Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

ALDOT Director defends road spending in letter printed in Huntsville Times

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1188724609324250.xml&coll=1

State roads and bridges would crumble with 'fair-share' funding
Sunday, September 02, 2007
By JOE McINNES
For The Times

Much has been written recently in The Huntsville Times following the release of a study prepared for the City of Huntsville comparing estimated motor fuel taxes and investments by the Alabama Department of Transportation in Madison County for roads and bridges on the state and federal highway system.

One article printed several weeks ago used "short changed" to describe Madison County's funding relative to other metropolitan areas in the state. A more recent article titled "Send more road money - or else" alluded to possible legal action to push for a bigger share of gas taxes.

I believe the term "short changed" is a misnomer because the exact amount of motor fuel taxes paid by any particular county in Alabama is not determinable.

Give the director some credit for even responding, he must be feeling some heat, but he misses the entire point. I also resent the attitude implied that we should be happy to get what we got,(again a reference to I-565).
And if most of this money is allocated then where has it been spent?
"The federal funds that were allocated to Alabama in fiscal year 2007 amounted to $753 million, which is significant. But only about $283 million is eligible for discretionary projects for the entire state because the remaining $470 million or so is earmarked by the federal government and mandated to be spent on interstate maintenance, bridges, on Appalachian highway corridors, on congressionally designated high-priority projects, in large urban areas, small urban areas, or counties, and on special programs for landscaping and beautification, sidewalks or for historic preservation."

One of the high priority corridors would be the Memphis/Huntsville/Atlanta
Expressway, which because of ALDOT's inaction has basically caused all previous environmental studies to be outdated. (This I believe was done on purpose so Aldot could focus it's attention on other projects) Remember the director decides which projects get done.

[Bama_Bull78]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Bids to finish out this restaurant at Bridge Street go out Sept 15th.

Dolce from Los Angeles; pretty fancy

http://www.dolcegroup.com/dolce/

Ketchup, Ten Pin Alley will also be locating at Bridge Street.

Hey Tiger the Building permits have issued already sunday in the hsv times. And a bunch of others also in the complex.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Bama_Bull78

Hey Tiger the Building permits have issued already sunday in the hsv times. And a bunch of others also in the complex.

yeah it seems they are trying to speed things up. The actual bids may not be awarded yet but they when they do the permit is already in hand. Basically two months away from opening. The Westin will not open until sometime next year, probably mid summer.

[HSVTiger]

Bridge Street second phase? Construction will begin soon on a separate
retail strip west of the main complex. It will consist of up to 4 larger
retail spaces one space is close to 85,000 sq ft., with the other 3 similar in size.. As you approach the center from Governors West which will extend into the development, these stores will be to your left. Interesting to see who may locate in these larger spots.

[HSVTiger]

a letter in the HSV Times asked about the lakes at Bridge Street if the drought had caused a change in plans. The answer was that no they would begin filling them in about 3 weeks and it would take about 3 weeks.
Bet that will be a hefty water bill to fill 10 acres of lakes aprox 6'-10'
deep. In some spots they may be even deeper.

[HSVTiger]

By WENDY REEVESTimes Staff Writer [email protected]


Huntsville Utilities site to have saunas, hot tub, aerobics

Within six months, a YMCA will open in downtown Huntsville.

The YMCA Express Center will occupy 14,000 square feet on the first floor of the Huntsville Utilities building on Church Street.

The Heart of the Valley YMCA will lease the site from Huntsville Utilities at standard rates, said Scott Mounts, the YMCA's CEO.

On Friday, officials from the utility and the Y met to start working out the details of the agreement, said Bill Yell, spokesman for Huntsville Utilities. "We'll be happy to have them," he said.

Mounts said the YMCA board decided last month to move ahead with the downtown site.

"When the Y embarked on our growth plans five years ago, we made a commitment to return to downtown Huntsville," said David Mathis, the Y's chief volunteer officer. "Not only did we want to return to where the Y has a long history, but we have always believed in improving the quality of life for those that live and work downtown."

The Central YMCA opened downtown at Green and Randolph streets in 1912. It served Huntsvillians for eight decades, until its use as a YMCA was no longer practical. It's now used by a law firm.

[Bama_Bull78]

Does anyone know what happend. to The Site.

[Rail Claimore]

Is the drought there still bad? We should send some of the rain here in Chicago down your way. My parents would certainly appreciate it.

I think the state needs to create some sort of tollway authority for north Alabama considering how much it gets screwed, if they believe we can pay more than our fair share for road projects because we're a bunch of "rich engineers" then they should... at least something will get built.

Electronic and open-road tolling has made toll roads the standard up here. I'd love to be able to use my I-Pass via fare-reciprocity agreement on new highways down there.

