Huntsville updates - Page 169

jmanhsv · #**3361** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 10:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

There have even been e-mails sent out saying the project will become merely an outlet center and the whole project will be downsized.

I was wondering why this sounded familiar... From an entry on my blog about my predictions for area development in 2009:

"The "Water" mega-developments, Sweetwater and WaterStone- both of these projects are unrealistically large as proposed, especially in this economy. Expect them to be downsized. Sweetwater will become merely an outlet center, but Bass Pro Shops will remain."

So yeah, it wasn't just "gossip," it was just some college student's prediction. Good investigating, 48.

But seriously, like most ambitious projects like this one, I still expect it to be downsized, but I have no doubt Bass Pro is committed to the project, and an outlet center would do well in that location. So would a hotel. But 2700 homes? No way.

HSVTiger · #**3362** Posted **Jan 28, 2009, 1:26 PM**

New downtown police /fire precinct now open

Police and fire officials celebrated the opening of the new public safety precinct Tuesday, city administrators were already looking ahead to the next big project.

The city has about a year before the lease runs out on the Huntsville Police Department's north precinct offices, and City Administrator Rex Reynolds said he hopes to see the next joint building completed by then.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3363** Posted **Jan 28, 2009, 5:49 PM**

Academy Sports and Outdoors has purchased the building permit for it's future site in Decatur on Wimberly Drive, just off the Beltline, next to Home Depot. I'm very excited about this, not only does this fill a niche in the market, where people have to drive to Huntsville for most of this stuff, it shows some confidence in our area's market. The total investment is supposed to be around 8 or 9 Million, and it should open in July. I'm hoping this will lead to other national chains feeling better about considering the Valley area for new locations.

HSVTiger · #**3364** Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 2:58 AM**

Huntsville's new credit rating

The City of Huntsville landed all A's on its financial report card. Mayor Tommy Battle and City Finance Director Randy Taylor announced today the top AAA rating by Standard and Poors and the second best Aa 1 rating by Moody's Investment Services.

HSVTiger · #**3365** Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 1:25 PM**

I'm not surprised this project won't happen , just another fancy announcement put on the shelf. Huntsville should open a museum
where you can go see all the proposed projects that are on the shelf.
It would be impressive, kind of like SIM city. Pretty bad when the most significant downtown project is the 80- million over budget Metro jail.
Well at least future residents of the facility can get a good view of it while they drive to their appointed criminal activity.

By GINA HANNAH
Times Business Writer [email protected]
Group says it invested $6M but was not added to title

A downtown condominium project is on hold after a California-based investment group filed a lawsuit against the project's developers.

Roy Claytor, one of the partners in a deal to convert the Central Bank Building at 200 West Side Square from office/retail space into a mixed-use project, said plans to convert the office building into a mix of condominiums and retail space have been shelved.

"We have no immediate plans for the building at this time," Claytor said. "All of the project plans are now on hold."

HSVTiger · #**3366** Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 1:28 PM**

New/ old Chevy dealership?

By BRIAN LAWSON
Times Business Writer [email protected]
RLJ-McLarty makes $6 million offer for property

A multimillion-dollar bid has been submitted for the shuttered Bill Heard Chevrolet dealership in Huntsville, by the RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Group, which is based in Little Rock, Ark., according to bankruptcy court records.

The group and the Little Rock-based real estate company MMSL Realty LLC are seeking to buy the dealership and the University Drive property from Heard, which declared bankruptcy in September and shut down all 13 of its U.S. dealerships.

The group is headed by billionaire Robert Johnson and Mack McLarty, former chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton. A company spokesman said last week the company was considering the property, but he had no announcements to make. A call seeking comment Wednesday was not returned.
The automotive group bought Madison Square Chrysler Jeep and Subaru and Huntsville Dodge, also on University Drive, last year and both dealerships are now operating under the Landers McLarty name. The company also owns a Toyota dealership in Fayetteville, Tenn.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3367** Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 6:59 PM**

I just read in the Decatur Daily that Academy Sports and Outdoors is coming to Decatur for little or no incentives. Sounds like another good sign of their confidence in our market.

| BRAVO | · #**3368** Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 10:54 PM**

I visited Bridge Street today and was impressed... except the lake was a big mudhole. Very nice though.

HSVTiger · #**3369** Posted **Jan 30, 2009, 2:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by | BRAVO |

I visited Bridge Street today and was impressed... except the lake was a big mudhole. Very nice though.

yeah they are repairing a leak, again. Should be full by March.

