Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by stallty

The video Downtown Huntsville inc. just released tonight for their brand party. A not so slight nod to downtown baseball. http://vimeo.com/78283668 Also their website is up downtownhuntsville.org. This is already leaps and bounds better than Big Spring Partners.

A very interesting video, yeah the baseball section was either clever, strange or genius. The shot of the ballet dancer was attention getting as well.
It is an edgy video for sure and I like the out of the box approach yet still uses our heritage and history.

[mustanggt]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Don't know but 2015 Pony is near

Yes it is and can't wait to "See" it!

[mp7123]

According to WHNT, the Holiday Inn Downtown is about to be torn down and redeveloped. Why not put the ballpark there? It would be a better location IMO.

[downtownhsvguy]

Originally Posted by mp7123

According to WHNT, the Holiday Inn Downtown is about to be torn down and redeveloped. Why not put the ballpark there? It would be a better location IMO.

this is very good news:
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The Holiday Inn, near the Von Braun Center, will be torn down in the near future making room for a brand new development.
Big Spring Partners says the site will be available for redevelopment and the space could include a new hotel, restaurants, and residential living space.

City leaders and development groups made the announcement Friday afternoon. Current employees were informed of the closure Friday morning.
The Holiday Inn will be closed on December 15 and proposals to redevelop the property, currently leased by Big Spring Partners and owned by the City of Huntsville, will be accepted early next year.
“This facility has been an important asset to our downtown for many years,” said John Stallworth, Big Spring Partners, Inc.’s board chairman. “We are pleased that this site will continue to serve downtown as a key redevelopment site for years to come.”
The City of Huntsville plans to begin accepting requests for proposals for the property in spring of 2014, but ideas for redevelopment are already being shared.
Mayor Tommy Battle said the possibilities for redevelopment are unlimited.
“This is a phenomenal location in our downtown area,” said Mayor Battle. ”As we reposition this property, we want to see proposals that will bring excitement to our community and bring even more energy to downtown.”
Chief Executive Officer for Downtown Huntsville, Inc. said the location will allow downtown to grow.
“Downtown Huntsville has realized important development growth over the last several years. This site is ideally positioned to serve as a signature location in that continued revitalization,” said Emerson.
The downtown Holiday Inn is a 270 room hotel. President/CEO for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau Judy Ryals said that a Homewood Suites located in the new Twickenham Square development will bring more hotel rooms to the area in the next few months.
City leaders say they are working with Chamber of Commerce for Huntsville/Madison County and other hotels in the area to host job fairs for the employees.
Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is encouraging residents to share their ideas and thoughts on what they would like to see at the property.
“We’d like to hear what our residents want to see downtown,” said Emerson. ”Whether it’s a mixed use urban development, a downtown ballpark, a new hotel, more park space, or anything in between, we really want to know what people feel will be the best use for the property.”
You can share your ideas and get updates on all of the latest activity downtown by visiting www.DowntownHuntsville.org

[HSVTiger]

this has been anticipated for years, great opportunity. Probably too small for a ballpark and access is not ideal for one. Great chance for a high rise, residential and even link it to Twickenham Square. There is a plot in Twickenham for future development.

[jhsv]

Part of the Holiday Inn site should have a hotel. A smaller footprint one would be an option along with residential, restaurants etc.

I have given up on anything in the near future for Constellation. Thought there would at least be another hotel there and maybe a restaurant or two.....

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

A very interesting video, yeah the baseball section was either clever, strange or genius. The shot of the ballet dancer was attention getting as well.
It is an edgy video for sure and I like the out of the box approach yet still uses our heritage and history.

Yeah that was pretty clever to point out that a baseball stadium downtown is needed. You don't have to be a fan of the sport to know what an economic impact one would have down there. It's common sense, really.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by mp7123

According to WHNT, the Holiday Inn Downtown is about to be torn down and redeveloped. Why not put the ballpark there? It would be a better location IMO.

The space and land is not large enough for a baseball stadium. I would like to see the proposed new Science Museum go there with the Embassy Suites right across the street. But knowing Huntsville, it'll probably be some office complex and another wasted opportunity.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

The space and land is not large enough for a baseball stadium. I would like to see the proposed new Science Museum go there with the Embassy Suites right across the street. But knowing Huntsville, it'll probably be some office complex and another wasted opportunity.

whatever is done a requirement should be at least an 18 story tower. Can you imagine a hotel/ residential with roof top club/restaurant.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

whatever is done a requirement should be at least an 18 story tower. Can you imagine a hotel/ residential with roof top club/restaurant.

I'd rather see something like that on the old Constellation parcel along Memorial Parkway. The Holiday Inn property is prime real estate and the city needs to be extremely careful with what they chose to do with it. This being a city built around space and technology, you would think that they would want tourism dollars with a state-of-the-art science center museum.

