Huntsville updates

[Jugernagt]

http://www.neatorama.com/2011/04/22/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-ikea/

[Huntsville_secede]

The media has focused on what happened in Tuscaloosa rightfully so but none of the damage in other areas particularly North Alabama is hardly mentioned. I'm not sure if it's because that information just hasn't been relayed to state officials or it's just how the media when they cover a story they seem to always focus on one location.

According to the Huntsville Times, Madison, Limestone, morgan, and jackson were NOT included in president Obama's disaster declaration. In my opinion the power grid failure from Brown Ferry Nuclear alone is enough to warrant being added as a disaster area much less the tornado damage. According to the preliminary reports one of the tornadoes that hit Limestone/west madison was a strong EF4 with winds up to 190mph. That tornado may have been mostly on the ground for up to 42 miles and there were other tornadoes in the area's of north alabama in the EF3, EF4 strength range. The governor plans to visit North Alabama soon, I just want to see all area's get the coverage they deserve and have their story told and receive the assistance they need. Tuscaloosa was horrible but 250+ people so far have died in this state, 45 of those were in Tuscaloosa so obviously other areas have been hit very hard as well.

From Huntsville Times:

President Obama has declared the following counties in Alabama a federal disaster area: Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marshall, Tuscaloosa and Walker. The declaration, which does not include several North Alabama counties, opens the affected areas to increased federal emergency assistance.

The Internal Revenue Service also announced an hour ago that residents of these counties will qualify for tax relief after Wednesday's devastating line of storms launched at least six confirmed EF-4 tornadoes across the state. That includes postponed tax deadlines.

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, said that he is working to add several other North Alabama counties, such as Madison, Limestone, Morgan and Jackson, to the list. Nine people were confirmed killed in the storms in Madison, and eight more died in Jackson. A tornado nearly 3/4 quarters of a mile wide devastated the Tanner community in Limestone County.

"It's something we're working on. We hope to have it taken care of by today or Monday," said Brooks, saying it was a matter of getting complete damage reports to the state officials who would relay the full scope of destruction in North Alabama to federal officials.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

The media has focused on what happened in Tuscaloosa rightfully so but none of the damage in other areas particularly North Alabama is hardly mentioned. I'm not sure if it's because that information just hasn't been relayed to state officials or it's just how the media when they cover a story they seem to always focus on one location.

According to the Huntsville Times, Madison, Limestone, morgan, and jackson were NOT included in president Obama's disaster declaration. In my opinion the power grid failure from Brown Ferry Nuclear alone is enough to warrant being added as a disaster area much less the tornado damage. According to the preliminary reports one of the tornadoes that hit Limestone/west madison was a strong EF4 with winds up to 190mph. That tornado may have been mostly on the ground for up to 42 miles and there were other tornadoes in the area's of north alabama in the EF3, EF4 strength range. The governor plans to visit North Alabama soon, I just want to see all area's get the coverage they deserve and have their story told and receive the assistance they need. Tuscaloosa was horrible but 250+ people so far have died in this state, 45 of those were in Tuscaloosa so obviously other areas have been hit very hard as well.

From Huntsville Times:

President Obama has declared the following counties in Alabama a federal disaster area: Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marshall, Tuscaloosa and Walker. The declaration, which does not include several North Alabama counties, opens the affected areas to increased federal emergency assistance.

The Internal Revenue Service also announced an hour ago that residents of these counties will qualify for tax relief after Wednesday's devastating line of storms launched at least six confirmed EF-4 tornadoes across the state. That includes postponed tax deadlines.

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, said that he is working to add several other North Alabama counties, such as Madison, Limestone, Morgan and Jackson, to the list. Nine people were confirmed killed in the storms in Madison, and eight more died in Jackson. A tornado nearly 3/4 quarters of a mile wide devastated the Tanner community in Limestone County.

"It's something we're working on. We hope to have it taken care of by today or Monday," said Brooks, saying it was a matter of getting complete damage reports to the state officials who would relay the full scope of destruction in North Alabama to federal officials.

I think in the end, you're gonna see these counties added. I think that it's just the initial shock that is taking the spotlight. I can't say that I disagree, necessarily, with all the attention being placed on Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. You should see the devastation. It's terrible, and at the moment, a lot of focus needs to be on parts of Central Alabama because so much help is needed.

