Huntsville updates

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Yea, the Embassy Suites is kinda outta place. They def coulda done a better job at designing that thing.

In other news. Alabama 67 is to be widened to 4 lanes from where it current turns from 4 to 2 in Priceville at the base of Priceville mountain. The lenght of the widening with be 5.7 miles and extend to Somerville.

[jmanhsv]

Originally Posted by Jacknah

"any urban planner would tell you that Houston is a TERRIBLE model for a city" ..LOL. What else would one expect? A urban PLANNER. Someone who supports freedom would tell you it's a great model for a city. Cities don't need need to be planned. Nothing need to be planned by a central fascist authority. Just let freedom work, and let people plan their owns lives and property.

Why should the government use force against other people to protect you from the risk (or reward) of someone building a strip club next your house? If you don't want that risk, buy a house in a private community. You're making house prices and rents more expensive for those that are willing to take a risk. What do you mean Portland is successful? It's expensive to live there and it's got high unemployment. This is all because of too much government.

Are you saying that I (and most humans with brain cells) don't support "freedom" because we want attractive cities? Seriously dude, you're making it sound like better planned cities are going to bring on an Orwellian civilization. That's probably the most idiotic (and somewhat insulting) statement I have heard in a long time. You're making Libertarians look like a couple of ignorant fools who claim that everything that involves government is "fascist." Just stop. You aren't recruiting any more by posting on this forum. We obviously hate our freedom too much...

Ok... so in order to love freedom, we must first love high crime, urban sprawl, and the complete obliteration of the ecosystem through fossil fuel consumption (all characteristics/consequences of Houston's uncontrolled, car-friendly sprawl)? Unplanned cities are a dying breed. As oil prices have increased dramatically in the past few years, cities all over the country are realizing that the car-oriented communities we have built in the past half-century can't sustain themselves much longer. Cities are being reinvented by being bike- and pedestrian-friendly, adding more transit options, creating mixed-use developments, etc. Even Houston in the past few years has been moving toward a more planned and regulated city by building light-rail transit and gentrifying many of its neighborhoods. Huntsville, however, has been slow in implementing smart growth policies and making itself less car-friendly, which I think could be a major problem for the city in the next few years if it stays that way.

The people who are most likely to have to live next to a hog farm or strip club are the ones who can't afford to move. So go ahead, tell the 85-year old handicapped man who lives in a mobile home or the single mom with three kids and two jobs to go live in a "private community." But wouldn't that would be too much government involvement?

I don't think Portland's unemployment rate has anything to do with "too much government." That's all up to the free market system. And it's expensive because the people there voted to make it that way. They made the decision decades ago that they would pay more in taxes to pay for an expansive transit system (that works), good schools, etc. And they have one regional government that controls it all. And you know, the city hasn't become a socialist police state, a la 1984, and it's actually growing! No, it's not a utopian city, but if more cities (such as Huntsville) modeled their land use and environmental policies and transit system off Portland's, we would use less [foriegn] oil, pollution and emissions would be greatly reduced, we would be less obese (therefore lowering healthcare costs)... the opportunities are endless.

[g-man435]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Why are YOU so worried about what we want for OUR city?

Why do you care so much?

[jonnie256]

I think the new Huntsville city jail looks like a hotel....hmm kinda like the Embassy Suite hotel!

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Are you saying that I (and most humans with brain cells) don't support "freedom" because we want attractive cities? Seriously dude, you're making it sound like better planned cities are going to bring on an Orwellian civilization. That's probably the most idiotic (and somewhat insulting) statement I have heard in a long time. You're making Libertarians look like a couple of ignorant fools who claim that everything that involves government is "fascist." Just stop. You aren't recruiting any more by posting on this forum. We obviously hate our freedom too much...

Ok... so in order to love freedom, we must first love high crime, urban sprawl, and the complete obliteration of the ecosystem through fossil fuel consumption (all characteristics/consequences of Houston's uncontrolled, car-friendly sprawl)? Unplanned cities are a dying breed. As oil prices have increased dramatically in the past few years, cities all over the country are realizing that the car-oriented communities we have built in the past half-century can't sustain themselves much longer. Cities are being reinvented by being bike- and pedestrian-friendly, adding more transit options, creating mixed-use developments, etc. Even Houston in the past few years has been moving toward a more planned and regulated city by building light-rail transit and gentrifying many of its neighborhoods. Huntsville, however, has been slow in implementing smart growth policies and making itself less car-friendly, which I think could be a major problem for the city in the next few years if it stays that way.

