Huntsville updates

[Bama_Bull78]

Originally Posted by -=skywalker=-

I don't know, i played the Monrovia golf course two weeks ago for the first time...didn't hear anything about it. But i can tell you that course is the worst in the area and a waste of land...no fairways and some of the smallest/hardest greens i've ever seen...i was able to escape it with a 75, but i certainly won't be playing that course again. So it could be possible that they want to put something there if the price is right.

The reason i heard bout the Golf course. Cause i use to work for the shell company. And that the owners of the course also leased the building to shell. they said it was post to be a strip mall or something. And then the company i work for also sells stuff inside the office and the owners told the driver after the fall is was going to be razed. They use to do good back in the 80 and 90 but since all the other course have come up and maintain themselves. monrovia has lost its lackluster. But hell look at the road Everything is becoming commercially anyways homes are going that way. Huntsville and Athens will be touchin one day

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by -=skywalker=-

To each is their own...i find Huntsville more desirable than other cities i've lived because i enjoy outdoor activities...i don't hang out at clubs or bars often, so that's not my cup of tea. I do however enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, basketball, tennis or just star gazing...a lot of those things larger cities like Atlanta doesn't offer. You have to drive hours away to get that...in Huntsville it's practically right outside your back door. Other "young professionals" might find Huntsville appealing for the reasons i've mentioned if they prefer to live an outdoor active lifestyle...if you want lots of clubs or bars, then yeah...Huntsville is not for you. So please don't say I'm in denial because I prefer to live a different lifestyle than you, as I said in my last post I've traveled to and lived in many different cities. As the saying goes, "if you don't like it then leave it"...otherwise, quit complaining about your invalid argument that there's a lack of things to do...get off your duff and learn about the area, see what it has to offer. You might find that there's a lot to do here, if you're willing to give it a chance.

Oh, and one last thing...I felt the same exact way when I moved here 7 years ago...but in the last 3 years I actually took the time to explore the city and surrounding areas, after many day time trips I am proud to call Huntsville home. There's so much to do in the area that I can no longer use "I'm bored" as an excuse.

I never said I didn't like it and that theres totally nothing here., but thats your opinion, but a lot of other young people feel different, first of all are you even young? I'm not saying its completely boring but there is an obvious problem with keeping young professionals here. If you are fine with mediocrity thats on you.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by -=skywalker=-

To each is their own...i find Huntsville more desirable than other cities i've lived because i enjoy outdoor activities...i don't hang out at clubs or bars often, so that's not my cup of tea. I do however enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, basketball, tennis or just star gazing...a lot of those things larger cities like Atlanta doesn't offer.

Oh, and one last thing...I felt the same exact way when I moved here 7 years ago...but in the last 3 years I actually took the time to explore the city and surrounding areas, after many day time trips I am proud to call Huntsville home. There's so much to do in the area that I can no longer use "I'm bored" as an excuse.

Ok so you telling me I can't go fishing, play golf, basketball or tennis, and see stars anywhere in the whole metro Atlanta area? Wow I didn't know that i'm pretty sure they have rivers and creeks and lakes in georgia, and you can play basketball or tennis at any gym, hell you can play at your own house if u have a court. And i'm pretty sure they have a golf course there too, and they have Mesas/Mountains near metro Atlanta too.

[BKOTH97]

What is considered young?

I am 32, does that qualify me?

That being said, I love Huntsville, Madison and the surrounding area. I am never left wanting for something to do. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I simply don't have enough time to do everything I would like.

Bridgestreet will bring a ton of great places to eat, a very cool entertainment area and an unbelieveable theater.

I know this isn't for everyone, but if you get involved in a church or a community volunteer effort you won't ever have to worry about being bored again.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by BKOTH97

What is considered young?

I am 32, does that qualify me?

That being said, I love Huntsville, Madison and the surrounding area. I am never left wanting for something to do. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I simply don't have enough time to do everything I would like.

