Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

From WAAY TV
Decatur, Ala. - Genesis U.S.A. Development, LLC today announced plans for Sweetwater, a unique planned mixed-use retail, entertainment, office and residential community to be located on 540 acres in Decatur, on the south side of Highway 20 at Interstate 65/565.

The first phase will include 125 acres anchored by Bass Pro Shops (www.basspro.com) and a major hotel and convention center. The formal announcement of the hotel and convention center will be made within the next month. Phase I will include up to 300,000 square feet of additional retail with construction estimated to begin in 2009.

Bass Pro Shops, America's most popular outdoor store, will be located on a 25-acre site of the development, with the store covering over three acres in size, and will be the signature anchor for Sweetwater. The store is tentatively scheduled to open late spring 2009.

It is anticipated that construction for the hotel and convention center will begin in June 2008 with completion expected in late 2009 or early 2010. It is expected that the hotel and convention center will have up to 350 employees from the area.

"This is exciting news for the City of Decatur and all of North Alabama," said Governor Bob Riley. "Such a massive development really can change the face of an area and bring in revenue that would have never existed otherwise. Landing a project like this also shows that our economy is still on a roll. We have built a strong business climate thanks to an economic growth strategy that encompasses the entire state."

The investment for Phase I is estimated to be up to $200 million, with the development group being comprised of private investors embedded in the national music and entertainment industries. Upon completion the entire Sweetwater project is estimated to have a total cost of up to $1.3 billion.

Along with Bass Pro Shops, the new hotel and convention center and plentiful retail space, future phases of Sweetwater will include over 1 million square feet of retail, approximately 825,000 square feet of medical and office buildings, a world-class entertainment venue with a seating capacity of up to 8,000 people, 2,700 residences which will be home to between five and 7,000 people, school, fire station, parks and lakes.

Annual tax revenues from the entire first phase of the development are estimated to generate $1.6 million for the City of Decatur's general fund, $375,000 for the Decatur City School System, $280,000 for the Limestone County Commission's general fund and $2.3 million for the Limestone County School System.

"I can't begin to say how excited we are about working with Genesis in Decatur. This is a very dynamic project that has all the elements to be something really special. Our retail partners are excited about the potential of this market," said Greg Lutz, president of Midtown Niki Development Partners (www.midtownniki.com). "We feel that this development will have an immediate regional draw, as is evident by the interest from the big box retail, hotel and convention center. This project will be one that we will be focusing on for the next several years."

Sweetwater will ensure Decatur's spot as a destination for tourism for those in northern Alabama, southern Tennessee and northern Mississippi, and will also become an attraction to those relocating to the area through BRAC.

"I believe while Decatur may claim the location of this enormous project, the effects will be felt across not only across north Alabama, but throughout the entire southeastern United States," said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Decatur's central location allows visitors convenient access to other major attractions and fishing areas in the region. It is a win-win for tourism locally and regionally, as well as on the state level."

Award-winning in concept and design, Bass Pro Shops retail stores are rated as top tourist destinations. Over 90 million people visit their stores annually. Widely recognized for their efforts in conservation and outdoor education, Bass Pro Shops stores also offer Outdoor Skills Workshops for adults, kids and families.

Bass Pro Shops stores are a combination of museum, art gallery, aquarium, outdoor education, conservation and entertainment. Each store is uniquely themed to the region in which they are located so that no two stores are alike.

"We are very excited to be a part of this great regional location in Decatur as our fourth Bass Pro Shops store in Alabama," said Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale. "The store will be a tribute to the great sporting tradition and heritage of the region and a celebration of the sporting men and women of Alabama."

Bass Pro Shops, known for hiring associates that have a passion for the outdoors, is expected to employ approximately 300 people, many of whom will come from the local region.

We could not have brought this development to Decatur without the help of Mayor Don Kyle, members of the Decatur City Council, the officials with the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of commerce, State Senator Arthur Orr and other local officials," said Gary Glover with Genesis.

[g-man435]

I don't get this. How did this project get announced with construction starting in only three months? Usually it takes a year or two for construction to start on projects this size once their announced. Has this project been published through the media before?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by g-man435

I don't get this. How did this project get announced with construction starting in only three months? Usually it takes a year or two for construction to start on projects this size once their announced. Has this project been published through the media before?

They did a great job of keeping this secret, but it's been in development for 2 years. 4 years ago another similar proposal surfaced but fell through, so it looks like Bass Pro has been working on this for a long time.

[g-man435]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

They did a great job of keeping this secret, but it's been in development for 2 years. 4 years ago another similar proposal surfaced but fell through, so it looks like Bass Pro has been working on this for a long time.

