Decatur Development Thread
 

Well, I've decided that it's about time that Decatur get it's own...

To start off. This is from yesterday, but what they hey! Athens State University and Calhoun Community College want to join together to create a fine arts campus in downtown Decatur. Sadly, so far, the president of Calhoun has been the largest opponent of the idea... but! in yesterday's Decatur Daily, there finally seems to be a consensus!

Here's the link! http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/31939.html

I think this is a GREAT idea. This is going to get a lot more support now that the state has approved incentives for the film industry. There's still a long way to go before this becomes a reality, but I'm finally starting to think that this could actually be realized.

Along with this. This isn't actually proposed, and hasn't been mentioned by anyone that I know of... except for me. But, I think it would be an awesome idea to, once a month (or every other month), close off 2nd Avenue and/or Bank Street to auto traffic and create a strictly pedestrian district for entertainment and socialization. The Princess Theatre could have special programs for each of these nights.

I'm surprised that more cities don't at least TRY this once or twice to see what happens. It seems like it could be very successful...

Anyways. That's all for now :)

In today's Decatur Daily, Barney Lovelace (the local attorney for Bass Pro) was cited as saying that as of January 2009, Bass Pro still plans a location in Decatur.

Bass Pro says that they will begin construction depending on the national economy and credit market conditions in the future. Lovelace says that a likely ground breaking is in 2010.

Of course, we all know that this can always change, but let us all pray...

http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/32173.html

In today's Daily, they had an article about the single-family homes that are replacing some housing projects in Decatur.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/32610.html

They Decatur Housing Authority is really starting to focus on "home ownership" so that people have more pride in where they live, thus the area is more safe, is more pleasant to look at, and improves the economy in the area.

I know most of you can't read the entire story on the website, because you have to pay to read it online *rolls eyes*, but just to kinda illustrate what's going on: the houses are brick, the owner gets to choose the paint color, appliances, the floor plans, etc...

The people that move into these houses are low income, so the housing authority aids them in getting credit approval for mortgages. The houses are 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an attached garage, so these things look like genuine suburban houses, but they only cost about 90,000 dollars.

The great thing, this is actually cheaper than what used to sit on the property before they tore it all down. The people own the homes, instead of the housing authority paying for maintenance and all that stuff.

I hope that the city continues to do this stuff, especially because it's right next to downtown.

Good news! The city of Decatur's long term credit rating by Stand & Poor was increased from AA- to AA, which is the second highest rating.

Two things to report today.

The City of Decatur has received money from the Department of Transportation for more revamping of Second Avenue NE, and also received money to purchase and renovate the rail depot that was building 1900, which makes it 109 years old!

Also, and architect has been approved to design the parking lot that will replace the old Morgan County Jail annex. The parking lot will blend in with other landscaping and beautification efforts that are currently occuring in downtown!

Very very very good news, all around.

I know that y'all probably can't read all of this, because the stupid Decatur Daily makes you pay to read the news online, but it appears that Calhoun Community College and Athens State University have finally come up with plans for a 4 year arts program in downtown Decatur. Finally.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/34083.html

The two schools will present their plans to Bradley Byrne soon, and he'll present the plan to the state BOE for approval. Entities involved are Athens State University, Calhoun Community College, City of Decatur, and Morgan County. All of these have pledged their support. Decatur's credit rating was recently raised from AA- to AA, which is the second highest rating given by Standard and Poor, so, borrowing money shouldn't be a problem. Of course, making the payments my be difficult considering the economic climate.

Either way, this seems like it's finally building momentum. Of course, there's still a long way to go.

There's some kinda new shopping center going up at the corner of Central Parkway and 14th Street. Nothing huge, but it's still good news.

Also, money has been approved to extend sewer service to ALL of the campsites at the Point Mallard Campground. This should really attract A LOT more visitors for festivals like Alabama Jubilee and Spirit of America.

Also, bids have gone out for the robotics center at Calhoun.

Still haven't heard any new news about the downtown arts college with Calhoun and Athens State.

Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) has indicated that the Beltline Road widening from Gordon Terry Parkway to ALT 72/AL 20 is back on track. I didn't know it was off track, but w/e.

Also, discussion of constructing a tunnel under Beltline Road to allow Central Parkway to pass under the road, instead of running through the intersection, has been brought back up again. So, Phase III, which is between US 31 and Danville Road, might be delayed. We'll see though. Throwing all possible delays out, Phase III should being sometime next year.

