Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville International Airport receives funding for improvements..
The west runway is 12,600 feet
East runway 10,006 feet
They can handle any fully loaded aircraft flying today or in the future, including the new Airbus Freighter and the Boeing 747-8 which currently has regularly scheduled service to Huntsville.

Huntsville International Airport has won a $7.5-million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to widen its taxiways.

"This funding will help improve Huntsville International Airport's infrastructure and will keep aircraft moving safely and efficiently through Alabama," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a prepared statement. "Making important investments in our aviation system promotes safety and economic growth in communities across the country."

The grant, part of $3.35 billion in funding through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, will fund the completion of taxiway widening on the west side of the airport to accommodate larger aircraft. It will also provide funding to design taxiways and blast pads -- paved areas at runway ends that prevent erosion from jet exhaust -- on the airport's east side. Construction will begin this month and take about eight months. More than 3,300 airports are eligible for AIP funding.
HSV Times

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by mustanggt

Another thought. I personally think Bridge Street needs a couple more "low-end" eateries as well. Maybe a Johnny Rockets, California Pizza Kitchen, In and Out would be fabulous. Just something that if you just want a quick in-expensive bite to eat you can do so. Everything there is to me is more of a dinner/date night type of place. Don't know how many times I have been there around lunch time and left just to go get something to eat, where if there was something more reasonable I would have eaten and continued to shop. Just my $0.02

Limefresh?

[HSVTiger]

The Huntsville City Council gave unanimous approval to a $4-million incentive package to help pay for it on Thursday night.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

And a main downtown corridor set to reopen, it has been landscaped and improved.
Meridian Street in Huntsville will reopen Thursday after more than a year and a half of construction.

“This is the road concept we are working toward in many of our urban corridors,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This design is technically called a Road Diet. We reduce the number of lanes, which improves safety and makes way for other uses such as cycling and pedestrian traffic.”
Along with wider sidewalks, landscaping strips are also part of Meridian’s makeover. The City’s goal is to promote better land use and to encourage retail development in an inviting setting that encourages a live, work, play and learn environment.
“This section of Meridian has an eclectic array of businesses, and I invite everyone to come down here, take a walk and see what is offered,” said Mayor Battle. “We have a theater, schools, upscale retail stores like Brooks & Collier, craftsmen shops, restaurants such as Granville’s BBQ,(good bbq) a new thrift store that benefits local non-profits, renovations to Lincoln Mill, and longstanding establishments such as Mullins Rental and ABC Supply.”
The $3.16 million project took 18 months to construct and completes phase two of Huntsville’s Meridian Street corridor plan for downtown revitalization. Phase one streamlined and improved Meridian from the Lincoln and Monroe Street intersection to Pratt Avenue. Construction was funded in an 80/20 partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation, with the State paying the largest share of the cost. Total cost for the two segments is $8 million.
“We are extremely proud to upgrade this major roadway in our downtown north Huntsville corridor,” said Director of Urban Development Shane Davis. “We wanted to transition this roadway from one with an industrial attitude to one that invites urban renewal.”
In the coming months, Davis says a similar two-phase project will take place on Church Street. In this case, the City and State will redesign and improve the Church Street corridor from Monroe to Oakwood Avenue. Phase one will begin at Pratt and extend north to Oakwood and phase two will upgrade Church from Monroe to Pratt. Total cost of the project is expected to be about $24 million.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I would think this would open up a great opportunities for Madison Square after Belks relocates if that is the store.
Don't think the owners will let that mall slip much further.
Super Belk..ok whatever
Cheesecake..how often will you visit? once twice then maybe 6 months.

I'm not so sure that it will be that easy for Madison Square to redevelop and I'm not so sure that Belk will open a "Super Belk" at Bridge Street either. Here are my reasons:

1. Each of the 5 department stores at Madiosn Square own their respective buildings as well as the parking lot which is directly in front of their building.
2. Why would Belk just let a multi- million dollar property (which is completely paid for) sit idle and take on new debt to finance a new building just 2 miles away? Parisian built the store back in 1984 and Belk aquired the store (and parking lot) when they aquired Belk.
3. How can CBL & Associates redevelop the whole mall when the 5 department stores own about half of the mall and parking lots? Do you think that CBL will pay multi millions to buy out the Belk and Dillards buildings when they haven't been real successful in leasing the office space which is supposed to go into the old McCrae's building and the former space for Dillards Men's store on the 2nd floor.

