[HSVTiger]

A good attempt here, maybe it will lead to something..anything

"City Councilman Richard Showers wants to bring in a fresh set of eyes to figure out how to jump-start north Huntsville's stagnant economy.

Showers invited a team of consultants, planners and architects to Thursday's council work session to discuss a potential master plan for the city's north end - the only part of Huntsville to have lost population since 2000.

North Huntsville residents "aren't comfortable being in a part of the city where it looks like they're being left out," Showers said. "We need help.

"We've got to get more innovative."

Representatives from Atlanta-based Laminin Group, the HOK architectural firm and Charisma III told the council that they have the expertise to help change the area's fortunes.

They propose spending eight weeks in north Huntsville getting to know the neighborhoods, meeting with residents and business owners, and crafting what Laminin Group co-founder Herman Howard called a "road map" for future development."

On a similar issue is the stupidity in the current myopic road situation along north Parkway. No vision, no seeing the big picture..just the bare minimum in hopes it will work or someone doesn't get killed. Wrong, minimal signing of the new overpasses. A controlled access freeway that comes to a dead stop at Mastin Lake, no warning signs that this poor design is coming up, can't use the Mastin Lake exit for that road, southbound no indication of upcoming I-565 interchange until way later and zero signs indicating what destinations these roads go to. Typical tunnel vision by Aldont. Further north on Federal
Highway 231, inadequate or no turn lanes around Alabama A&M, need to add lanes north and south, zero signs indicating what cross roads are coming up.
No turn lanes in the Meridianville area, basically the same road it has been for 40 years.
No plans, no vision, claims of no money will hold North Huntsville hostage.

Showers said he is eager to have an outside team of professionals focused on north Huntsville's future. The lack of upscale dining and shopping - Walmart Supercenter on Sparkman Drive is the area's retail hub - is one reason why an estimated 2,000 people have moved out of north Huntsville in the past decade, he said.

You can basically include the entire area north of Mastin Lake and over Chapman Mountain all the way to the state line.