Bridgestreet will bring a ton of great places to eat, a very cool entertainment area and an unbelieveable theater.

I know this isn't for everyone, but if you get involved in a church or a community volunteer effort you won't ever have to worry about being bored again.

Naw not really im talking early and mid 20s upper 20s at the most. I never said I was bored I have my time tied with enough obligations already I just said there isnt enough here to attract MOST young professionals. Most people never have enough time to do a lot anyway but the rare ocassion you do have free time it would be nice to have more options. It doesnt matter right now IN huntsville cause most of the people who work in this town are old. When you are 30ish especially with a family it doesnt matter anymore anyway. And bridgestreet will be a great and huge step in the right direction. I wasn't talking about just classy bars/clubs Im talking about shopping, places like Dave and BUsters etc. But huntsville has rapidly been improving in even these last couple years you are misunderstanding I like it here just want it to see its potential. A more active vibrant downtown where you can walk around and interact with people is one of the types of things im talking about, Constellation will be huge step in the right direction but we won't get anything here if people keep opposing buildings because they block the sun.

[Dale]

I just get the impression that some folks are just over-stimulated.

[daveyp]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

Constellation will be huge step in the right direction but we won't get anything here if people keep opposing buildings because they block the sun.

that's an odd statement. having tall buildings does not equal fun stuff to do. and the tall buildings won't attract people to the town.

there's lots to do in huntsville. and the proximity to hiking, rock climbing, whitewater, spelunking, etc. is a great thing, but it's certainly not much better than anywhere else in the southeast. bham, atl, raleigh, charlotte, greenville, chattanooga, knoxville, nashville, etc. all of these towns have as good, if not better, outdoor access. it's just you might have to deal with crowds more at other towns.

honestly, my experience has been that the local landowners in this area have made it very difficult to enjoy the outdoors at times.

i love going to the bars in hsv, but i just get sick of seeing the same people every time i go out. and i always hated that there are about 500% more guys than girls in this town. but now i have an amazing girlfriend so i don't worry about that anymore!

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by daveyp

that's an odd statement. having tall buildings does not equal fun stuff to do. and the tall buildings won't attract people to the town.

there's lots to do in huntsville. and the proximity to hiking, rock climbing, whitewater, spelunking, etc. is a great thing, but it's certainly not much better than anywhere else in the southeast. bham, atl, raleigh, charlotte, greenville, chattanooga, knoxville, nashville, etc. all of these towns have as good, if not better, outdoor access. it's just you might have to deal with crowds more at other towns.

honestly, my experience has been that the local landowners in this area have made it very difficult to enjoy the outdoors at times.

i love going to the bars in hsv, but i just get sick of seeing the same people every time i go out. and i always hated that there are about 500% more guys than girls in this town. but now i have an amazing girlfriend so i don't worry about that anymore!

Yeah Davey P u summed it up but I didnt say tall buildings would attract people. The building that wasnt being built downtown cause it supposedly would block the sun was an 8 story building anyway. But if constellation or another development can't get built because of height restrictions then that is preventing more people from being attracted to town. I'm just saying that kind of thinking will discourage people from wanting to build here.

[-=skywalker=-]

Ok, let's get back on track...HSVTiger, keep the good news of future developements/improvements coming.

[HSVTiger]

Income growth here tops national average
by Wayne Smith HSV Times

Personal income growth in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area grew by 7.7 percent last year, higher than the U.S. average, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Personal income grew 6.6 percent in the metropolitan portion of the U.S. in 2006, up from 5.3 percent in 2005. Personal income growth accelerated in 252 of the nation's 363 MSAs.

In the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, which includes Madison and Limestone counties, personal income grew 7.7 percent, up from 7.4 percent in 2005.

Per capita personal income in the Huntsville MSA was $35,196 in 2006, ranking it 104 among metropolitan statistical areas. Only the Birmingham-Hoover area was higher in Alabama, ranking 65th at $37,635.

Per capita personal income in the Huntsville MSA grew by 5.4 percent, down slightly from 5.6 percent in 2005.

