Huntsville updates

[HSV79]

Well I think it would have been nice if the Embassy or maybe a new hotel downtown could be built and have a canal much like the one next to the Embassy Suites run through the middle of the lobby. So one could maybe get gondola rides through the lobby of the hotel and out on Big Spring Lake or maybe Pinhook Creek once that project is complete.

[ThatGuy]

Looks like some activity going on at old Sazio location. Does anybody know what is going on there? I think there was a rumor of a brew-pub several months ago...

[JasonAU]

I know the downtown partnership group has been discussing ideas and looking at other cities (such as Chattanooga) for ideas.

Here are just a few I have thought about.

Since Regions donated the old First National Bank building I would like that to be open for daily visitors. That would make a good Huntsville museum. Huntsville has a unique history that would be interesting for a museum and that would be way of using the building.. at least the lobby portion of the bank for the public to visit.

Between the VBC and Constellation is there space available for a small amphitheatre? It could be along the canal area. Would be good for Big Spring events and just for people to use on weekends. Have seen things like that in Providence RI and Charleston WV

Maybe have market events in the park to bring in people. Like they used to have 1st Monday etc events. Bringing people in for one thing can lead them to come for other things.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by JasonAU

I know the downtown partnership group has been discussing ideas and looking at other cities (such as Chattanooga) for ideas.

Here are just a few I have thought about.

Since Regions donated the old First National Bank building I would like that to be open for daily visitors. That would make a good Huntsville museum. Huntsville has a unique history that would be interesting for a museum and that would be way of using the building.. at least the lobby portion of the bank for the public to visit.

Between the VBC and Constellation is there space available for a small amphitheatre? It could be along the canal area. Would be good for Big Spring events and just for people to use on weekends. Have seen things like that in Providence RI and Charleston WV

Maybe have market events in the park to bring in people. Like they used to have 1st Monday etc events. Bringing people in for one thing can lead them to come for other things.

Mayor Battle wants the city to invest in a new ballpark in downtown but there are some issues with that.

#1 there isn't any real available land. The city could build it there by Huntsville Hospital where the housing projects are about to be demolished, but that wouldn't be an ideal location and traffic from both the park and the HH would be a nightmare issue.

#2 it would cost between $25-35 million to build and would have to include tax dollars. They are though looking into a partnership with the Stars owner to go 50/50 on a new stadium, but don't hold your breath on that. The Stars owners have been heavily criticized for lack of involvement for improvement in the JDS as it is.

The best most logical and ideal location for a new downtown ballpark would be where the coke plant is adjacent to the VBC. The city could offer naming rights to the park to Coke to save on cost for land. I have done studies to see just where in downtown Huntsville a new ballpark of a capacity of 10-11,000 could fit and the only true location was the the Coke factory.

The next major project on the mayor's agenda is a new state-of-the-art science museum and planetarium in downtown.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

The next major project on the mayor's agenda is a new state-of-the-art science museum and planetarium in downtown.

The Space and Rocket Center had a cool feature in the parking lot that illustrated the relative size and distances between the planets and the sun. Earth and Mars were pretty close the the OLD entrance where the Sun was located, while Pluto was waaaaaay out in the parking lot. The city could do something like that but adjust the scale so that the Sun is downtown and clearly visible from 565 and Pluto is in/near Mobile with the other planets distributed down the interstate at appropriate distances. These "planets" could be huge glowing-ball signs (like 76 gas stations) with signs that say something like "Pluto. You are 357 Miles from the Center of the Solar System." If popular then they could be repeated north up into Tennessee and Kentucky.

[urbanoptimist]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

The city could do something like that but adjust the scale so that the Sun is downtown and clearly visible from 565 and Pluto is in/near Mobile with the other planets distributed down the interstate at appropriate distances. These "planets" could be huge glowing-ball signs (like 76 gas stations) with signs that say something like "Pluto. You are 357 Miles from the Center of the Solar System." If popular then they could be repeated north up into Tennessee and Kentucky.

that idea is OUT of this solar system. roll tide, god bless

[JasonAU]

I figured the stadium idea might be too optimistic. I am thinking the reason it was put on the parkway in the first place was the city already owned the land. At that time downtown parks were not really being built anyway it seems.


I think the science museum and planetarium are more likely options.

One way of improving the Holiday inn is another paint job. That grey color is pretty bad. It needs a different look.

[huntsvillefan]

Getting people downtown is the key and to get people downtown there must be housing, shopping, entertainment, and living space. Some of this is already in place, but there needs to be a critical mass for downtown to be successful.

[neilson]

Has anyone talked about the redevelopment of Madison Square Mall yet on here?

http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2010/08/cbl_associates_pizitz_manageme.html

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by neilson

Has anyone talked about the redevelopment of Madison Square Mall yet on here?

http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2010/08/cbl_associates_pizitz_manageme.html

Not on here, but that is a great thing for them to do this. Bridge Street, I assume, is killing them. Since CSC completely occupies the office building there, this is a great alternative.

