left to upgrade, and it's annoying with those narrow bridges.

US 72 should be 3 lanes in each direction from Providence Main all the way to Athens (at the very least to County Line Road).

And 4-laning 53 to Ardmore and I-65 is long overdue.

HSVTiger

07-25-2006, 01:21 PM

a vacant box reuse.

Always good to see these old abandoned Kmarts and WalMarts being
reborn. This old K mart site in Madison on Madison Blvd(Highway 20)
has been empty for several years, now it looks like it will be
http://www.oldtimepottery.com/about.html

That still leaves quite a few around, Oakwood Ave has a couple, old Brunos
which is a nice building, an old Winn Dixie, old Winn Dixie on University.
It takes time but not many retailers need such a large building and most
owners won't subdivide the building.
Gander Mountains new reuse of old Sam's building should have a big impact
on redevlopment in that area, (Max Luther/Memorial Parkway) The one mile long overpass construction should start next year I think.

HSVTiger

07-25-2006, 01:24 PM

I like the new interchange proposals, but Zierdt Road and County Line are going to be a little more complicated than standard diamonds thanks to the close proximity of Madison Blvd.

Old Madison Pike is long overdue. That's the one missing link left to upgrade, and it's annoying with those narrow bridges.

US 72 should be 3 lanes in each direction from Providence Main all the way to Athens (at the very least to County Line Road).

And 4-laning 53 to Ardmore and I-65 is long overdue.

It seems the Zierdt road would be a little tight but it would work, They just need to have very long exit/ merge lanes.
I 565 should have lanes added from Wall Triana to I-65

HSVTiger

07-26-2006, 12:34 PM

Some stirring maybe, a rezoning request for the Mill area North Downtown. This area is being targeted for new development, so it will be interesting to see what becomes of this. There already is strong interest in increasing housing options in this area.

LINCOLN PARK REZONING (0606) Location: East of Meridian Street, south of Neely Avenue, and west of Cottage Street. Rezoning Request: From Light Industry District to Residence 2-C District. (24.00 acres)

have to wait a bit
By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com
Business owners say plan would restrict property

Preservation efforts clashed with property rights Tuesday night when the Huntsville Planning Commission considered a proposal to rezone the old Lincoln Mill Village.

The panel voted to send the plan back to its zoning subcommittee after several commercial property owners said the rezoning would add restrictions to their property.

The proposal, part of the city's revised downtown master plan, would rezone a 24-acre tract east of Meridian Street, south of Neely Avenue and west of Cottage Street from light industrial zoning to a newly established residence 2-C district tailored specifically to that historic neighborhood. City Planner Lisa Leddo said the recommendation is aimed at preserving the old homes of the Lincoln Mill neighborhood, which dates to the early 1900s.

City officials said the rezoning is crucial to entice investors into redeveloping the area into a historic neighborhood.

The R-2-C zoning instills a 25-foot setback requirement from the property line of an adjoining commercial or industrial zoned property and requires any rebuilding of residences to be of the same size, scale and character of the mill neighborhood.

Several property owners objected, saying the rezoning would hurt the value of their commercial property.

HSVTiger

07-26-2006, 12:39 PM

New Lee High, part of the planned tif district

By CHALLEN STEPHENS
Times Staff Writer challens@htimes.com
Overflow crowd peppers officials with questions

Will the children of northeast Huntsville be able to attend a new Lee High School before 2010?

Then she gave the most specific projection yet: A new Lee likely would be finished before 2010, probably by late 2009. However, she wouldn't recommend switching classrooms midyear.

That means the new school would probably open in August 2010, Moore said during Tuesday night's meeting of the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association at the Optimist Recreation Center.

Earlier, an unexpected overflow crowd of about 150 people forced the parents and grandparents, the former Lee students and current Lee teachers from the usual meeting room to a basketball court down the hall.

The new school will be designed to hold 1,000 to 1,200 students .
And is hoped to be built on it's current site
Currently there around 850 students.

HSVTiger

07-26-2006, 12:45 PM

new home developments approved, of these the first one is significant
in that it is in North Huntsville which hasn't seen the type growth
other parts of the city has, yet. There is a lot of interest now in this
underserved area of town, new high school planned and improved road construction are causing some of this as well as cheaper land prices.

The planning board Tuesday night also gave layout or final approval for several large subdivisions including:

Alderbrook subdivision, a 90-lot residential development east of Meridian Street and north of Hollow Road.

A 70-lot development in Belltower at the Reserve off Zierdt Road.

A 73-lot development called Chadwick Pointe Phase One, which is north of U.S. 72 and east of Balch Road.

A 46-lot development in Hampton Ridge off Old Big Cove Road.

A 58-lot subdivision called Highland Park east of Old Big Cove and south of Terry Drake Road.

A 177-lot development off Little Cove Road and north of Cobblestone Cove called Magnolia Park.

41 lots in the Village of Providence south of Old Monrovia Road and west of Biltmore.

48 lots in the Stonegate subdivision north of Harbin Road and east of Wall Triana Highway.

HSVTiger

07-27-2006, 12:39 PM

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1153991943161920.xml&coll=1
By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com
Lease plan calls for classrooms, offices, stores, maybe hotel

Redstone Arsenal and the Army Corps of Engineers selected a newly formed Huntsville company to lease more than 400 acres and manage development of the property near Redstone's Gate 9.

Some details remain to be ironed out, such as how much money the lease will generate for the Army, but LW Redstone LLC has been awarded the contract, said Col. John Olshefski, Redstone Garrison commander.

The plan, which the Army calls an Enhanced Use Lease, sets aside 422 acres along Rideout Road near Gate 9 for a 50-year lease, Olshefski said. LW Redstone will develop, build and manage academic classrooms, office space and possibly a small entertainment area.

LW Redstone was formed by Tri-W Huntsville LLC, affiliated with Jim Wilson and Associates Inc. of Montgomery, and Liberty Property Trust of Malvern, Pa., and created specifically to develop and manage the property.

HSVTiger

07-27-2006, 12:41 PM

no rendering shown yet

By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com
$30M office facility will house missile defense programs

Lockheed Martin Corp. said Wednesday that it is expanding its operations in Huntsville with a new $30 million, 166,000-square-foot office building on its Bradford Drive campus.

Lockheed was the first company to build in Cummings Research Park, locating there in 1962 on 80 acres, said Bob Drolet, director of Lockheed's Huntsville operations.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1153991889161920.xml&coll=1

HSVTiger

07-27-2006, 12:45 PM

A bit unusual is that Wild Oats Market took out nearly a full page ad in
the newspaper saying they want to locate in Huntsville and were
asking everyone to email them supporting that idea.
Guess it's a way for marketing to gauge interest.
Currently they are slated to locate in Bridge Street.

HSVTiger

07-27-2006, 12:48 PM

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $5,000,000 for Huntsville International and Carl T. Jones Field. Huntsville International will purchase surrounding land to further expand the airport.