Ah...ok. That makes more sense. Sounds like it will be similar to our Verdae: http://www.verdaedevelopment.com/ I'll admit i'm jealous of you guys getting Bass Pro Shops before us.

[HSVTiger]

"Along with Bass Pro Shops, the new hotel and convention center and plentiful retail space, future phases of Sweetwater will include over 1 million square feet of retail, approximately 825,000 square feet of medical and office buildings, a world-class entertainment venue with a seating capacity of up to 8,000 people, 2,700 residences which will be home to between five and 7,000 people, school, fire station, parks and lakes."

I would hope that the planned expansion/renovation of the Von Braun Center
arena in downtown Huntsville will now be put on the fast track. Most of the money is in place and design is underway supposedly. Capacity may be around 12-15,000. Not sure if they won't do a stop gap renovation first like the recently awarded Concert Hall work. Another winner in this is Huntsville International Airport only 7 -8 miles away.

From WHNT TV
City leaders are being tight lipped about the expected four star hotel coming to the area. It's expected to have 300 suite-style rooms. All Kyle will say is this about the name.

"H for hotel is all I can say," said Kyle.

He will say homes are planned for the development.

"Much of that property backs up to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the West and South ends. It's not highly visible from the highway. It looks like a very large community neighborhood could exist over there from everything from patio homes to single family dwellings on larger lots," said Kyle.

For the immediate future. Highway 20 is known to be a dangerous route. There will be a traffic light installed in front of the Raceway gas station during the first phase of the project.

"I don't want anybody to get the impression that red light is a permanent," said Jim Page with the Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. "That's a temporary fix for phase one with an ultimate goal of having an interstate grade interchange at the location."

So how soon can we expect to see the Bass Pro Shops? Crews are expected to start construction June 1st and open late spring 2009.

[HSV79]

Glad to hear about this development...maybe now like you said Tiger, Hsv will go ahead and build a bigger arena. A 15,000 seat Von Braun Center arena would be nice. And also so if they can get rid of this silly height limit for downtown.

[HSVTiger]

Some more info from The Huntsville Times..

Mayor Kyle said that Decatur will spend about $14 million on road and other improvements for the development and recoup its money from the sales tax revenue generated by the Bass Pro Shops store.

He said the store is expected to generate $1.5 million a year in sales tax revenue, more than enough to cover the expected $1 million a year needed to pay the debt on the $14 million.
Construction on the Bass Pro Shops store is expected to begin in June and be completed in late spring 2009.

Phase one would also include construction of a hotel with 300 suites and an 80,000-square-foot convention center. Officials said a formal announcement for the hotel and convention center is expected within a month with construction beginning in June and expected completion in early 2010.

Construction on another 300,000 square feet of retail space in phase one would begin in 2009.

The sales tax revenue from the Bass Pro Shop will be dedicated to paying for the improvements the city will make and can't be used for other city projects until the debt is repaid, Kyle said. That debt payment procedure is required under the cooperative district that the city created for Sweetwater.
John Seymour, the president and chief executive officer of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, said officials have worked on the project for five years and have worked "intensely" the past two years.

"It's very complex and very detailed," Seymour said during the news conference at the Chamber of Commerce building.

[TimCity2000]

how close is huntsville city limits to any of this? i'm wondering what the "spillover" effects might be. hopefully this will benefit the airport and the ussrc, while not taking away too much from downtown huntsville. i also would love to see an expanded von braun center.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

how close is huntsville city limits to any of this? i'm wondering what the "spillover" effects might be. hopefully this will benefit the airport and the ussrc, while not taking away too much from downtown huntsville. i also would love to see an expanded von braun center.

Huntsville city limits are directly across I-65, I don't see how anything but positive results will come from this for everyone in the area. On the layout they show a bridge over I-65 to the Huntsville/Mooresville side which I assume
will connect to the old Highway 20 just west of Mooresville which would allow
access from the Mooresville exit on I-565,

[BKOTH97]

The Huntsville City Limits are about 300 feet (just on the otherside of the interstate) from this development. There will be significant spillover and the effect will be felt on Decatur, Athens, Madison and Huntsville. The Greenbrier area may see significant changes because of this developement and it will start to fill in the "center of the triangle" between Decatur, Athens and Huntsville.

Thanks,

BKOTH97

[marvingardns]

At least Athens Utilities won't sink a 65/565 interchange project this time. No wonder Lstone and Athens are wanting to block annexations. A development like this will blow the doors open on annexations well north of Pryor Field... perhaps as far north as the new Tanner 65/Hsv Browns Ferry interchange.

Hot dog... I knew the levee would bust in South Limestone, but not with a $1B development like this.

[HSVTiger]

WAFF TV
A green neighborhood is coming to Huntsville. The green residential neighborhood will be near the northeast intersection of Douglass road and Indian Creek Road in Huntsville.


