Huntsville updates

[Rail Claimore]

Cheddars is awesome!

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Governor Riley wants roads built, too bad he can't be re-elected. Another big key is all the parties involved are in agreement..
from the HSV Times..
Those in Thursday's meeting included Ronnie Chronister, deputy to Army Maj. Gen. James Myles, commanding general of Redstone; Garrison Commander Col. Robert Pastorelli; Battle; Madison Mayor Paul Finley; Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie; and representatives of Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and U.S. Reps. Parker Griffith and Robert Aderholt.

"We were proud that we came together as a team ... and were able to present our top road priorities," said Redstone spokeswoman Kim Henry. "We're looking forward to state support on these future infrastructure projects."

Riley gave an overview of the plans during his annual state update luncheon hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

With all parties now seemingly in agreement on area road priorities and financial obligation, "in five years, we can have it solved," Riley said.

Those priorities are:

South Memorial Parkway, $31.5 million
Northern Bypass, $30 million

Martin Road, $18.5 million

Winchester Road, $15.1 million

University Drive, $14 million

Zierdt Road, $6 million

Rideout Road, $1 million

"But everything Gov. Riley said, he said with a caveat. We have to get with the highway department about changing the priorities on some of these projects."

So if it doesn't happen ALDOT will take full responsibility for failure. If it does happen they get credit for a job well done.

Northern bypass.. which part of it? When did this become a priority. Are they talking about just the building of the road or the expressway part too? Why is 72/shields Moores mill overpass not on this list that has to be a priority.

[ThatGuy]

I was surprised to see that the corner of Meridian and Cleveland had been cleared. There had been several buildings on that site, including a Mayhall Towing Company. Did the city end up buying that land as part of that park/creek renovation in the area? Or is it still privately owned? It would be a pretty good spot for a three story condo with retail on the bottom floor.

[HSVTiger]

Overpass work finally on the bid list, this will be the nearly 2 mile long
bridge project over Max Luther and Sparkman on North Parkway..bid letting from ALDOT this month..
"for constructing the Grade, Drainage, Pavement, Retaining Walls, Lighting and Bridges on Memorial Parkway (SR-1/US-431) from the north side of Oakwood Avenue to the north side of Sparkman Drive in Huntsville. Length 2. 506 km"

Also widening of Meridian street downtown

"for constructing the Widening (Grade, Drainage, Pavement and Signals) on Meridian Street from Monroe Street to Pratt Avenue in Huntsville. Length 0.376 mi."

from the HSV Times...
I-565, Greenbrier lighting

The City Council recently approved a contract with the state DOT for lighting at the Interstate 565 and Greenbrier Road interchange.

The agreement calls for the state to buy and install new street lights and for the city to assume maintenance responsibility after they're installed.

The new lighting will be part of a revised interchange that the state plans to begin work on possibly later this year.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The new lighting will be part of a revised interchange that the state plans to begin work on possibly later this year.

It's great to see progress but I still don't understand why Greenbrier is getting work done before County Line Rd.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

It's great to see progress but I still don't understand why Greenbrier is getting work done before County Line Rd.

So nobody knows what's up with 72 shield/Moores Mill overpass?

[HSVTiger]

Big changes planned for downtown housing..

"Hoping to use federal stimulus dollars to raze the old brick public housing, the Huntsville Housing Authority announced plans Tuesday to continue to renovate much of the city's downtown.

During a special board meeting Tuesday, the authority signed off on five federal grant applications worth a total of $43.5 million. Three of the projects would upgrade or replace public housing downtown.

Already the authority has partnered with Thornton Properties to design about 40 loft apartments downtown between the high-end condos of 301 East and the public housing for elderly residents at Todd Towers.

Local architect Bill Peters said two-thirds of those lofts would rent to young professionals earning $40,000 to $50,000 a year.