Also, beyond all of that, Belk at Parkway Place has been the equivalent of a super store as it has been one of their top 10 stores (maybe one of their top 5) yet, the percentage of floor space they give to high end merchandise has decreased in the past three years, while you see increasing space for the cheaper Belk brands. Even Belk's Phipps Plaza store in Atlanta has a large amount of Belk brands and less space for high end than when it was Parisian and Phipps Plaza is the most exclusive shopping center in Atlanta. What makes people think that a Bridge Street store will be more high end than that store?

I still think that Von Maur is the store that is coming. When they announced that they were opening a store at North Point Mall in Alpharetta (Atlanta store), they said that store was the first of many in the southeast. They specifically mentioned opening stores in Alabama and the store RiverChase Galleria in Hoover is evidencce of that.

If it turns out that it in fact will be a "Super Belk", this is a disaster. When Jackson, TN and Bowling Green, KY have Macy's, it is pretty sad that HSV's economic development team could not attract a store at least as good as Macy's and have opted for a chain (Belk) which is synomynous with southern small towns (like Guntersville) and has lower grade merchandise than its predecessor, Parisian.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I think it's a bit more complicated than you're making it seem... I've been to the Macy's in Jackson, TN and trust me it's nothing special. However, they probably have a corner on the market in west central Tennessee and are making wonderful profits.

Honestly, this Bridge Street store may not be Belk, but it isn't inconceivable that Belk would try to take advantage of the lack of a high end retailer in the Tennessee Valley. It might seem preposterous that they would choose to put a "flagship" type store in Huntsville when they already have one 1.5 hours away in Birmingham, but the fact remains that no one has filled that void yet. Not even Parkway Place, as nice as their clothing stores are, can really match the quality of a flagship store.

Ugh...... I miss Parisian way too much. Stupid Saks.... why couldn't you just be loyal to Alabama like the rest of our corporations are?

In the end though, it's going to be a really nice store. If it's not this "Supr Belk" then it's probably a Von Maur. Either way, it will fill a void that when filled will make The Valley even more appealing to live in.

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by quattordici

I think it's a bit more complicated than you're making it seem... I've been to the Macy's in Jackson, TN and trust me it's nothing special. However, they probably have a corner on the market in west central Tennessee and are making wonderful profits.

I've been to several Macy's, and they have never impressed me that much. Just two weekends ago I was at Lennox Square in Atlanta. The Macy's there, while much bigger than say, Belk at Parkway Place, was not nicer. Swap the store brands and you would hardly know the difference. I'm sure the Macy's flagship stores are nicer than your typical Belk, but their average store isn't. I don't feel Huntsville would benefit in the least to exchange a Belk for a Macy's.

I also miss Parisian. And Castner Knott, too. As a kid growing up in Florence, those are the places most of my clothes came from.

[HSVTiger]

Parisian, Pizitz, Castner Knott were all excellent stores. The JCPenney store at Madison Square is just as good if not better than most Macy's.
I agree if it's just a move by Belk and not Von Maur or something new in the Huntsville market then it will be a major letdown.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by Smoothcat

I also miss Parisian. And Castner Knott, too. As a kid growing up in Florence, those are the places most of my clothes came from.

Same here, the Parisian in Decatur was just as nice as any Belk I've been to. It used to be that Decatur had some of the best shopping around, then Castner Knott left, and then Parisian got gobbled up and suddenly I'm seeing all these poor old ladies around town wearing awful and ugly clothing because Belk is telling them it's "in style".