“Huntsville is one of the fastest growing cities in the South,” said Senator Shelby. “From the BRAC announcements to expansions at Marshall Space Flight Center, growth in North Alabama is expected to continue. The airport should continue expanding to meet the increased population traveling to, from, and through Huntsville.”

The Huntsville International Airport serves an 18-county surrounding area in Alabama, Southern Tennessee and provides non-stop flights to 10 destinations.

HSVTiger

07-28-2006, 12:28 PM

Condo Tower not yet,

These guys show no vision, imagination, creativity so I'm glad this condo hasen't happened yet. At least from the tiny secretive rendering they have shown. The reason for the unpredictable market is what they are offering is crap. As far as the restaurant on top, that was requested from day one.

Stroud was summoned to the council meeting to update the city on the progress of the office tower and status of the condo building. About 70 percent of the 80,000-square-foot office tower space has been leased, Stroud said. Some tenants, which include a bank, a realty company and an investment firm, may open between the end of August and the first part of October.

Stroud said the proposed second building is in the concept stage. Escalating construction costs and a still unpredictable market for downtown residential units make that project more financially risky, he said.

"We've looked at a number of different plans, site plans, elevations and cross sections," Stroud said. "At this point, our cost estimates have been unacceptable. It's still our intention to develop a mixed-use building that would consist primarily of residential condominiums, probably 40 to 45 units."

The development deal for the Summit project, approved by the City Council in December 2003, included an option clause for a second phase. Stroud said Triad must act on that option clause for the second building by December.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1154078443143760.xml&coll=1

Huntsville_secede

07-28-2006, 01:50 PM

Where is this Walmart on 72 east gonna be located and whats the planned completion date?

Rail Claimore

07-29-2006, 12:12 AM

HSVTiger

07-30-2006, 11:06 PM

Hotel nears completion
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1154251584171190.xml&coll=1

Projected for completion in November, the hotel will feature 295 suites, a Ruth's Chris steakhouse, spa, cocktail area, breakfast bar and lounge, and plasma-screen TV sets in every room. Rates start at about $129 a night.

A walkway on the second floor connects the hotel to the Von Braun Center, providing easy access for guests to their groups' large meetings.

Much of the top floor is completed. Construction workers are putting in long hours as they finish the nine stories below. The beginnings of the bottom-floor amenities are in place.

Christmas parties are the first events that will use part of the hotel's 7,000 square feet of convention space, Gaddis said.

The Alabama League of Municipalities convention will be one of the major organizations that will follow in 2007. A league official said about 1,600 people, including family members, will come to Huntsville for the meeting April 21-24.

HSVTiger

07-31-2006, 03:41 PM

Birmingham based bank to open in Huntsville. This is a good thing.
Sounds like they will move into First American Banks location after they move into Big Spring Summit.

http://www.servisfirstbank.com/

ServisFirst will open initially with 12 employees in the Village of Providence off U.S. 72. The local headquarters office will open at 401 Meridian St. downtown around mid-October. The plan is to have a permanent location in the west Huntsville area in six to nine months, Kattos said, and additional offices in the area are planned within three years, including Madison and south Huntsville.

HSVTiger

08-01-2006, 08:16 PM

New Publix to open this month
A new Publix supermarket will open on Aug. 30 in a shopping center at Winchester and Homer Nance roads in Huntsville. This will be the sixth Publix store in Madison County.

Also, in the next week or two, eight tenants in the L-shaped shopping center, Winchester Plaza, will receive possession of their spaces and will start finishing out the interiors, said Jay Levy, executive vice president of Equity One Realty & Management SE Inc., a division of Equity One Inc., which owns, develops and operates shopping centers across the South.

Those businesses are Cuts By Us, Two Friends gift shop, Natural Nails, Check ‘N Go, T-Mobile, Curves and two restaurants, Mama Mia’s and China Cook.

The 45,600-square-foot Publix store will be the anchor of Winchester Plaza. The first-day opening is scheduled for 7 a.m., said Brenda Reid, a Publix spokesperson.

Marian Accardi
Huntsville Times

HSVTiger

08-02-2006, 06:25 PM

HSVTiger

08-02-2006, 08:51 PM

from the Bridge Street website

office tower

http://www.bridgestreethuntsville.com/images/office1.jpg

Westin upper right corner

http://www.bridgestreethuntsville.com/images/P1010118.JPG

http://www.bridgestreethuntsville.com/

HSVTiger

08-03-2006, 12:29 PM

By CHALLEN STEPHENS
Times Staff Writer challens@htimes.com
Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks has suggested a few alternatives to Mayor Loretta Spencer's $35 million plan to renovate downtown Huntsville.

Perhaps the city and county could save millions by tabling plans to build a new downtown fire station, expand the art museum and upgrade the Von Braun Center, Brooks suggested in an e-mail last month to his fellow commissioners.

Instead, Brooks wrote, the plan could be scaled back to pay for repairs to two schools, Lee High and Butler High. That would reduce the price tag to $13 million.

That's just one of a few modified proposals Brooks offered in the e-mail. The Times obtained a copy of the e-mail Tuesday, although Brooks said he sent the suggestions July 20.

Asked Tuesday about scaling back to only schools, Spencer said: "We couldn't do that. We've got to address the needs for a downtown fire station.

"Downtown expansion depends on a new fire station."

Wonder exactly what that means?

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/115451044232580.xml&coll=1

Other details about TIF 4:

The Art Museum would receive $2 million for expansion within its current footprint. Spencer said the museum does not have enough gallery space to remain open while preparing for new exhibits. But the museum will have to match the city's contribution: "You raise $2 million, you get $2 million."

The $1 million proposed for Councill School would also have to be matched. Spencer said she did not know what type of work would be done on the former high school for black students.

The new fire station would provide a ladder truck downtown, allowing for better protection for tall buildings.

Fanning said if TIF 4 passes, it would likely be the city's last TIF until paying off the debt from one of three outstanding TIFs.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/115459688775400.xml&coll=1

HSVTiger

08-03-2006, 02:45 PM

Redstone retail/office deal done, this is just south of the I-565/Research Park
Blvd interchange.

By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com
Redstone Arsenal and Army officials signed a deal Wednesday to develop 422 acres of federal property near the base's Gate 9 on Rideout Road.

The plan sets aside the property along Rideout Road near Gate 9 under a lease of up to 50 years. The developer, LW Redstone, will develop, build and manage academic classrooms, office space and possibly a small entertainment area.

But the developer did not rule out plans for a mall or retail center there.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/115459692475400.xml&coll=1

HSVTiger

08-03-2006, 03:30 PM

http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5233001

Some 450 times a month, Huntsville's Fire Station 1 responds to either a fire alarm, or a medical emergency.

But station one is in trouble.

"We do need a new station one," says Huntsville Fire Chief Dusty Underwood. "This station is approximately 40-years old. The bottom line, we've just outgrown it."

Actually it's modern fire equipment that's outgrown the station. It's not designed to handle many of the new large pumper trucks, and there's something else.

"We certainly need a ladder truck downtown," Chief Underwood says. "Our closest ladder truck is on Lee Drive, and the station really won't accommodate a ladder truck,the way it's configured."