The people who are most likely to have to live next to a hog farm or strip club are the ones who can't afford to move. So go ahead, tell the 85-year old handicapped man who lives in a mobile home or the single mom with three kids and two jobs to go live in a "private community." But wouldn't that would be too much government involvement?

I don't think Portland's unemployment rate has anything to do with "too much government." That's all up to the free market system. And it's expensive because the people there voted to make it that way. They made the decision decades ago that they would pay more in taxes to pay for an expansive transit system (that works), good schools, etc. And they have one regional government that controls it all. And you know, the city hasn't become a socialist police state, a la 1984, and it's actually growing! No, it's not a utopian city, but if more cities (such as Huntsville) modeled their land use and environmental policies and transit system off Portland's, we would use less [foriegn] oil, pollution and emissions would be greatly reduced, we would be less obese (therefore lowering healthcare costs)... the opportunities are endless.

You ask: "Are you saying that I (and most humans with brain cells) don't support "freedom" because we want attractive cities?"

No, I am not saying you don't support freedom because you want attractive cities. I want attractive cities too. I'm saying you don't support freedom because you don't support freedom. Private property rights are essential part of freedom. You support a fascist system, and I'm not using that term frivolously. Classic fascism is a system where private property exists in name, but how that property is used is controlled by the state, so in actuality the property is not fully owned privately but is a hybrid of state and private ownership. Part of the ownership has been transferred to the state in the sense that power of control had transferred to the state. Private property rights are contingent upon service to the state, or as the Nazi's alternately called it "the community." That's economic fascism. The notion that you think you should a have right to force someone else to make their property in a way that you find attractive, or make a building short enough or tall enough for your taste, I find abhorrent. Why stop there? Why not have the "Planning Commission" (note the Orwellian title) force people to dress in a way that you think is attractive. Wanting to live around attractive things is fine, but forcing others to make what is theirs "attractive," instead of letting them decide for themselves what is attractive, is opposition to freedom. You're an enemy of freedom. I think you should admit that to yourself.

"I want everyone to keep the property he has acquired for himself according to the principle: benefit to the community precedes benefit to the individual. But the state should retain supervision and each property owner should consider himself appointed by the state. It is his duty not to use his property against the interests of others among his own people. This is the crucial matter. The Third Reich will always retain its right to control the owners of property." -Adolph Hitler



Join Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty: www.campaignforliberty.com

Vote Bob Barr 2008: www.bobbarr2008.com

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

I think the new Huntsville city jail looks like a hotel....hmm kinda like the Embassy Suite hotel!

Actually the jail looks better which in the case of the Embassy Suite is not hard to do. Now don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful addition downtown and we are grateful to have it. It was a long time coming and has helped other development happen but the city was so desperate , it didn't matter what it looked like. If you look at other John Q hammon properties it is about the standard type style, lots of stucco with some accents here and there.
Now the inside is very nice and they had a great opportunity once again to be a signature building but didn't. Maybe next time..next decade.

[HSVTiger]

blah blah, yeah ok, if it's set to "boom" then why wait to build the second hotel?
So the guests at the Springhill will be surrounded by a construction zone? I actually think it's an error in the report,
they hopefully meant within a month of construction starting on Springhill.

By MARIAN ACCARDITimes Business Writermarian.accardi@htimes.comHuntsville Times
SpringHill Suites is designed for 'Gen Y traveler'

The developer of the two hotels at the mixed-use Constellation project at Clinton Avenue and South Memorial Parkway say the location was too good to pass up.

A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday marked the official start of a six-story, 153-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott. It's slated for completion next fall.

"We think the area around the Von Braun Center is poised to boom," said Shrinath Yedla, CEO of developer Yedla Management in Huntsville. "That's why we're building two hotels."

"SpringHill Suites is focused on the 'Gen Y' traveler," Yedla said. "It's (designed) to make it fun to travel."

Each suite will have separate areas for eating/working and relaxing and sleeping, as well as a microwave, mini-refrigerator and coffee service. The hotel will have a pool, whirlpool spa, exercise room and 24/7 market with food and snacks.

Yedla Management also plans a 3,500-square-foot facility for small meetings and breakout sessions that will connect to SpringHill by a covered hallway. It will be a short walk from a second hotel, which will also be a Marriott brand.