At the same site, the authority also would raze the 100 units of Todd Towers and build a five-story public housing complex for elderly residents. The new structure, containing about 90 units, would hug the road along Green and Monroe streets.
The authority is also applying for a $10 million grant to raze the 78 units of Searcy Homes, although that project is not as well defined.

Searcy units are now spread across 15 acres north of the Von Braun Center, and the authority is searching for a private developer to help build a mixed-income development similar in ratio to the loft apartments plan.

At Sparkman Homes off Holmes Avenue, the authority would use $10 million to demolish the old public housing and build new public housing on the same property. Lundy said prospects for this grant were weaker than for the others, because the federal grants favor deconcentration of poverty and Sparkman Homes sits in a high-poverty census tract.

Gateway Place, that was already planned. Gateway will be built where part of Councill Courts used to stand alongside Huntsville Hospital. That project, Lundy said, is set to begin this year regardless of the federal grant.
The remaining 140 units at Councill Courts are soon to be demolished, the families scattered and the property sold for private development

The authority also applied for $3.5 million to upgrade its facility off Governors Drive for seniors, called Johnson Towers. The face-lift would include a new elevator, new windows and automatic doors.

Source HSV Times

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Governor Riley wants roads built, too bad he can't be re-elected. Another big key is all the parties involved are in agreement..
from the HSV Times..
Those in Thursday's meeting included Ronnie Chronister, deputy to Army Maj. Gen. James Myles, commanding general of Redstone; Garrison Commander Col. Robert Pastorelli; Battle; Madison Mayor Paul Finley; Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie; and representatives of Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and U.S. Reps. Parker Griffith and Robert Aderholt.

"We were proud that we came together as a team ... and were able to present our top road priorities," said Redstone spokeswoman Kim Henry. "We're looking forward to state support on these future infrastructure projects."

Riley gave an overview of the plans during his annual state update luncheon hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

With all parties now seemingly in agreement on area road priorities and financial obligation, "in five years, we can have it solved," Riley said.

Those priorities are:

South Memorial Parkway, $31.5 million
Northern Bypass, $30 million

Martin Road, $18.5 million

Winchester Road, $15.1 million

University Drive, $14 million

Zierdt Road, $6 million

Rideout Road, $1 million

"But everything Gov. Riley said, he said with a caveat. We have to get with the highway department about changing the priorities on some of these projects."

So if it doesn't happen ALDOT will take full responsibility for failure. If it does happen they get credit for a job well done.

Even with this news it fails to mention why we are in this situation to begin with..basically 20 years of neglect and stalling by ALDOT and past Governors who all made promises but never followed through. Why were these projects not ever taken seriously by the state until now? They act like this the first time they have seen these projects.ALDOT' excuses are weak when looked at over a period of decades which is how long most of these projects have been on the books. They continue to come up with road proposals and studies on far fetched future roads yet never seem to finish projects that have been approved or funded.

"Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said after the meeting that DOT Director Joe McInnes said the state will work with local officials to find the money to do the seven road projects.

"I think they're going to happen," Battle said. "Timing is the big question."

How to pay for the estimated $116.1 million in projects is another big question.

"They're trying to make sure it can work with the limited resources they have to work with," Battle said."

[Beth1961]

I noticed they are starting to move dirt on Hwy 72 and Jeff Road. Does anyone know what they have planned for this property? I have heard several rumors.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Beth1961

I noticed they are starting to move dirt on Hwy 72 and Jeff Road. Does anyone know what they have planned for this property? I have heard several rumors.

Maybe this..they will be very nice apartments

By Gina Hannah
Times Business Writer [email protected]
Development will mix residential, retail, office spaces

Developers of a mixed-use project at the old Monrovia Golf Course site say Eighteen Watercress's design will set a standard for apartment communities in the Huntsville area.

Plans call for the 324-apartment complex at the northeast corner of U.S. 72 and Jeff Road to be built in clusters of three-story craftsman-style buildings holding 12 units each, forming six distinct courtyard neighborhoods surrounded by green space and a walking trail.

