Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Why does ALDOT hold us hostage?

Huntsville continues to be the fastest growing of the four large metro areas of Alabama, according to Census figures released today.

Huntsville, already the second largest metro area in the state, grew by 1.8 percent from 2011 to 2012, making it the 74th fastest growing out 381 metropolitan areas across the nation.

In Alabama, only the Auburn-Opelika area grew more rapidly, climbing by a whopping 2.6 percent, or the 11th fastest rate in the nation over a one year period. Auburn-Opelika recorded 147,257 residents last year.

Huntsville metro area, which includes Madison and Limestone counties, went from 425,212 people in July of 2011 to 430,734 in July of 2012. That's up from 417,593 in the 2010 Census.

Madison County alone added more than 3,000 people to reach 343,080 residents in 2012.

More than a third of the metro area's growth could be found further west. Limestone grew by about 2.5 percent, or the third highest percentage increase among Alabama counties. Limestone added more than 2,000 people to reach 87,654 residents halfway through 2012.

The seven counties of Birmingham-Hoover continue to form the state's most populous metro area, accounting for 1,136,520 people in July of 2012. That's was up .4 percent since 2011.

Mobile, the state's third largest metro area, grew slightly by .2 percent to almost 414,000 residents. The Montgomery metro area shrank by .4 percent, falling to just over 377,000 people.

The U.S. Census identifies metropolitan statistical areas by combining cities with adjacent counties with close economic and commuter ties. Mobile metro area is just Mobile County. The Montgomery metro area includes four counties.

Huntsville Times

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Why does ALDOT hold us hostage?
Huntsville continues to be the fastest growing of the four large metro areas of Alabama, according to Census figures released today.

Huntsville, already the second largest metro area in the state, grew by 1.8 percent from 2011 to 2012, making it the 74th fastest growing out 381 metropolitan areas across the nation.

My thought would be that Huntsville and Madison County are pretty much in a glass bubble compared to the rest of the state. There are too many good ole boys down south that don't like what has been done up here, jealous? I'm not sure.

This area has pretty much kept Alabama afloat for several years now. You would think the powers that be would recognize that and help it grow into what it can be.

However, taking over Montgomery and Mobile and encroaching on B'ham, probably doesn't sit well with the traditional powers.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

My thought would be that Huntsville and Madison County are pretty much in a glass bubble compared to the rest of the state. There are too many good ole boys down south that don't like what has been done up here, jealous? I'm not sure.

This area has pretty much kept Alabama afloat for several years now. You would think the powers that be would recognize that and help it grow into what it can be.

However, taking over Montgomery and Mobile and encroaching on B'ham, probably doesn't sit well with the traditional powers.

Yes, oh glorious Huntsville, please expound on what the rest of the state owes you. It's a grand conspiracy!

Taking over?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Yes, oh glorious Huntsville, please expound on what the rest of the state owes you. It's a grand conspiracy!

Taking over?

I would say Mobile is suffering from the same state of neglect and delay from our friends at aldot. It will be intersting to see how Airbus changes that. But then Redstone Arsenal with it's 38,000 employees should have created better access but the Army has a formidable foe in the state highway department.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I would say Mobile is suffering from the same state of neglect and delay from our friends at aldot. It will be intersting to see how Airbus changes that. But then Redstone Arsenal with it's 38,000 employees should have created better access but the Army has a formidable foe in the state highway department.

I completely agree. ALDOT, being the state government entity it is, certainly takes it time (saying the least).

US98 in west Mobile/I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway/interchange improvements/Huntsville access problems, etc.

Airbus will certainly speed some things up here, though. They've already finished an interchange alteration with 3 more to go on I-10 in the city, but we'll see how that works out. The one necessary interchange alteration, however, was the one they fortunately just finished. I'm sure Huntsville has many necessary improvements not being funded, though, especially with its recent rampant growth.

As for I-65/165 here, I don't expect anything soon from ALDOT.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

Yes, oh glorious Huntsville, please expound on what the rest of the state owes you. It's a grand conspiracy!

Owes? Nothing, but a more efficient road department and a fair amount coming back here. There were numbers released a year or two ago that Madison County got a very low amount per dollar in roads compared to other areas in the state.

