Huntsville updates

[neilson]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

i think it's important to differentiate between the city of montgomery and the state government that resides there. brown duckz, i don't think anyone is criticizing your city... just the people in charge who happen to live there.

Exactly. People from places like Rainsville, Russellville, Carbon Hill, Tuscaloosa, and so on.

People that should be federally indicted a la Operation Tennessee Waltz. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Tennessee_Waltz

[bystander1]

Very true. What we notice in the capitol is that a lot of legislators who are opposed to pro-Birmingham or pro-Huntsville legislation are from other North Alabama towns in close proximity to them. It shouldn't be that way.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by bystander1

Very true. What we notice in the capitol is that a lot of legislators who are opposed to pro-Birmingham or pro-Huntsville legislation are from other North Alabama towns in close proximity to them. It shouldn't be that way.

Exactly. It gives you guys a bad name when in reality its those from the rural areas of North and Central Alabama that come there to spearhead their pet projects and legislation. It sucks, and I hope one day that those in the districts of these elected officials will rise up and make the right decisions.

[HSVTiger]

More homes on the agenda

"Layout approval for more than 1,200 homes tops the agenda of the City Planning Commission tonight, including a 792-lot development off Beadle Lane west of Zierdt Road and a 141-lot subdivision in the Big Cove area."

[HSVTiger]

Madison has road concerns as well, although this is mostly directed at the
Metropolitan Planning Organization which is controlled by the city of Huntsville. They do need more representation.

By WENDY REEVES
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Council seeks way to share control of MPO with Huntsville

MADISON - The Madison City Council wants to look at ways to restructure or dissolve the Metropolitan Planning Organization so Huntsville doesn't have as much control over area road projects.

Mayor Sandy Kirkindall started the discussion at Monday night's City Council meeting with a report on an MPO meeting he attended last week in which delays were approved to the Old Madison Pike, Zierdt Road and Alabama 53 road projects on the MPO's new 5-year plan.

"Old Madison Pike is a regional project, part of a regional plan and the MPO is a regional organization," Kirkindall said. "I am extremely disappointed in that result and we're going to try to get it changed but it will be extremely difficult."

The one that bothers Kirkindall and City Council members most is the widening of Old Madison Pike from Slaughter Road to Indian Creek. More than 10,000 motorists - mostly Madison residents - travel the road daily to work in Cummings Research Park. The road is two lanes from Slaughter Road to just across the Indian Creek bridge where it widens to four lanes.
At last week's MPO meeting, Kirkindall said an MPO citizens advisory committee voted unanimously against the revised plan; a technical committee recommended to accept it with one objection - from Madison's city planner Bob Atallo; and the executive committee voted 3 to 1 to accept it with Kirkindall voting against it.

Voting for the plan were Johnny Harris, division engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation; Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer; and Owens Cross Roads Mayor Curtis Craig, Kirkindall said. The other three executive committee members did not attend the meeting.

a little history

Out of the 12 MPOs in the state, only Huntsville and Mobile have their city planning departments in charge of the group that decides how state and federal funds are spent on regional projects, said Atallo.

He said the local arrangement was set up in the late 1960s through a deal struck between Huntsville and ALDOT.

"So, basically the Huntsville planning staff decides what projects are needed for the region," said Councilwoman Cynthia McCollum.
Kirkindall said he'd just like to see the MPO act like a regional organization.

"When it was set up, Madison was nothing back then," Kirkindall said. "Really, Huntsville was the only thing around, but things have changed since then."

Besides the Huntsville and Mobile MPOs, the others in the state are not tied to a particular city's staff, he said.

During the meeting, Atallo said there's a chance the decision to approve the new MPO list could be overruled by the Legislature, state highway director or governor.

Then the discussion turned to the overall lack of road money North Alabama gets.