[jhsv]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

I'd rather see something like that on the old Constellation parcel along Memorial Parkway. The Holiday Inn property is prime real estate and the city needs to be extremely careful with what they chose to do with it. This being a city built around space and technology, you would think that they would want tourism dollars with a state-of-the-art science center museum.

Wasn't that one of the problems with the constellation property was the ground wouldn't support a high rise or at least not in certain locations? Seems like that was one of the reasons the Spring Hill Suites was positioned differently than originally planned or do I have that mixed up with another project?

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by jhsv

Wasn't that one of the problems with the constellation property was the ground wouldn't support a high rise or at least not in certain locations? Seems like that was one of the reasons the Spring Hill Suites was positioned differently than originally planned or do I have that mixed up with another project?

I think the reason for no high rises was because of the height restriction the city won't let go of. The neighbors complain that they don't want them. Yet, they would be so far away from the residential areas that they wouldn't affect them.

[huntsvillefan]

Huntsville needs to grow up if it wants it's downtown to look like a downtown. Height restrictions need to go.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by huntsvillefan

Huntsville needs to grow up if it wants it's downtown to look like a downtown. Height restrictions need to go.

there are NO height restrictions in the majority of downtown, only areas adjacent to the historical districts for the most part

[HSVTiger]

Von Maur coming to Huntsville? They have been compared to the long missed Parisian stores.
Seems they want to

The Davenport, Iowa-based retailer may put additional stores elsewhere in the state, and it is particularly interested in Huntsville, the company's president, Jim von Maur, said this morning in an interview.
"A while back we looked at Huntsville, but that didn't work out," he said. "We continue to look for sites there. We're very impressed with Huntsville."

Von Maur had been eyeing a site at Huntsville's Bridge Street Town Centre, he said.
These comments during the opening of their first store in Hoover..
Von Maur joined Hoover city officials and representatives of the Galleria's owners to cut the ribbon on the new store.

It actually opened quietly on Monday, ahead of today's grand opening activities.

A small crowd gathered for the event shortly before the store's 10 a.m. opening. After that, store employees passed out long stemmed roses and chocolates to arriving shoppers.

The 185,000-square-foot store represents an investment of more than $25 million, von Maur said. The company gutted the space, which was the original home of Macy's, and then rebuilt the interior.

A revamped/built Madison Square could be a prime target location

[mustanggt]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Von Maur coming to Huntsville? They have been compared to the long missed Parisian stores.
Seems they want to

The Davenport, Iowa-based retailer may put additional stores elsewhere in the state, and it is particularly interested in Huntsville, the company's president, Jim von Maur, said this morning in an interview.
"A while back we looked at Huntsville, but that didn't work out," he said. "We continue to look for sites there. We're very impressed with Huntsville."

Von Maur had been eyeing a site at Huntsville's Bridge Street Town Centre, he said.
These comments during the opening of their first store in Hoover..
Von Maur joined Hoover city officials and representatives of the Galleria's owners to cut the ribbon on the new store.

It actually opened quietly on Monday, ahead of today's grand opening activities.

A small crowd gathered for the event shortly before the store's 10 a.m. opening. After that, store employees passed out long stemmed roses and chocolates to arriving shoppers.

The 185,000-square-foot store represents an investment of more than $25 million, von Maur said. The company gutted the space, which was the original home of Macy's, and then rebuilt the interior.

A revamped/built Madison Square could be a prime target location

Enough Space for a Von Maur and Lendon?

Seems it would be a prime location too.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by mustanggt

Enough Space for a Von Maur and Lendon?

Seems it would be a prime location too.

don't think so
I could see a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods at Lendon

[TimCity2000]

great news about the holiday inn site! prime location in the heart of the city. please get this one right huntsville!

[downtownhsvguy]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

great news about the holiday inn site! prime location in the heart of the city. please get this one right huntsville!

I think it should continue with (at minimum) the density of twickenham square. I would like to see a high rise condo building with more shopping and maybe get the Hollywood 18 to relocate downtown to this project. I was walking around this weekend and downtown has a lot of good elements to it but nothing that brings it all together in a "package" to make a day of it hanging out downtown. I hope someone will think outside the box on this one and develop something that can bring all the elements on that side of town come together..

[huntsvillefan]

Originally Posted by downtownhsvguy

I think it should continue with (at minimum) the density of twickenham square. I would like to see a high rise condo building with more shopping and maybe get the Hollywood 18 to relocate downtown to this project. I was walking around this weekend and downtown has a lot of good elements to it but nothing that brings it all together in a "package" to make a day of it hanging out downtown. I hope someone will think outside the box on this one and develop something that can bring all the elements on that side of town come together..

That would be good use of that property.