Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by neilson

So HSVTiger, what're your thoughts on Bridge Street? You've been rather quiet on an eventful weekend here in town.

I've been out of town, but I'm a big fan of Bridge Street. I'm waiting a bit
before I comment (not that it matters) . This is a huge project with a tremendous amount of money invested. Huntsville is fortunate to have it and will benefit greatly. It is a testament to this city, it's people and leadership
warts and all. This along with Constellation and the center on Zierdt will raise this city to a different level.

[g-man435]

Can somebody (cough HSVTiger cough) go out and take some pics of Bridge Street Towne Center when they go there? I sure would appreciate it. Thanks.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by g-man435

Can somebody (cough HSVTiger cough) go out and take some pics of Bridge Street Towne Center when they go there? I sure would appreciate it. Thanks.

I hope to this weekend, but hopefully others will as well.
They are still working at a hectic palce on the other stores, theater, and Westin.

[g-man435]

^^ When you said others as well you didn't mean...well here:

[HSVTiger]

good pics gman

Five Guys Burgers opening two locations in Huntsville at Valley Bend and
next to Jason's Deli on Enterprise behind Ihop. They also have a locations
in Decatur, Birmingham and Trussville

[Bama_Bull78]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

good pics gman

Five Guys Burgers opening two locations in Huntsville at Valley Bend and
next to Jason's Deli on Enterprise behind Ihop. They also have a locations
in Decatur, Birmingham and Trussville

What are those burgers like? We sure gettin a lot of burger resturants in the Area. I wish Bridge Street or somewhere would get some more men Clothing places. Casual Male is nice but just don't wanna go to ghetto to get my clothing. Bridge street nice prolly will be even better when more stores open wish they would get a better food court another Cajun Grill Just like the one in the other two malls. And i have yet to see anything Cajun bout it.

[g-man435]

Here are more pics of Bridge Street. I'll post more tomorrow:

[HSVTiger]

gman did you slip into town or you found a good photo link?

[g-man435]

^^Wouldn't you like to know. My uncle works at NASA.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by g-man435

^^Wouldn't you like to know. My uncle works at NASA.

Well doggie! He is a good photographer

Kate Spade should open tomorrow.

[HSVTiger]

as reported earlier, Delta has nonstops to Orlando International (MCO)

Low-fare airline Allegiant Air starts a direct flight to Orlando, Fla., from Huntsville International Airport on Thursday.

The new nonstop Orlando flights will be three days a week - on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Flights will leave Huntsville at 3:10 p.m. and arrive at Orlando Sanford International Airport(SFB) at 5:55 p.m. (all local times). Flights will leave Orlando at 1:55 p.m. and arrive in Huntsville at 2:35 p.m.

The regular one-way fare starts at $69.

Allegiant will use 150-seat, MD-80 series jets for the flights.
The carrier started nonstop flights from Huntsville to Las Vegas on Sept. 21.

[marvingardns]

Great column today in Local & State from Lee Roop regarding the D1 sports facility in Bailey Cove. Thumbs down, in my opinion, to another metal box.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by marvingardns

Great column today in Local & State from Lee Roop regarding the D1 sports facility in Bailey Cove. Thumbs down, in my opinion, to another metal box.

Yeah I thought it was too, architecture in HSV is mostly crap with a few exceptions. A link to the article

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/lroop.ssf?/base/news/1194430740226120.xml&coll=1

"Here, D1 is a sheet-metal rectangle. A big one. You'd expect to find it on a street named Commercial with a double-wide garage door and a sign saying "radiator repair."

It's not what you expect in a valuable little corner of Jones Valley, where even the car washes add something extra so their facades fit in.

And it's not what D1 built in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tenn., either, according to town planner Micah Wood.

In Franklin, design standards require more than a metal building. For D1, Wood says, that meant rugged block construction and no long blank facades."

[HSVTiger]

The planned Enhanced Use Leasing project at Redstone Arsenal. I-565 runs along the left side and Rideout Road along the top.
This will cater toward private sector companies doing business at Redstone.



Plans for the project include a world-class office park, an Academic Integration Center and a lodging and conference facility.

[g-man435]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Well doggie! He is a good photographer

Kate Spade should open tomorrow.

I never said he took those photos though.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The Mayors state of the city address had some hints

"In a question and answer session, Spencer told the crowd to expect an announcement soon on a new downtown restaurant and movement on a new parking garage at Holmes Avenue and Green Street. She revealed a dog park is in the works near the skateboard park below Interstate 565 downtown."
HSV Times


The restaurant is probably the long awaited one on the top floor of Big Spring Summit, and the parking garage may help spur the long rumored (21+ story)
condo tower

in a few weeks we should see some soil testing and environmental study
for this new garage

[g-man435]

http://www.sellersphoto.com/clients/bridgest/content/index.html for rest of photos.

[HSVTiger]

a favorite eatery closes

Green Hills Grill closes

A spokesperson for Specialty Restaurant Development in Maitland, Fla., says Green Hills Grill on Huntsville's west side is closed permanently. The company had bought this restaurant in 1999 and operated three others by this name.

Owners recently decided to close Green Hills here and in Brentwood, Tenn., according to the spokesperson. They kept restaurants in Nashville and Knoxville open. The company also has 16 Applebee's franchises across Florida.

[HSVTiger]

New bank moving into new digs.
I'm always amazed at how these banks can raise so much cash.

The old Regions Center on Williams St downtown, across from Colonial
will be the new home for Progress Bank. Renovations are underway..

Progress Bank, a locally owned and managed startup bank, has stock-purchase commitments topping its minimum capital requirement of $27 million.

Plans are to open one branch each in Huntsville and Decatur in January.

"We have in excess of $10 million cash in hand," said David Nast, the bank's president and CEO. Organizers are asking investors to send in money that's committed.

"Hitting $27 million is a major milestone for us," Nast said.

Progress shares are selling for $10 each. The minimum purchase is 1,000 shares, or $10,000; the maximum purchase is 150,000 shares, or $1.5 million.

"We have investors on both ends" of the range, Nast said. "It's real community-based ownership."

Progress organizers are awaiting approval of a state banking charter from the Alabama Banking Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

A third hurdle, Nast said, is to get employees trained and offices ready to open. The bank's organizational office is in the Yarbrough Office Center at 120 Holmes Ave. The Huntsville branch will be at 201 Williams Ave., and the Decatur location will be at 255 Grant St., Suite 100.

The goal for Progress had been to raise $27 million to $35 million in capital. Nast said he expects to raise more than $30 million before Nov. 16, when the offering is slated to close.

All money and subscriptions, or agreements of intent to buy shares, are due by that date.

Nast, Huntsville President Lee R. Hoekenschnieder and Decatur President Bruce Pylant were formerly with AmSouth Bank. J.E.P. Buchanan, chief credit officer and senior lender, was previously with Colonial Bank and Wachovia.

[g-man435]

Go ahead. Brush off your shoulders and wipe yourself down HSVTiger.