With a new multi-story downtown hotel under construction, a ladder truck would seem to be a necessity. Station one territory also includes Huntsville Hospital. It includes a downtown area in the midst of revitalization.

neilson

08-03-2006, 03:35 PM

HSVTiger

08-03-2006, 03:50 PM

What's gonna happen to the Parisian at Madison Square Mall now that it's being rebranded as Belk? We gonna see some overlap(Belk Women's and Belk Men's and Kids?), and who would move into either space?

Good question, this problem now exists in many cities. It sucks to be losing Parisians. Don't look for any of these type anchors to be in Bridge Street.
They will have more smaller stores and higher quality. The largest stores
may be Wild Oats and Barnes Noble. Not many retailers to fill that large
space. Home Depot at Madison Square? Why not?:yes: :shrug:

neilson

08-03-2006, 04:04 PM

Good question, this problem now exists in many cities. It sucks to be losing Parisians. Don't look for any of these type anchors to be in Bridge Street.
They will have more smaller stores and higher quality. The largest stores
may be Wild Oats and Barnes Noble. Not many retailers to fill that large
space. Home Depot at Madison Square? Why not?:yes: :shrug:
Humm; well I'm sure CBL will figure something out. They've always been good about redevelopment things like this.

HSVTiger

08-05-2006, 04:23 PM

School enrollment up, city starts next week

By STEVE DOYLE
Times Staff Writer steve.doyle@htimes.com
Madison County is living up to its reputation as one of Alabama's fastest-growing school systems.

County Schools Superintendent Ray Swaim said 18,780 students reported for the second day of classes Friday - at least 600 more than the same time last year. That 2.7 percent spike means more bodies in already crowded hallways, more kids to feed at lunchtime.

Enrollment should climb slightly between now and Labor Day, Swaim said, because many parents do not move until late summer.

HSVTiger

08-07-2006, 01:38 PM

want a job in hospitality?

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

Story from WAAY-TV

The Embassy Suites hotel has claimed its spot in the Huntsville skyline. November 1st it will be ready for business.
An atrium with a cascading water feature, plants and lounging area. Rooms with rich colors of golds, reds and greens. Two 32 inch plasma t.v.'s. And a view of Big Spring Park second to none

Director of Sales, Wanda Gaddis, has no problem bragging about the hotel. It will feature a spa, a cocktail area and catering by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. A walkway connects the hotel to the Von Braun Center for conventions. The outside fountain in the park has become an attraction all its own.

Workers are finishing the fountain, cutting onyx that will decorate the outside and mixing the concrete to fill it.

In 57 days they will begin filling the rooms.

Between the hotel and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, there are more than 100 job openings. A job fair will be held August 7th through the 9th from 8am until 8pm in the VBC's North Hall. Applicants should come ready to be interviewed.

HSVTiger

08-07-2006, 04:25 PM

Hungry, good stuff
http://www.redrobin.com/flash.html

The HSV location will be at Bridge Street

Red Robin coming to Alabama

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. appears to have an appetite for its first Alabama casual dining restaurants.

The Colorado-based chain of 300 restaurants is building locations in Trussville, Huntsville and Montgomery, according to spokeswoman Annette Miller. The three new 6,350-square-foot spots will be Red Robin's first in Alabama when they open early next year.

HSVTiger

08-07-2006, 04:49 PM

I-565 / Greenbrier interchange seeing changes, most if not all in the HSV
city limits.

By WAYNE SMITH
Times Business Editor wayne.smith@htimes.com
Southwest Limestone County is proving to be one of the most desirable locations for future business and job growth in North Alabama.

Developer Bill Ming of Ming Enterprises said last week that several new projects are under way in the I-565 Business Park at Greenbrier Exit 3, off Interstate 565.

"Sales activity has been good over the last year, with a lot of interest in this area due to its centralized location,'' Ming said.

Since 2000, he said, more than $100 million has been invested in land, buildings and equipment at this corridor, with more than 1,500 jobs created.

According to Ming, the latest projects include:

Makino, a manufacturer and designer of metal cutting machining centers, based in Tokyo, is moving into a 6,000-square-foot building nearing completion. The facility will support 10 employees providing training and new-product and technology demonstrations.

Schwan's Home Service, a business unit of Schwan Food Co., has purchased three acres for a sales and distribution center. Schwan, based in Marshall, Minn., is a multibillion-dollar business that makes and markets frozen foods through home delivery, retail grocery and foodservice channels. A 7,000-square-foot facility is planned that would support 15 employees who deliver Schwan's products within a 90-mile radius.

Flex 1, an 18,000-square-foot speculative building, was recently completed to meet the need for flex office/warehouse space. The facility serves businesses in the technology, engineering, office, service and distribution sectors.

California Investment Group has acquired seven acres for development.

I-565 Business Centre, a two-story, 62,500-square-foot office building suitable for one or more tenants, is in its final stages of design. Office uses will range from engineering, technology, medical, services to a call center.

"Our new projects complement existing projects developed over the last few years, including Target's regional distribution center, Pratt & Whitney, Clear Channel Broadcasting, Duracoat, Cintas, Southeastern Truck Lines and Subway,'' Ming said.

"We are actively seeking a hotel developer and national chain restaurant to serve this expanding business and residential corridor.''

Huntsville_secede

08-08-2006, 02:21 PM

So no one knows anything about the Walmart on 72? And looking for a place to live i've found many of the houses in Madison to be overpriced. Whats the huge deal about Madison, why does everyone think it is so great. I've noticed a lot of nice areas that are much cheaper than Madison... for e.g. out on 72 east around Winchester.

neilson

08-08-2006, 02:33 PM

So no one knows anything about the Walmart on 72? And looking for a place to live i've found many of the houses in Madison to be overpriced. Whats the huge deal about Maidson, why does everyone think it is so great. I've noticed a lot of nice areas that are much cheaper than Madison... for e.g. out on 72 east around Winchester.
It's the schools.

Madison City Schools have a certain amount of quality. I know Madison County Schools are good too, but one has to look at Monrovia/Harvest and the Winchester Road area to see how overcrowded and the like that the district is. Madison City is not immune to overcrowding but it seems by keeping their taxes within a limited area, Madison City Schools is better equiped to handle and cope with Overcrowding.

HSVTiger

08-08-2006, 02:40 PM

So no one knows anything about the Walmart on 72? And looking for a place to live i've found many of the houses in Madison to be overpriced. Whats the huge deal about Maidson, why does everyone think it is so great. I've noticed a lot of nice areas that are much cheaper than Madison... for e.g. out on 72 east around Winchester.

