Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

H&M press release

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz, the popular international retailer known for
offering fashion-forward apparel and quality basics, is excited to
announce its first ever location in the state of Alabama. H&M will make
its long awaited debut in Huntsville at the popular shopping and
lifestyle destination, Bridge Street Town Centre. Opening June 14th at
noon, H&M at Bridge Street Town Centre will, for the first time, give
Alabama shoppers access to the latest trends at the best prices.

“H&M has greatly anticipated its expansion into Alabama. We continue to be
devoted to expanding our stores in the best new locations throughout the
United States” says Daniel Kulle, U.S. President for H&M. “H&M at Bridge
Street Town Centre will be a fantastic first location in the state and a
wonderful additional to the Huntsville retail landscape.”

The H&M at Bridge Street Town Centre will offer collections for ladies and
men, young ladies and young men, with separate “store within store”
sections for accessories, lingerie, and sports apparel. This location will also
carry H&M’s new plus-sized line, H&M+, as well as the retailer’s fantastic
children’s collection, featuring quality clothing for kids ages newborn to
fourteen.

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by tredici

Well, that's also an inaccurate map, Decatur has had draft sales for years. Odd... no dry county has a city with draft sales according to this map. Or maybe I'm just confused. Either way, it's always shocked me that Morgan County, with over 115,000 people, is still dry.

Also, Houston County has draft sales now. (as of a few years ago)

[HSVTiger]

Shane's Rib Shack restaurant, tentative opening date: July 23.
The restaurant will be at 4800 Whitesburg Drive, Suite 32 (the old McAlister's Deli) at Village on Whitesburg shopping center at Airport Road.
The original Shane's opened near Atlanta in 2002.

HomeGoods is planning a store in Huntsville. Will it be next to the TJ Maxx on Airport Rd? I'm guessing yes. They have combo stores in several locations
across the US.

[HSVTiger]

Major expansions underway at Huntsville International, they will eventually
be able to park seven of these giants side by side.

Huntsville International Airport has closed its west runway to widen and reinforce the airport's surface infrastructure. The runway and parallel taxiway improvements began Monday, June 4, and should take up to seven months.
The Port of Huntsville's board of directors approved this $15.2 million project in May to accommodate larger airplanes, namely the Boeing 747-800 , needed for air cargo transportation.
"We're proud to be one of the first airports in the entire country to accommodate the B747-800," said Rick Tucker, Port of Huntsville executive director. "This capital improvement is the next logical step, allowing us to continue to grow our air cargo business, and ultimately strengthen the regional economy."
Huntsville International Airport is the smallest airport to receive a certification to accommodate such large aircrafts.
Improvements in phase one include expanding the shoulders the entire length of the runway by another 20 feet to match the wider wing span of the newest 747 model. The new infrastructure will be able to withstand more than the maximum weight for a full aircraft of this size, which is 650 tons.
APAC Mid-South, Inc., was awarded the phase one construction contract with the lowest bid. This is the first of four construction phases, all to be completed by August 2016.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

HomeGoods is planning a store in Huntsville. Will it be next to the TJ Maxx on Airport Rd? I'm guessing yes. They have combo stores in several locations
across the US.

Either there or maybe at the old Barnes & Noble on University?

[David1502]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

Either there or maybe at the old Barnes & Noble on University?

The former Barnes and noble location could be a real possibility as something is going on there. The front door is often seen open and some type of remodeling is taking place.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by David1502

The former Barnes and noble location could be a real possibility as something is going on there. The front door is often seen open and some type of remodeling is taking place.

Very possible, however TJ Maxx took out a permit back in March for building alterations on Airport Road. Haven't been by to see if it is remodeling ofthe existing Maxx or expansion for HomeGoods.
Good time for Madison Square become overhauled/transformed.

[HSVTiger]

The new combo Dunkin Doughnuts/Five Guys Burgers building is well underway now being constructed in front of Costco. Meanwhile Krispy Kreme
continues to crank out its heavenly product across the Parkway.
Doughnut nirvana between University and Oakwood.

[HSVTiger]

At one time this was the list of stores planned for the Shoppes of Madison
We know it has changed some. Panera Bread, SmashBurger are later additions.
Had to get another Dollar Tree and where is the mandatory Mattress King! or
similar? now with 86 locations!
Don't think some of these will happen in that center, since it is nearly complete. Some of these were probably bait. Things can change quickly in the retail world.

Target
Home Goods, with a second location on Airport rd?
Shoe Carnival
Rue 21
Maurices
Dollar Tree
PetCo
The Childrens Place
Claires
Shoe Fly
Sunset Tan
Sports Clips
Nail Salon
Zenberry
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Fulin’s Asian Cuisine
Cracker Barrell
Burger King
Moe’s
Pie in the Sky Pizza
Chilis

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by David1502

The former Barnes and noble location could be a real possibility as something is going on there. The front door is often seen open and some type of remodeling is taking place.

You are correct, this appears to be the location on University.

[bhammer]

Has there been any news regarding rail around Huntsville?
Birmingham just started phase 1 of a study linking passenger rail lines to Montgomery (which is good, considering montgomery's size and growth) and eventually Mobile.
Huntsville, too, is large and the fastest-grower (I think?) in the state. It would be awesome to see passenger rail to Birmingham. Chattanooga would also be a great idea. Memphis is another possibility but I wouldn't really consider it in the near future. Anyways cheers, I've been reading about a lot of good developments up there.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by bhammer

Has there been any news regarding rail around Huntsville?
Birmingham just started phase 1 of a study linking passenger rail lines to Montgomery (which is good, considering montgomery's size and growth) and eventually Mobile.
Huntsville, too, is large and the fastest-grower (I think?) in the state. It would be awesome to see passenger rail to Birmingham. Chattanooga would also be a great idea. Memphis is another possibility but I wouldn't really consider it in the near future. Anyways cheers, I've been reading about a lot of good developments up there.

