Huntsville updates

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Uh oh... somebody bashed transit...



Everyone has a breaking point when it comes to gas prices. I doubt people here will "love their cars" when gas hits $6 a gallon. So they'll get angry at their public leaders for not giving them adequate public transportation alternatives, and they'll come up with a poorly-planned "emergency" transit plan that will undoubtedly fail. Now THAT would be a waste of tax dollars. It's good that the city is putting in the infrastructure now so that it will be there when people want it.



That is an ignorant misconception. Yes, poor people do ride the bus more frequently than middle- or high-income people, but that's because, in most inner-city neighborhoods, buses are convenient and frequent. You can't say that about suburban neighborhoods, most upper-income people live. Besides, in cities where the buses actually go places, I know people who ride them, and they certainly aren't poor. I would love to ride the bus to UAH if it was convenient and more frequent, and I wouldn't consider myself poor. Only problem is, I live in the county, and the city runs the system. So until we create a "metro" transit system (or I move into the city, which is more likely), I'll be driving.



So is being stuck in traffic.



Get an iPod. There's nothing more private than that. And that's another thing- you let someone else do the driving when you take the bus! So you could talk on your cell phone, eat, read a book- do everything you would do while driving, only safer.



The park-and-ride's geared primarily for people who, say, live in Madison and work downtown, or people who live in Huntsville and work in Research Park West. It will probably be a terminal for future routes to the Arsenal, Madison, the Airport, and University Drive/Providence, just to name a few possibilities. Like I said earlier, they're putting in the infrastructure for when we need it. And that, in my opinion, is a good use of my tax dollars.

I couldn't disagree more. Just legalize private city bus business. Then if there is a need for this, the market will provide it. Let those who want to invest in bus services, invest with their own money instead of making everyone else pay for what's most likely just going to be a money pit with a negative overall return. There is no reason for the government to be involved in mass transit at all. It's always inefficient and a waste of money.

[HSVTiger]

The next mayor of Huntsville should make public transit (Light rail, trollets, busses, etc) a high priority. Huntsville should be more proactive in seeing what would work. I think many studies have been done by UAH and maybe A&M on the topic. Maybe it is a waste now but the day is coming where it won't be and this city could be out front with this technology. I'm a bit surprised it's not pushed more on the Arsenal, security issues maybe.

[BKOTH97]

Lightrail or something similar to the DFW Airport Transport system would make a heck of alot of sense for Redstone. A nobrainer would be to connect the New AMC HQ, MDA HQ and Sparkman Center in a continuous loop. These buildings are all East to West on Martin Road and if you built it and put 2 or 3 trains on it there could be service at each station every 4 or 5 minutes. This could be extended to the NASA 4200 and 4600 complex.

[PSMadison]

Originally Posted by g-man435

Yeah. Not even Nashville has a Nordstrom. I can see Huntsville easily getting a Macy's though seeing how several metro areas with the same demographics already have one. We had a mall here in Greenville that was torn down recently and will make way for this: http://www.magnoliapark.com/ I could see something similar for Madison Square in Huntsville. Now that would be sweet.

Hey g-man, which mall did they tear down? When I was at Clemson I worked for Duke power for a couple summers, so I spent a lot of time in G'ville.

Thanks.

[g-man435]

Originally Posted by PSMadison

Hey g-man, which mall did they tear down? When I was at Clemson I worked for Duke power for a couple summers, so I spent a lot of time in G'ville.

Thanks.

Greenville Mall located on Woodruff Road. The Dillard's that was closest to Roper Mountain Road was torn down last year and is now a Costco. The only thing left standing is Sports Authority which was once Oshman's, Montgomery Ward, and Hollywood 20. Sports Authority and Hollywood 20 will remain while Montgomery Ward will be torn down.

[HSVTiger]

Momma G's an Auburn institution for decades plans rapid expansion...
they hope to have 10 open within a year.

"Restaurateur Don DeMent seems intent on developing new restaurants as quickly as he turns out his signature sandwiches seven days a week at Momma Goldberg’s Deli on Magnolia Avenue in Auburn.