There are several shopping centers planned "over the mountain". Overpass
construction should start(ha) soon at Moores Mill and Shields road. US 72
is scheduled to be upgraded and widened all the way to Dug Hill. Wal Mart location, can't say ,they won't be the only ones however. When the new Lee High is confirmed we will see more announcements as well.
Madison's only real benefit are the schools, other than that if you want to pay
high prices for small lots and sprawl with no character or scenery then you will love it.

neilson

08-08-2006, 02:43 PM

There are several shopping centers planned "over the mountain". Overpass
construction should start(ha) soon at Moores Mill and Shields road. US 72
is scheduled to be upgraded and widened all the way to Dug Hill. Wal Mart location, can't say ,they won't be the only ones however. When the new Lee High is confirmed we will see more announcements as well.
Madison's only real benefit are the schools, other than that if you want to pay
high prices for small lots and sprawl with no character or scenery then you will love it.
I have lived in Madison from 1990 to 1995, and again from 2002 to the present, and of all the places I've lived, I'd rather be nowhere else but Madison.

HSVTiger

08-08-2006, 03:18 PM

I have lived in Madison from 1990 to 1995, and again from 2002 to the present, and of all the places I've lived, I'd rather be nowhere else but Madison.

as far as the quality of live it is excellent, It just comes at a higher price(albeit the market drives it)
Too bad the city can't improve the roads and improve it's overall appearance
with better zoning. It could have maybe 20 years ago but rapid growth,
a small retail tax revenue and knee jerk leadership has hampered this bedroom
suburb.

Huntsville_secede

08-08-2006, 03:33 PM

There are several shopping centers planned "over the mountain". Overpass
construction should start(ha) soon at Moores Mill and Shields road. US 72
is scheduled to be upgraded and widened all the way to Dug Hill. Wal Mart location, can't say ,they won't be the only ones however. When the new Lee High is confirmed we will see more announcements as well.
Madison's only real benefit are the schools, other than that if you want to pay
high prices for small lots and sprawl with no character or scenery then you will love it.

The slow rate of progress around here with roads saddens me. U.S. 72 upgraded and widened? I thought US 72 was supposed to be upgraded to interstate grade (basically an extension of 565 to where 72 ends outside of Chattanooga)? So are they going to do that AND make it 6 lanes all the way to Dug Hill?

HSVTiger

08-08-2006, 07:50 PM

reported possible earlier now confirmed

Barnes & Noble to open at Bridge Street
Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller, announced today that it has signed a lease agreement to open a new bookstore in Huntsville.

The bookstore, expected to open in May 2007, will be located at I-565 and Highway 72/Highway 255 in the Bridge Street Town Centre. The day prior to the opening of the new store, the existing Barnes & Noble at 5850-A University Village in Huntsville will close.

The new store will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles and include a cafe serving Starbucks coffee

neilson

08-08-2006, 07:58 PM

HSVTiger

08-08-2006, 08:00 PM

Damnit! Now we're Never gonna get a Borders.

Stupid Books-A-Million and their domination of Alabama; if we didn't have BAM in AL, then we'd see Borders come here a long time ago.

For God's Sake, they even have Borders in Mississippi and Montana!

Well I wouldn't write'em off just yet. I wouldn't want to lose Books A Million
being an Alabama company and all.

neilson

08-08-2006, 08:16 PM

Well I wouldn't write'em off just yet. I wouldn't want to lose Books A Million
being an Alabama company and all.
I just hope something good is gonna fill the space of the old Barnes and Noble.

neilson

08-08-2006, 08:16 PM

Well I wouldn't write'em off just yet. I wouldn't want to lose Books A Million
being an Alabama company and all.
I just hope something good is gonna fill the space of the old Barnes and Noble.

TimCity2000

08-09-2006, 04:14 AM

The day prior to the opening of the new store, the existing Barnes & Noble at 5850-A University Village in Huntsville will close.

yikes, that can't be good. any idea what else might go there? i hope this isn't a sign that madison square mall and the area around it are on the decline.

Huntsville_secede

08-09-2006, 12:30 PM

City growing rapidly, but not planning to expand limits
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
By THOMAS R. TINGLE
For the Madison Spirit thomas67@knology.net
With Madison's residential and commercial growth showing no signs of slowing down, city engineers say there are no current plans to expand the city limits to accommodate future population growth.

As thousands of new jobs come to Redstone Arsenal beginning in 2008, and with the anticipation that many of those new workers will move into Madison, city engineers say a lot of land still exists within the city limits for continued development.

Bob Atallo, director of the city's Planning, Engineering and Building Department, said that at the present time, the Madison city limits encompass 25 square miles, a majority of which is located north of Madison Boulevard and Interstate 565, south of U.S. 72, east of County Line Road, and west of Slaughter Road.

"The city's official policy, in its Comprehensive Plan, is not to annex any property west of Burgreen Road in Madison," Atallo said. "This policy was adopted in 1999 and remains in place."

Burgreen Road is located in Limestone County.

The city of Madison is virtually blocked by Huntsville to the north, south and east.

HSVTiger

08-09-2006, 12:55 PM

yikes, that can't be good. any idea what else might go there? i hope this isn't a sign that madison square mall and the area around it are on the decline.

I don't think you will see that happening. The retail mix at Bridge will be smaller, more quanity, higher quality than at Mad Sq. Barnes/Noble and Wild
Oats will probably be the largest sq. footage wise at Bridge.
That space is prime so it won't sit vacant too long.

HSVTiger

08-09-2006, 12:58 PM

This downtown building back on the market.It is a difficult space, the floors are at different levels plus it is a very old building. But it will be a great
building when it is ever redone.

"CityScapes President Ralph Gipson said Tuesday that the company decided against the renovation after learning the cost: about $4 million.

CityScapes put the sprawling, three-story building up for sale several months ago and has been quietly shopping it around. Gipson declined to reveal the asking price.

He said one potential buyer has talked about converting it into apartments and perhaps other uses. Another would open a restaurant there.

"At this time, we have no (sales) contract," Gipson said. "But I do think there's a good possibility it could be under contract soon."

The 53,000-square-foot building near the corner of Jefferson Street and Clinton Avenue has a rich history: It was Huntsville Utilities' headquarters for a time and housed family-owned Hale Brothers Furniture from 1956 until early 2002.

Whoever buys the Depression-era building will need to shore up its structural supports, Gipson said. "
HSV Times article

HSVTiger

08-09-2006, 04:47 PM

Hudson Alpha Bio Building construction
http://63.108.129.36/oneshotimage.jpg

and the UAH Applied Science Building
http://www.uah.edu/admin/camtest/latest.jpg

HSVTiger

08-09-2006, 06:16 PM

Rocket scientists

Rocketdyne expanding in Huntsville
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) said today it will grow its Huntsville site operations through new business opportunities associated with NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration. PWR is a business unit of United Technologies Corp.

Plans are to grow the current 85-person Huntsville work force by 200 by August 2007.

The company also announced that a new program office is being formed to carry out all the activities associated with the development of the J-2X engine.

HSVTiger

08-09-2006, 06:18 PM

John Stallworth the Hall of Fame receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers who lives in Huntsville is planning to sell his company

Madison Research bought by California firm
Madison Research Corp., a Huntsville-based company owned by John Stallworth, has been acquired by a California firm.

MRC is headquartered in Huntsville, and has approximately 375 personnel located in 15 states who support over 85 contracts and tasks for 15 U.S. government customers and 10 foreign nations.