Here are some pictures of some development around Decatur.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, located on Wimberly Drive SW (parallel to Beltline Road SW) next to Home Depot. Will open August 6th.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/...524f17ba_o.jpg

This is a random small shopping center being developed at the corner of 14th St SW and Central Parkway SW. It seems to have space for about three business, one of those will apparently be a gas station, which I find puzzling. Why? Because Decatur ranks 2nd when it comes to gas stations per capita...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/...f646a3a9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/...a8d410f9_o.jpg

Home sales in Morgan County have increased. So far in 2009, 59 new homes have entered the market and 41 have sold. While sales have increased, home prices have remained steady, bucking the trend of the nation as a whole.


http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/3...ories&town_id=

The state board of education is set to discuss the Calhoun/Athens State partnership for an arts school in downtown Decatur on Aug 27.

A few stories to report on.

City wants AmSouth Building

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/3...fd07604d69.jpg

Mayor Don Stanford confirmed that the city does want to buy the former AmSouth Tower on Lee Street in downtown Decatur. The 8 story building, built in 1982, is the second tallest in the city and would cost $5 Million.

The main reason for this is because the city currently leases a building in downtown for $70,000 a year for extra office space for the city.

Robotics Park Phase I

Phase I of the state funded Robotics Technology Park, which will hold classes through Calhoun Community College, is expect to begin construction next week. The 52,000 square foot building will cost $17 Million.

Phase II groundbreaking was delayed due to architecture work and planning and is expected to take place this October.

Phase III planning has not begun yet, but all phases are to be completed by the end of Governor Riley's term, per his request.

Downtown arts college

The chancellor of the state 2 year college system has recommended approval of the downtown arts college. This would be a partnership between Calhoun Community college, 2 year college, and Athens State, a 2 year 4 year college.

Morgan County, the city of Decatur, and other entities have approved their share of money for the project.

The "Old Somerville Courthouse", built in 1837 (the oldest existing courthouse in the Alabama), has been renovated and is now on display for the public.

Hartselle Enquirer article

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/...aa97c3c5c0.jpg
Capitolshots Photography

The Industrial Development Board in Decatur approved two industrial expansions in the river city. AlphaPet Inc. and ITC-AL LLC, both won approval for their expansions.

ITC will spend $13 Million on their expansion, eventually employing 7 more employees. This expansion will pay education taxes of $56,450 each year.

AlphaPet will eventually become the largest producer of PET pellets in the country. These pellets are used to create various plastic products. This expansion will create 100 jobs (with a payroll of $4.5 million) within the next three years and will generate $469,546 in education taxes. AlphaPet capital investment in Decatur will total $181.2 million at the end of the expansion, which would be up by $20 Million.

Academy Sports and Outdoors opened yesterday. The store employs 125 full or part time employees.

The State School Board approved the downtown arts college for Decatur. This will be a joint venture between Athens State and Calhoun. However, a requirement for this to move forward is for Athens State to enroll more students, which the president expects to happen.

Calhoun Community College is the largest two year college in the state with over 10,000 students.

Also, the possibility of a "manager-council" government being established in Decatur is being considered. There is a petition going around the city, in order to force a referendum for a vote in 2010. Here's the petition, if anyone wants to look it over. Of course, only Decatur residents can sign it.

Petition Link

Decatur's schools are rated as the safest in the state by the State Board of Education.

This year, three schools in the system (Cedar Ridge Middle School, Brookhaven Middle School, and Chestnut Grove Elementary School) were awarded the Alabama Safe Schools award. The system has been awarded the award 15 times, the most out of any schools system in Alabama.

Morgan County's unemployment rate remained flat in August, staying at 10.5 percent. Limestone County's rate improved from 9.9 to 9.4. Lawrence County's rate climbed from 13.4 to 13.6.

Decatur!!!

?

Just thought I'd shake things up a bit... I was sad that you had to make every post :D

Hahaha, thanx Dallas/Gloria/Optimus/Sulley (all the names I've known you by since I've been here) I appreciate it ;)

Compass to Lay Off 65 Workers
 

I guess I got sad for Alabadrock making the only posts on this thread as well... :cool:

All of the banking news in the state seems to be bad; here's more from today's Montgomery Advertiser.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...off+65+workers

Compass to Lay Off 65 Workers
The Associated Press • September 24, 2009

DECATUR — BBVA Compass Bank has announced that about 65 of its employees in Decatur will be losing their jobs.

The company said some of the jobs are being moved to Texas.

Other positions are being outsourced to Atento, a unit of a Spain-based telecommunications and technology giant. BBVA also is based in Spain.

Employees said they were told they would lose their jobs by the end of the year.

Compass is so gone from Birmingham.

Helloooo, Houston (ew).

It really pisses me off that they're shifting these jobs away. Alabama banks need to take more pride in their company, and try to keep from being bought out like Compass did.

From AL.com - Huntsville Times

Link

The Decatur based United Launch Alliance (partnership between Lockheed Martin and Boeing) got a $927.7 Million contract today.