If done right, it could really revitalize that area of Huntsville and University Dr.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Mayor Battle wants the city to invest in a new ballpark in downtown but there are some issues with that.

#1 there isn't any real available land. The city could build it there by Huntsville Hospital where the housing projects are about to be demolished, but that wouldn't be an ideal location and traffic from both the park and the HH would be a nightmare issue.

#2 it would cost between $25-35 million to build and would have to include tax dollars. They are though looking into a partnership with the Stars owner to go 50/50 on a new stadium, but don't hold your breath on that. The Stars owners have been heavily criticized for lack of involvement for improvement in the JDS as it is.

The best most logical and ideal location for a new downtown ballpark would be where the coke plant is adjacent to the VBC. The city could offer naming rights to the park to Coke to save on cost for land. I have done studies to see just where in downtown Huntsville a new ballpark of a capacity of 10-11,000 could fit and the only true location was the the Coke factory.

The next major project on the mayor's agenda is a new state-of-the-art science museum and planetarium in downtown.

If this town really wants a ball team, that would be the ideal and most logical place to put the ballpark. Out of towners (especially business travelers) would see it and would be more apt to go rather than what we have now, as those traveling probably have no idea that a ballpark is back there.

You add that to a new high rise building downtown and you would completely change the look of downtown and make it a more vibrant and compelling place to go.

As for the science museum, instead of putting that downtown it should really go across the highway for the Space and Rocket Center with a catwalk going over 565.

Have you ever seen how St. Louis has theirs? It would be somewhat similar.

There's that huge unused parking lot across from Calhoun that would work perfectly.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

As for the science museum, instead of putting that downtown it should really go across the highway for the Space and Rocket Center with a catwalk going over 565.

I think the point of putting it downtown was to get people downtown...

One thing the city could do is make parking for the Civic Center LESS convenient. Make people walk PAST potential storefronts or restaurants on their way to a game or show. That foot traffic will encourage businesses to open.

Has the city tried offering super cheap loans help property owners renovate buildings downtown to get them up to "code" so a new business could just move in?

[David1502]

The owner of Madison Square Mall and Pizitz Management Group, the owner of the department space which was originally Pizitz, then McRae's, then Belk (before the purchase by Belk of Parisian and the merging of the two stores) and now empty building have announced plans to construct office space in the empty department store space. Office space will aslo go into the former Steve and Barry's space as well as the former Piccadilly's Cafeteria space. for more info check out, http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2010/08/cbl_associates_pizitz_manageme.html

This office spae is to be called Senterprise Center at Madison Square. Buried in the last paragraph of the article, it says, "Jana Kuner, group marketing director with CBL & Associates, said that in the next couple of months "we hope to have some announcements for national retailers (at Madison Square) and some nonretail, nonoffice growth."
this makes one think that they may be looking at housing - possibly apartments to make Madison Square a true mixed us faility. For those who have proclaimed the death of Madiosn Square, they may have been premature.

As most on this forum, believe there will be a downtown revival, it ishard to see when there is no new office construciton going in downtown and only so much demand for it.

[JasonAU]

The coke plant is probably the best option for a stadium. As someone mentioned it would be near the hotels. It would be visible from both parkway and 565. Traylor Island might have been a good option but that is no longer an option.

Sometimes we seem to plan and other times I have to wonder about the planning being done. For example, I don't see why the visitors center is located where it is. If going to be in that area should have just been in or part of the Train Depot. Otherwise seems like it should have been on 565 in a unique looking building rather that being hidden down under 565.

As for Madison Square am sure they needed to do something. I still have trouble understanding how upscale shopping centers do well... considering the rain, heat, cold..etc... but guess most things are doing well enough at Bridge street.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by David1502

The owner of Madison Square Mall and Pizitz Management Group, the owner of the department space which was originally Pizitz, then McRae's, then Belk (before the purchase by Belk of Parisian and the merging of the two stores) and now empty building have announced plans to construct office space in the empty department store space. Office space will aslo go into the former Steve and Barry's space as well as the former Piccadilly's Cafeteria space. for more info check out, http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2010/08/cbl_associates_pizitz_manageme.html

This office spae is to be called Senterprise Center at Madison Square. Buried in the last paragraph of the article, it says, "Jana Kuner, group marketing director with CBL & Associates, said that in the next couple of months "we hope to have some announcements for national retailers (at Madison Square) and some nonretail, nonoffice growth."
this makes one think that they may be looking at housing - possibly apartments to make Madison Square a true mixed us faility. For those who have proclaimed the death of Madiosn Square, they may have been premature.

As most on this forum, believe there will be a downtown revival, it ishard to see when there is no new office construciton going in downtown and only so much demand for it.

CBL Properties knows how to save properties in good locations, and Madison Square Mall is one of their "babies", originally built in 1984 when CBL was still just an upstart developer out of Chattanooga.

MSM has been good to CBL and in a way, and this is also a way of atoning for the poor renovation that they did in 2005-2006. I fully expect to see within the next 3 years the following:

-The Office development at Madison Square Mall end up being quite the success.
-A new hotel to supplement the Holiday Inn.
-No more Movie Theater.
-Possibly some on-site apartments.

