Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Jobless rate still up

Huntsville/Madison County's unemployment rate climbed to 6.9 percent for May, the highest so far this year and more than double the rate from a year ago.

The rate has been up and down since the first of the year -- 5.6 percent in January, 6.2 percent in February, 6.8 percent in March, and 5.9 percent in April.

The last time the jobless rate in Madison County was equal to or higher than the May figure was in July 1993 -- at 7.2 percent, said Tara Hutchison, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Industrial Relations.

[HSVTiger]

The McDonald's at University/Jordan Lane is set to be demolished and rebuilt.
Similar as to what was done to the South Parkway location across from Parkway Place. That's the one that had an original Speedee sign which we lost and was sent to a museum in Ohio someplace

[Port_of_Bama]

^^^ When I think of Parway Mall I always think of that Mcdonalds,hate to see it go.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by Alabadrock

I just looked at the Dolce Group website, and you're right, they must think that Huntsville is the amazing place... I mean, I love North Alabama, but it definitely ain't no LA, Buckhead, Dallas, or Las Vegas. After looking at that site, I'm convinced that anything is possible.

They've been fed and duped into believing that Hunstville (due to the relatively high salaries) is a very wealthy place. What they failed to understand which they would have found out if they actually visited the place and studied for a while despite the high salaries people in Huntsville are relatively simple. Besides large cities have a presence of famous people, millionaires, to support such high end stuff. Besides the few executives and developers and such Huntsville just doesn't have that base like a large city would. I think Dolce learned their lesson though I think they canceled the third restaurant that they had planned here.

[Huntsville_secede]

By the way when does "The Station" also known as Huntsville Dave and Buster's open? The sign says this summer but are they even doing any construction on it yet?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I think that the city can support those places, it's just that it can't support many of them.

[bestdeception]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

By the way when does "The Station" also known as Huntsville Dave and Buster's open? The sign says this summer but are they even doing any construction on it yet?

The Station is planning to open in July, and yes, they are working round the clock on the construction. They have bowling lanes, pool tables, stage for bands, and a bar and grill.

Also, Rare 120 (the other concept of the Dolce Group) has been scrapped for some time now. There has been 2 Dolce's in CA close over the past month. We'll see what happens here.

[crr0004]

Does anyone know why they are tearing up the parking deck east of Barnes and Noble and South of the office tower in Bridge Street? Just noticed it today on the way to work.

[bestdeception]

Originally Posted by crr0004

Does anyone know why they are tearing up the parking deck east of Barnes and Noble and South of the office tower in Bridge Street? Just noticed it today on the way to work.

It was built improperly. The support wasn't sufficient, so they contractor/architect are having to redo it to provide parking for the office building with CSC. Should be finished by September.

[HSVTiger]

Harris Hills sounds like they want to start..

By Steve Doyle
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Restaurants sought for project at foot of Chapman Mountain

After some tough months courtesy of the economy, things are starting to pick up for the proposed 600-acre Harris Hill development at the foot of Chapman Mountain.

While the project will eventually include a mix of retail, offices and housing, developer Cole Walker said Tuesday the strongest interest right now is coming from restaurants.

Every day, about 55,000 potentially hungry drivers scoot past the scenic Harris Hill property at U.S. 72 East and Moores Mill Road.

"We're in dialogue right now with two or three different (restaurant) concepts," Walker said. "That's where the action is."

The fledgling development has yet to ink its first tenant,(that's a bit surprising) but Walker said there is a "very strong chance" some construction will be under way by December.

"Not huge volumes of it, but you'll see activity starting this year," he said.

On Tuesday, the Huntsville Planning Commission recommended that part of the Harris Hill tract now zoned for residential and smaller retail uses be rezoned to allow larger businesses. The change, which must still be OK'd by the City Council, affects 22.6 acres between U.S. 72 and the new Harris Hill Boulevard

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I know this is a lot to ask, but it has been a while since we've heard anything about this thing. Can you just give a brief summary of we COULD expect with this development.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Harris Hills sounds like they want to start..

By Steve Doyle
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
Restaurants sought for project at foot of Chapman Mountain

After some tough months courtesy of the economy, things are starting to pick up for the proposed 600-acre Harris Hill development at the foot of Chapman Mountain.

While the project will eventually include a mix of retail, offices and housing, developer Cole Walker said Tuesday the strongest interest right now is coming from restaurants.

Every day, about 55,000 potentially hungry drivers scoot past the scenic Harris Hill property at U.S. 72 East and Moores Mill Road.

"We're in dialogue right now with two or three different (restaurant) concepts," Walker said. "That's where the action is."

The fledgling development has yet to ink its first tenant,(that's a bit surprising) but Walker said there is a "very strong chance" some construction will be under way by December.

"Not huge volumes of it, but you'll see activity starting this year," he said.

