Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Robotics center moving forward

NewsChannel 19's Barry Hiett Reports:

Planning ahead for the future. It won't be long before a new Robotics Center will be calling the Calhoun Community College campus home.

And faculty members here want to make sure that students who participate in the program are well trained before they enter the high tech work force.

"This particular facility really highlights robotics and automation software and that is just...what they tell us it's an absolute have to do. And the governor is responding to that with this facility," says Ed Castile who is with Alabama Industrial Development Training.

His company recruits, screens and trains employees.

He realizes a lot of college students are well versed with computers which fits in perfectly with the new Robotics Center.

"Very computer savvy. They know how to maneuver a computer and wade through all the issues so how can we take that fun and interest and excitement to the manufacturing sector? This is the pathway," says Castile.

It was widely believed the new Robotics Center would work hand in hand with the new Volkswagen plant had VW officials decided to build a plant in north Alabama instead of Chattanooga.

Still, Calhoun President Dr. Marilyn Beck is not too concerned.

"We were disappointed about VW. I think anyone would have been. It's such a great company but we have many businesses and industries in our region who use robots," Beck says.

And that's what, Beck says, will make graduates of the Robotics Center so attractive to potential employers.

There's already a big marketplace here in north Alabama for their soon to be talents.

Dr. Beck says more than 100 businesses in north Alabama already use robots.

Calhoun's Robotic Center should be completed at the end of 2009.

[marvingardns]

Can anyone else confirm that 801 Franklin went bankrupt?

Expect more restaurants to go under. Local economic conditions are getting tight. Receivables are going long, utility bills on commercial props are going up as high as 20%, wholesale food prices are climbing, lines of credit are tightening up. All of this spells tough times for small businesses. Unfortunately, places like Outback and Olive Garden will still be drawing the 'uninspired' market in droves.

[10101000]

Originally Posted by marvingardns

Can anyone else confirm that 801 Franklin went bankrupt?

Expect more restaurants to go under. Local economic conditions are getting tight. Receivables are going long, utility bills on commercial props are going up as high as 20%, wholesale food prices are climbing, lines of credit are tightening up. All of this spells tough times for small businesses. Unfortunately, places like Outback and Olive Garden will still be drawing the 'uninspired' market in droves.

Do you need a LOC???

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by marvingardns

Can anyone else confirm that 801 Franklin went bankrupt?

Expect more restaurants to go under. Local economic conditions are getting tight. Receivables are going long, utility bills on commercial props are going up as high as 20%, wholesale food prices are climbing, lines of credit are tightening up. All of this spells tough times for small businesses. Unfortunately, places like Outback and Olive Garden will still be drawing the 'uninspired' market in droves.

Hope not, their web site and a call to the restaurant indicate they are still operating. They don't open until 5 anyway.

[marvingardns]

Ha... no, I don't need a line of credit.

I forgot to mention the graduated increases in minimum wage. There's a lot of cards stacked against restaurants. The best that can happen is that prices are passed onto customers and customers respond with a shrug and keep doing what Huntsvillians do best... take their families out to eat. Unfortunately, non-chain restaurants often have razor margins that will get eaten up by even the slightest consumer response to higher prices.

[Jugernagt]

If you've driven past the Backyard Burger on HWY 72 at Paramount lately you've noticed it getting a facelift. They have even ground off the drivit BYB logo off the building.

Found out it is going to be a Frizzles chicken restaurant

[jonnie256]

Awsome! I like Frizzles alot! I've been to the one off Jordan ln. alot. I wish they would build a Popeyes in Madison.....hmm maybe in front of the new TJ Max that would be a good idea!

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by jonnie256

I wish they would build a Popeyes in Madison.....hmm maybe in front of the new TJ Max that would be a good idea!

One with the all you can eat buffet! That would torpedo my diet pretty well...

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by Jugernagt

If you've driven past the Backyard Burger on HWY 72 at Paramount lately you've noticed it getting a facelift. They have even ground off the drivit BYB logo off the building.

Found out it is going to be a Frizzles chicken restaurant

Oh my goodness.. The frizzles on Jordan lane was absolutely the worst chicken I ever had in my life.. Their hamburger was horrible too. Backyard to frizzles is a major downgrade.

[ThatGuy]

I'd like to see a Ted's Montana Grill in the Huntsville area. The food seems to be in line with what is popular around here and the prices seemed pretty reasonable to me.