Taking over?

By size. Yes.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

Owes? Nothing, but a more efficient road department and a fair amount coming back here. There were numbers released a year or two ago that Madison County got a very low amount per dollar in roads compared to other areas in the state.



By size. Yes.

I'd be interested to see this report on $/roads. Could you provide a link?

Are you going by metro sizes (MSA/CSA) or city size?

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

I'd be interested to see this report on $/roads. Could you provide a link?

Not sure where. It was on the news here and in the paper some time ago. Heck, it might even be in this thread somewhere...

This is all that I can find so far.
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/09/elected_leaders_from_huntsvill.html

Are you going by metro sizes (MSA/CSA) or city size?

Just from what HSVTiger quoted above.

[HSVTiger]

According to Huntsville Times the most dangerous intersections in Huntsville, and nothing is being done to improve any of them. Main cause I would guess is texting, speeding following too close, not using turn signals, poor to no directional signs, bad design of the road, and too much traffic for the capacity.

1. Old Madison Pike at Research Park Boulevard (62 wrecks in 2012, 41 in 2011)

2. Jordan Lane at University Drive (61 in 2012, 70 in 2011)

3. University Drive at Memorial Parkway, southbound (48 in 2012, 30 in 2011)

4. Jordan Lane at Interstate-565 (44 in 2012, 35 in 2011)

5. I-565 at Research Park (40 in 2012, 44 in 2011)

6. Mastin Lake Road at Memorial Parkway (36 in 2012, 27 in 2011)

7. Governors Drive at Memorial Parkway (35 in 2012, 39 in 2011)

8. Sparkman Drive at I-565 (34 in 2012, 30 in 2011)

9. Jordan Lane/Alabama 53 at Research Park Boulevard (33 in 2012, 21 in 2011)

10. Memorial Parkway between Clinton Avenue and Governors Drive (33 in 2012, 18 in 2011)

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Downtown school won't be torn down

East Clinton Elementary School has won a reprieve from the wrecking ball.
Following nearly two hours of discussion Monday night, the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission rejected developer Bob Broadway's application to demolish the vacant school to make room for 11 residential lots facing Clinton Avenue, White Street and Calhoun Street.

"There are certain buildings that really make the (Old Town historic) district, and this is one of them," said commission Chairman Jack Burwell.

Six of the nine preservation board members agreed that East Clinton is too important to be destroyed. Constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, it is one of the last Art Deco-style buildings left in Huntsville
Following the meeting, Broadway said he may get with his architect, Paul Matheny, and come up with an alternate plan that incorporates new homes as well as the original façade of the school. He also has the option of appealing the preservation commission ruling to Madison County Circuit Court.

"We'll go back and regroup," Broadway said. "I don't go away this easy."

a better plan..

Instead of razing the entire school, Broadway is now offering to preserve part of East Clinton's unique Art Deco facade and build about a dozen new homes around it.

One proposal would knock down the rear portion of the school but retain the facade along Holmes Avenue. Broadway said he has not identified a potential user for the 7,800-square-foot space, and current zoning allows only a single-family residence, church or public school.

His other proposal is to keep a smaller section around East Clinton's main entrance, make any needed repairs and donate the building to the Old Town Historic District Association for use as office and meeting space.

"This finds a use for the building and puts it in the hands of the Old Town board where they have control," Broadway said in a Tuesday interview. "And it will increase property values by having a building that's used and maintained.
HSV Times

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

According to Huntsville Times the most dangerous intersections in Huntsville, and nothing is being done to improve any of them. Main cause I would guess is texting, speeding following too close, not using turn signals, poor to no directional signs, bad design of the road, and too much traffic for the capacity.

1. Old Madison Pike at Research Park Boulevard (62 wrecks in 2012, 41 in 2011)

2. Jordan Lane at University Drive (61 in 2012, 70 in 2011)

3. University Drive at Memorial Parkway, southbound (48 in 2012, 30 in 2011)

4. Jordan Lane at Interstate-565 (44 in 2012, 35 in 2011)

5. I-565 at Research Park (40 in 2012, 44 in 2011)

6. Mastin Lake Road at Memorial Parkway (36 in 2012, 27 in 2011)

7. Governors Drive at Memorial Parkway (35 in 2012, 39 in 2011)

8. Sparkman Drive at I-565 (34 in 2012, 30 in 2011)

9. Jordan Lane/Alabama 53 at Research Park Boulevard (33 in 2012, 21 in 2011)

10. Memorial Parkway between Clinton Avenue and Governors Drive (33 in 2012, 18 in 2011)

That's basically a list of the intersections that see the most traffic, which doesn't tell you anything.