[HSVTiger]

It's hot, TVA and Huntsville Utilities up to the challenge

Huntsville Utilities' customers pushed electricity use to record levels today, breaking a record set in January 2003.

At 5 p.m., the hourly peak demand for electricity reached 1,168 megawatts. Demand represents the amount of electricity flowing into the system at any given moment. 1,168 megawatts is the equivalent of more than 11 million 100-watt bulbs burning at the same time.

The all-time record demand for electricity was set in January 2003 at 1,144 megawatts. The previous summertime record demand for power by HU customers was 1,110 megawatts set Aug. 2, 2006.

Utility officials expect the demand for power to remain high this week as the Southeast continues to deal with temperatures in the upper 90s to possibly more than 100 degrees.

Even with the extreme heat, the electric system is handling the high demands well, said utility spokesman Bill Yell. There were only four small outages throughout Monday that affected 25 customers.

"Summertime load is far more stressful to an electric system than a winter load," Yell said. "It's the heat on equipment that causes damage that can result in outages. Wintertime temperatures provide a cooling buffer for equipment, allowing the equipment to handle greater loads."

Huntsville Utilities serves more than 154,000 customers in Huntsville, Madison County and northern Marshall County.

[HSVTiger]

Apartment complex ready to begin construction soon

Providence Ridge on Old Monrovia Road, 2-3 story typical apartment buildings.
17 apt bldgs., 334 apts., 1 club bldg

[daveyp]

there's a new office building almost finished with contruction on whitesburg, near the airport rd. chickfila, etc.

and construction is about to begin across the street from that site, next door to those pinkish colored condos. anyone know what that's going to be?

[HSVTiger]

New bank to be headquartered in North Alabama, hey you got to start somewhere...

Progress Bank and Trust is planning to open its first offices in Huntsville and Decatur in January, according to organizers.

David Nast, president and CEO, said that the start-up bank has received notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. that it may continue its pursuit of a new state banking charter. It also has been approved to raise capital by the State Securities Department.

"Receiving a substantially complete opinion on our charter application from the FDIC is a major milestone for our new company,'' Nast said. "While we still have work to do to obtain final approval on our charter, this initial approval speaks to the dedication from our management team and directors over the past six months."

"The leadership team is committed to building a high touch, high tech community bank headquartered in North Alabama and managed by experienced bankers who live in our community.''

The approval from the State Securities Department gives Progress Bank (In Organization) the ability to make its offering circular public and begin raising capital. Nast said the bank's business plan requires it to raise between $27 and $35 million in capital. He said the bank has already raised half of its minimum capital requirement.

[HSVTiger]

This is the landmark for that area and glad to see they want to save it.
It could be the centerpiece for a new development.
This pic shows the tank(in the far background) and the old mill which sadly burned years ago.


By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Huntsville Utilities wants to refurbish Dallas-Lincoln tank

It's a rusty old relic on stilts standing like a sentinel over one of Huntsville's former sprawling textile mill villages.

Soon, the nearly 100-year-old steel water tower in the Dallas-Lincoln mill area may be refurbished.

Huntsville Utilities hopes to begin a $200,000 restoration plan that would reinforce the 30,000-gallon tank, replace the cone top and cloak it with a shiny coat of silver paint. The tank was built in 1920 but has been inactive since the mill shut down in 1942.

The contract is on the Huntsville City Council agenda tonight. The council tonight will also announce the fate of Huntsville Fire Capt. Marc Thrailkill, who faces a 144-hour pay suspension for writing an article in the firefighter union's newsletter critical of the city's then-fire chief. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

City Councilman Mark Russell said residents near the historic mill villages have pushed the city for years to do something about the aging water tower.

"It's a landmark for that part of town. It represents the proud legacy of both mill areas. I think it will be a great feature as you come down the interstate."