Huntsville_secede · #**3370** Posted **Jan 30, 2009, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

yeah they are repairing a leak, again. Should be full by March.

Again, this is the second time all the water has drained to repair a leak, the lake was also empty last spring or summer.

bestdeception · #**3371** Posted **Jan 31, 2009, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

Again, this is the second time all the water has drained to repair a leak, the lake was also empty last spring or summer.

Supposedly they had to fill the lake back up last year knowing that all the leaks weren't repaired, because The Westin demanded it be filled for the grand opening. So this was a planned repair, but I'm sure it's still a costly one. Supposedly it will be refilled by March 5th.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3372** Posted **Jan 31, 2009, 4:06 AM**

Well, the Decatur Daily website just RANDOMLY changed the layout of the page...

HSVTiger · #**3373** Posted **Feb 3, 2009, 4:12 PM**

It's back...height limit restrictions to be discussed. The good thing is the result will be more reasonable and someone will be able to build a building taller than the surrounding trees I do believe. There are plans for something
on Clinton near the Parkway.

Developers, downtown residents and others will have a chance to weigh in on that subject tonight in a public hearing. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium downtown.

"The current code says 10 stories and 150 feet unless you abut a residential district or are across the street from residentially zoned land. Then it's two stories and 30 feet," said Assistant City Planner Marie Bostick.

City Council President Mark Russell, whose district includes most of downtown, said Monday protecting downtown neighborhoods from towering buildings next door is crucial.

"I think there should be some buffer zone," he said.

Russell said he is against a set height limit for buildings that are not immediately near residential areas. "I don't support a cap outside the buffer zone," he said.

Mayor Tommy Battle supported easing building height limits during his mayoral campaign last year. His supporters included some developers and architects who were outspoken on the need to make Huntsville more skyscraper friendly.

Scott McLain, a commercial developer, said Monday it's time to revisit the downtown building height issue.

HSVTiger · #**3374** Posted **Feb 3, 2009, 4:15 PM**

This article discusses some of the monster projects that are planned for the Madison area if and when they happen. The developers insist that they will.
You kind of get the sense people are getting itchy to build, so we shall see.
http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/business/123365616562000.xml&coll=1

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3375** Posted **Feb 3, 2009, 6:57 PM**

I support a buffer zone around the historical areas. But, I mean, they really need to take away the restrictions after a reasonable distance from the historical areas.

HSVTiger · #**3376** Posted **Feb 4, 2009, 1:17 PM**

Sounds like height will be allowed in areas away from residential if this thing passes.

By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
2- and 4-story limits to be set for buffers to neighborhoods

Downtown dwellers and development interests seem to have reached a consensus on a new zoning ordinance governing building heights in Huntsville's central core.

The city planning department, taking a cue from a packed public hearing Tuesday night, will begin drafting a measure that would lift the current 10-story, 150-foot height limit in General Business C-3 zones (essentially downtown) but set two- and four-story height limits as buffers to downtown neighborhoods.

The lower cap would apply to buildings that abut or physically touch residential properties. The new four-story limit would apply to buildings immediately across the street from a residential area.

A six-story building cap would be imposed in the area one block north and one block northeast of the courthouse square along Clinton Avenue and Green Street.

marvingardns · #**3377** Posted **Feb 4, 2009, 3:24 PM**

Sounds like a reasonable compromise to me on height restrictions. Any thoughts?

HSVTiger · #**3378** Posted **Feb 4, 2009, 4:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvingardns

Sounds like a reasonable compromise to me on height restrictions. Any thoughts?

I think it's good, more common sense than anything. The real test will be if and when a 16 story or taller building is planned. I think that will happen around the Clinton/Parkway interchange. Something in the Medical District
would also be an area to watch. There were some rumors of a taller condo along Randolph (adjacent to Twickenham) at one time which may have caused some of this doomsday fear by the residents. It's time to move up and forward.

SpawnOfVulcan · #**3379** Posted **Feb 4, 2009, 6:18 PM**

I think the height restriction is the best it could possibly be. Definitely reasonable.

Huntsvillenative · #**3380** Posted **Feb 6, 2009, 1:03 AM**

If Huntsville's downtown is ever gonna grow and gain respect it will come once the height restrictions are finally once and for all lifted. I trust Mayor Battle will get it done. I do agree with the 4-6 story height limit on the edge of the residential areas but the downtown district west of Lincoln St should not have any height restrictions. It's not in a residential area. IMO, I think the area from Monroe St down to Clinton would be the ideal location for a high rise or signature tower as it wouldn't be anywhere near a residential zone as seen in the pic I made below.