According to an MRC spokesman, no major changes are expected with the acquisition.

HSVTiger

08-13-2006, 09:28 PM

a couple of restaurants and a mid-rise

Dr. John Wisda, who has developed several residential and commercial sites in the area, has been quietly working on a commercial "village" on Church Street at the outskirts of downtown. He calls the development Depot Professional Village because of the caboose that sits on the property and its proximity to the Historic Huntsville Depot.

Current buildings house an insurance office, architect, attorneys and other offices. On the back part of the property, a small strip center will house two restaurants scheduled to open in the next few months. Lee Ann's will offer entertainment, food and drink. Shea's Express will be a casual coffee house/eatery with a single-guitar stage.
Wisda said he believes that both Shea's Express and Lee Ann's will do well in their new spots.

"They're going to complement each other, not compete with each other," he said.

About 8,000 square feet is still available for lease in the strip center, Wisda said, and he's got a 30,000-square-foot office building planned on an undeveloped part of the property. That building will be five or six stories, he said.

"We'll build some nice, midsized buildings with lots of parking, traditional Huntsville stuff as opposed to a high-rise," he said.

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/ghannah.ssf?/base/business/115546089677190.xml&coll=1&thispage=2

HSVTiger

08-14-2006, 08:18 PM

too bad no one has qualified to get this bridge according to ALDOT.
Just a small section could be used somewhere especially on one of the greenways.

Bridge demolition now set for Wednesday
The C.C. Clay Bridge has gotten a one-day reprieve.

Officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation said Monday that the demolition of the 75-year-old bridge, originally planned for Tuesday, will now happen at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Both north and southbound traffic on U.S. 231 over the Tennessee River will be stopped while the north end of the bridge truss is blown up. Boat and barge traffic on the Tennessee River will also be halted, said Carl Harris with the Alabama DOT.

Officials with Scott Bridge Co., which is demolishing the old truss bridge and building a replacement, have said that spectators are not welcome in the area because it is too dangerous.

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 02:10 AM

money for canal work.
This will start the process of extending and upgrading the creek which runs alongside the new Market Square development that is coming.
Basically an extension of what runs between the Embassy Suite and VBC. Ruth's Chris will overlook this canal as well.
Downtown Huntsville is very busy with new business development and today it got some help with landscaping from Washington.

Huntsville Congressman Bud Cramer presented a check for five hundred thousand dollars to the city to help with the landscaping of Pinhook Creek. The Creek, located just behind the Von Braun Center and the new Embassy Suites hotel, has been known to flood in the past.

Photo by Mike Mercier / The Huntsville Times

http://www.al.com/images/newshp/trestle.jpg

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 02:15 AM

same road woes
NewsChannel 19's Amber Stuart Reporting:

Madison County is growing rapidly. And the roads are not keeping up.

Winchester Road and Jeff Road are two specific ones. Each needs to widened to four lanes plus a turning lane.

Jeff Road has 4 schools within a mile of each other, so traffic is bad there in the morning and the afternoon hours. Winchester has new commercial developments plus hundreds of homes in new neighborhoods. Cindy Fritze lives in the area and she says Winchester Road is dangerous.

"Even if you have your turn signal on and you go to turn in a store you just take a chance," said Fritze.

Madison County Commissioner Roger Jones says work to widen part of Winchester Road between the Valhalla Cemetery and Moores Mill Road will begin in the next few months.

Madison County is waiting on money to fund a second phase that would go from Moores Mill Road to Bell Factory Road.

Commissioner Dale Strong says they are working to get funding for widening Jeff Road. He says it's time to spend money where the growth is happening, not where it is anticipated

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 01:28 PM

Beginnings of NorthEast Huntsville boom? A lot of rumors and plans are in store for this area. Several retail developments, Wal Mart/Target are all
hinted at but nothing official yet. The double overpass and US 72
widening all but guarantee some big changes in this scenic area of HSV/ Madison County

Microtel Inn plans a new hotel at Shields and US 72
http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/images/microtel_default.jpg

Huntsville_secede

08-15-2006, 03:29 PM

Yes its a really nice area and I'm considering buying or building in this area. Any plans to get any of this area annexed into the city of Huntsville so that is has public sewer?

Beginnings of NorthEast Huntsville boom? A lot of rumors and plans are in store for this area. Several retail developments, Wal Mart/Target are all
hinted at but nothing official yet. The double overpass and US 72
widening all but guarantee some big changes in this scenic area of HSV/ Madison County

Microtel Inn plans a new hotel at Shields and US 72
http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/images/microtel_default.jpg

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 04:08 PM

Yes its a really nice area and I'm considering buying or building in this area. Any plans to get any of this area annexed into the city of Huntsville so that is has public sewer?

well it depends, as you can see in the pdf some areas already are. The new
Publix shopping center is but it is connected by a thin strip of land.
The developers of the new retail will probably request it.
This map is 2003 and there have been a lot of annexations since then especially along University/72 and in Limestone County.

http://www.ci.huntsville.al.us/gis/gis_maps/pdfs/city_limits.pdf

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 08:12 PM

From the Decatur Daily

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

As the unofficial "mayor of Redstone Arsenal," Col. John Olshefski's job is to prepare the U.S. Army base for the massive Base Realignment and Closure procedure, which could start as early as next summer.

Olshefski, garrison commander at Redstone Arsenal, told the Rotary Club of Decatur on Monday that the Tennessee Valley area should prepare for 4,600 military employees and their families and an influx of as many as 20,000 employees of defense-contract companies.

"This is the biggest financial generator in the history of Alabama," said Olshefski, introduced by Jim Page of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.
Olshefski said BRAC is such a big deal in the Army that Redstone Arsenal is going from one two-star general and doing just missile and weapons systems work to a four-star general, two three-star generals and "doing everything — tanks, automobiles, communications, electronics, aviation, etc."

Olshefski said only a small number of BRAC-associated employees have moved to the area since the reorganization's announcement last year. The moving vans should really start flowing south from the Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia areas during the summers of 2007 and '08. The goal is to complete the realignment by 2011.

However, the area is already getting BRAC-related growth as defense contractors begin relocating. He said Madison County's three school systems added 600 students this year.

Olshefski said after the meeting that he believes Decatur's city officials are doing the things they need to attract their share of these residents.

"They've been a part of the Tennessee Valley BRAC committee that went up to Washington, D.C., twice," he said. "You've got a great chamber of commerce and school folks right in the middle of the recruiting process."

He suggested Decatur officials follow their Huntsville neighbors' example and make sure they have infrastructure like roads and sewer in place for impending influx.

Olshefski said Decatur and North Alabama impressed its future residents during scouting visits, despite the state's unwarranted redneck reputation.

He said residents were excited to find out that travel is much easier.

"They're looking to get out of the Washington, D.C., rat race," Olshefski said. "When I worked at the Pentagon, it took me an hour at 7:30 in the morning to go 11 miles from my home to work. I recently spoke to a club in Florence, and it took me 70 minutes to go 62 miles to Florence."