"We have an environmentally conscious subdivision coming into Huntsville. Some developers out of Nashville are going to bring the subdivision that will be a green subdivision," said Mayor Loretta Spencer.

Randy Chastain is the owner of Parkside Homes, the developer of this project. He says home owners will cut costs on utility bills.

"We expect that they will be saving around 40 percent on their electric and water bills."

Chastain says some of the energy saving features included in each home are soy sprayed insulation, well-ceiled windows, water saving appliances and energy saving air-conditioning and heating devices.

This piece of land will house just under 400 homes and developers say they hope to begin construction next fall and start moving people in by spring of 2009.

http://www.goparksidehomes.com/green.html

[TimCity2000]

Along with Bass Pro Shops, the new hotel and convention center and plentiful retail space, future phases of Sweetwater will include over 1 million square feet of retail, approximately 825,000 square feet of medical and office buildings, a world-class entertainment venue with a seating capacity of up to 8,000 people, 2,700 residences which will be home to between five and 7,000 people, school, fire station, parks and lakes.

anyone have any more info on the "entertainment venue?" would it be for sporting events as well as concerts? if so, would it be the home of a particular sports team?

[marvingardns]

A green neighborhood is coming to Huntsville. The green residential neighborhood will be near the northeast intersection of Douglass road and Indian Creek Road in Huntsville.


"We have an environmentally conscious subdivision coming into Huntsville. Some developers out of Nashville are going to bring the subdivision that will be a green subdivision," said Mayor Loretta Spencer.

Randy Chastain is the owner of Parkside Homes, the developer of this project. He says home owners will cut costs on utility bills.

"We expect that they will be saving around 40 percent on their electric and water bills."

Chastain says some of the energy saving features included in each home are soy sprayed insulation, well-ceiled windows, water saving appliances and energy saving air-conditioning and heating devices.

This piece of land will house just under 400 homes and developers say they hope to begin construction next fall and start moving people in by spring of 2009.

I hope this means it will be 'community' friendly as well. We don't need another gated, garish eyesore like McMullen Cove.

[HSVTiger]

The Bass Pro Development, north is top of the rendering

credit to jmanhsv for posting this scan in his excellent blog
http://huntsvilledevelopment.blogspot.com/

[HSVTiger]

Some comments from Huntsville officials about Sweetwater which everyone agrees it is a plus for everyone. Sounds like what we have said in this forum .

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Decatur project couldattract other businesses

A proposed $1.3 billion retail-entertainment-office development in Decatur at Interstate 65 and Alabama 20 could attract spinoff businesses for Huntsville that want to be close to the action.

Huntsville planning officials gave that assessment Tuesday in reaction to a proposed mixed-use, mega-development announced for Decatur.



"We welcome the competition," said Dallas Fanning, Huntsville's planning director.

Fanning noted that the Decatur project would be built in phases, with completion expected by the final arrival of thousands of new families lured to Redstone Arsenal under BRAC.

The development, to be called Sweetwater, would be anchored by a Bass Pro Shops - a leading outdoor-gear chain - and eventually include a hotel, convention center, offices and other stores. Spinoff stores that build in the west Huntsville corridor along I-565 could help offset tax losses from commerce siphoned by the Decatur development, Huntsville officials say.


Crawford Howard, chairman of the Huntsville Planning Commission, said while the Decatur project could take some shopping and hotel activity from Huntsville, it could also attract businesses to nearby undeveloped sites.

"It could cause some major chain groups to look at the area in general," he said.

Howard said the Sweetwater project would help fulfill decades-old predictions that Huntsville-Decatur-Madison and Athens one day would grow together.
"I don't think it can do anything but help the community and the area in the long run," he said.

Huntsville City Council President Glenn Watson doesn't believe that the Bass Pro Shops will detract from Huntsville's other major shopping centers. Huntsville and Madison should be able to "share in the pie," with consumers the ultimate benefactor with more shopping choices, he said.

"I guess you could look at this as lemon or lemonade," he said.

Huntsville's city limits touch Decatur's at I-65, but only on the north side of I-565/Alabama 20. The town of Mooresville claims the southeast corner. Fanning said much of Huntsville's I-565 frontage east of I-65 is zoned industrial with warehouse and distribution-type facilities claiming most of the land.

"There are some opportunities along that corridor on the north side at Mooresville Road and on both sides (of I-565) at Greenbrier Road," he said. "It's hard to gauge what will happen. Generally those are market-driven. We won't know until somebody shows up and says we have a plan."

Fanning said the opportunity sites along that area are sufficient for hotels, restaurants and other commercial venues.