[HSVTiger]

I expect exciting things from this group, they are not ones to sit around and wait.

Several of Huntsville's top business minds have formed a new nonprofit organization to assume most of the downtown revitalization duties previously handled by Big Spring Partners.

Chairman Evans Quinlivan said Downtown Huntsville Inc. has already signed up more than 40 members and raised approximately $800,000. Next month, the group plans to launch a nationwide search for a chief executive with experience in downtown development.

That person will run both Downtown Huntsville Inc. and Big Spring Partners, whose focus will shift to accepting charitable donations of money and property.

"We're very encouraged by the early support we've received from downtown businesses, residents and city leaders who agree we have significant opportunities to stimulate new private investment in downtown with a board and staff who are working on it every day," Quinlivan said Friday.

Along with Quinlivan, who is president of National Bank of Commerce, Downtown Huntsville Inc.'s board of directors will include: Scott Averbuch of Averbuch Real Estate; downtown resident Leslie Crosby; Jimmy Hudson of CityScapes; Frederick Lanier of West Huntsville Land Co.; Olly Orton of the Downtown 47; Bill Propst Jr. of Propst Properties; Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Judy Ryals; and Martin Sisson of Chapman Sisson Architects.

[HSVTiger]

Alabama Number of Federal Employees and Retirees, November 2012

In the state of Alabama there are 107,381 federal employees and retirees.

Big Four counties total number of all Federal agencies

Madison- 29,050
Jefferson- 13,106
Montgomery- 8,792
Mobile- 6,023

Source: Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employment Statistics (place of employment county), November 2012.

[HSVTiger]

Ah yes the infamous city rankings that come out from time to time. Usually one can be tailored to put your city at the top.. good or bad.

Huntsville ranks among the country's top 20 economically strong metropolitan cities, according to findings released Monday by the economic research firm Policom.

At No. 19, Huntsville is the highest ranking metro in the state with Birmingham coming in at No. 40, Montgomery at No. 98; Tuscaloosa at No. 173; Columbus, Ga./Phenix City, Al. at No. 175; Mobile at No. 221 ; Auburn/Opelika at No. 257; Dothan at No. 289; Florence-Muscle Shoals at No. 302; Decatur at No. 346; and Anniston-Oxford at No. 334. Policom annually ranks 366 metropolitan areas.

Washington D.C. received the highest ranking for the third year in a row.

"The top rated areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time," Policom President William Furth said in a press release. "The rankings do not reflect the latest 'hotspot' or boom town, but the areas which have the best economic foundation."

Policom's study measured 23 different economic factors over a 20-year period to come up with the annual rankings, according to the firm's website.
Huntsville Times

[HSVTiger]

As I and others have speculated, Madison Square needs to go big and turn itself into an urban premier destination, eliminate the asphalt wasteland and steril cold environment. See the proposed Lendon development in Jones Valley for inspiration. This center will not die with CBL involved..

The company that owns Madison Square Mall is working with a retail consultant to rethink the future of the Rocket City's biggest shopping center.

Huntsville Director of Urban Development Shane Davis said CBL & Associates Properties hired the consultant last fall to "help them with options for Madison Square," which opened on University Drive in 1984.

The 928,000-square-foot mall will lose one of its four anchor stores when Belk moves to Bridge Street Town Center in late 2014.

Davis said CBL is considering several options for revitalizing Madison Square including continuing as an enclosed mall, a "partial tear down" to create a more open-air feel and bringing in a mix of shopping, restaurants, office space plus an extended-stay hotel.

CBL Executive Vice President Michael Lebovitz "has told Mayor Battle and myself that he's committed to bringing new energy to the mall," Davis said Tuesday. "That corner is so vital to our city and our community that we'll be a partner in whatever they decide to do if we can assist in any way."

