Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville's living museum, Burritt on the Mountain
http://www.burrittonthemountain.com/
tonight a great Jazz concert part of the City Lights and Stars series

Burritt on the Mountain-A Living Museum’s 2007 City Lights and Stars Concert Series continues Friday, June 1st, at 7:30 p.m. The featured group for the evening is Karen Johns and Company. The entire City Lights and Stars concert series is sponsored by Knology; Karen Johns and Company is sponsored by Teledyne Brown Engineering. The Huntsville Times and WLRH Public Radio are media sponsors.

Advance tickets for the City Lights and Stars Concerts are $12 for adults and $8 for students; at the gate all tickets are $15. Tickets for Burritt members are $10. Tickets may be purchased at Josie’s on the Mountain (Burritt Museum Store), AB Stephens Music, Shaver’s Bookstore, and the Fret Shop. To order tickets by phone, call Burritt on the Mountain at (256) 536-2882. Audience members are encouraged to dress casually, bring a jacket in case of cool weather, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a spectacular nighttime view of the city of Huntsville. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and the gate opens at 6:30 p.m.
Make your night extra special and let us do the cooking. Guests can choose from many dining options for individuals or groups. New this year to City Lights and Stars is our Barbeque Buffet. Enjoy a Southern style barbeque buffet with all the fixins in the beautifully renovated Trillium Room, or enjoy it out on the lawn on your favorite blanket. Cost is $12.50. Order now or call 536-2882 with your order by the Wednesday before the concert.
We can provide a private dining experience in our charming Old Country Church. We can accommodate both small and large groups from 2 to 60 and the menu can be custom designed to appeal to many different tastes. This is a great way to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, reward your staff, or have a girl’s night out. Call 512-0144 for more information.
A traditional favorite are our gourmet dinners in the Burritt Mansion. Elegant dinner packages are available for individuals or groups of up to 40. This package includes a gourmet dinner in the Burritt Mansion prior to the concert, a private viewing area on the mansion’s west terrace, and delicious desserts during intermission.
Making their City Lights debut is the group Karen Johns and Company, an acclaimed Nashville jazz band featuring vocalist/songwriter Karen Johns, percussionist Austin Bealmear, guitarist/songwriter/producer James Johns, pianist Kevin Sanders, and upright bassist Brook Sutton. They specialize in sultry, swinging jazz standards and originals and have performed across the Southeast region. The combo's debut CD, Lucky Day, features standards as well as originals co-written by Karen Johns and noted Nashville songwriters, and includes performances by leading Nashville session players.

[HSVTiger]

Before it was Huntsville it was Twickenham, the Rocket City has a rich
southern heritage.
Twickenham Historical District Downtown
Alabama’s largest antebellum district. Federal, Italianate and classical architecture. Also 1819 Weeden House Musem,(second photo) Alabama’s oldest house open to public.

1814 to present Structures: 297

Listed: 1/4/73
a few samples

[pkp]

I had no idea Huntsville had anything remotely old in it. Neat!

[HSVTiger]

Maple Hill Cemetery just outside of downtown and adjacent to the historical districts is rich in history,

There is some confusion as to the exact year Maple Hill Cemetery was established. Most agree that it was around 1822, when LeRoy Pope sold two acres to the City to establish a municipal cemetery. However, there is no dispute that Maple Hill is one of the oldest cemeteries in Alabama and was registered by the Alabama Historical Association in 1962. Maple Hill has expanded to its present size of almost 100 acres and over 80,000 burials.

Many of Huntsville's most prominent citizens are buried at Maple Hill. Among them are five (5) of Alabama's governors, LeRoy Pope, Mollie Teal, Dr. Thomas Fearn, and Albert Russel Erskine. Veterans from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm are also buried at Maple Hill.

A noteworthy landmark--the Huntsville Meridian--also makes its home in Maple Hill Cemetery. This is the stationing point from which all land in north Alabama was surveyed. A marker identifying this site is located in Block Four of the Cemetery.

[HSVTiger]

Old Town Historic District Downtown
Huntsville loves it's history

Old Town Historic District was the second historic district in Huntsville, Alabama. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1978. Roughly bounded by Dement and Lincoln Sts., and Randolph and Walker Aves., It features homes in a variety of styles including Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, California Bungalow, and even Prairie School with homes dating from the late 1820s through the early 1900s.

