Huntsville updates

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by MovingAL

What's a better solution for the present and future US 72 W issues?

Continual widening of US 72 or just building a controlled access highway that tracks 72? Possibly even building the highway all the way out to 65.

I don't know but something needs to be done with 72-W as it's a nightmare trying to get around on that stretch. From the intersection of Old Monrovia all the way down to Hughs is ridiculous, especially during rush hour.

For a city that's one fo the fastest growing in America the infrastructure is horrible in this town.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I think we might eventually see an I-65E/I-65W situation, like you see in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas/Fort Worth. Constructing that kind of highway would take a lot of pressure off of US 72, as well as increase accessibility to and from the city.

[vin265]

I don't see a I-65W and I-65E relieving the pressure on Hwy 72. I-65 is a north to south route while 72 is an east to west route. I agree with you about the congestion on Hwy 72. Maybe a limited access highway that parrells Hwy 72 from I-65 to Hwy 255. With the growth around Madison, Harvest, Toney, Athens and rest of the west side of Madison County, I wish the area governments would address the issue now.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by vin265

I don't see a I-65W and I-65E relieving the pressure on Hwy 72. I-65 is a north to south route while 72 is an east to west route. I agree with you about the congestion on Hwy 72. Maybe a limited access highway that parrells Hwy 72 from I-65 to Hwy 255. With the growth around Madison, Harvest, Toney, Athens and rest of the west side of Madison County, I wish the area governments would address the issue now.

I am well aware that I 65 is a North South route... The reason I think it would take pressure off 72 is because of the amount of traffic that exits Huntsville, going towards northern Limestone County, Southern Middle Tennessee, etc... A I-65E route would likely follow AL 53, which undoubtedly would relieve traffic on 72 that is related to commuters not wanting to use an undersized AL 53, so they just take 72 to Athens and get on I-65 there.

Of course, that doesn't address the problem of Huntsville's East to West traffic, which isn't properly accommodated by 72 or 565. While US 72 is signed as an East to West route, between Huntsville and Athens it largely serves as SE to NW route that bypasses the area that lies between 72 and 565, where the real problem occurs.

Improving 72 wouldn't address the problem caused by that area, sure it might help a bit, but you need a true East to West route that addresses that problem instead of bypassing it.

[Huntsvillenative]

It's not looking good for a new baseball stadium in downtown, or anywhere for that matter. The Stars owner and Battle came to an agreement to work to remodel the JDS instead of investing into a new stadium. I don't get it. The city claims it wants to be big time but instead of building a new arena they remodel the old one. And now instead of building a world clas minor league stadium in the heart of downtown where tourism, retail and revenue would develop, they decide to save and spend on remodeling an outdated stadium which sits in the middle of a fairgrounds with no retail or entertainment around it. This makes no sense. You have to spend money to make it in return.

[jmanhsv]

Originally Posted by MovingAL

What's a better solution for the present and future US 72 W issues?

Continual widening of US 72 or just building a controlled access highway that tracks 72? Possibly even building the highway all the way out to 65.

Adding new road capacity alone would only exacerbate the problem. Better land use planning (limiting the # of new subdivisions that feed cars onto the road), access management (limiting the # of driveways that come off the highway), and public transportation (bus rapid transit to Madison maybe?), would have to be coupled with a widening in order to be worth it. Otherwise, 72 West will be over capacity again in a couple of years, and ALDOT would have to spend another $30+ million to expand the highway yet again.

Originally Posted by tredici

I am well aware that I 65 is a North South route... The reason I think it would take pressure off 72 is because of the amount of traffic that exits Huntsville, going towards northern Limestone County, Southern Middle Tennessee, etc... A I-65E route would likely follow AL 53, which undoubtedly would relieve traffic on 72 that is related to commuters not wanting to use an undersized AL 53, so they just take 72 to Athens and get on I-65 there.

Meh... I think I'll wait for 53 to be 4-laned to Tennessee (sometime this decade... maybe?) before talking about a new Interstate that will serve the same purpose for a lot more money.