Olshefski said education was a concern for many of the BRAC people until they learned that while the state gets a D-plus for education spending, students receive a B-minus education. He said Fairfax County, Va., spends $10,000 a year per child on education, while Alabama spends about $6,000 annually on each child.

'Right education'

"In D.C. and Virginia, they get an A-minus for spending and the students get a B-minus education," Olshefski said. "You've got the right education even if you don't get the right money."

He said North Alabama also offers river access that D.C.-area residents don't have and access to inexpensive but excellent golf courses.

"I will tell you that you've hit a home run in all of these areas (with prospective residents)," he said.

Olshefski said his job in the next three years is to prepare Redstone Arsenal for the massive influx. The base needs major upgrades in facilities and roads before people begin to flow into the area. The Army is spending $400,000 on Martin Road. He criticized the state for its slowness to help upgrade surrounding roads and infrastructure.
The Arsenal also needs upgrades to its golf course, officers' club and needs to add administrative buildings, a conference center and an academic center.

He said the city of Huntsville built three "Hampton Cove" style, 3,500 square-foot homes for the general and himself. He said two more are needed.

"I see no reason why they couldn't be in Decatur," Olshefski said.

The job is too big for ALDOT , they are overwhelmed( my comment not in the article)

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 08:25 PM

nice pic of one of the cranes at the Intermodal Center at the airport
from the Decatur Daily
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/business/060813/cargo1A.jpg

Huntsville's 20-year-old intermodal center set performance records for the 12th straight month in June with 4,446 rail lifts, a 71 percent increase compared to June 2005.

Mitch Bradley, intermodal center director, said the center serves about 200 companies each month that lie within a 200-mile radius.

HSVTiger

08-15-2006, 08:31 PM

Another new hotel planned

Cambria Suites planned for Huntsville
A new hotel brand is coming to Huntsville, offering more suites and upscale service.

Local hotelier Vijay Patel, of Eclipse Hospitality, said Tuesday that he has signed a deal with Choice Hotels International to build the first Cambria Suites hotels in Alabama, one of which will be on University Drive in Huntsville.

Patel said that a location for the $10 million hotel hasn’t been pinned down, but plans are for it to be built “West on University where the growth is, near (Cummings) Research Park and the Target Shopping Center.’’

Eclipse Hospitality says it will select a site within the next six weeks and construction is expected to take six to eight months. Another Cambria Suites is planned for Mobile.

http://www.choicehotels.com/images/B_hotel-exterior.jpg

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 12:22 PM

in the same article:previous:

In addition to Cambria Suites, Eclipse plans to open a Comfort Suites off University soon and said a groundbreaking will be held in a few weeks for a new Comfort Inn next to Hooters, also on University. Patel has owned and operated nearly 15 hotels

This group owns several properties in Birmingham as well.

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 01:24 PM

9000 new students possible

More than 9,000 new students are expected to enter area school systems by 2011 as military and civilian families move to new jobs at Redstone Arsenal, according to a closed-door Army briefing Tuesday.

From representatives of Florence City Schools to the Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, about 100 area politicians, educators and business leaders filled the lunchtime meeting at Adtran Inc. to hear about new students and listen to brief remarks from Army Secretary Francis Harvey.

"We're going to be challenged to make sure that the institutions that are going to be educating the kids that are coming here are ready," U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, said afterward in the lobby.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1155719938212540.xml&coll=1

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Lockheed Martin Expansion

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com
$30M building will be firm's 8th in Research Park

Local, state and federal officials joined Lockheed Martin Corp. at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for Lockheed Martin Huntsville Operations' $30 million, 166,000-square-foot office building on its Bradford Drive campus.

The company was the first to build in Cummings Research Park and started with 12 employees in 1962, said Bob Drolet, director of Lockheed Martin Huntsville Operations, which now employs nearly 550. Growth of at least 15 to 20 percent is expected over the next year, he said.

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 03:46 PM

Watch/see part of Tennessee River bridge blown up here at 11:00 cst

http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5286560

Delayed until 1:00 pm

ALDOT ran out of money, Just kidding, it is delayed though.

Make you wonder now doesn't it

Bridge demolition delayed again
The demolition of the C.C. Clay Bridge over the Tennessee River, originally set for 11 a.m. this morning, has been delayed until at least 2:35 p.m.

At 12:35 p.m., Scott Bridge Co. officials said it would be at least another two hours before the first 200-foot section of bridge is demolished.

Scott Bridge officials said some of the dynamite charges to be used to take down the northernmost truss of the bridge were put in the wrong places, said project manager Cecil Smith, so workers are having to cut more notches to place the charges correctly.

Up to 1,000 people had gathered at Ditto Landing off Hobbs Island Road to watch the demolition, though that number has dwindled to just a few hundred since the first delay was announced at about 10:30 a.m.

--Keith Clines

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 07:41 PM

Oldest house in Alabama moving to Huntsville museum
A mountaintop museum village in Huntsville will soon add what historians believe is the oldest house in Alabama.

The 1810 structure, found just south of Ardmore, was recently disassembled and will be rebuilt at Huntsville’s Burritt on the Mountain – a Living Museum.

A city planning subcommittee reviewed the relocation plans this morning and set a public hearing for next Tuesday before the full City Planning Commission.

Jackson Burwell, a tax lawyer who serves on the Burritt museum board of trustees, said historians believe the log cabin is the oldest surviving house in Alabama.

The owners of the so-called Joel Eddins House, Glenn and Wanda Walker, bought the property in 1977. After talking with neighbors and reviewing historical records in Limestone County, they learned the Eddins family had once owned 240 acres and kept a dozen slaves in nearby quarters.

The couple went to a historical society for help when the roof of the log cabin began collapsing. Burwell said Burritt has raised $200,000 for the relocation and refurbishment project.

--John Peck

HSVTiger

08-16-2006, 07:53 PM

First section of river bridge blown, this will be a several week process one section at a time
from WAFF

http://waff.images.worldnow.com/images/5288719_SS.jpg

HSVTiger

08-17-2006, 03:21 PM

[QUOTE=HSVTiger]every city has one from time to time, ours is the new Metro Jail

http://www.al.com/images/newshp/hvillejail.jpg

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com
A city panel voted Tuesday to fire the contractor of the problem-plagued county jail, a move that could add millions of dollars to the cost and push completion to 2008.

The action by the Public Building Authority comes amid repeated work delays and mounting cost overruns fueled by disputes between the contractor and consultants over several support beams that cracked when cell modules were being set.

James W. Dawson, president of Dawson Contracting Inc. of Rainbow City, and the firm's attorney, Bill Fishburne of Birmingham, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

City officials said Tuesday that the firing will halt all work on the site while a structural specialty firm from Atlanta designs repairs and a new general contractor is ultimately hired.

"Realistically, it may not be until the middle of winter before work resumes," said Cissy Cates, assistant city attorney.

Cates said the city continues to investigate the cause of the structural failures and could wind up modifying Tuesday's "termination for convenience" action to a "termination for cause." A "for cause" declaration could pave the way for the city to seek to recover damages from the contractor's performance bond, which essentially ensures completion of the job.

