Huntsville updates

[The 251]

Hey I don’t know if anyone has already mentioned this, but I was browsing tonight and came across this article on the CNN Money website about Huntsville. Check it out. Sorry if this has already been discussed

[HSVTiger]

Some info on the town meeting held to discuss the Harris Hill Development.
Basically it will depend on the economy how soon it will happen, (this will be the case with all the announced developments lately), it has changed a good bit since the first leaked proposal last year.

"Cole Walker said the first phase of Harris Hill will likely be some sit-down restaurants to take advantage of the 6,000 employees working in nearby Chase Industrial Park, although "no one has signed on the dotted line." He said most retailers and restaurant chains are in a holding pattern until after the presidential election and the sub-prime mortgage debacle smoothes itself out.

He said he hopes to have someone signed and construction under way within the year.

Another section of Harris Hill is for "big box" stores, and still other portions are for residences, worth up to $400,000, and high-end condos. Walker said he expects the project's construction will take up to seven years or more.

Of the 600 acres, Walker said about 200 of it will remain in a natural state. Biking and hiking trails will traverse the property, which backs into Monte Sano State Park. A cemetery containing the remains of Revolutionary War soldiers and a signer of the Alabama Constitution will take on a park-like appeal, situated near a walking trail."

[luvinhsv]

Originally Posted by The 251

Hey I don’t know if anyone has already mentioned this, but I was browsing tonight and came across this article on the CNN Money website about Huntsville. Check it out. Sorry if this has already been discussed

I was actually a bit disappointed with this ranking, especially considering St. Cloud, MN was higher at #75. We moved here from SC, and that place is an armpit! I recently saw another ranking of worst places to live in the US and it topped the list.

Huntsville is much better than its ranking! And proximity to major cities? If that is the worst that can be said about HSV, than they are really reaching!

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by luvinhsv

I was actually a bit disappointed with this ranking, especially considering St. Cloud, MN was higher at #75. We moved here from SC, and that place is an armpit! I recently saw another ranking of worst places to live in the US and it topped the list.

Huntsville is much better than its ranking! And proximity to major cities? If that is the worst that can be said about HSV, than they are really reaching!

Go here to see an extensive list of rankings Huntsville has appeared on.
Most of these the city is in the top tier.
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/news/nat_recog.html
and the latest
Below are the top 10 cities in Relocate-America.com's 2008 list:

1. Charlotte, N.C.

2. San Antonio, Texas

3. Chattanooga, Tenn.

4. Greenville, S.C.

5. Tulsa, Okla.

6. Stevens Point, Wis.

7. Asheville, N.C.

8. Albuquerque, N.M.

9. Huntsville, Ala.

10. Seattle, Wash.

Read the full list at Relocate-America.com.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

well the stainless steel panels are going up and half of the Apple logo was exposed today. Inside you could see they still have a way to go but some
counter/displays appeared to be in place. I would say maybe 3-4 weeks till opening.

May 31st is the opening date that is being tossed around.

[bestdeception]

That is the date the Bridge Street's latest newsletter that came out yesterday says also.

[Bamabull1978]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Hey, sorry to change the subject back to development news, haha, but has anyone here heard anything about a grocery store at Zierdt and Martin? Also, any ideas on chains that would locate there? The only chain that's expanding here is Publix, but they already have a store 3 miles away. I really doubt that Kroger is expanding here anytime soon.

Rumor has it That Krogers is lookin to expand more in this area. Like last time Kroger built there stores when all the others have been remoldeld like madison has and i think logan has or is right now. And rumor had it that Walmart has also bought land off of 53 and Harvest road for future plans. prolly after the state does the widen which will take 50 years. But if publix keeps on what there doing they will be like another southern based grocery doing that welll sometime ago.But the one on zeirdt and martin the sign just says grocery anchor coming soon no store name given. So it might be a foodland ro piggly wiggly or something.

[jmanhsv]

^Well, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told a blog reader that emailed me the other day... Kroger isn't expanding ANYWHERE right now. They are building new stores, yes, but 95% of them are replacing older stores. Yes, here, Kroger is renovating their stores (again), but I don't expect any new stores.

And for the Zierdt and Martin grocery store- I'm pretty sure it's being developed by a Florida company who almost exclusively develops Publix and Walgreens-anchored shopping centers. So we're probably looking at yet another Publix down there.

[gkcooper]

Originally Posted by Bamabull1978

Rumor has it That Krogers is lookin to expand more in this area. Like last time Kroger built there stores when all the others have been remoldeld like madison has and i think logan has or is right now. And rumor had it that Walmart has also bought land off of 53 and Harvest road for future plans. prolly after the state does the widen which will take 50 years. But if publix keeps on what there doing they will be like another southern based grocery doing that welll sometime ago.But the one on zeirdt and martin the sign just says grocery anchor coming soon no store name given. So it might be a foodland ro piggly wiggly or something.