I know that what is happening in North Alabama is bad, I'm a Tennessee Vally native and I love it up there. However, I can't tell you how many thousands of people in Tuscaloosa would be exceedingly happy to be in the situation that Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Madison, The Shoals, etc... are in. That being said, the entire state is in a state of disaster.

TVA is working their butts off to get things restored up north. Thousands of TVA people are working to restore lines to major population centers.

Honestly, the people what are really being neglected are the ones that live in places like Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, and even Cullman. The first two have been wiped off the map and have virtually no way of coping without outside help. I've seen VERY little coverage of what is going on there. I hear a few things on the radio, but most people are concentrating on what is happening in Tuscaloosa because the city is so big.

Anyways, good luck to all of you. I'm praying for everyone in this state, cause there isn't a single large city north of Montgomery that wasn't affected by these disasters.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by tredici

I think in the end, you're gonna see these counties added. I think that it's just the initial shock that is taking the spotlight. I can't say that I disagree, necessarily, with all the attention being placed on Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. You should see the devastation. It's terrible, and at the moment, a lot of focus needs to be on parts of Central Alabama because so much help is needed.

I know that what is happening in North Alabama is bad, I'm a Tennessee Vally native and I love it up there. However, I can't tell you how many thousands of people in Tuscaloosa would be exceedingly happy to be in the situation that Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Madison, The Shoals, etc... are in. That being said, the entire state is in a state of disaster.

TVA is working their butts off to get things restored up north. Thousands of TVA people are working to restore lines to major population centers.

Honestly, the people what are really being neglected are the ones that live in places like Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, and even Cullman. The first two have been wiped off the map and have virtually no way of coping without outside help. I've seen VERY little coverage of what is going on there. I hear a few things on the radio, but most people are concentrating on what is happening in Tuscaloosa because the city is so big.

Anyways, good luck to all of you. I'm praying for everyone in this state, cause there isn't a single large city north of Montgomery that wasn't affected by these disasters.

Yes when I say North Alabama I also was including places like Hackelburg, and Phil Campbell, and Lawrence County that are west of Huntsville that were really hard hit and aren't getting coverage. From my understanding the tornado from looking at the NWS reports hat hit Hackelburg, Phil Campbell and the western portion of Limestone and Madison was the same one. Not suggesting any place should get more coverage than Tuscaloosa understand it's horrible there all my family is from Tuscaloosa so I know how bad it is. Im just saying the story needs to be told for other communities as well particularly the hardest hit ones. Part of the problem may be the widespread lack of power across North Alabama i'm sure that's preventing people's story from getting out, eventually it will though.

[Huntsville]

Here is a nice graphic of the new Shoppes of Madison layout

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcs2cTnMtRE/TcAJo3SwRZI/AAAAAAAAAMI/8SsSM-sTowE/s1600/shoppes_tenants.png

[jmanhsv]

^I guess I should have been a bit clearer in that post. The linked picture above is not an official site plan, and I have been unable to verify its accuracy. The real site plan with the verified tenants can be found on GBT's website.

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville and Birmingham National Weather Service tornado survey so far

[David1502]

The following article in the Atlanta journal Constitution should give some pause that Southwest may not continue service to HSV. http://www.ajc.com/business/southwest-airtran-deal-done-932664.html

The money quote is, "With the deal closed, AirTran will begin sharing critical details with Southwest on profitability for each route and city.

“We’ll begin the evaluation literally today,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said. “For the time being we’re just going to have to resist the temptation to tinker with things.”

Given what has been stated in the Huntsville Times, where the airport has said that flight loads on AirTran flights out of HSV have been low, there has to be great concern that Southwest will not continue service as they certainly don't want to loose money.

It will be interesting if anyone has any anecdotal evidence that there are larger passenger counts on AirTran flights to and from HSV.

[nickodemis]

Originally Posted by David1502

The following article in the Atlanta journal Constitution should give some pause that Southwest may not continue service to HSV. http://www.ajc.com/business/southwest-airtran-deal-done-932664.html

The money quote is, "With the deal closed, AirTran will begin sharing critical details with Southwest on profitability for each route and city.

“We’ll begin the evaluation literally today,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said. “For the time being we’re just going to have to resist the temptation to tinker with things.”