You are correct, Huntsville is the states second largest metro with just two counties. The idea is stuck in the 1970's mindset. Leaving out nearly a half million people, (more if you include Decatur/I-65 corridor) makes no sense. But good luck with that, it will be found again that not enough riders, too expensive to replace the tracks, and lacking facilities will put it on the shelf.

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

At one time this was the list of stores planned for the Shoppes of Madison
We know it has changed some. Panera Bread, SmashBurger are later additions.
Had to get another Dollar Tree and where is the mandatory Mattress King! or
similar? now with 86 locations!
Don't think some of these will happen in that center, since it is nearly complete. Some of these were probably bait. Things can change quickly in the retail world.

Target
Home Goods, with a second location on Airport rd?
Shoe Carnival
Rue 21
Maurices
Dollar Tree
PetCo
The Childrens Place
Claires
Shoe Fly
Sunset Tan
Sports Clips
Nail Salon
Zenberry
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Fulin’s Asian Cuisine
Cracker Barrell
Burger King
Moe’s
Pie in the Sky Pizza
Chilis

I imagine some of these (Chili's/Cracker Barrel/Shoe Carnival) will end up in front of/next to Wal-Mart.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

You are correct, this appears to be the location on University.

It is official that it is going to be there.

That's a very good thing. With Guitar Center, EarthFare and the gym and the soon to be open Chipotle, the eyesore in that area is turning around into something good.

Now it is Madison Square Mall's turn to do something constructive.

Although I might add that that entire road section needs to be re-imagined. It is horrible as is.

[HSVTiger]

The first Zoës Kitchen in Huntsville opens July 5.

The Mediterranean-inspired, fast-casual retaurant is located in the Village at Whitesburg at Whitesburg Drive and Airport Road.

Another location is planned, possibly in the Research Park area.

Chipotle next to Earth Fare on University Drive may be open by June 26th.
This strip center and the one next to it(best Buy) is so much better than it ever was.

[HSVTiger]

The lower bid may result in adding an extra floor for Huntsville Hospital

"A public parking garage serving the planned Twickenham Square development downtown will apparently cost less than expected.
Earlier this year, Mayor Tommy Battle told the developers that the city would pay for the deck across from Huntsville Hospital -- provided it could be built for $10.5 million.
Officials got a pleasant surprise when they opened the construction bids June 12.
Pearce Construction was the apparent low bidder, with a base price of $7,104,770 for a three-story, 692-space parking garage.
Gerry Shannon, principal of Triad Properties, said the upper floors of the parking deck would be reserved for employees, tenants and guests of the proposed office tower and hotel.
Several medical practices have expressed interest in the five-story, $35 million office building, said Shannon, and Huntsville Hospital may move its clinical laboratory there. (disappointing design of this building so far)
"We're extremely pleased with the way it's going," Shannon said Thursday. "No one has signed up, but we've got some verbal agreements."
Easter said construction on the parking garage won't begin until Triad, Bristol and PGM purchase the land from the Huntsville Housing Authority. Closing is scheduled for July 18, he said.
Huntsville Hospital, which has limited parking for its 6,000 employees, has talked to the city about enlarging the Twickenham Square deck. Pearce would charge $2.1 million to add a fourth floor with 259 additional spaces."
HSV Times

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The first Zoës Kitchen in Huntsville opens July 5.

The Mediterranean-inspired, fast-casual retaurant is located in the Village at Whitesburg at Whitesburg Drive and Airport Road.

Another location is planned, possibly in the Research Park area.

Chipotle next to Earth Fare on University Drive may be open by June 26th.
This strip center and the one next to it(best Buy) is so much better than it ever was.

Chipotle now open.

[HSVTiger]

There is major work being done on Redstone Arsenal. One area in the northeast quadrant is seeing a redevlopment of old buildings part of creating a walkable campus like atmosphere. This is separate from the 1 billion dollar
Redstone Gateway under construction further west.

Some old buildings on Redstone Arsenal left empty when the Army's 59th Ordnance Brigade and Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School moved out are being renovated for use by other agencies and commands.

The interiors are being nearly gutted to allow for a modern, open floor plan and more efficient use of space, said Dan O'Boyle, an arsenal spokesman. Outdated heating and air conditioning will be replaced with new energy-efficient systems, along with energy-saving windows, LED lighting and more.

The effort is part of an overall plan to reuse older buildings and realign commands for more effective use of the facilities on the post, he said. Buildings 3303, 3305 and 3307, will become a new Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA) Lead AMC Integration Support Office (LAISO) walking-distance campus. LOGSA and LAISO are currently in five buildings spread out at locations on the arsenal.

[HSVTiger]

Academy Sports + Outdoors is apparently looking to build its first Huntsville store in a cotton field near U.S. 72 West and Nance Road.

[HSVTiger]

SmashBurger located in the Shoppes of Madison (new Target shopping center), University Drive, opens Tuesday.
Zoes Kitchen on Whitesburg Dr/Airport Rd will open July 5th.
Shanes Rib Shack also in the Village on Whitesburg tentative open date July 23.

The Huntsville City Council on Thursday night approved a rezoning request sought by brothers-in-law John Blue and Peter Lowe, who plan to turn a 68-acre field beside the Valley Bend at Jones Farm shopping center into as many as 250 homes of varying sizes and styles.

Called Lendon, the high-end neighborhood will also have boutique shopping, outdoor cafes, a large clubhouse that doubles as a bed and breakfast for out-of-town guests, and narrow streets to encourage walking.



Source HSV Times