Late 19th and early 20th century Structures: 264

Listed: 7/18/78

[HSVTiger]

Alabama became the 22nd state here.
Located downtown this consists of the recreated buildings that existed when Alabama drew up it's first constitution.




Huntsville's growth was rapid in the early years(still is). In 1811, the oldest Masonic Lodge in Alabama was created, with John Hunt a charter member and Andrew Jackson a frequent visitor.

In 1812, the Madison Gazette became the second newspaper in the territory. During 1819, Huntsville was chosen convention city for the drafting of Alabama's first constitution.
The historic Alabama Constitution Village commemorates the place where Alabamians met to draw up the Alabama constitution for statehood in 1819 during a Constitution Convention in Huntsville. The museum consists of four major buildings representing the time period from 1805-1819, reconstructed on their original sites.

[HSVTiger]

now back to the future, some Bridge Street action
East parking deck on the right, Westin Huntsville in the back
and roof construction on the left. Since it hasn't rained in forever
these guys are making good progress

[HSVTiger]

Downtown Brewery, Old Towne Brewing Company
currently the only micro-brewery in the state of Alabama
available in bottles and draft in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur,
Tuscaloosa and Birmingham

slow load on dialup

http://www.oldetownebeer.com/

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by MDL

1st post greetings, all. Thanks for a truly informative thread. I've been reading the last 6 months of posts in my spare time the last several days as I look ahead to a relocation, temporary at least and permanent hopefully, to HSV (though not part of BRAC).

One question: what's the timeline on a lot of these residential developments? When will they be available for occupancy? I know that's dependent on a lot of external finance factors, but I'd appreciate any informed guesses. I'm a downtown loft type of guy and would love to get into something like that as soon as I can solve dual residences or get rid of my current one.

Developments I've seen mentioned here:
Councill Court high-rise
Westin Huntsville (prices anyone?)
Roosevelt Place
Midtowne on the Park
Constellation

Thanks again for a great thread.
MDL

Not downtown( convenient to everything) but lofts are now available at The Villages of Providence
http://www.villageofprovidence.com/?mainID=9

[HSVTiger]

Classes offered on cities growth

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Osher Institute offers seminars on BRAC changes

Everywhere she turns, it seems Barbara Lucero is hit with information on how the transfer of thousands of federal jobs to Huntsville is going to transform the city.

So, when she and Mary Compton were faced with the task of coordinating this summer's enrichment series for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the topic seemed a natural - and necessary - fit.
The four-part series begins Tuesday, and all members of the University of Alabama in Huntsville-based institute and their friends are invited to attend. The seminar, held in Wesley Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Road, lasts from 9 a.m. until noon. It's free, and no registration is necessary.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is open to people 55 and older and offers up to 50 classes each semester. Lucero said more than 1,000 seniors are members.

"The word is that Huntsville is going to boom and prosper," Lucero said. "All you have to do is drive around and look at all of the houses and hotels going up, and you can see it's true."

In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission announced that thousands of federal jobs in the Washington, D.C., area would transfer to Huntsville over the next several years. Some of them already have, but the bulk of the jobs - plus thousands more in the defense contracting sector - should arrive in the next three or four years.

"A lot of people want to know what BRAC is going to mean to them and to their city," Lucero said. "We hope this series will help answer their questions."

The first part of the series is called "Huntsville: A City in Transition." Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, city hall, the Bridge Street project and the Hudson/Alpha Institute of Biotechnology will speak.

Other seminars in the Summer Enrichment Series include:

June 12 - "Redstone on Review," a look at how Redstone Arsenal and the city will accommodate the growth.

June 19 - "University Visions," a focus on the future of higher education at UAH, Alabama A&M University and Oakwood College.

June 26 - "State of the State," which looks at how the state as a whole plays into Huntsville's new BRAC era.

[HSVTiger]

nice photo from the Huntsville Times this past weekend.
The red bridge is a gift given to the city from Japan.
Downtown Big Spring Park

[HSVTiger]

This area of town is on the edge of great things. How long it stays on the edge is the question. One project which is STILL not underway is the 5 Points downtown renovation project. Some property owners not wanting to give up right of way or something like that.
This is infill development that will take off, The Five Points Historic District
and the future Dallas Mill Historic District take in these areas. Very convenient with easy access, a developer could come in with any type of
urban retail development and be very successful.
One Huntsville community is banding together to save a drug store.