Given what has been stated in the Huntsville Times, where the airport has said that flight loads on AirTran flights out of HSV have been low, there has to be great concern that Southwest will not continue service as they certainly don't want to loose money.

It will be interesting if anyone has any anecdotal evidence that there are larger passenger counts on AirTran flights to and from HSV.

I fly Airtran a lot and tend to hear some a lot of inside information from the Airtran employees. Southwest has plans to expand out of Regan (DCA) and the Huntsville route is the most profitable in the nation. It's even better now that on US Airways has the only direct flight to HSV. Southwest also plans to be aggressive out of Atlanta, but that remains to be seen.

Hopefully Southwest will provide an early morning flight to Nashville, so that people in HSV can take advantage of that hub.

I am not sure what will happen in HSV but Southwest is changing their business model to go after the lucrative business fliers and HSV has the most expensive fares.

[David1502]

In Sunday's Huntsville Times, the largest building permit in Huntsville was for $12,614,560 for Corporate Properties Trust (www.copt.com). COPT specializes in providing office space for U.S. Government and Defense Information Technology Sectors. Keep in mind that building permits for the City of Huntsville cover the material costs, not the final selling price - for example, a residential building permit for $60K could be for a house which sells for over $400K. So, this permit is for one of the biggest projects in quite a while. The location is stated as 1000 Rideout Dr. which is essentially the land between Research Park Blvd. (AL 255) and Rideout Dr. with access coming from Rideout Dr.. and perhaps the service road on RPB.
This office building is to provide space for BRAC contractors.
BTW: Rideout Dr. is a remider of an earlier planned road and was named that back in the 1960's or 70's when Rideout Rd. ended at University Dr. and Rideout Drive was falling along the route of the proposed extension which was originally planned to circle the City through Northwest Huntsville (destroying many homes in its right of way) and ending up about where the present AL 255 is planned to end in the Chase area at US 72. Then AL DOT decided to reroute the newly named AL 255 north of the residential areas of NW HSV along Bob Wade Rd.

[huntsvillefan]

Originally Posted by David1502

In Sunday's Huntsville Times, the largest building permit in Huntsville was for $12,614,560 for Corporate Properties Trust (www.copt.com). COPT specializes in providing office space for U.S. Government and Defense Information Technology Sectors. Keep in mind that building permits for the City of Huntsville cover the material costs, not the final selling price - for example, a residential building permit for $60K could be for a house which sells for over $400K. So, this permit is for one of the biggest projects in quite a while. The location is stated as 1000 Rideout Dr. which is essentially the land between Research Park Blvd. (AL 255) and Rideout Dr. with access coming from Rideout Dr.. and perhaps the service road on RPB.
This office building is to provide space for BRAC contractors.
BTW: Rideout Dr. is a remider of an earlier planned road and was named that back in the 1960's or 70's when Rideout Rd. ended at University Dr. and Rideout Drive was falling along the route of the proposed extension which was originally planned to circle the City through Northwest Huntsville (destroying many homes in its right of way) and ending up about where the present AL 255 is planned to end in the Chase area at US 72. Then AL DOT decided to reroute the newly named AL 255 north of the residential areas of NW HSV along Bob Wade Rd.

I saw the notice in the paper and wondered what kind of building might be going up. It is good to see there is some activity in Huntsville.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by David1502

In Sunday's Huntsville Times, the largest building permit in Huntsville was for $12,614,560 for Corporate Properties Trust (www.copt.com). COPT specializes in providing office space for U.S. Government and Defense Information Technology Sectors. Keep in mind that building permits for the City of Huntsville cover the material costs, not the final selling price - for example, a residential building permit for $60K could be for a house which sells for over $400K. So, this permit is for one of the biggest projects in quite a while. The location is stated as 1000 Rideout Dr. which is essentially the land between Research Park Blvd. (AL 255) and Rideout Dr. with access coming from Rideout Dr.. and perhaps the service road on RPB.
This office building is to provide space for BRAC contractors.
BTW: Rideout Dr. is a remider of an earlier planned road and was named that back in the 1960's or 70's when Rideout Rd. ended at University Dr. and Rideout Drive was falling along the route of the proposed extension which was originally planned to circle the City through Northwest Huntsville (destroying many homes in its right of way) and ending up about where the present AL 255 is planned to end in the Chase area at US 72. Then AL DOT decided to reroute the newly named AL 255 north of the residential areas of NW HSV along Bob Wade Rd.