On Tuesday, the Huntsville Planning Commission recommended that part of the Harris Hill tract now zoned for residential and smaller retail uses be rezoned to allow larger businesses. The change, which must still be OK'd by the City Council, affects 22.6 acres between U.S. 72 and the new Harris Hill Boulevard

The most likely restaurant candidates for this location (in my opinion), would include:
1. Cracker Barrel (they like high traffic volumes and also depend on 50% of their business coming from the local market - which the surrounding area could provide)
2. Logan's Roadhouse - attractive demographics in the surrounding industrial park and Winchester Rd. to New Market corridor.
3. O'Charley's - same attractions to site as Logan's
4. Rosie's - ditto, and they are already in the other parts of HSV.
5. Chick-Fil-A - they are about the only fast food not represented in the area.

A major point hidden in the article is the several hundred homes they now plan to build, when earlier they had planned for apartments Obviously, they can see the oversupply of apartments being constructed in the area now(particularly on the high end with garages) and can't see a demand for more.

Overall, it's a good sign that they are planning on starting construction in December (which is more than Constellation can say!) and that they are realistic and moving from apartments to homes which this market has greater demand for.

[jmanhsv]

Originally Posted by David1502

The most likely restaurant candidates for this location (in my opinion), would include:
1. Cracker Barrel (they like high traffic volumes and also depend on 50% of their business coming from the local market - which the surrounding area could provide)
2. Logan's Roadhouse - attractive demographics in the surrounding industrial park and Winchester Rd. to New Market corridor.
3. O'Charley's - same attractions to site as Logan's
4. Rosie's - ditto, and they are already in the other parts of HSV.
5. Chick-Fil-A - they are about the only fast food not represented in the area.

A major point hidden in the article is the several hundred homes they now plan to build, when earlier they had planned for apartments Obviously, they can see the oversupply of apartments being constructed in the area now(particularly on the high end with garages) and can't see a demand for more.

Overall, it's a good sign that they are planning on starting construction in December (which is more than Constellation can say!) and that they are realistic and moving from apartments to homes which this market has greater demand for.

Actually, the plan's always been to build townhouses and condos; "apartments" would have angered the nearby residents, who had opposed a proposed low-income apartment complex about 5 years ago. The concept that Walker (the developer) talked about at the public meeting a year ago was something that looked like a large house, but was split into several condos.

Definitely agree on the restaurants (especially Cracker Barrel and Logan's, I might add Outback, but just about any restaurant that already has locations on the south and west sides is possible), though I wouldn't be surprised to see more commuter-oriented food. Starbucks would probably work if they ever got their act together again, and if someone buys the franchise rights to Dunkin' Donuts for the area, I could see them out there.

And speaking of Constellation, I keep hearing November as the next major start date for that project, the (possibly 15 story) condo/apartment building being part of it.

[HSVTiger]

Bids taken this week by the city for the Buffalo Soldiers monument to be
erected at Cavalry Hills. The statue was done by Mobile artist Casey Downing
I think, and features a soldier on a large bronze horse. Should be nice.
Actually it seems the statue is complete, this will be for the large base and surrounding landscape work to mount the statue on.

Buffalo Soldier was the name American Indians gave to the black cavalry soldiers they encountered during the Indian wars in the Old West.

Thousands of soldiers, including many Buffalo Soldiers, camped here from fall 1898 until early 1899 at the former Cavalry Hill School site, now the Academy for Academics and Arts magnet school.

[mlog]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

A few months ago I think. I thought the location was a bit odd, it's easy to miss, and service supposedly was poor. The death knell of any restaurant.. that and bad food.

Didn't Beef 'O' Brady's go belly up from the same strip mall?

[HSVTiger]

Downtown parking deck on the city council agenda, this has been in the planning stages for several years.

"Architect Bill Peters said the garage would be five stories tall, with retail on the ground floor and public parking above. It will hold about 450 vehicles. A five-story apartment building would occupy the east side of the property facing Lincoln Street."

[chris21718]

About Indigo Joe's -- it's a place I often wanted to try, but its location, way out toward Madison on that awful US 72, kept me from doing so. It may have been convenient for people who live out that way, but for people in Huntsville, that business location is very inconvenient and hectic to drive to. Also, their parking lot entrance was poorly designed and would cause the front bottom of your car to scrape the pavement, as I found out once when meeting a friend at Charm Thai. The only time I go in a business west of Providence on 72 is if I'm meeting someone there, who usually lives in Madison.

I remember going in the TJ Maxx a couple of times a month when it was next to the mall, but after it moved to Madison on 72, I've not been a single time. I go to great lengths to avoid that section of road.

[luvinhsv]

Anyone know why the Hampton Inn in Hampton Cove is taking so long? Originally it was scheduled for April. Then June. Now the website says reservations for July 9th or later.

Also, (and this may have been asked in a recent post...sorry) but today I drove past the strip mall where Phil Sandoval's restaurant is located and it looks like sight prep is being done in front of the parking lot. No signs for what is coming though. Anyone know??? Thanks.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by luvinhsv

Also, (and this may have been asked in a recent post...sorry) but today I drove past the strip mall where Phil Sandoval's restaurant is located and it looks like sight prep is being done in front of the parking lot. No signs for what is coming though. Anyone know??? Thanks.

Cheddars and Zaxby's.

There is info on it in previous posts in this thread.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Space and Rocket Center lands Star Wars exhibit:
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/06/us_space_rocket_center_lands_s_1.html

This is definitely a huge score for the area.