[HSVTiger]

New Lee High School site prep should be underway in a few weeks. This will replace the current 50 year old facility just east of the new location.


SKT Architects

[crr0004]

So what kind of businesses can we expect to see move into Eighteen Watercress?

[HSVTiger]

I-565 /County Line Road interchange

The public next month will get its first chance to see the initial plans to add ramps at the Interstate 565 and County Line Road interchange.

Preliminary maps and tentative schedules for the work will be available for review at the public involvement meeting hosted by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

The meeting will be from 5-7 p.m. on July 9 in the gym of Heritage Elementary School at 11775 County Line Road.

Citizens will be able to share their views and comments on the proposed plans before the final plans are completed. Officials will be present to answer questions.

The project involves building an exit ramp for eastbound traffic on I-565 to reach County Line Road and an on-ramp to westbound I-565 for motorists coming from County Line Road.

Gov. Bob Riley announced in February that $18.9 million has been allotted for the interchange improvements.

Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin this fall with construction to begin in the winter of 2010. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2012.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by crr0004

So what kind of businesses can we expect to see move into Eighteen Watercress?

So far the only likely business would be a grocery story, possibly Kroger. If so then you can expect the usual grocery store tag along business, pharmacy,
movie gallery, Subway, generic Chinese or Mexican restaurant, hair salon.
This development may strive to break that mold so hopefully we will see a
better selection, more restaurants/ bookstore etc.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I-565 /County Line Road interchange

The public next month will get its first chance to see the initial plans to add ramps at the Interstate 565 and County Line Road interchange.

Preliminary maps and tentative schedules for the work will be available for review at the public involvement meeting hosted by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

The meeting will be from 5-7 p.m. on July 9 in the gym of Heritage Elementary School at 11775 County Line Road.

Citizens will be able to share their views and comments on the proposed plans before the final plans are completed. Officials will be present to answer questions.

The project involves building an exit ramp for eastbound traffic on I-565 to reach County Line Road and an on-ramp to westbound I-565 for motorists coming from County Line Road.

Gov. Bob Riley announced in February that $18.9 million has been allotted for the interchange improvements.

Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin this fall with construction to begin in the winter of 2010. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2012.

Good news. I'll be there.

Although I believe the direction is wrong in the bolded quote. Those two ramps are already there.

It needs to have a ramp for westbound traffic onto County Line and ramp from County Line to eastbound 565 access.

[HSVTiger]

Another nice addition downtown and transition to the Constellation project. This whole area along Pinhook Creek has great potential, this is a good start..

The Huntsville Rotary Club is working to raise $350,000 for a new landscaped plaza and fountain downtown.

Commercial developer Scott McLain and his family kicked off the effort by making a $50,000 donation in memory of his late father, Gene McLain, a prominent local developer and former state legislator.

The plaza will be on the west end of the canal that flows between the Von Braun Center and Embassy Suites hotel. Plans call for a fountain, seating wall, benches, columns and more landscaping near where the canal cascades into Pinhook Creek.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Oh that would be beautiful. I've always thought it would be so neat if they could somehow turn Pinhook into some kinda riverwalk like they did in San Antonio. Of course, flooding would be a HUGE concern. But, I'm sure they could find a way to solve those problems.

Oh well, first things are first, this is an excellent first step.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

Good news. I'll be there.

Although I believe the direction is wrong in the bolded quote. Those two ramps are already there.

It needs to have a ramp for westbound traffic onto County Line and ramp from County Line to eastbound 565 access.

You are right stewdog..they corrected themselves in the paper today. Good catch.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

You are right stewdog..they corrected themselves in the paper today. Good catch.

Being such a minor thing I'm glad that they corrected themselves.

[mp7123]

6 story 130,000 sq ft building to be built on northeast corner of site. Construction to begin first quarter 2010.