Tony Owens, water manager for Huntsville Utilities, said there are no immediate plans to put the water tower in service even though it stands over the pumphouse of the Lincoln-Dallas well. The well furnishes about 8,000 gallons of water a day for Huntsville Utilities.

Owens said the renovation will bring the water tower up to current environmental standards and be ready for use if redevelopment occurs in the mill areas as expected.

"The tank was in such a condition we were either going to have to make repairs and secure it for the future or take it down," he said.

The city is helping promote a revitalized Lincoln-Dallas area. The city is widening Meridian Street and has rezoned the area to make it more attractive to investors.

Owens said plans call for painting "Dallas" on one side of the tank and "Lincoln" on the other side as a reminder of the mills that flanked the structure.

Utilities officials say having the tank pressed into service for storage would be especially beneficial for fire protection.

The Dallas Mill operated from 1892 to 1942. The building burned in a fire in July 1991 that lit up the Huntsville skyline.

[HSVTiger]

Rep Cramer pushes roads. ALDOT does not have any answers..
something will have to give, ALDOT can't keep holding communities hostage.

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Urges leaders to set road priorities, says help needed

Getting 10,000 well-paying jobs is great news, but it's rough on the roads.

At his annual Washington Update Luncheon, U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, told 1,100 people Wednesday that the No. 1 challenge facing North Alabama is how it will handle the cars of the thousands of defense workers who will relocate here from the Washington, D.C., area by 2011.

The jobs will mostly come from the Missile Defense Agency, Army Materiel Command and the Space and Missile Defense Command, as well as the contractors who support them.

"We can't grow the way we need to grow without addressing this soon," he said. "We couldn't have a better challenge."

Gov. Bob Riley has said that toll roads and roads built through public/private partnerships should be considered for constructing the necessary expansions.

Cramer said he was open to those ideas, "but should we ask arsenal employees to pay to go to work every day?"

He added there could be security issues for roads such as those feeding into the Army base.

The congressman said a group of elected officials, business leaders and military officers should convene and discuss which roads should take priority. The thoroughfares he believes should be targeted first are those around Redstone Arsenal. He mentioned Winchester Road, Ardmore Highway and County Line Road.

Madison County is feeling short-changed by the highway funding coming its way as compared to the money it sends to Montgomery in fuel taxes. A study written by the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville revealed that between 1990 and 2005, the county collected more than $469 million in taxes, but only $249 million - or 53 percent of what it sent to Montgomery - came back home.

That contrasts to 72 percent for Jefferson County and 74 percent for Mobile County. Montgomery and Tuscaloosa counties actually received more road money than they sent in fuel tax revenue to the capital.

Cramer said that formula won't work any more.

"Our local government has done a tremendous job in taking care of its transportation needs in the past," Cramer said. "But we can't take care of this. Not on our own. We're going to have to have help."

[daveyp]

kenny mango's (downtown coffee shop on north side of the square) is moving to madison. in it's place there is going to be a new gelato and coffee shop. they will serve gelato, sorbetto, semifreddo cakes, paninis, breakfast burritos, hot dogs, muffins and pastry, and a wide variety of coffees, espresso drinks, smoothies, and granita.

i was hoping a bar or cool restaurant would open there and be open late, but i'm sure this will be pretty cool too.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Rep Cramer pushes roads. ALDOT does not have any answers..
something will have to give, ALDOT can't keep holding communities hostage.

By PATRICIA C. McCARTER
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Urges leaders to set road priorities, says help needed

Getting 10,000 well-paying jobs is great news, but it's rough on the roads.

At his annual Washington Update Luncheon, U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, told 1,100 people Wednesday that the No. 1 challenge facing North Alabama is how it will handle the cars of the thousands of defense workers who will relocate here from the Washington, D.C., area by 2011.

The jobs will mostly come from the Missile Defense Agency, Army Materiel Command and the Space and Missile Defense Command, as well as the contractors who support them.

"We can't grow the way we need to grow without addressing this soon," he said. "We couldn't have a better challenge."