Architects and structural engineers are required to carry insurance for "errors and omissions" that may be blamed for problems. Cates said the work of the project architect, 2WR/Holmes Wilkins Architects Inc., will also be reviewed to determine if the jail's design is the problem.

Work expected to resume
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1155806162167120.xml&coll=1
Work on the jail could resume in about a month, after a formal contract is negotiated, officials said.

The agreement with Lee Builders calls for a "cost plus" reimbursement plan until the city and contractor get a firmer handle on the task and remedial steps needed to stabilize the building. The authority would then negotiate a fixed price contract, which would replace the 7.5 percent markup agreement with Lee.

Wednesday's action comes two months after the authority severed its construction contract with Dawson Contracting Inc. of Rainbow City amid structural problems discovered last fall when jail modules were being set in the $30 million, 1,300-inmate expansion.

The structural issues set off a string of actions by the authority, including the hiring of outside experts to determine what went wrong and who is at fault.

HSVTiger

08-17-2006, 08:58 PM

Vista Hotel planned

This is a new brand expanding rapidly across the south, Birmingham and
Lincoln will also see new inns. These will be the new prototypes whatever
that is.

Vista Inn & Suites Huntsville East - Huntsville, Alabama
Over the mountain near the Moores Mill /Shields/ US 72 intersection
http://www.vista-inns.com/full/VTN114_1.jpg

Huntsville_secede

08-17-2006, 09:19 PM

Great another hotel out in this area. A microtel is already being built. Restaruants and other things should follow. Just a thought, I know they are talking about building a collector road that goes over Chapman Mt. and runs parallel to 72 since it is supposed to be upgraded to insterstate grade. How in the world are they going to widen 565/72 over Chapman Mt. Where is the room to add these two extra lanes?

Vista Hotel planned

This is a new brand expanding rapidly across the south, Birmingham and
Lincoln will also see new inns. These will be the new prototypes whatever
that is.

Vista Inn & Suites Huntsville East - Huntsville, Alabama
Over the mountain near the Moores Mill /Shields/ US 72 intersection
http://www.vista-inns.com/full/VTN114_1.jpg

Huntsville_secede

08-18-2006, 02:43 PM

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/115589280828160.xml&coll=1&thispage=2

Council voices support for tax plan after forum
Vote on TIF set for Thursday; about 50 attend public hearing
Friday, August 18, 2006
By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com
The Huntsville City Council on Thursday night unanimously backed Mayor Loretta Spencer's proposed special tax district for schools and several downtown public facilities.

The council will vote on the issue at its regular meeting Thursday.

A straw poll of council support came at the end of a public hearing on the latest Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, plan. About 50 people attended, many of them city school board members and city department heads.

The TIF also must be approved by the Madison County Commission, which seems more divided on the issue.

Speakers at the public hearing mostly approved the plan, saying the enhancements would help revitalize downtown and stabilize older neighborhoods. Opponents decried spending money on school buildings rather than programs and questioned some of the proposed recipients such as the Huntsville Museum of Art.

The $35 million TIF plan would help pay for a rebuilt Lee High School, a downtown parking garage on Green Street across from the former Times building and a new collector road over Chapman Mountain. It also would funnel millions of dollars for renovations to Butler High School, the Von Braun Center, the County Courthouse, the old Councill School and other public facility improvements.

'We're proud of our TIFs'

Spencer said the broad council support and the low turnout at Thursday night's hearing signals the public realizes the TIFs are working. Previous TIFs helped pay for the new Providence and Columbia schools in west Huntsville, the rebuilt Huntsville High School, repairs to several northwest schools, and other city infrastructure improvements designed to induce development.

"We're proud of our other four TIFs. They do bring in new growth in retail, residential and commercial," she said.

A TIF is a defined boundary that targets blighted or undeveloped areas for improvements. The city borrows money within the TIF for infrastructure investments such as a new school, road or public facility within the TIF. As property values rise within the TIF boundary, the increased property-tax revenue is used to repay the construction debt over the next 30 years.

For the TIF to pass, the City Council, County Commission and city school board must agree to forfeit any growth in property-tax revenue from the defined TIF. Each would continue to collect the same dollar amount it receives today while the growth is redirected to pay back the debt.

City Planning Director Dallas Fanning said the latest TIF has a school component like all the others but also puts a strong emphasis on public facilities such as the parking garage, VBC and the new collector road over Chapman Mountain.

"This is as much about neighborhood revitalization and stabilization and rebirth of neighborhoods, especially in the Lee High area, as well as inducing development along U.S. 72 and, to a lesser degree, the Winchester Road corridor," he said.

Dick Hiatt with the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association said the investments will help neighborhoods.

"This is a wonderful way to go," he said.

'Back door' tax hike?

The proposal had its critics. Ralph Timberlake called it a "sham," saying citizens could see a "back door" property-tax increase without an actual increase in the tax rate. Timberlake urged public officials to find the money through savings. Jackie Reed pressed officials to force developers to help pay for public schools.

Bill Cox said the TIF investments in fringe areas such as the Providence and Columbia school projects in far west Huntsville upset the demographic balance of neighborhoods.

"The city went to the trouble of building these shiny-dime schools for outlying districts and ignored the older areas of the city," he said.

Walker McGinnis, a city school board candidate, said he supports the TIF but wants assurance from the school board that it would make much-needed repairs to several southeast Huntsville schools. The TIF includes language forcing the city school board to commit $10 million from its non-TIF capital money for schools in southeast Huntsville.

Resident Jerry Cox pressed officials on whether property-tax gains forfeited by the TIF would hurt other property-tax-funded city services. Fanning noted that one TIF has already been paid off and that others are on track to be paid off early. The TIF-dedicated revenue returns to the overall city coffers once the TIF debt is retired.

Records show that $83.4 million has been borrowed so far in previous TIFs. City Finance Director Randy Taylor said about $11 million of the city's $188 million operating budget comes from property taxes. The city's capital improvement plan is fed by $11 million in property taxes and $27 million in sales taxes.

County Commissioner Mo Brooks said commissioners need more details. Brooks said the county would surrender $8.5 million in county property-tax revenue from the proposed TIF and get only $2 million for courthouse renovations. He also complained that southeast Huntsville should get more from the TIFs.

HSVTiger

08-18-2006, 07:35 PM

Huntsville International parking deck expansion.
over a 1000 slots, the existing deck is to the left, new part
foreground.Should be finished next year.

http://img344.imageshack.us/img344/769/hsvairportparkinuh4.jpg

Exodus

08-18-2006, 10:00 PM

HSVTiger

08-19-2006, 01:28 AM

I know this is off subject, but my wife was around the new Providence community in West Huntsville today, and she described the area as looking similar to Detroit, but clean. Would that be an accurate way of describing it ? I haven't had the chance to check it out, so I can't say.
I would say it is more a combination of Twickenham and Five Points since most of the housing styles are copied from there. It is a very nice development, new school, restaurants, Homewood Suite Hotel etc worth the look. New Urbanism is how it is described .Detroit not so much.

neilson

08-19-2006, 04:08 AM

I would say it is more a combination of Twickenham and Five Points since most of the housing styles are copied from there. It is a very nice development, new school, restaurants, Homewood Suite Hotel etc worth the look. New Urbanism is how it is described .Detroit not so much.
It seemed nice, but too perfect. Like a Movie Set almost, or that city on "The Truman Show". I know there's a market for a development like Providence, but the fakeness of it in all honesty creeps me out.