ULA Gets a Fat Contract

The first Decatur area Longhorn will begin construction soon at the new "Crossings of Decatur" shopping center.

http://decaturalabamadevelopment.wor...ng-to-decatur/

Morgan County's unemployment rate dropped slightly from 10.5 percent to 10.4 percent.

Eric Fleischauer's blog

I came up with an idea for 2nd Avenue in downtown Decatur. I propose tearing up the roadbed for about a mile and replacing it with a creek with waterfalls and sidewalks. What do y'all think?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/...fbb9511ba8.jpg

The whole idea of Operation New Decatur in 1968 or so was to greatly reduce on-street parking in downtown Decatur and improve conditions for walking shoppers. Construction (when if finally began) began in late summer, with the streets ripped up just in time for Christmas shopping.

It took about a year to complete construction. By the time construction was finished, a number of businesses had given up and closed. The city made it difficult - and sometimes impossible - for shoppers to get into the stores, much less find them if you were new in town. Shoppers HATED the fact that they could no longer park in front of their chosen store.

Operation New Decatur effectively finished killing retail in the Second Avenue area.

Before you block off what few businesses are left with waterfalls etc., ask the business owners what they think.;)

I know I wasn't specific in the original post about it, but obviously things like that would be taken into consideration. Obviously, one of the first things to be done, before construction, would be to create places for people to park and insure that accessibility during construction would be the same as it would be after.

I'm never a fan of converting a street to a pedestrian only zone. It has failed far more than it has worked across the county, and the cases that have worked have either been so specialized, ie Fourth Street Live, or there is a critical mass of residential within walking distance to support a few a business and not totally depend on parking and walking from 1 or 2 blocks away.

Quite honestly, there are a lot of residents within walking distance of this street. Because of Decatur's history of growth, there are neighborhoods on every side of this part of downtown. Of course, I also don't know if these people would even consider walking downtown to visit this.

Though, tell me, what would be the difference between this an Bridge Street. Besides arranging BEFORE construction for boutique stores (which, I don't see any reason why that couldn't be done either), what is the difference? True, there isn't the high number of wealthier people as there are in Huntsville, but Decatur for all of its lack luster demographics does have a population of people that would be attracted downtown by something like this. If you looked at downtown before Maria Bonita (one single restaurant) moved in on 2nd Ave virtually no one came downtown, save for the occasional performance at the Princess Theatre. Now that Maria Bonita has moved in, it's hard to find parking, there are more performances at the Theatre, there are two or three new restaurants, etc... You have to wonder what would happen if we were to facilitate the replication of the advent of this kind of restaurant.

Let's face it, the city MUST be able to have something that can attract and entertain young professionals or else the city will cease to be a player in regional economics, ie: growth will stagnate.

Well, the purpose of the residents within close proximity is just to "charge" the area. They are the people who are in the coffee shop every day and sitting around on the benches, they aren't the big spenders who come in from other areas of town that really generate revenue for merchants.

As for the difference with Bridge Street...parking and accessibility. At Bridge Street you might have to park and walk, but you don't have to hunt several blocks for parking. The psyche of someone looking for parking is they want it now and close, and if they can't have that they want it easy. In an active downtown environment you rarely get any of the three...but when there is something worth visiting it then that person looking for a space is willing to compromise.

I'm not completely ruling it that it wouldn't work...but typically in places where it has worked they are very unique circumstances and very motivated investors.

I understand. I think it's a case by case thing. There is ample parking though. One problem that the city has always had is a glut of parking space.

An idea is being considered by ALDOT to help ease rush hour traffic inbound to the River City north of the river. A message board is being considered in order to warn motorists of bottlenecks and bad traffic ahead. Usually, if you hit AL 20 going to Decatur at 5:15 PM, you'll be sitting on that same road for the next hour, (it's true, I've done it multiple times). So, they're considering placing a board where US 31 and AL 20 converge before riding a causeway to the bridge over the main channel.

There is already one message board being installed on the I-65 Tenn River Bridges the cross in Decatur from Morgan County to Limestone County. This one will be used to warn motorists of icing on the bridge.

That doesn't make any sense. That's so close to the causeway that there's no alternate route. So by the time you see the sign that says "ACCIDENT AHEAD- EXPECT DELAYS," you've already been stuck in traffic for an hour.
Why not put the message board on 565 between Greenbrier and Mooresville? Then you can warn motorists about incidents/construction/delays/icing on AL20 and/or I-65 and they can have the opportunity to use an alternate route.

ALDOT-- Taking the "Intelligent" out of Intelligent Transportation Systems....

That's a good question. Though, my guess would be that then, the board would be in Huntsville, and there would be a lot of junk to work through in order to get the officials monitoring the traffic in Decatur to communicate with the officials in Huntsville operating the board.

The Decatur Daily article says that ALDOT hasn't yet worked out a cooperative system to operate a board on AL 20, so I don't know what's going on.