"We need to get together as a region and raise holy you know what," McCollum said. "This is what we need to be talking about at our regional breakfast meeting, getting together and going to the state and demand our fair share." This is the real problem

[HSVTiger]

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration has released nearly $2.5 million for a pair of Huntsville intermodal facilities, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby announced today.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville will receive $1,360,260 for its proposed intermodal facility and Cummings Research Project will receive $1,133,550 for its facility.

UAH will use the money for the design, engineering and construction of a bus transfer and park-n-ride facility, which will ease traffic through campus. The City of Huntsville's transit system will use the facility as a stop on its line, and UAH will use it as a transition area for its on-campus shuttle service.

The facility will also house the campus police department, provide parking for campus police vehicles and serve as a collection point for parking fees and fines.

"UAH needs this facility to meet the needs of its expanding campus," said Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa. "This facility will provide both an important link to Huntsville's public transportation system and reduce congestion on campus. This funding will ensure that the campus' transportation infrastructure meets the needs of those living, working and attending classes at UAH."

Cummings Research Park, home to more than 200 companies, including 20 Fortune 500 companies, is the second largest park in the U.S. and the fourth largest in the world.

"The intermodal center at Cummings Research Park is a vital addition that will help meet the needs of those working and living near the research park," said Shelby. "The center will provide alternate means of transportation and serve as a regional transit transfer facility for those traveling to and from Cummings Research Park."

[Rail Claimore]

So whatelse is new, Huntsville is Alabama's new-money city, and we know how much the rest of the state doesn't like that. I'd argue Huntsville is more economically tied to Atlanta than the rest of the state, including Birmingham.

And whoever said that we pay more attention to DC than Montgomery is absolutely right. Just read the newspapers of each of the four major cities.

[HSVTiger]

Steel rising for the office tower at Bridge Street, (the right side of the view)
construction is at a frantic pace throughout the development.
More walls are going up at the proposed location of Whole Foods Market behind PF Changs. This spot was seeing no activity but now is, so maybe
it means they will locate a store here. If not then someone else, originally this was the largest or second largest retail space in Bridge Street.

[HSVTiger]

FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)Magazine awards for the city.
http://www.gdi-solutions.com/fdi_awards.htm
Imagine if ALDOT was a team player
*Mobile was 4th overall so congrats to them as well.

Remember in the Andy Griffith Show, Andy is the beauty pageant judge and one of the girls was voted most likely to become charming?

fDi North American
Small Cities(500,000 population and under)
of the Future
2007/08
Overall
Runner-up
Huntsville, Alabama
United States

fDi North American
Small Cities
of the Future
2007/08
Best Development and
Investment Promotion
Winner
Huntsville, Alabama
United States

fDi North American
Small Cities
of the Future
2007/08
Best Quality of Life
Top Five
Huntsville, Alabama
United States

fDi North American
Small Cities
of the Future
2007/08
Best Infrastructure
Top Five
Huntsville, Alabama
United States

[daveyp]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Steel rising for the office tower at Bridge Street, (the right side of the view)
construction is at a frantic pace throughout the development.
More walls are going up at the proposed location of Whole Foods Market behind PF Changs. This spot was seeing no activity but now is, so maybe
it means they will locate a store here. If not then someone else, originally this was the largest or second largest retail space in Bridge Street.

i contacted whole foods about a month ago and they said there are no plans in the near future for a store in hsv. their site has a section on developing stores and hsv is not listed there either, so i doubt there will be a whole foods, unfortunately.

wild oats, earth fare, etc. would all be fine too though.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

I'd argue Huntsville is more economically tied to Atlanta than the rest of the state, including Birmingham.

That statement seems irrelevant... care to explain? You must be going by some kind of statistic method? Huntsville isn't exactly blowing the hell up.....

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Urban Outfitters planning Huntsville store at Bridge Street,
Building permit has been listed, $998,268!

J Jill has begun interior work on their space across from Urban Outfitters

[Shawn35816]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

That statement seems irrelevant... care to explain? You must be going by some kind of statistic method? Huntsville isn't exactly blowing the hell up.....

It might not be right now. I think it's just a matter of time before it is though. The job growth, environment, and people of this area are like a magnet.