Outside of that bubble is the Auto Dealers and University Drive, ya know.

HSVTiger

08-20-2006, 05:05 PM

If you like butterflies, from WAFF

Taylor of Mesa, Arizona made it a point to visit the butterfly house while in Alabama seeing relatives, and she wasn't disappointed.

She says the butterfly house "is one of the main things I wanted to see. It's beautiful."

It's also been a huge success.

Admissions to the garden have doubled since the butterfly house and an adjoining children's garden opened at a total cost of two-and-a-half (M) million dollars, according to Harvey Cotten, chief operating officer of the privately run botanical garden.

A concrete path winds over the floor of the house through plants and past a stream that includes a small pond that's home to largemouth bass and bream. Turtles sun themselves in another pond near a cascading waterfall.

While popular butterfly houses like the ones at Callaway Gardens, Georgia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, focus on tropical varieties, the Alabama attraction is geared around species and plants native to North America.

Cotten says the butterfly house has trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials.

"We've got attractor plants and host plants," Cotten says. "That's what I think is so exciting about it -- we can show the whole life cycle."

Visitors can see caterpillars munch on plants inside the house and watch them form their chrysalis.

Inside a small enclosure, newly emerging butterflies stretch their wings for the first time.

You just have to look quickly.

Adult butterflies live only two or three weeks, so the two-thousand mail-order butterflies that were used to stock the house originally are long gone.

Now, it's populated by their offspring and additional butterflies that are raised in Florida and Texas and shipped in weekly at a cost starting at $3.50 each.

Pests are a constant threat.

Cotten says if they find a spider "we kill it because we can't fumigate," adding: "We pull down all the webs. They catch the butterflies."

Little Chinese button quail, which eat both plants and bugs, also are used for pest control.

"They just run around. Normally they don't fly," Cotten says.

Butterflies are warm-weather creatures, so the house will shut down for the fall after Labor Day. It will reopen on Memorial Day, when the entire process will begin again.

Located down the road from another popular Huntsville tourist stop, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the botanical garden and butterfly house offer a nice contrast to the old rockets and engines on display at the space museum.

Cotten says the goal is to make Huntsville, located in Alabama's Tennessee Valley region, ever more attractive to families looking for something to do.

HSVTiger

08-20-2006, 05:12 PM

at the Museum of Art

http://www.al.com/entertainment/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1156065445114170.xml&coll=1
Beginning today the walls of the Huntsville Museum of Art will display a small portion of what is now Meyerowitz's finished photographic archive of the destruction following the fall of the World Trade Center buildings on Sept. 11.

The traveling exhibition, "Aftermath: Images from Ground Zero," is a sample of the more than 8,000 shots Meyerowitz took. With 31 large-scale pieces in the show, including one 10-foot panorama, viewers will get a glimpse of Meyerowitz's eight months inside the cordoned-off site that was ground zero.

The exhibition will continue in Huntsville until Oct. 22, meaning that Meyerowitz's powerful photographs will be showcased on the five-year anniversary of Sept. 11, a designation shared only with the Mobile Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York, where the permanent archive is housed.

HSVTiger

08-21-2006, 02:11 PM

Huntsville International Improvements
This will greatly improve the security and waiting area before entering the concourse and gates. Visitors will have a good view of the planes without having to go through security.
Passenger Screening and Public WaitingCurrent Status: Under DesignEstimated Completion: Fall 2007Fun Facts:•Addition of 20,000 square feet to public waiting and security screening•Addition of 200 seats in public area•Paradiesgift shop expansion in concourse and terminal •New public restrooms with family restroom•Concessions expansion and addition•Larger security screening area•Public observation area •Expanded U.S. Army Display•Upgraded Flight Information Systems•New customer service kiosks.
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5859/hsvairportwaittp1.jpg

there will be two sections like this on each side of the above render.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8293/hsvairportwait1qz4.jpg

HSVTiger

08-21-2006, 02:21 PM

to place the real deal in, the standing one is a mockup.

http://www.spacecamp.com/saturnv/images/treatment3.jpg

very much like this

http://www.xkot.net/gallery/d/2997-2/100_0070_IMG.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=a4157e6e13c5cd1fa0df60772c65385f

Construction has begun on a new transportation terminal and visitors building that also will include space for the recently refurbished Saturn V rocket, now lying in the open at the rear of the Space Center.

The building will face Interstate 565 on a site just west of the tall, model Saturn V rocket that has become an icon of the Space Center. The real Saturn rocket will be displayed on its side, broken into its stages, and will be visible from the interstate through big glass windows.

The building will be spacious and open, so the Saturn V display area will be a perfect place for organizations and industries to hold special events, said Space Center CEO Larry Capps.

".

the site plan
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/15/saturnvsitemm9.jpg

HSVTiger

08-21-2006, 05:28 PM

Downtown Madison will see some changes. The fast growing suburb has railroad tracks right through the middle of town as do most southern towns.
approx population 36,000

The improvements will include:

Four-laning the railroad intersection.

Creating three lanes of traffic from Palmer to Mill Road.

Replacing cracked clay sewage lines underneath Sullivan.

Traffic signals at Sullivan and Palmer and Sullivan and Front Street, located on each side of the railroad crossing.

A big difference in the project will be a change in how motorists enter the downtown area. Drivers will no longer be allowed to make a left turn onto Main Street. Chynoweth said it's safer if drivers turn left onto Front Street and go around.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1156151761108300.xml&coll=1

http://www.ci.madison.al.us/album/images/Downtown%20Stroll_jpg.jpg

HSVTiger

08-23-2006, 12:49 PM

well it sounds good anyway I-565/County Line Interchange
from HSV Times

"Mayor Sandy Kirkindall said a few minor details are the only things left to be done on the County Line Road project. Motorists now have four lanes to drive on from Madison Boulevard to U.S. 72.

Now that the widening project is complete, Kirkindall said the next anticipated road project that will involve County Line Road is the construction of an interchange from County Line Road to Interstate 565.

Plans for an interchange have been in the making for several years, beginning with the administration of former mayor Jan Wells.

Kirkindall said the interchange from County Line Road to I-565 is needed to reduce the amount of traffic at the Wall-Triana Highway interchange. That intersection is the only interchange in Madison. Portions of the Wall-Triana intersection were reworked to allow for better traffic flow.

"We have submitted a request to our congressional delegation for an appropriation to fund the project," he said.

Kirkindall said the estimated cost of building a new interchange at County Line Road and I-565 would be around $8 million."