[HSVTiger]

sounds good but doubtful it will stay this way, probably just to quite down the
firestorm of complaints against ALDOT from the HSV area.

By BOB LOWRY
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
But DOT chief says amount 'not etched in stone'

MONTGOMERY - Madison County is scheduled to receive $633.44 million in federal and state highway funds over the next five years under the Alabama Department of Transportation's five-year plan unveiled on Monday.

But DOT Director Joe McInnes acknowledged things could change between 2008 and 2012.

"It's a boiling pot," he told the Joint Legislative Transportation Committee. "It's not etched in stone."

Among the state's other large counties, Jefferson County's five-year take would be $1.29 billion; Mobile County, $561.43 million; Montgomery County, $365.18 million; Tuscaloosa County, $288.47 million; and Shelby County, $264.26 million.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/118950218574320.xml&coll=1

[HSVTiger]

from the Madison City Council, we shall see...

Also Monday night, City Attorney Anne Marie Lacy announced the Alabama Department of Transportation has officially committed $5 million to the County Line interchange at Interstate 565.

"Our lobbying efforts in Montgomery are paying off," Lacy said. "This is the most we've ever gotten a commitment for from the state."

Engineering and design work is already underway for the project.

[HSVTiger]

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer [email protected]
Belk Inc., the department store chain that first entered the Huntsville market more than 60 years ago, today holds grand openings at its stores - two in Huntsville and one in Decatur - that were former Parisian locations.

"From the credit program to the merchandise to maintaining the same people, we're really making a strong effort to win the customer's loyalty," said Jim Riley, manager of the Belk store at Madison Square Mall. Riley had been the Parisian manager at that mall.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk bought 38 Parisian stores in the Southeast and Midwest from Saks Inc. last year in a $285 million deal. It sold some of the stores and has renamed 25 of them with the Belk name. Most of those stores have had interior renovations, with $8.5 million spent to expand and renovate the Huntsville stores, at Madison Square and Parkway Place malls.


One of the more noticeable changes for the Huntsville stores will be a Belk Home Store, which, at Parkway Place, occupies more than 20,000 square feet. That department features home merchandise including formal and casual dishes, flatware and bed, bath and kitchen items.

Tim Belk and his brother, Johnny Belk, the chain's president and chief operating officer, along with executives with Belk's western division office in Birmingham are expected to visit both Huntsville stores today.

Belk, the nation's largest privately owned department store company, has 300 stores in 16 Southern states.

[HSVTiger]

This I guess is in addition to the funding these projects have already received

From staff reports
Huntsville Times
Intermodal facilities included in federal '08 bill

Proposed intermodal facilities for Cummings Research Park and the University of Alabama in Huntsville are among several area projects in the fiscal 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby announced.

The bill was approved by the Senate and will go to a conference committee with the House of Representatives, Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said.

More than $1.29 million has been appropriated to build an intermodal center in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville and $1.552 million will pay to construct an intermodal facility on the UAH campus.

"The Intermodal Center at Cummings Research Park is a necessary addition to meet the needs of this new research park," said Shelby. "The center will integrate multiple modes of transportation, serve as a regional transit transfer facility and address traffic safety issues in and around the research park.

"The southern part of UAH's campus continues to grow. Additional space is integral to accommodate the needs of the students and researchers who will use the new campus research facilities."

Also included in the legislation are $250,000 for The Arc of Madison County facilities expansion; $500,000 for UAH's transportation, infrastructure and logistics research; and $259,000 for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's tramway extension.

[HSVTiger]

Second Bridge Street job fair taking place this weekend
September 15th
at Bridge Street Town Centre
Old Madison Pike & Research Park Boulevard
10am - 4pm

Retailers & Restaurants Expected to Attend:
Clarks • Fossil • Apple • Strasburg Children • Chocolate Crocodile •
Mountain High Outfitters • New York & Co • Connors Steak & Seafood •
Coldwater Creek • Swarovski • Dolce • Ketchup • Monaco Pictures •
The Westin Huntsville • Westin Heavenly Spa • Bath & Body Works •
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream & Treatery • Ann Taylor LOFT • bebe
Banana Republic • Reeds Jewelers • Lucky Brand Jeans • Chico's •
Anthropologie• Gymboree • Biscuits & Blues Café • Sunglass Station •
Richard Cable Interiors • S&K Menswear • Crabtree & Evelyn • Victoria's Secret •
Bridge Street Town Centre Customer Service/Carousel Operations

[HSVTiger]

At Huntsville International Airport

Terminal renovations still ongoing
Construction crane going up for the second six level parking deck
Bids being accepted for a new air cargo building
Land prep for a large building behind LG Electronics
Allegiant Air nonstops to Las Vegas begin this Friday (21st)
intro price $89 one way.