The staff at the Po Boy Factory(very good restaurant) is helping circulate a petition to save the C-V-S Pharmancy on Andrew Jackson Way, which is slated to close in about 5 months. The goal is to get 1-thousand signatures to send to CVS's national office. "We are trying to bring people in to buy our houses" Marie Thigpen told WAAY 31's Violet Parker. But this isn't just about saving one drug store. It's about saving their neighborhood. "Another empty building is just going to create crime and business." Thigpen says.


About 2 years ago, the Winn-Dixie on Oakwood Avenue closed. Many of the smaller stores in that plaza have since folded. Amy Smith has lived in northeast Huntsville for more than 15 years. She says it is slowly slipping away. "There is a lot of potential in our area, if someone would just take an interest." According to Huntsville city planner, Dallas Fanning, the northeast side of town is about to see a boom. Plans are underway to build a new Lee High School, and plots of land off Highway 72 are selling like hotcakes. It is a boom Smith anticipates as she passes boarded up buildings.

[HSVTiger]

Growth around Huntsville area's other airport, thousands of homes are in the planning stages in the Meridianville/Hazel Green area which means more schools..
MERIDIANVILLE - The Madison County school system's plan to build an elementary school on Steger Road has encountered some turbulence.

Madison County Executive Airport officials are concerned the school would be in the flight path, with more than 2,000 planes a month passing close overhead. The runway is about a mile south of the proposed school site.

"Ninety to 95 percent of the air traffic will be over the school at some phase of flight," said Tom Sharp Jr., chairman of the airport authority board.

Sharp first voiced concerns about the Steger Road school last October in a letter to then-Superintendent Ray Swaim.

Talk of the school died down after county commissioners rejected a half-cent education sales tax hike needed to pay for it. Commissioner Bob Harrison recently changed his mind, however, and commissioners are scheduled to consider the tax again June 11.

If it passes, the county school system would get an additional $7.4 million annually - enough to borrow about $110 million over 20-30 years to pay for the campus at Steger Road, a new high school in the Sparkman High district and several other projects.

County Superintendent Terry Davis said he is aware of the airport's concerns and won't do anything to jeopardize children.

"If we see that the money is there to build a school," Davis said last week, "we would have a lot more research with the Federal Aviation Administration to see what their professional judgment is."

He said several schools are in the flight path of the much busier Huntsville International Airport, including Madison's Heritage Elementary and Liberty Middle schools.

[HSVTiger]

By BRIAN LAWSON
Times Business Writer [email protected]
Company looks to add 160 jobs, 'is excited to be here'

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., maker of the Black Hawk helicopter, formally opened a new technical center in Huntsville on Monday, pledging to grow the work force to some 160 employees within the next year.

The expansion of the company's presence in Huntsville - Sikorsky is looking to hire engineers, program managers and logistics specialists - reflects the company's desire to work closely with Redstone Arsenal, said Jeffrey Pino, president of Sikorsky Aircraft, during a ceremony at the facility in Cummings Research Park.

[HSVTiger]

Westin Huntsville beginning to top out. With various height roof lines the first
ones are now beginning to show up.

[HSVTiger]

Bridge Street jobs, come get ya one

Bridge Street Town Centre Job Fairs
There will be literally hundreds of job opportunities in the upcoming months at Bridge Street Town Centre. Mark your calendars for our upcoming job fairs. You will be able to apply for positions at our new retails stores and restaurants!

July 21st
9:00am - 5:00pm*
Von Braun Center

August 25th
9:00am - 5:00pm*
University of Alabama at Huntsville

*tenative

[HSVTiger]

For a great time and great music come downtown

The summer's first Concert in the Park series kicked off in downtown Huntsville Monday night featuring the oldies rock and roll band Reunion.

More than 2,000 turned out for a night of music.

The Arts Council's free concerts are 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Monday night through Labor Day.
pic from last evenings concert, (From HSV Times)

[HSVTiger]

One of the South's best and biggest musical festivals has announced some of the acts that will perform in downtown Huntsville, Big Spring Jam

Huntsville's 15th Big Spring Jam Festival Features LEANN RIMES, FOREIGNER, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER, and ‘IDOL’ Finalist BUCKY COVINGTON
The Tennessee Valley’s best value in music entertainment returns in September as Huntsville’s Big Spring Jam Music Festival marks its 15th anniversary. The event is scheduled for September 28th – 30th at Big Spring International Park. Organizers have confirmed a mix of Jam newcomers and long-time favorites as well as a new “premium ticket” option.
Among the first wave of confirmed acts is contemporary country artist LeAnn Rimes, who will make her first appearance in Huntsville. She’ll be joined by “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington and the highly-touted Jason Aldean. Other country artists scheduled to perform include Craig Morgan, Pat Green, and Taylor Swift.