An area that would benefit greatly from an I-65/565 relief route would be East Morgan/Southwest Madison Counties. Make 36 into a semi-expressway, extend Wall-Triana southward over the Tennessee River to near Valhermoso Springs, and voila! Instant Southern Bypass (for a fifth of the cost), and a useful truck/commuter route to the Arsenal, Airport/Jetplex, and Madison.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

It's not looking good for a new baseball stadium in downtown, or anywhere for that matter. The Stars owner and Battle came to an agreement to work to remodel the JDS instead of investing into a new stadium. I don't get it. The city claims it wants to be big time but instead of building a new arena they remodel the old one. And now instead of building a world clas minor league stadium in the heart of downtown where tourism, retail and revenue would develop, they decide to save and spend on remodeling an outdated stadium which sits in the middle of a fairgrounds with no retail or entertainment around it. This makes no sense. You have to spend money to make it in return.

Um, John Hunt Park is right next door? And Parkway Place Mall is in the vicinity along with the Hollywood 18 Theater and Finnegan's Pub. No it's not downtown, but the Joe also isn't stuck in the middle of nowhere.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Adding new road capacity alone would only exacerbate the problem. Better land use planning (limiting the # of new subdivisions that feed cars onto the road), access management (limiting the # of driveways that come off the highway), and public transportation (bus rapid transit to Madison maybe?), would have to be coupled with a widening in order to be worth it. Otherwise, 72 West will be over capacity again in a couple of years, and ALDOT would have to spend another $30+ million to expand the highway yet again.



Meh... I think I'll wait for 53 to be 4-laned to Tennessee (sometime this decade... maybe?) before talking about a new Interstate that will serve the same purpose for a lot more money.

An area that would benefit greatly from an I-65/565 relief route would be East Morgan/Southwest Madison Counties. Make 36 into a semi-expressway, extend Wall-Triana southward over the Tennessee River to near Valhermoso Springs, and voila! Instant Southern Bypass (for a fifth of the cost), and a useful truck/commuter route to the Arsenal, Airport/Jetplex, and Madison.

If I ever win the Powerball, I will front a couple million dollars for a Wall-Triana Bridge over the Tennessee River.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by neilson

Um, John Hunt Park is right next door? And Parkway Place Mall is in the vicinity along with the Hollywood 18 Theater and Finnegan's Pub. No it's not downtown, but the Joe also isn't stuck in the middle of nowhere.

But all those places you have to get into your car to get there unless you like walking a lot. Had they built the stadium where the coke plant is adjacent to the VBC and across from the Constellation complex, it would have been ideal for after game partying and entertainment which would have meant revenue for the city. Big drop of the ball imo.

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Had they built the stadium where the coke plant is adjacent to the VBC and across from the Constellation complex, it would have been ideal for after game partying and entertainment which would have meant revenue for the city. Big drop of the ball imo.

BIG TIME drop of the ball IMO as well.

Riverwalk Stadium in downtown Montgomery is the cornerstone of our tremendous downtown revitalization. It is amazing what is being accomplished down there! And the same thing could take place in Huntsville if some forward thinking individuals were calling the shots...

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Adding new road capacity alone would only exacerbate the problem. Better land use planning (limiting the # of new subdivisions that feed cars onto the road), access management (limiting the # of driveways that come off the highway), and public transportation (bus rapid transit to Madison maybe?), would have to be coupled with a widening in order to be worth it. Otherwise, 72 West will be over capacity again in a couple of years, and ALDOT would have to spend another $30+ million to expand the highway yet again.

I agree that most of the traffic problems are caused by poor planning. Subdivisions are basically built one cul-de-sac at a time off two-lane county roads all over northwest Madison County. You can literally tell when you're in Huntsville city limits just by the fact that the infrastructure looks more organized.

There's no excuse for this seeing as most of that part of the county is flat and on a reasonably-gridded existing road system.