That's a very interesting spot for a building. Are we sure that address is correct and not for Rideout Rd? I ask because construction has begun on a building outside of Gate 9.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

That's a very interesting spot for a building. Are we sure that address is correct and not for Rideout Rd? I ask because construction has begun on a building outside of Gate 9.

Bingo - You are right. When I put in the address into maps.google.com, it gave the location north of University Dr. However, it has to be the location at Gate 9 as part of the Gateway project. On Redstone Arsenal, it is still called Rideout Rd. Thanks for the correction.

[HSVTiger]

This would be awful, all developers think a privacy fence and cheap landscaping cure their bad ideas. Hey walmart, raze your Drake ave store
and rebuild on that site and do it right. Something walmart has never done.
If this location( Airport Rd) is developed why not a Providence type development..something that would fit in, raise property values and add
a quality of life aspect to the neighborhood, with bike/walking paths, park
type settings, instead of a nasty asphalt junk selling walmart.

"The council postponed a decision until its June 9 meeting so Bill Kling, who represents that area, can vote. Kling was absent Thursday because of a family medical issue.

Jerry Averbuch, who owns Country Club Apartments on Airport Road, is seeking to have the back half of the property rezoned from residential to neighborhood business use so it can be redeveloped as a big-box site.

The city Planning Commission denied his request in late March on the grounds that it would create a commercial lot more than twice as deep as the 500-foot maximum for Airport Road. Averbuch appealed the decision to the council.

Walmart sent a team of civil engineers, architects, traffic experts and public relations folks to Thursday's meeting to try to sell the supercenter idea. Glen Wilkins, a company spokesman from Atlanta, said the new store would replace the aging Walmart at Memorial Parkway and Drake Avenue.

It would employ about 250 people, he said, and boost Huntsville's sales tax collections.

"This is a demand we've heard from our customers," Wilkins said. "Essentially, we've outgrown our (Drake Avenue) store, so we're reaching out to meet those needs."

Civil engineer Mark Gonzalez told the crowd that Walmart has gone to great lengths to be a good neighbor to the Piedmont subdivision immediately north of the property. Unlike a standard supercenter, he said, this one would have heavier landscaping, shorter light poles in the parking lot and an 8-foot-tall wooden privacy fence at the rear property line."

[JuanHunt]

I already avoid Airport Road due to the heavy traffic.

How about a multi-story WalMart at Drake-Pway?

[HSVTiger]

Guitar Center opens in July on University in the revitalized shopping strip across from Madison Square Mall. A lot of steel going up now at Redstone Gateway at I-565/Research Park/ (Gate 9).
If Wal Mart is allowed to do what they are proposing on Airport then the Mayor and City Council/Planning commission, will get a big fat F and all this feel good luvey dovey
talk about qaulity development will be null and void.

[JuanHunt]

The Ryans on South Parkway is closed. The commercial stretch from Weatherly to the river is in rough shape.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by JuanHunt

The Ryans on South Parkway is closed. The commercial stretch from Weatherly to the river is in rough shape.

Now it's about quality development, we aren't seeing it much. The older areas that don't redevelop will die. A new wal mart doesn't help and clearcutting and laying asphalt will kill any chance of survival. Developers are in it for a quick profit then sell and move on.There are many opportunities to really make something special but greed is strong. The area on Airport could rival any area in the south if done correctly, most everyone you talk to about it has a better idea than what china-mart is proposing.
Ryans and that area I guess couldn't survive the overpass construction but if the management and food is bad then its no surprise they close.

[HSVTiger]

All indications are that the City Council will not support a rezoning change that would allow crap mart to destroy the Airport Rd site. Mr Averbuch (owner of the land) please use this opportunity to do something grand.
You can do better than this.

[neilson]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

All indications are that the City Council will not support a rezoning change that would allow crap mart to destroy the Airport Rd site. Mr Averbuch (owner of the land) please use this opportunity to do something grand.
You can do better than this.

I'm glad the mayor and city council realize that a Wal-Mart on Airport would be a bad idea. So, question then becomes where in Central Huntsville can Wal-Mart go?

I'm gonna say, keep it on the Parkway but look more at the area near Useless Overpass. Any chance there's enough land that can be used south of the Hollywood 18 and north of the Marine Corp center?