Anyone else want to take a guess at what else will be changing?

[DavidH74]

As far as downtown goes, I was in downtown Franklin, TN last weekend. I know it's right outside Nashville in one of the wealthiest areas of the country, but I think that's an additional place to look for ideas. It's extremely walkable and extremely beautiful.

There is more history there due to Civil War and the layout is better/more attractive and nearer the residential areas than most of ours is. It's a tough comparison because Franklin is a small downtown and ours is not.

But, the bottom line is there are no special attractions in Franklin other than the Civil War sites, which I don't see as a big lure. They've just done a profoundly exceptional job of beautifying their downtown (or maintaining the beauty) and making it dense with stores and restaurants.

We have very historic, very beautiful streets in our downtown. I still believe one of the best ideas is to make it easier, more affordable for people to set up shop downtown; invest in beautification areas; etc. And, certainly not a large section.

I just think it's a better comparison than even Chattanooga is some ways. Chattanooga's is on the river. Chattanooga's has an urban grit that ours doesn't. Chattanooga has a large artist presence that we don't. Chattanooga has the regional/national draw of the Aquarium and scenic sites.

Anyway, I'd love to see a concentrated effort to fill a few blocks downtown with stores and restaurants and theatres in our historic buildings. And, any attractions we may have one day - be it a ballpark or a museum or entertainment district -- would only add to the vibrancy.

Downtown Franklin is vibrant and charming, filled with people and filled with activity. No big parks around, no special attractions. Again, there are certainly many things to take into consideration, but I think beauty and high-density go a long way.

I would love to see this incorporated with any other shiny new attractions we may get. There's alot of beautiful brick buildings on beautiful streets here that are shuttered. We really have a chance to have distinct districts that all integrate.

I hope we don't put all our eggs is one attraction (ballpark, museum) and one mixed-use development (Constellation). On a final note, Franklin also has "The Factory at Franklin" on the edge of their downtown to supplement all the other offerings. It's a converted factory now filled with even more shops and restaurants and entertainment venues and a garden nursery. I just think the most we take of our history and beautiful it and USE it, the better off we'll be.

I'm certainly someone who would love to be a part of it. I WOULD have a store downtown if we had any concentrated development.

Big Spring Park. Medical District. Constellation. Arts areas in Five Points and Lowe Mill. Historic Twickenham. Ballpark. Museum. Concentrated shopping area filled with local gems.

We have potential. We need concentrated pockets. We have a great economy. We have natural beauty. We have places of historic value. We need vision...and help/incentive for people, like me, who would LOVE to start a new a chapter in life and be a part of the city.

If you haven't been to downtown Franklin, GO! Just to stroll and enjoy. Well worth a stop on your next visit to Nashville. Well worth a visit on its own. And that says something.

[HSVTiger]

Out at the airport more construction:

The $24.5 million expansion of the baggage claim area is scheduled to be completed Dec. 7, 2012.
The new baggage claim area will have three, round revolving luggage carousels. The baggage claim now has two flat conveyors.
The entire baggage claim area in the terminal will be revamped and a second enclosed second-floor walkway will be built between the terminal and the parking deck.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by neilson

CBL Properties knows how to save properties in good locations, and Madison Square Mall is one of their "babies", originally built in 1984 when CBL was still just an upstart developer out of Chattanooga.

MSM has been good to CBL and in a way, and this is also a way of atoning for the poor renovation that they did in 2005-2006. I fully expect to see within the next 3 years the following:

-The Office development at Madison Square Mall end up being quite the success.
-A new hotel to supplement the Holiday Inn.
-No more Movie Theater.
-Possibly some on-site apartments.

Anyone else want to take a guess at what else will be changing?

Since we are imagining, reduce the vast asphalt wasteland surrounding this
dinosaur, build a parking deck(s) replace with a water park greenway landscaped park. How a bout a lazy river that would surround the mall with points that would go inside. Outdoor cafes and clubs that would front the "river". It would also connect the outparcels that currently exist.
Another hotel, a dedicated exit ramp off of Research Park Blvd that would serve the backside and tie into Holmes Ave, providing easier access in and out.
If offices and apartments may be in the offering how about a grocery or a satellite Earth Fare which is currently across busy University Drive.
They already seem to have a tie in with Bridge Street.

[HSVTiger]

Another issue that has no excuse, is the poor signing of Huntsville's main
arteries. Very minimal and confusing if you don't live here.
The city should push ALDOT on this issue. Downtown needs larger and better
signs directing traffic to I-565, Governors Dr, University (via Church St or Meridian) and Memorial Parkway. And why do they abreviate road names when there is plenty of room to have the entire name.
Where is Mem'l Pkwy?? How about Pulaski Pke?
If I enter Huntsville from the east where is the Birmingham/Nashville exit.
Going the other way can I get to Chattanooga or is Scottsboro the end of the line?

[DavidH74]

Is the main terminal at HSV (the gates) getting a facelift, too?