[HSVTiger]

From the contract the city approved

The name of the department store has not been announced, but City Councilman Will Culver said earlier this week that it won't be a Macy's or Nordstrom.
According to its development contract with IMI Huntsville, the city will spend a maximum of $4 million bringing utilities to the department store site and installing an underground culvert to divert storm runoff to a nearby lake. The city is obligated to have those things finished by July 1, 2013.
In return, IMI, which stands for Institutional Mall Investors, promises to build a two-story department store with no less than 168,000 square feet of retail space. The contract says the building will be leased to a "national or regional department store." IMI says it will also bring in a large sit-down restaurant new to the Huntsville market.
The restaurant, department store and other new retail space have to be open by March 31, 2015.
The contract also references a future expansion of Bridge Street that would include another 50,000 square feet of retail space or a second hotel.
This would be Phase IV

[HSVTiger]

well that 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 big woop and thanks for nothing

Bridge Street Town Centre just announced that its new department store opening in early 2015 will be a Belk.

"We look forward to having Belk, a high-quality traditional department store, added to our tenant mix," Doug Badia, executive vice president for O&S Management Services, said in a news release.

"Belk will bring their extensive assortment of premier fashion merchandise for the whole family, as well as their excellent customer service," said Badia.

Sounds like their blackmail worked, the city should have said see you later.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

well that 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 big woop and thanks for nothing

Bridge Street Town Centre just announced that its new department store opening in early 2015 will be a Belk.

"We look forward to having Belk, a high-quality traditional department store, added to our tenant mix," Doug Badia, executive vice president for O&S Management Services, said in a news release.

"Belk will bring their extensive assortment of premier fashion merchandise for the whole family, as well as their excellent customer service," said Badia.

Sounds like their blackmail worked, the city should have said see you later.

Yeah, kind of 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵. However, this just might hasten the change at Madison Sq. to that mixed-use development they were trying to do.

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

Yeah, kind of 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵. However, this just might hasten the change at Madison Sq. to that mixed-use development they were trying to do.

Where do Sears and JC Penney end up eventually? No room left at Bridge St or Parkway Place.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

Yeah, kind of 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵. However, this just might hasten the change at Madison Sq. to that mixed-use development they were trying to do.

and Von Maur can probably get a sweet deal there. I expect MS to be totally redone and become an exciting place to go. Maybe this Belk move was part of that, Belk did not want to be part of that plan.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

and Von Maur can probably get a sweet deal there. I expect MS to be totally redone and become an exciting place to go. Maybe this Belk move was part of that, Belk did not want to be part of that plan.

I don't recall a major development announcement that has been met with such
a negative vibe. What did they think, obviously they didn't and probably not much choice. Belk probably threatened to leave the city if they didn't put up
the cash. Guess what someone else would be glad to fill the void.
Blame other retailers as well for being slow to respond.
BUT this new store will be spectacular and like nothing we have seen in Huntsville or Alabama for that matter. It is a testament to Huntsville that they will spend 20 million in this market.
The competition will follow.

Along with Belk, the outdoor shopping center says it will add 45,000 square feet of additional retail space and a large chain restaurant by March 31, 2015.
Most of the picturesque manmade lake on the west side of Bridge Street will be drained and filled to make way for the new shopping and dining. Only a tiny finger of water will remain near Connors Steak & Seafood. The lake east of the pedestrian bridge will be left as is.
Bridge Street plans to add approximately 900 new parking spaces by turning the surface lot outside Red Robin Gourmet Burgers into a two-story garage. A new surface lot is planned for the grassy area behind Designer Shoe Warehouse.
"We are grateful to city leaders for embracing this expansion," said John Neutzling, chief operating officer of Miller Capital Advisory. The suburban Chicago-based firm bought Bridge Street earlier this year on behalf of Institutional Mall Investors.
"We view Huntsville as a dynamic and growing community," Neutzling said Friday, "and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the city and the community."
Institutional Mall Investors, or IMI, also owns Riverchase Galleria in Hoover.
Belk said its new Bridge Street store, targeted for a fall 2014 grand opening, will cost $20 million.
Jan Clevenger, who chairs Belk's Birmingham-based western division, said the 170,000-square-foot store will offer "a fabulous new shopping environment featuring expanded selections of premier fashion merchandise with more brands and styles that our customers are looking for."
Belk said its Madison Square Mall location will remain open until the Bridge Street store is ready. There are no plans to close the Belk in Parkway Place, which was remodeled last year.
Huntsville will spend a maximum of $4 million bringing utilities to the Belk site and installing an underground culvert to divert storm runoff to a city-owned lake nearby. The city is obligated to have those things done by July 1, 2013.
HSV Times