[Brown Duckz]

Originally Posted by Shawn35816

I think it's just a matter of time before it is though. The job growth, environment, and people of this area are like a magnet.

While this is true... and actually true of Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile as well-how can one compare Huntsville to the likes of Atlanta today? How many cranes are in downtown Huntsville or what about roadways & infrastructure being upgraded? I know you didn't make the statement I first quoted, but I'm still looking for this "economical" connection between Huntsville & Atlanta that no other place in Alabama can compare to.

[mlog]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Would the toll roads still have to be approved by ALDOT?. The main issue is we have been paying for roads(taxes) for decades and that money is being spent wherever the director wants to.Why do we have to continually fight for these approved projects only to see delays and excuses?? Sadly I think when the Mayor and Rep Cramer complain it just adds to the delay, back to the bottom of the stack. The director is not going to take any criticism or be questioned in the media.
We are not asking for more than our fair share. The same problem exists
in Birmingham.

Build the toll roads in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Give us in North Alabama the state funded highways we deserve.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by mlog

Build the toll roads in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Give us in North Alabama the state funded highways we deserve.

Actually, they already have.

http://www.alabamatolloperations.com/

Emerald Mountain Expressway and Alabama River Parkway are in Montgomery and the Warrior River Parkway is in Tuscaloosa.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

So whatelse is new, Huntsville is Alabama's new-money city, and we know how much the rest of the state doesn't like that. I'd argue Huntsville is more economically tied to Atlanta than the rest of the state, including Birmingham.

And whoever said that we pay more attention to DC than Montgomery is absolutely right. Just read the newspapers of each of the four major cities.

Maybe, Atlanta, but Washington DC is our gas for our engine. Because of that the economy is tied to far flung places, Denver, Los Angeles, New York
etc. Practically every defense/aerospace/NASA/Army contractor in the country has an office here which brings a different dynamic, ideas and influence. The growing biotech industry will expand this even more. Not saying it's better just different.The majority of new residents moving here bring new things and expectations.
But I see the same thing happening on different levels in many cities across the south.

[HSVTiger]

better access

By KEITH CLINES
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Road extension into Cummings Park avoids school

The Farrow Road extension into Cummings Research Park has been open to traffic for several weeks, but at the official opening Thursday, Mayor Loretta Spencer noted the importance of opening the road before the city schools year starts.

The $2.87 million road project provides another convenient route for Research Park and Columbia and New Century high schools.

"The timing is great," Spencer said.

The four-lane extension to Explorer Boulevard completes the widening and extension of Farrow Road from Slaughter Road into Research Park.

"It's a great connection to Research Park from the west side," Spencer said before cutting a ribbon with Councilman Glenn Watson, whose district includes the road and park.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by Brown Duckz

That statement seems irrelevant... care to explain? You must be going by some kind of statistic method? Huntsville isn't exactly blowing the hell up.....

Huntsville has more large corporations and professionals operating in its city per capita than any other city in Alabama even more so than Birmingham. Pretty much every major aerospace and defense company has operations here so its not exactly the same thing thats going on in every other city in Alabama its a little different And a lot of the people that live here are also not from here. And there are a lot cranes going up in research park not on the scale of Atlanta of course but Atlanta metro has almost 5 million people so you really can't compare the two. And if you visited Huntsville you would know that our real downtown is research park and last time i checked i've seen several cranes there. And for two you can't even see the construction and buildings going up on the arsenal which will have several large office building complexes for the military commands moving here. THe majority of the Missile Defense Agency, the Space and Missile Defense Command, the Army Material Command and couple of other commands are moving here that will probably end up generating 15-20K jobs in the next few years if they dont change their mind due to our lack of road improvements

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by neilson

Actually, they already have.

http://www.alabamatolloperations.com/

Emerald Mountain Expressway and Alabama River Parkway are in Montgomery and the Warrior River Parkway is in Tuscaloosa.

That toll road in Tuscaloosa is the dumbest road in history