I have been joking for years that the field at the corner of Harvest and 53 is where Wal Mart will build a Supercenter. Recently, large lots on the SW, SE, and NE corners have been cleared and some mobile homes were moved out (thankfully). I am curious as to how you came about that information?

[neilson]

What's the fear of cannibalization of sales at the Highway 20 store? The way that area of Madison/HSV/Triana is anyway, the Publix at Highway 20 is at the beginning of the cul-de-sac so to speak and I fail to see what can be gained by putting yet another location further down in the cul-de-sac.

[jonnie256]

Speaking of walmarts?!? When are they gonna start the construction on the SuperWalmart near Balch rd and hwy 72? We really need a superwalmart out there! And Like I said a page or 2 back. What are they going to develope on the corner of Jeff rd. and hwy 72. They have cleared that whole golf course of trees and removed the house and tore down the old shell station.

[Huntsville_secede]

Officials courting VW's plant
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By JOHN PECKand BOB LOWRY
Times Staff Writers [email protected]@htimes.com

German carmaker tours Limestone, Chattanooga sites

State and local officials are actively courting Volkswagen to build its proposed U.S. plant in Limestone County near Huntsville.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Tuesday that Volkswagen officials toured a Chattanooga-area site Thursday after visiting the Huntsville area the day before.

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/business/1211361422299400.xml&coll=1

[neilson]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

Speaking of walmarts?!? When are they gonna start the construction on the SuperWalmart near Balch rd and hwy 72? We really need a superwalmart out there! And Like I said a page or 2 back. What are they going to develope on the corner of Jeff rd. and hwy 72. They have cleared that whole golf course of trees and removed the house and tore down the old shell station.

It's a new shopping center called Watercress. I don't know what'll be there but I've heard rumors on here about Kroger and Starbucks.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

May 31st is the opening date that is being tossed around.

Want an Apple?


photo by Rand


photo by Gumby_Mac72

[HSVTiger]

This will tie in with the Constellation project, at one time an amphitheater
was in this general area and may still be planned.

A city planning subcommittee on this morning gave the go-ahead for an improvement project in the new Big Spring International Park canal.

The Huntsville Rotary Club wants to build a plaza where the canal cascades into Pinhook Creek. The project would include a water feature, benches, landscaping, wider sidewalks around the basin and stairstepped seating. Officials hope to complete the project by next spring.

The site is next to the pedestrian bridge near the back lot of the Embassy Suites Hotel where the 1,100-foot canal from Big Spring lagoon empties into Pinhook Creek. The city is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to improve the Pinhook creek banks and line them with sidewalks.

The plaza will be paid for by the Rotary Club. The Big Spring Partners downtown redevelopment group is overseeing the project.

[HSVTiger]

whatever, just do something, if the vote is to put caps on height then don't expect anything. Why stop at 15? Why not vote that we are stupid?

"Council members have expressed an interest in setting a maximum 16-story height limit or none. The council could vote on the question tonight.

The issue has stirred a sharp divide between developers who oppose an overall height restriction and downtown neighborhood and historic interests who don't want tall buildings overshadowing their property.

City Council President Glenn Watson said Wednesday a 16-story limit seems like a reasonable compromise.

"If we voted for 10, we would be, in essence, stopping the Constellation development," Watson said.

Watson said Constellation developer Scott McLain and his business partner want to construct at least a 15-story building as part of the retail/twin-hotel/residential complex proposed for the former Market Square Mall site at Clinton Avenue and Memorial Parkway."

[jonnie256]

Hope they at least vote for a 16 story height limit,I really hope they vote for no height limit but that prob won't happen. I guess they just don't want huntsville to grow! Huntsville needs a better skyline!

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

Hope they at least vote for a 16 story height limit,I really hope they vote for no height limit but that prob won't happen. I guess they just don't want huntsville to grow! Huntsville needs a better skyline!

Maybe a 25 story tower with this on the top..

[-=skywalker=-]

Gotta ask, is there any outdoor/nature lover groups in Huntsville...I mean, with all the green space, lake, and state parks in the area surely there's places to meet individuals with the same interests?!

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by -=skywalker=-

Gotta ask, is there any outdoor/nature lover groups in Huntsville...I mean, with all the green space, lake, and state parks in the area surely there's places to meet individuals with the same interests?!

a good place to start
http://www.landtrust-hsv.org/