Could see one in Jones Valley, Parkway Place, Bridgestreet, or Providence.

www.tedsmontanagrill.com

[bodagetta]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

Oh my goodness.. The frizzles on Jordan lane was absolutely the worst chicken I ever had in my life.. Their hamburger was horrible too. Backyard to frizzles is a major downgrade.

I've only eaten at the frizzles on jordan once.. and in their defense it was late for lunch (around 2:30pm).. I got a burger and it just didn't taste right, hard to explain but I haven't been back. Not a stellar first impression.

[HSVTiger]

Sante Fe Cattle Co restaurant coming to several locations in Alabama, including
Huntsville in the Hampton Cove area.

[HSVTiger]

Some details on the renovation set for the Concert Hall downtown at the Von Braun Center.

The Von Braun Center Concert Hall is about to undergo an extreme makeover.

City officials today announced the $5 million expansion and renovation.

The $5 million project is getting a $3 million boost with a gift from Linda Smith, widow of the late Mark Smith, founder of Huntsville telecommunications giant Adtran Inc. Mark Smith died in March 2007. The city will cover the difference with VBC funds and money from a special tax district for downtown development.

Plans call for all new seating with a center aisle for easier access and luxury suites in the balcony that will replace some of the seats displaced by the center aisle, along with a new sound system. The work will also add a new multi-story window fronted entrance and a sweeping grand staircase in a remodeled lobby.



The job will also double restroom facilities and add "pre-event" gathering spaces for receptions and other group events. An elevator and other minor changes will make the hall more accessible to the handicapped.

[luvinhsv]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Sante Fe Cattle Co restaurant coming to several locations in Alabama, including
Huntsville in the Hampton Cove area.

Is that is what is going up in front of Lowe's? Looks like the footings are in and it is definitely bigger than a fast food place...

[g-man435]

You guys must not have much to talk about if the best you can come up with is some fast food restaurant.

[g-man435]

Here, let me help you guys out: http://www.sellersphoto.com/clients/constellation/ and http://www.sellersphoto.com/clients/bridgest/

[HSVTiger]

new engines

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer [email protected]
Navistar begins production of 'big bore' engines

Production starts at Navistar Engine Group's second Huntsville plant, which will assemble the new "big bore" diesel engines for heavy-duty commercial trucks.

Navistar executives joined Gov. Bob Riley on Tuesday to dedicate the 300,000-square-foot plant in Jetplex Industrial Park near Huntsville International Airport. The ceremony also marked the 75th year that Navistar - originally International Harvester - has been building diesel engines.

The new engines - MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 diesels - are designed for International Class 8 trucks.
Production will start ramping up, with about 300 engines assembled weekly.

The new engines are billed as powerful - some models are 475-horsepower - yet fuel-efficient and quiet with low emissions.

[HSVTiger]

Northrop Grumman set to begin construction of second building..

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) intends to begin construction on the second of four buildings that will comprise its $80 million Cummings Research Park campus, continuing to consolidate operations in the region, increasing efficiency and positioning the company for additional growth in the region.Northrop Grumman employs approximately 1,200 people in the Huntsville area, and about 1,500 in Alabama.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Some details on the renovation set for the Concert Hall downtown at the Von Braun Center.

The Von Braun Center Concert Hall is about to undergo an extreme makeover.

City officials today announced the $5 million expansion and renovation.

The $5 million project is getting a $3 million boost with a gift from Linda Smith, widow of the late Mark Smith, founder of Huntsville telecommunications giant Adtran Inc. Mark Smith died in March 2007. The city will cover the difference with VBC funds and money from a special tax district for downtown development.

Plans call for all new seating with a center aisle for easier access and luxury suites in the balcony that will replace some of the seats displaced by the center aisle, along with a new sound system. The work will also add a new multi-story window fronted entrance and a sweeping grand staircase in a remodeled lobby.



The job will also double restroom facilities and add "pre-event" gathering spaces for receptions and other group events. An elevator and other minor changes will make the hall more accessible to the handicapped.

While it's great that things are starting to improve the VBC, something about this rendering just doesn't look right. The front seems to be just stuck on without regard to the existing structure and the windows seem out of scale and place, but we shall see, the architect that is doing it has done nice projects in the past. Construction will begin in March.

[Evan]

It looks like someplace I know, but I can't put my finger on it. I don't hate it though. I have fond memories of Von Braun. I wish I had all the money back I spent on concerts there, I could pay cash for a new car. We didn't get a lot of big name concerts here, so we either had to go to The Ham or Huntsville.