The best idea would be to have smart access system like Atlanta has, that only allows a certain number of cars through. In this case, some contraption would close off the road passing under I-65 into Decatur, diverting the traffic up the ramp to the Birmingham/I-65S flyover. Though, considering who we're working with (ALDOT) that would never happen.

Ground breaking has taken place for the new $17 million Morgan County Industrial Park. This new park hopes to follow the success of the Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park in Decatur which has attracted such businesses as Boeing (now ULA) for a total investment of $1.2 Billion.

The park is located in the center of Morgan County in Hartselle on either side of I-65 near the Thompson Road exit. It is 166 acres and their aim is to attract biotech, aerospace and defense industries.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/3...fd07604d69.jpg
Photo Page

The former AmSouth tower in downtown Decatur, the 2nd tallest in the city, is currently undergoing a facade refinishing. After Regions absorbed AmSouth, all business moved a block over to the Regions building.

Peoples' Bank of North Alabama recently became the major tenant and bank of the building. Because of this, someone decided to refinish the facade. Thank goodness, cause crap had been falling from it and flaking off for years.

Don't know what it's going to look like after it's finished, but it'll be better than whatever it used to look like, that's for sure.

The head of the Decatur MPO, Dewayne Hellums, has said that the organization is predicting a 200% increase, over 25 years, in traffic at the interchange with I-65/I-565/ALT US 72/AL 20.

A 2005 traffic count put the daily flow at 50,000 cars per day. The MPO expects that to increase to 140,000 by 2035.

It sounds like a ridiculous count, but when you consider that the predominant employment core for Decatur is quickly shifting to Huntsville, it's not hard to believe. With the job growth in jobs in Huntsville, the city is expecting to see a larger number of people commuting from the city to Madison County.

Currently, there are 4 lanes in either direction between Decatur and Huntsville, both of them funnel into, and bottle neck at, the I-65/I-565 interchange in northeastern Decatur. Obviously, something's going to have to change.

As much as I hate to say it, I'm praying that the Decatur metro and Huntsville metro will merge together by the 2010 census, so that there can be a singular MPO for the core of the Tennessee Valley.

After months of delay, ALDOT is finally set to start the second phase of the Beltline widening. This phase extends from Gordon Terry Parkway NW (AL 24) to AL 20/US ALT 72.

In other news.

The Morgan County Commission approved half a million dollars for Decatur's downtown revitalization. The city council also approved some measures for it that I believe included money, but I don't recall the amount.

Also, the new Chancellor of the 2 year college system, Frieda Hill, has given the OK to proceed with the Calhoun CC/Athens State joint venture to create a fine arts school in downtown Decatur.

Some more Decatur news :)

Construction on the Robotics Park in Decatur is rolling along.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/uploads/...61863_0496.jpg
Decatur Daily photo by John Godbey

Phase 1, costing $17.6 Million and 52,000 square feet began construction in September. The state hopes to begin holding class via Calhoun Community College at the center in 2011.

Phase 2 plans are underway, and the state is hopeful that it will be opened up for bids in January. The second phase will be 30,000 square feet and cost about $8 Million. It will also include an outdoor testing track.

Phase 3 will be a building used to train staff, and plan/design/program new lines for new industries.

The state hopes to complete all three phases by the time Governor Riley leaves office in 2011.

Big news. The Point Mallard Ice Complex will host hockey matches between SEC teams this winter. In January and February, Mississippi State will host Life University and LSU in Decatur.

Miss State is traveling to Decatur for this because it's apparently the closest ice complex to Starkville. Either that or something odd is going on with whatever Jackson, Miss has.

The Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority is well on it's way to reaching its $2.5 Million goal for the redevelopment of the downtown area.

Kicking off today, Wednesday, the funding drive has already raised $1.6 Million. On top of this, Athens State University has committed $3.2 Million towards creating a downtown arts college, jointly operated by Calhoun Community College and Athens State in Decatur.

25 years? More like 10 with the way things are going right now. 565 is a clusterf*ck from the airport all the way to I-65 every rush hour right NOW. If you ask me, 565 ought to be 8 lanes for its entire length.

It does, but I'm thinking that the Huntsville MPO doesn't look at that stretch of roadway as their concern, even though it's part of their region. There just isn't the political will, or regional cooperation to improve that road. That's why I'm hoping the 2010 census will merge the two metro areas, so that the borderline areas that aren't getting any attention will actually move into the site of the leaders.

Thanks for posting this. I saw this a while back and was wondering what it was going to be.

Here's a link to the video of what it'll look like.
http://www.alabamartp.org/index.php?...d=64&Itemid=77

Calhoun will receive $3.5 million for energy center

The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that Calhoun Community College will receive $3.5 Million in funding to establish the "Alabama Center of Excellence in Clean Energy Technology" at Calhoun's Decatur campus.