[luvinhsv]

Originally Posted by OCA REP

BIG TIME drop of the ball IMO as well.

Riverwalk Stadium in downtown Montgomery is the cornerstone of our tremendous downtown revitalization. It is amazing what is being accomplished down there! And the same thing could take place in Huntsville if some forward thinking individuals were calling the shots...

O.k. y'all in Minneapolis for work and got to go to the new Twins Ballpark, Target Field, today for an afternoon game against the Red Sox.

MAN DID THEY DO IT RIGHT IN MINNY!!! What a great ballpark. The location is right on the edge of downtown where all of the bars and restaurants of the warehouse district are located. They extended the light-rail to end at the ballpark and built a huge pedestrian plaza. You can be to your car in a ramp and on the freeway in 15 min! WOW! Now that was some spectacular planning! (and it was 70 and sunny! Great day to be at the ball park!!)

If Huntsville could do this (on a much smaller scale obviously) it would be a huge bonus to downtown!!

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by luvinhsv

O.k. y'all in Minneapolis for work and got to go to the new Twins Ballpark, Target Field, today for an afternoon game against the Red Sox.

I'm jealous... that sounds like an awesome way to spend an afternoon!

[Huntsvillenative]

Does anyone know what the big building construction is on Hughes just north of the post office right at the overpass crossing the railroad tracks? It's got a brown brick exterior and angled designing on the right side. I'm really curious as to what it's going to be. It's also right across from the skate board park on Hughes. If anyone knows or sees it let me know, please?

[JuanHunt]

The Coca-Cola plant could be bought, and a new plant built on their property on Meridian Street. All it take is money, about $35million.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Does anyone know what the big building construction is on Hughes just north of the post office right at the overpass crossing the railroad tracks? It's got a brown brick exterior and angled designing on the right side. I'm really curious as to what it's going to be. It's also right across from the skate board park on Hughes. If anyone knows or sees it let me know, please?

http://www.ymcahuntsville.org/new/madison/about.shtml

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by neilson

http://www.ymcahuntsville.org/new/madison/about.shtml

Thanks for that.

[Huntsvillenative]

This is what is needed in downtown Huntsville. A Science Center and Planetarium! Check this one out being planned for Austin, Tx. Something like this would be awesome in downtown and could go a long way in impacting and increasing tourism to the Valley and bring in much needed revenue. Plus we're already known for being the rocket city for speace exploration so this would be ideal. Another thing, this beautiful futuristic design is only costing them $60M. Huntsville could afford to build one in that range.



http://downtownaustinblog.org/2010/02/03...ariums-stars-shine-over-downtown-austin/

[huntsvillefan]

[QUOTE=Huntsvillenative;4810948]This is what is needed in downtown Huntsville. A Science Center and Planetarium! Check this one out being planned for Austin, Tx. Something like this would be awesome in downtown and could go a long way in impacting and increasing tourism to the Valley and bring in much needed revenue. Plus we're already known for being the rocket city for speace exploration so this would be ideal. Another thing, this beautiful futuristic design is only costing them $60M. Huntsville could afford to build one in that range.


We got us a brand new jail for $80 million. What more could we want?

Seriously--we could do something magnificent like this downtown and raise Huntsville to the status it deserves.

[Huntsvillenative]

[QUOTE=huntsvillefan;4811405]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

This is what is needed in downtown Huntsville. A Science Center and Planetarium! Check this one out being planned for Austin, Tx. Something like this would be awesome in downtown and could go a long way in impacting and increasing tourism to the Valley and bring in much needed revenue. Plus we're already known for being the rocket city for speace exploration so this would be ideal. Another thing, this beautiful futuristic design is only costing them $60M. Huntsville could afford to build one in that range.


We got us a brand new jail for $80 million. What more could we want?

Seriously--we could do something magnificent like this downtown and raise Huntsville to the status it deserves.

I do know that a science museum in downtown is in the works, mainly to include Sci-Quest. They've been looking at developing a museum district downtown around the Art museum and the Early Works.