He’s fed tens of thousands of Auburn University students his famous kosher-style sandwiches and now he’s expanding big time. There’s a new store in downtown Auburn on Thach Avenue. Now, he’s franchising his operation with new stores in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Dothan. There are 19 stores on the drawing board.

Five more are planned in Birmingham. He and his associates are thinking big. There will here stores in Tuscaloosa and four more in Huntsville. There is to be one or more in LaGrange, Ga., plus stores in Mobile and Montgomery. Heck, an Auburn grad has even asked about franchising a Momma Goldberg’s Deli in Boulder, Col."

[HSVTiger]

I think these are all great suggestions from what I can tell. Hopefully they will be implemented. Most of these are inner city/downtown area schools and the good thing is you get new buildings to replace them.
The Lincoln and East Clinton schools have tremendous potential for other uses. Lincoln is in the historic Dallas Mill area

and East Clinton in the Twickenham area


By STEVE CAMPBELL
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Plan could save $35 million to pay for construction

After more than two months of study, a task force recommended Thursday that the Huntsville school board consolidate 10 city schools and build three schools to replace six of them.

Speaking for the group before a small audience at the Merts Center, task force co-chairman Bob Drolet made the recommendations, which he said would save the school system about $7 million per year. That money, he said, could go toward the cost of building new schools in the inner city.

The recommendations and forecasts for the new schools:

Consolidate Terry Heights and University Place elementary schools and build a school for the consolidated student body in the area. The new school could be ready by 2012.

Merge Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. elementary schools after construction of a school in the area. It could be ready by 2011.

Combine East Clinton and Blossomwood elementary schools after construction of a school on the Blossomwood campus. The new school could be ready by 2011.

Consolidate West Huntsville and Morris elementary schools as soon as possible. The committee recommended renovating Morris by 2012 to accommodate the students. The task force concluded that a new school may be needed at Morris by 2015.

Move students at Stone Middle School to the larger Westlawn Middle School campus. The committee recommended renovating the consolidated Westlawn building by 2013.

In addition, the task force recommended the system make better use of Butler High School, which can hold 2,000 students but currently serves about 700.

[mlog]

Originally Posted by -=skywalker=-

Well said jman, I should have taken the time to form a better opinion myself but at the moment my mind is on other things...

But anyways, I'm all for an improved public transit system in Huntsville...actually, our downtown needs a drastic makeover too! I spent tuesday evening walking around downtown Chattanooga, all I can say is WOW! The last time I was there was about 4-5 years ago and the place was kind of dumpy...not the case anymore, I was amazed with the tree lined streets, ample parks, beautiful waterfront, and pedestrian traffic for a weekday evening...all the clubs, bars, and restaurants were packed. They seemed to have a decent transit system that ran downtown, not sure if that's the case for the rest of the city though.

Ditto on Chattanooga. It's really looking good in recent years. Another city that has had a major makeover is Indianapolis. Huntsville could do well to look at Indy's success and approach. I moved to Indianapolis in the early 1980's, and there was absolutely nothing downtown, no restaurants, and everything closed at 5 pm. It reminds me much of Huntsville today. The growth downtown there today is nothing short of amazing.

[-=skywalker=-]

Originally Posted by mlog

Ditto on Chattanooga. It's really looking good in recent years. Another city that has had a major makeover is Indianapolis. Huntsville could do well to look at Indy's success and approach. I moved to Indianapolis in the early 1980's, and there was absolutely nothing downtown, no restaurants, and everything closed at 5 pm. It reminds me much of Huntsville today. The growth downtown there today is nothing short of amazing.

Huntsville needs to do something with it's downtown...what's the use of having two decent universities and plenty of smaller colleges when the city has nothing to offer young professionals? Especially single young professionals...I can't tell you how many people I know from UAH and A&M that skip town once they graduate.

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I think these are all great suggestions from what I can tell. Hopefully they will be implemented. Most of these are inner city/downtown area schools and the good thing is you get new buildings to replace them.
The Lincoln and East Clinton schools have tremendous potential for other uses. Lincoln is in the historic Dallas Mill area

and East Clinton in the Twickenham area


By STEVE CAMPBELL
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Plan could save $35 million to pay for construction

After more than two months of study, a task force recommended Thursday that the Huntsville school board consolidate 10 city schools and build three schools to replace six of them.