The rock stages will feature classic performers Creedence Clearwater Revisited, also making a first Huntsville appearance, and power group Foreigner. Soul Asylum, Cracker, Papa Grows Funk and Yes No Maybe will also hit the stage.

In the rhythm and blues category, 70’s supergroups the Commodores and War will perform their greatest hits. The North Mississippi All-Stars, Koko Taylor & Her Blues Machine, and Harper will round out the genre.

The Christian stage, which has proven to be very popular at the Jam, includes Jars of Clay, The Lee Boys, Skillet, Decyfer Down, Britt Nicole, and Jackson Waters.

Jam attendees love the distinct New Orleans sound and this year will enjoy Dr. John, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Progressive bluegrass performers Keller Williams and The Avett Brothers will contribute to the diversity of music at the festival.

Tickets are available now at www.bigspringjam.org, the exclusive site for online ticket orders this year. Tickets will also be sold soon at the Von Braun Center box office and at numerous local employers. Three-Day Passes will be $45 and Individual Day Passes are $25. Also, for the first time, there will be a limited number of $50 JAM FAN tickets, only available on the Jam website, which allow purchasers to enter the park 30 minutes early each day. Day passes will be sold at Jam gateways during the festival. There will be no refunds due to inclement weather.

The Jam encourages companies throughout North Alabama and Southern Tennessee to support the event by becoming a ticket outlet for employees. Interested companies should contact the Big Spring Jam office at (256) 551-2359 or the Von Braun Center Administrative offices at (256) 533-1953. Companies wanting to sponsor the Jam should contact Andy Kelly at (256) 539-0200.

More acts will be announced around the first of July. Fans can keep updated with the latest Jam news by going to the festival web site at www.bigspringjam.org and registering their e-mail addresses for instant news blasts and to qualify to win free Jam tickets and “meet and greet” opportunities with Jam artists.

Huntsville, Alabama’s Big Spring Jam is one of the largest music festivals in the Southeastern United States. Since its debut in 1993, Big Spring Jam has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to area charities, health and human services agencies and arts and entertainment organizations. Held annually in downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring International Park, the Jam is a major project of the not-for-profit Big Spring Jam Foundation. For more information, contact the Jam office at 256-551-2359 or visit the web site at www.bigspringjam.org.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville's Business Incubator 10 years and going strong

http://www.biztech.org/
one of these companies that graduated out of BizTech has become quite popular
DealNews
Dealnews, which now has 18 employees, has 1.5 million unique visitors to its Web site each month. It was ranked 24th in PC World's 100 Best Products of 2006 list.

Since BizTech was launched in June 1997, it has incubated 54 companies and admitted 38 as clients. Seventeen companies have graduated from the program.

Of the companies brought into the BizTech program over the years, "more than 60 percent are still alive," said Dick Reeves, president and CEO.

Over the last 10 years, BizTech's client firms have also:

Generated $93 million in revenue.

Paid $43 million in payroll.

Raised $20 million in capital.
The entrepreneurs also met with members of the Huntsville Angel Network - an association of about 40 people formed to make equity capital investments in early-stage and developmental companies in the Huntsville area - and are now in the due-diligence process.

Reeves expects more help for entrepreneurs as the Huntsville Angel Network continues to expand. "That group will grow, hopefully to 75 to 100 investors, in the next few years," said Reeves, the network's chairman and executive director.

In 2006, the network announced angel investments to two local companies, Applied Genomics Inc. and Monte Sano Pharmaceuticals Inc. Reeves expects possibly three or four investment announcements this year.

To help finance BizTech's future independence, a $5 million endowment campaign will be launched in July.

"We can only collect about a third of our operating budget by charging fees to our clients," Reeves said. BizTech clients pay a monthly fee for services beginning at $250 a month, 50 percent of which is deferred during the first 12 months.

"We're starting this endowment campaign to secure BizTech's financial future."

[HSVTiger]

Saturn V building update
the outside panels and roof are being installed. First a spray on foam insulation is applied to the steel then the panels are attached. This is a very large building.



this photo was taken last year when the rocket was being restored, it is now awaiting the completion of it's new home