[HSVTiger]

Mayor Jane Caylor retiring from Big Spring Partners a downtown development think tank.
But more interesting
The group's downtown marketing director, events coordinator and executive assistant have all resigned in recent months, leaving Caylor as the only paid employee.Why did this happen??
John Stallworth, who chairs the Big Spring Partners board, said a search for Caylor's replacement will begin soon with the goal of having someone in place early next year.
"We want someone who's familiar with selling downtown, someone who can stand and support the developers and businesses that want to come downtown," Stallworth said Friday.
In the meantime, Big Spring Partners has turned to the Washington, D.C.-based International Downtown Association for advice on rejuvenating the center city. IDA bills itself as "the guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic" downtowns.
Stallworth said IDA representatives will be in town next week interviewing business owners, young professionals and others about what they'd like to see downtown.
The group has done similar studies for Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Boise, Tulsa, Fresno, Calif., and Toledo, Ohio.
Great..another studyThere is a large building in Huntsville somewhere that houses just studies, proposals, and promised road projects.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I don't recall a major development announcement that has been met with such
a negative vibe. What did they think, obviously they didn't and probably not much choice. Belk probably threatened to leave the city if they didn't put up
the cash. Guess what someone else would be glad to fill the void.
Blame other retailers as well for being slow to respond.
BUT this new store will be spectacular and like nothing we have seen in Huntsville or Alabama for that matter. It is a testament to Huntsville that they will spend 20 million in this market.
The competition will follow.

Along with Belk, the outdoor shopping center says it will add 45,000 square feet of additional retail space and a large chain restaurant by March 31, 2015.
Most of the picturesque manmade lake on the west side of Bridge Street will be drained and filled to make way for the new shopping and dining. Only a tiny finger of water will remain near Connors Steak & Seafood. The lake east of the pedestrian bridge will be left as is.
Bridge Street plans to add approximately 900 new parking spaces by turning the surface lot outside Red Robin Gourmet Burgers into a two-story garage. A new surface lot is planned for the grassy area behind Designer Shoe Warehouse.
"We are grateful to city leaders for embracing this expansion," said John Neutzling, chief operating officer of Miller Capital Advisory. The suburban Chicago-based firm bought Bridge Street earlier this year on behalf of Institutional Mall Investors.
"We view Huntsville as a dynamic and growing community," Neutzling said Friday, "and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the city and the community."
Institutional Mall Investors, or IMI, also owns Riverchase Galleria in Hoover.
Belk said its new Bridge Street store, targeted for a fall 2014 grand opening, will cost $20 million.
Jan Clevenger, who chairs Belk's Birmingham-based western division, said the 170,000-square-foot store will offer "a fabulous new shopping environment featuring expanded selections of premier fashion merchandise with more brands and styles that our customers are looking for."
Belk said its Madison Square Mall location will remain open until the Bridge Street store is ready. There are no plans to close the Belk in Parkway Place, which was remodeled last year.
Huntsville will spend a maximum of $4 million bringing utilities to the Belk site and installing an underground culvert to divert storm runoff to a city-owned lake nearby. The city is obligated to have those things done by July 1, 2013.
HSV Times

Bet the existing tenants, Lime Fresh, Connors, Red Robin etc located on the west side are excited to see their nice view and lake replaced with a brick and stucco wall,. look for these to close or move.
🞵🞵🞵 🞵🞵 🞵🞵🞵🞵 two shopping centers at once ..come to Huntsville.

[mp7123]

Zoe's Kitchen is opening a store at 6275 University Drive Unit 21 (Westside Pavilion).

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Bet the existing tenants, Lime Fresh, Connors, Red Robin etc located on the west side are excited to see their nice view and lake replaced with a brick and stucco wall,. look for these to close or move.
🞵🞵🞵 🞵🞵 🞵🞵🞵🞵 two shopping centers at once ..come to Huntsville.

If Bridge Street was smart, they'd turn the future "finger of water" into something of a creek with some nice waterfalls, like the one in front of the Westin. At least it'd still be kinda scenic and provide something for shoppers to stroll along.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by mp7123

Zoe's Kitchen is opening a store at 6275 University Drive Unit 21 (Westside Pavilion).

Where is that?