Speaking for the group before a small audience at the Merts Center, task force co-chairman Bob Drolet made the recommendations, which he said would save the school system about $7 million per year. That money, he said, could go toward the cost of building new schools in the inner city.

The recommendations and forecasts for the new schools:

Consolidate Terry Heights and University Place elementary schools and build a school for the consolidated student body in the area. The new school could be ready by 2012.

Merge Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. elementary schools after construction of a school in the area. It could be ready by 2011.

Combine East Clinton and Blossomwood elementary schools after construction of a school on the Blossomwood campus. The new school could be ready by 2011.

Consolidate West Huntsville and Morris elementary schools as soon as possible. The committee recommended renovating Morris by 2012 to accommodate the students. The task force concluded that a new school may be needed at Morris by 2015.

Move students at Stone Middle School to the larger Westlawn Middle School campus. The committee recommended renovating the consolidated Westlawn building by 2013.

In addition, the task force recommended the system make better use of Butler High School, which can hold 2,000 students but currently serves about 700.

This is a bad move. The less monopolization, the more competition, the better for the quality of education.

[BKOTH97]

Originally Posted by Jacknah

This is a bad move. The less monopolization, the more competition, the better for the quality of education.

I am not quite sure I follow. Are multiple underperforming schools that are 40% full providing less monopolization?

Are you saying that we need vouchers to provide competition between schools?

[Bamabull1978]

Originally Posted by Jacknah

This is a bad move. The less monopolization, the more competition, the better for the quality of education.

how do u figure! I think if huntsville was better with there money and didn't have all these half used schools. running around and try to merge schools with each other close university place down sell it make some money. I mean go anywhere in huntsville and madison is getting there. But u can't go 5-10 miles without seeing a elementary school 2 or 3 close together close them down build new school with more energy savings and technology then these kids might be able to grow and actually to work on the bases or one of the high tech jobs or something to help the kids out.
And Wat bout the tech center that thing looks older than half of the school around. Time to change our schools systems.

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by BKOTH97

I am not quite sure I follow. Are multiple underperforming schools that are 40% full providing less monopolization?

Are you saying that we need vouchers to provide competition between schools?

The same principle holds whether they're 40% full or 100% full. Each school is run a bit differently from the other, due to particular management styles and idea at different schools. If you have 3 schools, you have 3 different styles. If you have 10 schools, you have 10 different styles. This is ten different opportunities for experimentation to discover what style of running a school provides the highest quality of education. When something is found that works the best, other administrators and teachers will want to mimic it. If you have only schools, you have narrowed it down to only 3 experiments.

I'm not talking about vouchers. Vouchers would be a much better alternative.

[BKOTH97]

Originally Posted by Jacknah

The same principle holds whether they're 40% full or 100% full. Each school is run a bit differently from the other, due to particular management styles and idea at different schools. If you have 3 schools, you have 3 different styles. If you have 10 schools, you have 10 different styles. This is ten different opportunities for experimentation to discover what style of running a school provides the highest quality of education. When something is found that works the best, other administrators and teachers will want to mimic it. If you have only schools, you have narrowed it down to only 3 experiments.

I'm not talking about vouchers. Vouchers would be a much better alternative.

I don't believe that this works, especially in public schools. Students don't have a choice. They must attend the school in their district or move to another district. If students had a choice, I would agree with you. We have had hundreds of thousands of these "experiments" over the last 20 years. We don't need 10 of them in Huntsville City to figure out what makes a school succeed. We know what works. Educated and motivated teachers, provided with the appropriate funding and backed up by involved and engaged parents. If you put those three things together you can't go wrong. Take one of the ingredients away and you are asking for trouble. Take two of them and it is impossible to succeed. I believe it truly is a simple formula.