[HSVTiger]

interesting job from Craigslist;

Looking for an accordion player or 2 to assist/stroll with the grand opening of La Bella Gondolas at The Bridge Street Centre at Cummings Park. We have authentic Venetian gondolas straight from Venice ,Italy and will be providing tours to the public. We also will be renting really cool futuristic paddle boats and remote control sail boats. This 2 day position may lead to something much bigger and better. In the near future we will be adding tour packages with live accordion music. The dates needed are 11/01/07 and 11/02/07 and we would ask that you stroll and play aboard the gondola from about noon time until 9PM.You may take breaks when necessary!! Pay is negotiable. You must be able to play some italian standards!
You may contact Joseph by calling 617-460-1239 or email at [email protected]
Ciao

and his Myspace page, seems real popular with the ladies

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=51508429

[HSVTiger]

One of the souths biggest music festivals this weekend

15th annual Big Spring Jam Downtown
3 days, 5 stages, over 60 acts

http://www.bigspringjam.org/

Among some of the acts are Sawyer Brown and the Nashville Star Tour, featuring Shoals natives Angela & Zac Hacker, Josh Stevens, David St. James and the Nashville Star Band.

Others at the country stage are The Road Hammers, Earl Thomas Conley, and Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband.

Cajun dance music lovers will enjoy three additional groups including T. Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers, Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers, and Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys.

The rock stages will have post-grunge band Seether, alternative rock bands Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Ingram Hill.

The Christian stage has Family Force 5, Needtobreathe, tobyMac, Barlow Girl, Altar'd, This Beautiful Republic, Falling Up, and Thousand Foot Krutch.

Previously announced acts include Leann Rimes, Foreigner, Creedence Clearwater and American Idol finalist Bucky Covington.

[HSVTiger]

MidTowne on the the Park first phase under construction adjacent to Research Park





http://midtowneonthepark.com/

[-=skywalker=-]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

One of the souths biggest music festivals this weekend

15th annual Big Spring Jam Downtown
3 days, 5 stages, over 60 acts

http://www.bigspringjam.org/

Among some of the acts are Sawyer Brown and the Nashville Star Tour, featuring Shoals natives Angela & Zac Hacker, Josh Stevens, David St. James and the Nashville Star Band.

Others at the country stage are The Road Hammers, Earl Thomas Conley, and Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband.

Cajun dance music lovers will enjoy three additional groups including T. Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers, Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers, and Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys.

The rock stages will have post-grunge band Seether, alternative rock bands Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Ingram Hill.

The Christian stage has Family Force 5, Needtobreathe, tobyMac, Barlow Girl, Altar'd, This Beautiful Republic, Falling Up, and Thousand Foot Krutch.

Previously announced acts include Leann Rimes, Foreigner, Creedence Clearwater and American Idol finalist Bucky Covington.

Heya HSVTiger, gotta make a correction there. BSJ is next weekend, not this weekend. It's September 28-30...I want to go saturday (sep 29th) night if possible...gotta see Seether, Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace on the same stage!

[HSVTiger]

Right you are thanks for correcting that,

At Huntsville International

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer [email protected]
United's return helps lift numbers, Peek says

Passenger traffic at Huntsville International Airport climbed nearly 15 percent in August, with 111,653 travelers flying into and out of the airport last month.

"We haven't seen that kind of growth for at least two years," said Rick Tucker, the airport's executive director. "The community is growing and we're offering more services" for air travelers.

United Airlines returned this year with direct flights to Denver International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

"When United came in the market (with the Dulles and Denver flights), it brought in 5,000 seats a month," said Barbie Peek, the airport's marketing director.

"Our fares were competitive through the summer months," Peek said.

Tucker expects even greater growth in the traffic count in the next few months. The number of passengers this year through August was 815,545.

"We're opening up new venues for our passengers," he said.

Delta Air Lines started weekday nonstop service to LaGuardia Airport on Sept. 6. This Friday, low-fare Allegiant Air starts direct flights between Huntsville and Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport, operating on Mondays and Fridays. Allegiant will also fly nonstop to Orlando, three days a week, starting Nov. 8.

[HSVTiger]

New hotel finally in Hampton Cove

Integral Hospitality Solutions recently signed an agreement to develop and manage a new Hampton Inn & Suites that will be located in the Hampton Cove area of the Huntsville, AL market. The hotel will have approximatley 94 rooms and suites and will feature a solarium and expanded meeting space. The site is part of a planned retail and office park that features a beautiful creek running through the center of the complex. The hotel should open in the first quarter of 2008.