Yedla said he expects construction will start on the second hotel within a month of the SpringHill opening. It will be similar in size to SpringHill.

The two hotels are on the Williams Avenue side of the Constellation site between the Parkway and Heart of Huntsville Drive.

Yedla estimated the investment in the SpringHill and meeting facility at $20 million.

Yedla's father, K.R., is founder and chairman of Yedla Management, and his brother, Satya, is chief operating officer. Yedla Management will manage the hotels and own a percentage of them.

"We have syndicated other silent investors," he said.

The architect for the hotels is Forum Architecture & Interior Design in Altamonte Springs, Fla. Yedla said he expects to select the general contractor within two weeks.

Constellation's developer, Scott McLain of Coldwell Banker Commercial in Huntsville, also plans shops, restaurants, offices and condos at the project.

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Actually the jail looks better which in the case of the Embassy Suite is not hard to do. Now don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful addition downtown and we are grateful to have it. It was a long time coming and has helped other development happen but the city was so desperate , it didn't matter what it looked like. If you look at other John Q hammon properties it is about the standard type style, lots of stucco with some accents here and there.
Now the inside is very nice and they had a great opportunity once again to be a signature building but didn't. Maybe next time..next decade.

I wonder if this was their preferred design for a building, or if city officials pressured them for one design over another. Maybe they forced them to use a local architect in exchange for the permit to build it?

[g-man435]

Syndicated and silent? Did they kidnap them and hold them at their will or something?

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Are you saying that I (and most humans with brain cells) don't support "freedom" because we want attractive cities? Seriously dude, you're making it sound like better planned cities are going to bring on an Orwellian civilization. That's probably the most idiotic (and somewhat insulting) statement I have heard in a long time. You're making Libertarians look like a couple of ignorant fools who claim that everything that involves government is "fascist." Just stop. You aren't recruiting any more by posting on this forum. We obviously hate our freedom too much...

Ok... so in order to love freedom, we must first love high crime, urban sprawl, and the complete obliteration of the ecosystem through fossil fuel consumption (all characteristics/consequences of Houston's uncontrolled, car-friendly sprawl)? Unplanned cities are a dying breed. As oil prices have increased dramatically in the past few years, cities all over the country are realizing that the car-oriented communities we have built in the past half-century can't sustain themselves much longer. Cities are being reinvented by being bike- and pedestrian-friendly, adding more transit options, creating mixed-use developments, etc. Even Houston in the past few years has been moving toward a more planned and regulated city by building light-rail transit and gentrifying many of its neighborhoods. Huntsville, however, has been slow in implementing smart growth policies and making itself less car-friendly, which I think could be a major problem for the city in the next few years if it stays that way.

The people who are most likely to have to live next to a hog farm or strip club are the ones who can't afford to move. So go ahead, tell the 85-year old handicapped man who lives in a mobile home or the single mom with three kids and two jobs to go live in a "private community." But wouldn't that would be too much government involvement?

I don't think Portland's unemployment rate has anything to do with "too much government." That's all up to the free market system. And it's expensive because the people there voted to make it that way. They made the decision decades ago that they would pay more in taxes to pay for an expansive transit system (that works), good schools, etc. And they have one regional government that controls it all. And you know, the city hasn't become a socialist police state, a la 1984, and it's actually growing! No, it's not a utopian city, but if more cities (such as Huntsville) modeled their land use and environmental policies and transit system off Portland's, we would use less [foriegn] oil, pollution and emissions would be greatly reduced, we would be less obese (therefore lowering healthcare costs)... the opportunities are endless.

There are quite a few urban planners nowadays who look at Houston and see some positive aspects of a model that does not segregate residential and commercial uses. It cuts red tape in building mixed use developments, which are standard in new urbanist developments, something Houston is full of at the moment. Having separate residential and commercial zones doesn't really bring much net benefit for any city, really. And Houston maintains a bit of order through the use of neighborhood covenants. Think of them as really large homeowner organizations. The city doesn't designate specific lots of land for residential or commercial uses, they simply enforce those covenants in areas of the city that have them. I think this is a better way to do things, and it might be one reason Houston sprawls LESS than a comparable metro such as Atlanta.

When the residential/commercial aspect of zoning is left out of the picture, planners can concentrate on more bare-bones issues such as transportation and infrastructure.