[Jacknah]

Originally Posted by BKOTH97

I don't believe that this works, especially in public schools. Students don't have a choice. They must attend the school in their district or move to another district. If students had a choice, I would agree with you. We have had hundreds of thousands of these "experiments" over the last 20 years. We don't need 10 of them in Huntsville City to figure out what makes a school succeed. We know what works. Educated and motivated teachers, provided with the appropriate funding and backed up by involved and engaged parents. If you put those three things together you can't go wrong. Take one of the ingredients away and you are asking for trouble. Take two of them and it is impossible to succeed. I believe it truly is a simple formula.

People have a choice in regard to what district they move to. People with kids take the quality of the school into account when deciding where to move. Narrowing 10 down to three provides less choice and more opportunity to provide shoddy education.

Increased funding doesn't increase quality. Funding is a reward for low quality. When schools are doing a bad job, they solution is always seen to be to give them with more money. There is an incentive to provide low quality education in the public school system.

[TimCity2000]

i think the consolidation is a good idea. especially if they can get some new schools online by the time people from brac start looking around for housing.

[crr0004]

Jacknah you also aren't taking into account that these schools are being closed and consolidated so that MORE schools can be built.

[HSVTiger]

More good news as the new Lee High School gets closer to construction.
This will replace the nearly 50 year old current building, and serve the new construction going on in NE Huntsville.

Times Staff Writer [email protected]
State-of-the-arttheater is featureof new building

The preparation for the new Lee High School hit a milestone Friday when school officials unveiled the new sign for the school's new site.

"We've all been waiting for this to happen," said Matthew Meigs, a former student at Lee.

Superintendent Ann Roy Moore said the unveiling marked the end of two years of hard work.

"It's literally a sign that progress has been made," she said.

Principal Paul Parvin said the day was bittersweet because he attended Lee more than 30 years ago.

"It's emotional to see the building torn down," Parvin said. "But it's needed. The kids and the community need the school."

Mayor Loretta Spencer said she was proud the city took the lead to help provide money for the $40 million project by creating a special tax district.

"Facilities are important to learning," she said. "And as a magnet school, they'll now have a state-of-the-art theater."

Lee offers magnet programs for the creative and performing arts as well as for pre-engineering.

Linda Meigs, Matthew's mother, said she is excited for future Lee generations. She said she's a strong believer in magnet schools because they bring in kids from all over the city.

"Lee's motto is about diversity," she said. "It shows the students real world experience."

Matthew, Lee's valedictorian in May, said he's afraid people have preconceived notions about Lee because of its well-worn appearance.

"I hope the things people think about the school might change," he said, "when they see the new building."

[HSVTiger]

On Friday, the co-founders of AEgis Technologies Group celebrated with employees and community business leaders to break ground for a new 50,000-square-foot headquarters in Cummings Research Park. The Huntsville-based defense contractor specializes in modeling, simulation and microsystems technologies.


The new building at 410 Jan Davis Drive off Old Madison Pike will feature a laboratory designed for nanoscale research and manufacturing, a conference room that accommodates 100 people, "collaboration" rooms and offices with windows for about half the employees.

Fite Building in Decatur is expected to complete the building, designed by Chapman Sisson in Huntsville, by late spring or early next summer. AEgis now occupies a 26,500-square-foot building on Discovery Drive.
HSV Times

[HSVTiger]

Gov. Bob Riley announced this morning that Calhoun Community College in Limestone County will be the site of a new robotics training and education center designed to help the state attract high-tech industry.

Riley made the announcement in Montgomery, and Calhoun President Marilyn Beck was in attendance. The robotics program had been in the works since 2006 and Calhoun had competed with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville to host it.

The Calhoun campus on U.S. 31 in Limestone County is close to a site off of U.S. 31 and Interstate 65 rumored to be a possible site for Volkswagen to build a new automotive assembly plant.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville will partner with Calhoun in developing the robotics center. UAH President Dave Williams issued a statement this morning about the collaboration.

"This collaborative effort between UAHuntsville and Calhoun will create an effective force in developing Alabama's engineering education and worker training as well as its research capabilities, educational outreach and economic development," said Williams. "Alabama is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in robotics and enhance the state's competitive advantage over other states in this field.