Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Colin Giersberg

I believe that light rail running on existing NS mainline tracks would be unwise. The traffic issues of the different types of trains is begging for an accident. Yes, freight and passenger trains ran the same tracks years ago, but then there wasn't anywhere near the freight density then as there is now. Perhaps, an elevated track system would work, but the added expense of the system would make that prohibitively expensive.
Our highways already cost $2 million a mile (minimum) for any major construction, and throw a bridge or two in the project, and the cost goes up fast, especially if the bridge is tall, long, or of a unique design.
If memory serve correctly (it probably doesn't), the US. 72 bridge over the Elk River at the Lauderdale / Limestone County line cost around $26 million, and it was built several years ago, and it is a relatively simple bridge in design.
The cost went up with the supports near the river channel, which involved drilling into the mud, and then several feet into solid rock. This helps prevent undermining of the supports in strong currents. So you can see that the costs would make an elevated light rail line very unlikely. And I don't know that NS would even allow light rail to run on their tracks.

Regards, Colin

adding to the problem

"GINNY MacDONALD
News staff writer
The number of road-building projects funded by the Alabama Department of Transportation dropped significantly through the first half of this year because of the rising cost of fuel and petroleum-based construction materials."
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1217319319233240.xml&coll=2

[JuanHunt]

Huntsville has buses in order to meet some kind of federal requirements to qualify for downtown redevelopment grants and road construction funding. Right now, the taxpayer is chipping in about $.50 per fare just to break even.

I think mass transit will require a lifestyle change and thats not going to happen just because there is a alternative. The alternative has to be significantly cheaper than a personal car, and nearly as convenient. Buses are the simplest and cheapest way to initiate the change.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Huntsville and Decatur were ranked in the top 100 cities to do business. Huntsville metro was ranked 32nd while Decatur metro was ranked 100th. The Opelika area led the state with a top five finish at #5.


http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1217319388233240.xml&coll=2

Look at that link for the complete list of Alabama metros.

[jonnie256]

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

[bodagetta]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

[jonnie256]

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

Thats why I shop at Publix now off County Line rd.! Its very clean and neat and FAST!

[Colin Giersberg]

I shop at Publix off County Line Road too. The one on US. 72 next to Books a Million is one store I try to avoid. It seems to be forever crowded, cramped and difficult to find some of the things you need. Also, everyone at the County Line store is real friendly and seem to be knowledgable about where most things are.

Regards, Colin

[daveyp]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

So whats going on with the Madison Hospital deal,seems like that issue fell off the earth!LOL Does anyone know also when they are suppose to start building the new wal-mart on hwy 72 past Balch rd. across from Madison bowling center?!thanks

the madison hospital isn't likely to be built anytime soon. i believe crestwood can eat up as much as 5 years during the appeal process, and hsv hosp will not take a chance breaking ground before crestwood gives it up. pretty pathetic.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by daveyp

the madison hospital isn't likely to be built anytime soon. i believe crestwood can eat up as much as 5 years during the appeal process, and hsv hosp will not take a chance breaking ground before crestwood gives it up. pretty pathetic.

That's the states fault because of the boards that have to approve and justify a need for a facility.

No problem for Madison to want a hospital but it's interesting that Hoover a city nearly twice the size of Madison doesn't have a hospital either if I'm not mistaken. This thing has been going on for like 8-10 years, do they work for ALDOT?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by bodagetta

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

well if you shop at WalMart you get what you pay for, I haven't even been in one of their stores in 6 months. Target 2-3 times a week maybe.

[| BRAVO |]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

do they work for ALDOT?

Good one!

[mlog]

Originally Posted by bodagetta

I hope the new walmart forces some changes at the one on university. I've stopped shopping there because of the long checkout lines (why are the self checkouts ever closed during peak shopping hours?), lack of shopping carts in the store and poor attitude of the majority of the staff. Seems like a case of poor management to me. Target gets my money now.

Yes, the WalMart at University and Perimeter Road is terrible. The lines are extremely long and you can't find anyone to help you.

[HSVTiger]

Hopefully we will hear something about Constellation in the next few days. Maybe some surprising changes will be revealed. Something needs to break us out of this summer funk.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Hopefully we will hear something about Constellation in the next few days. Maybe some surprising changes will be revealed. Something needs to break us out of this summer funk.

I was downtown last Saturday and I noticed bulldozers over on the Constellation site. There's definitely something already started. The pipes are also lined up to be put in. I would assume we'll see actual construction take place by fall.

[mustanggt]

Does anyone know what is being built on Enterprise Way behind the Dollar Tree and the old Hobby Town? Its on the corner of the road that runs behind Target and Enterprise...They have started moving dirt and staking it out.. resturaunt maybe?

[jmanhsv]

^ It's a ServisFirst bank branch and a "possible" restaurant...

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/business/1203588987323550.xml&coll=1

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I just posted on the AL.com forums. No I remember why I spend most of my time on this forum. They're so freaking obnoxious/backwards over there!

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Alabadrock

I just posted on the AL.com forums. No I remember why I spend most of my time on this forum. They're so freaking obnoxious/backwards over there!

not to mention nearly wrong on everything.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

not to mention nearly wrong on everything.

They'good ppl, but there's that damn feud between MrsCarey and her ppl vs. BamaKrissy/Hereiis and their ppl. I've posted it in there before, we're not Scottsboro or Decatur where we need to be throwing down against each other. All it does is make them look bad and keeps new ppl from posting over there. So what if one person is or isn't lazy or and so what if someone is or isn't working hard? We can't make them change, so we might as well accept it and have constructive conversations on Huntsville.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by neilson

They'good ppl, but there's that damn feud between MrsCarey and her ppl vs. BamaKrissy/Hereiis and their ppl. I've posted it in there before, we're not Scottsboro or Decatur where we need to be throwing down against each other. All it does is make them look bad and keeps new ppl from posting over there. So what if one person is or isn't lazy or and so what if someone is or isn't working hard? We can't make them change, so we might as well accept it and have constructive conversations on Huntsville.

I was posting in the Decatur forum. I just thought I'd put a link to my development blog on there, and now they're talking about how Decatur pays money for me and all. And now I'm not anonymous, and how Decatur is such an AWFUL place. It was weird...