[jonnie256]

Why are the 2 hotels @ Constellation only going to be 6 stories?! I mean, there going to build this huge place in semi-downtown area right? They should have at least made them 10 stories so that they would be visible going down I-565 east or west. I'm just saying they should make it more visible,stand out more. I just can't see them spending all that money and only have six story buildings?!LOL But we will see how it turns out........

[daveyp]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

Why are the 2 hotels @ Constellation only going to be 6 stories?! I mean, there going to build this huge place in semi-downtown area right? They should have at least made them 10 stories so that they would be visible going down I-565 east or west. I'm just saying they should make it more visible,stand out more. I just can't see them spending all that money and only have six story buildings?!LOL But we will see how it turns out........

because they are building what they need. i think 6 seems like plenty. do you really think there are that many people dying to come stay in a hotel in downtown huntsville? right now there are only two hotels that exist downtown, and this development would basically double the amount of rooms (if two actually get built. which, from the article mentioned above, doesn't even seem guaranteed.) i think the addition of two more hotels is going to really hurt that holiday inn.

[Bamabull1978]

Originally Posted by daveyp

because they are building what they need. i think 6 seems like plenty. do you really think there are that many people dying to come stay in a hotel in downtown huntsville? right now there are only two hotels that exist downtown, and this development would basically double the amount of rooms (if two actually get built. which, from the article mentioned above, doesn't even seem guaranteed.) i think the addition of two more hotels is going to really hurt that holiday inn.

i Think before it is over within the next five years the holiday inn will be torn down. a couple of months ago the reports came out that when the federal courthouse is built that the holiday inn will have to be razed fr saftey concerns. so who knows but. The holiday inn needs to be torn down and rebuilt or a really good remodel.

[g-man435]

We have a new mixed use development being built in downtown Greenville that includes a Courtyard by Marriott hotel. Guess how many stories tall it is jonnie256. It's less than seven but more than five.

[jmanhsv]

Originally Posted by Bamabull1978

i Think before it is over within the next five years the holiday inn will be torn down. a couple of months ago the reports came out that when the federal courthouse is built that the holiday inn will have to be razed fr saftey concerns. so who knows but. The holiday inn needs to be torn down and rebuilt or a really good remodel.

Uhh... I don't know where you heard that, but the Holiday Inn won't be torn down for the new federal courthouse, if at all. The courthouse will go diagonally across the street at the corner of Lowe and Gallatin, or for those who go to Big Spring Jam, where the WZYP stage has been for the past couple of years. The Holiday Inn, however, may be torn down for another hotel (possibly by John Q. Hammons) or an expansion of Big Spring Park.

[PSMadison]

Originally Posted by Jacknah

I agree that Embassy hotel is an ugly building. I was away from Huntsville for a few years. When I came back and saw it, I thought it was a hospital. That's what it looks like.

What's ugly is the Gawdawful electrical substation sitting there right in front of the Embassy and VBC and right next to the new development. Is that really the first impression Huntsville wants to make? It's even worse than the new jail.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by Bamabull1978

i Think before it is over within the next five years the holiday inn will be torn down. a couple of months ago the reports came out that when the federal courthouse is built that the holiday inn will have to be razed fr saftey concerns. so who knows but. The holiday inn needs to be torn down and rebuilt or a really good remodel.

New Federal Courthouse? I hadn't heard of this... any renderings or timetables???

[Jacknah]

Check out some of these really beautiful old buildings in Huntsville that the city government destroyed for parking lots and garages, thanks to your friendly planning commission:

http://books.google.com/books?id=t3-...esult#PPA39,M1

Check out the Carnegie Library. They destroyed that for a parking lot.

[TimCity2000]

i, for one, would love to see that holiday inn come down.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

i, for one, would love to see that holiday inn come down.

It will, as jman indicated above. A 20 story tower would look great there but alas it would cast a shadow on the park so don't look for that to happen. Some even said Big Spring Summit did even though it was north of the park . I guess all federal courthouse projects are still in limbo due to the government freeze on building set a few years ago. Huntsville has the site but if and when they build it is still iffy. The design phase has not even begun.

I would like to see the park expanded south as a greenway/river walk along the creek, through the current but soon to be removed housing projects and provide a direct link with the Medical District with Big Spring. Another opportunity to have some mid/high rise infill to serve the hospital area while
creating a park like setting.