Huntsville-based commercial developer Scott McLain said the Bass Pro Shops shouldn't hurt west Huntsville shopping destinations such as the new Bridge Street Town Centre development and area malls.

"They're different products, different demographic targets," he said. "I don't see a tenant that had been considering Bridge Street would go to Sweetwater instead." McLain said Sweetwater could accelerate the timetable for commerce-inducing projects such as the proposed interchange at I-565 and improvements to the Von Braun Center.

"If a new civic center is developed out there and it's a regional facility, it could be an incentive for Huntsville to continue with renovation of the VBC, which is 30 years old."

Fanning said the city is already investing $4 million in VBC improvements. The interchange, he said, is under design with construction tentatively scheduled for 2010. "I don't know how much faster you could go," he said.

Bass Pro Shops could be a major competitor to outdoor outfitter Gander Mountain, which opened in October 2006 on North Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. But Mayor Loretta Spencer said Gander officials chose that site over an interstate location to catch customers from Tennessee, Hazel Green, Meridianville and Huntsville who drive the heavily traveled Parkway.

Rising gas prices may also deter Huntsville-area shoppers from the long commute to Sweetwater, she said. (Mayor Spencer don't kid yourself, a short 15 minute drive for Madison and West Huntsville residents is quicker than a congested trip down South Parkway. Gas prices won't keep people
from going to this store. If that's your thinking then people won't drive to Huntsville to shop from Decatur. Long commute, not hardly.)

[| BRAVO |]

That's a "sweet" development. I've always thought that was prime real estate for something of that magnitude. Congrats Decatur!

[HSVTiger]

[QUOTE=HSVTiger;3421269]This should be fun to watch

By STEVE DOYLE
Times Staff Writer, [email protected]
Huntsville Hospital is getting ready to hoist its massive new pedestrian bridge into place above Governors Drive.

The busy road will be closed to traffic for about 30 hours between Gallatin and Madison streets while the 55-ton steel span is attached, said Rudy Hornsby, the hospital's senior vice president of support services.

The work is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. March 29, a Saturday, and should wrap up before most people leave for work Monday morning, Hornsby said. Along with securing the walkway between Huntsville Hospital and its Dowdle Center education building, contractors hope to pour the bridge's concrete floor.

Doing the concrete while Governors is already shut down for the bridge installation means one less road closing later, Hornsby said. Governors also will have to be closed when workers hang the walkway's glass walls and dismantle the old bridge.



By Eric Sollman
WAFF 48 News Reporter

The medical district in downtown Huntsville can be a mess when it comes to crossing traffic.

Pedestrians walk along as construction crews walk off the job.

This is a busy stretch of street full of cars, walkers, and work.

This is Governors Drive, and amidst a seven lane widening project, it's even busier than usual.

"It's hard getting across the street," says pedestrian Michael Toney.

"Tt's very busy, plus the people who drive act like their car has a mind of it's own," adds Drummond Flowers.

Hard for walkers, and hard for hospital workers.

Burr Ingram, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Huntsville Hospital says a new walking bridge is set to be added soon.

The new bridge will be one of three that will help get pedestrians out of the crowded medical district.

"It would have to be in the hundreds of people crossing the bridge," says Ingram.

Hundreds of people crossing the current bridge that's carried working walkers since 1985.

The new bridge will be built right next door.

So why build a new walking bridge next to the current one?

The current walking bridge sits right where a lane of traffic will be once the Governors Drive widening project is complete.

To put the 200 foot beams on the supports, this road will have to be cleared.

"We think it will go fairly easy from the standpoint of traffic, we hope people will be patient, but we don't think it will take more than one weekend," adds Ingram.

That road closing won't be until Friday March 28th.

It will start at 10pm and shut down Governors Drive from Madison and Whitesburg to Governors and Gallatin.

[Huntsville_secede]

Whatever happened to Timiniator? He always had expert analysis on Huntsville multi-story building development and was the first to point out the height limit downtown.

[jmanhsv]

^Tim was over at SSC, actually, but he hasn't been posting there for a while either. It's sad, really; I wanted to know who his "source" was for that 40-story skyscraper downtown.

Howard said the Sweetwater project would help fulfill decades-old predictions that Huntsville-Decatur-Madison and Athens one day would grow together.

Umm... hasn't that already happened? Just look at 5:30 traffic on 565 West, and don't let the large amounts of farmland fool you.

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The Bass Pro Development, north is top of the rendering

credit to jmanhsv for posting this scan in his excellent blog
http://huntsvilledevelopment.blogspot.com/

You're too kind Tiger...

I try to keep the blog and map up-to-date, but along with UAH work (or a vacation) leaves me little time for posting over here on the forums. (This goes to whoever commented as "anonymous" on the blog)