Gov. Bob Riley has said that toll roads and roads built through public/private partnerships should be considered for constructing the necessary expansions.

Cramer said he was open to those ideas, "but should we ask arsenal employees to pay to go to work every day?"

He added there could be security issues for roads such as those feeding into the Army base.

The congressman said a group of elected officials, business leaders and military officers should convene and discuss which roads should take priority. The thoroughfares he believes should be targeted first are those around Redstone Arsenal. He mentioned Winchester Road, Ardmore Highway and County Line Road.

Madison County is feeling short-changed by the highway funding coming its way as compared to the money it sends to Montgomery in fuel taxes. A study written by the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville revealed that between 1990 and 2005, the county collected more than $469 million in taxes, but only $249 million - or 53 percent of what it sent to Montgomery - came back home.

That contrasts to 72 percent for Jefferson County and 74 percent for Mobile County. Montgomery and Tuscaloosa counties actually received more road money than they sent in fuel tax revenue to the capital.

Cramer said that formula won't work any more.

"Our local government has done a tremendous job in taking care of its transportation needs in the past," Cramer said. "But we can't take care of this. Not on our own. We're going to have to have help."

Look for Cramer to use Washington to supersede Montgomery here and in any future road projects for Huntsville for the foreseeable future.

That's what it's gonna take and it will happen far sooner then later.

[HSVTiger]

not yet, I think Tampa or Orlando will come first

Allegiant Air unveiled Rockford, Ill., as its first destination for new non-stop flights from Fort Lauderdale.

The Las Vegas-based carrier will begin twice-weekly jet flights on Dec. 14 at introductory prices of $69 each way. Prices will later rise to $89.

Air/hotel packages will begin at $453 per person for a three-night stay at the Comfort Suites Airport and Seaport Fort Lauderdale. Allegiant plans to announce 11 other destinations in coming weeks.

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Will Huntsville be one of the new nonstop destinations from Ft. Lauderdale?
maybe,
By INA PAIVA CORDLE
[email protected]
Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air is creating a mini-hub at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport this fall, with service to 12 destinations in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast.

The fast-growing Las Vegas-based airline, which links small cities to popular leisure destinations, says it will fly to locations not yet served from South Florida. It will also make Fort Lauderdale its fifth crew base, hiring as many as 50 local employees, Allegiant spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said.

The airline -- now led by some of the founders of ValuJet Airlines -- today will be announcing Fort Lauderdale service beginning Nov. 14. The carrier will not start naming the cities it will serve from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood until Aug. 9, but Squyres said Las Vegas will not be among them. The 12 destinations will be phased in by the end of the year.

''Most people who live there aren't from there, and we fly to those hometowns where everyone is from,'' Squyres said. Besides Las Vegas, Allegiant already has hubs in Orlando/Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and will soon add Phoenix. The airline has no plans to fly internationally or to Miami, she said.

Among the 53 cities Allegiant flies to: Allentown, Pa; Bangor, Maine; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Des Moines, Iowa; Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; Peoria, Ill.; and Toledo, Ohio.

''We go where no one else goes,'' Squyres said.

The airline's research shows that South Florida is in high demand for low-cost leisure service from those cities.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood spokesman Greg Meyer called Allegiant's plans ``outstanding.''

''There are lots of domestic destinations throughout various areas of the country that aren't currently being served, and this is excellent for the airport and for the people who fly out of here,'' Meyer said.

Allegiant will be flying out of Terminal 2, Concourse D, he said.

Founded in 1997, Allegiant has grown from 14 destinations to more than 50 during the past three years.

The airline has a fleet of 150-seat, MD-80 series aircraft.

Allegiant, which went public in December, earned $9.7 million on $84.3 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2007.

''The primary focus in 2007 will be developing Florida markets,'' Parker wrote, ``which represent 27 percent of revenue currently and 67 percent of projected 2007 revenue growth.''

[HSVTiger]

it's over 100 degrees at the Bridge Street site today

the six story office building showing some steel now.