[David1502]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

As I and others have speculated, Madison Square needs to go big and turn itself into an urban premier destination, eliminate the asphalt wasteland and steril cold environment. See the proposed Lendon development in Jones Valley for inspiration. This center will not die with CBL involved..

The company that owns Madison Square Mall is working with a retail consultant to rethink the future of the Rocket City's biggest shopping center.

Huntsville Director of Urban Development Shane Davis said CBL & Associates Properties hired the consultant last fall to "help them with options for Madison Square," which opened on University Drive in 1984.

The 928,000-square-foot mall will lose one of its four anchor stores when Belk moves to Bridge Street Town Center in late 2014.

Davis said CBL is considering several options for revitalizing Madison Square including continuing as an enclosed mall, a "partial tear down" to create a more open-air feel and bringing in a mix of shopping, restaurants, office space plus an extended-stay hotel.

CBL Executive Vice President Michael Lebovitz "has told Mayor Battle and myself that he's committed to bringing new energy to the mall," Davis said Tuesday. "That corner is so vital to our city and our community that we'll be a partner in whatever they decide to do if we can assist in any way."

A couple of thoughts regarding the article on al.com:

1. It is hard to see how an extended stay hotel could get financing due to what appears to be an almost glut of hotels in this area. When one considers the recent entrants, the Hampton Inn and Suites and Home 2 Suites across the street from Bridge Street, the Springhill Suites at Providence, and the Holiday Inn Express on Jeff Rd. @ 72 (it appears construction has begun), how can this market absorb anymore hotel rooms and what bank will finance it?
2. From the coverage of Belk's decision to move to Bridge Street, it was revealed that both Macy's and Nordstrom had an interest in this market. It seems like a no brainer that when you have three empty department store buildings at Madison Square, some deal could be arranged to entice at least one of these chains to locate there. Also, Von Maur has aspirations to grow in the southeast which they indicated when they announced their store at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover.
3. However, to entice any new department store, office, restaurant or other development, a serious effort has to be made on the atmosphere of the interior of the mall. With so many "no name" lower end stores which attract a clientele which won't shop at Macy's, it is a serious challenge to be overcome. It may be that these department stores may choose not to have direct access to the interior of the mall for that reason.

It is without a doubt that new energy is essential for Madison Square which affects the adjacent retail/restaurant district. Madison Square was the catalyst for all of the development which has occurred since it opened in 1984. Before Madison Square opened, all commercial development ended near Wynn Drive.

The City of Huntsville has an interest just to keep the property values up so that the tax revenues will stay up as well. Anyway, it appears that the situation has gotten to the point of where CBL & Associates is going to take some action.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by David1502

A couple of thoughts regarding the article on al.com:

1. It is hard to see how an extended stay hotel could get financing due to what appears to be an almost glut of hotels in this area. When one considers the recent entrants, the Hampton Inn and Suites and Home 2 Suites across the street from Bridge Street, the Springhill Suites at Providence, and the Holiday Inn Express on Jeff Rd. @ 72 (it appears construction has begun), how can this market absorb anymore hotel rooms and what bank will finance it?

As far as I understand and what I've heard over the years, HSV actually doesn't have enough hotels. Especially during peak times.

[PSMadison]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

As far as I understand and what I've heard over the years, HSV actually doesn't have enough hotels. Especially during peak times.

Concur. When we have meetings here, it is frequently hard, if not impossible, to get decent rooms at all, much less within government per diem. We've end up with people at South Parkway, Hampton Cove, and even Decatur, for business in the research park. They're building hotels because they are easy to fill.

[HSVTiger]

From Huntsville Times

A wave of recent building permits issued by Huntsville could signal an upcoming boom in residential and commercial construction.

Mayor Tommy Battle said the city inspection department took in $454,364 in building permit fees in March and $180,000 more during the first three days of April. Building permit revenues have averaged $250,000-$300,000 a month since the recession began.

"It's a bit unexpected," Battle said Wednesday. "We're seeing a lot of demand in the construction business, and that usually turns into hiring workers and turns into growth."

[mlog]

A restaurant at Providence has gone out of business: Tony's Little Italy.