Huntsville updates

[David1502]

Originally Posted by downtownhsvguy

I think it should continue with (at minimum) the density of twickenham square. I would like to see a high rise condo building with more shopping and maybe get the Hollywood 18 to relocate downtown to this project. I was walking around this weekend and downtown has a lot of good elements to it but nothing that brings it all together in a "package" to make a day of it hanging out downtown. I hope someone will think outside the box on this one and develop something that can bring all the elements on that side of town come together..

As much as it would be desirable to have a movie theatre, restaurants and basically create a mixed use development at the Holiday Inn site, parking will be a major consideration. As there isn't any public parking nearby, the developers will have to construct a multi-story parking garage like the one at Twickenham Square. However, IIRC, the City of Huntsville paid for that garage as part of the incentives the developers requested. The big question is will the developers have a big enough profit margin to afford to build the garage themselves, or will the City of Huntsville be willing to pay for it. Otherwise, if the garage isn't built, the result will be something like the low density Holiday Inn which is there now with a surface lot.

[downtownhsvguy]

Originally Posted by David1502

As much as it would be desirable to have a movie theatre, restaurants and basically create a mixed use development at the Holiday Inn site, parking will be a major consideration. As there isn't any public parking nearby, the developers will have to construct a multi-story parking garage like the one at Twickenham Square. However, IIRC, the City of Huntsville paid for that garage as part of the incentives the developers requested. The big question is will the developers have a big enough profit margin to afford to build the garage themselves, or will the City of Huntsville be willing to pay for it. Otherwise, if the garage isn't built, the result will be something like the low density Holiday Inn which is there now with a surface lot.

If the city can generate enough revenue from the shopping/housing/whatever else is placed there, it would make a lot of sense for the city to pony up upfront to make the deal happen. That is purpose of government.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by downtownhsvguy

I think it should continue with (at minimum) the density of twickenham square. I would like to see a high rise condo building with more shopping and maybe get the Hollywood 18 to relocate downtown to this project. I was walking around this weekend and downtown has a lot of good elements to it but nothing that brings it all together in a "package" to make a day of it hanging out downtown. I hope someone will think outside the box on this one and develop something that can bring all the elements on that side of town come together..

Actually, a movie theater is not a bad idea for that location. Make it an eye catching attraction. Chattanooga has a really nice one downtown just walking distance from the Aquarium and it also has an IMAX theater. That could be really nice for Huntsville to add. The only IMAX theater in town is the one at the Space & Rocket Center and it mostly shows space-themed movies.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

The only IMAX theater in town is the one at the Space & Rocket Center and it mostly shows space-themed movies.

There is an IMAX in Jones Valley that shows theatical releases all the time.

I think a new theater downtown would be great, but I would rather have it be between the VBC and the square to cause some entertainment infill between those two locations. Of course there isn't much property currently available for redevelopment in that area right now...

Actually, I think a new theater in the County Line road area would make the most sense.

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

Actually, I think a new theater in the County Line road area would make the most sense.

Isn't there one in the master plan for where the new Super Walmart is? Along with an apartment complex? Seems like I remember seeing that.

[downtownhsvguy]

I have been thinking about this more.. Huntsville has its hands on a lot of property downtown as this point. I think the new baseball stadium should go where the coke-cola plant is b/c that will be the driver/anchor/catalyst for mid/highrise office/apartments and neighborhood retail.. The holiday Inn site needs also an entertainment anchor that would eventually put pressure on the land between it and twickenham square to be developed to create a continuous experience. The Holiday Inn site could have a theater with IMAX and a small downtown mall with highrise housing and hotels to help sustain the development. there are a lot of land that needs to be redeveloped/developed areound that area.. So building something bold is needed to draw people.

Thatguy wrote "Actually, I think a new theater in the County Line road area would make the most sense." i really think that we need to stop building things that draw people away from downtown.. if people want to live in suburbia, then obviously they are ok with driving everywhere.. make them drive to downtown places not make the people in downtown leave... This would have the opposite effect on the downtown.

[HSVTiger]

4th area Dunkin Doughnuts will be coming soon to Jones Valley on Carl T Jones.

[HSVTiger]

Downtown road improvements continue:

City of Huntsville Project Engineer Robbie Stewart said contractors still have lots of work to do at the Clinton Avenue intersection, where the asphalt is being replaced by decorative brick pavers to give more visual appeal and help slow traffic.

The Holmes Avenue intersection will get the same treatment as part of a $3.1 million plan to beautify Washington Street from the Courthouse Square to the Veterans Memorial.

The brick pavers "are going to be beautiful," Stewart said Wednesday, "and it should also help slow (vehicles) down. That's the one big thing we're trying to do is really pick up the foot traffic downtown."

Along with upgraded intersections, Washington Street is getting new streetlamps, sidewalks and traffic lights, heavy landscaping and about 75 parallel parking spaces

[HSVTiger]

Some highlights from the Mayors State of the City address

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle revealed Wednesday that the city is courting 34 new or expanding companies with the potential of employing more than 10,000 people.

During his annual "State of the City" speech, Battle said the firms showing interest in the Rocket City represent a variety of fields: high-tech, of course, but also manufacturing and health care.

All the companies are impressed with Huntsville's ability to deliver an "educated, tech-savvy workforce," he said, but none of them are quite ready to commit.

16,816 building permits representing $400 million in new commercial and residential construction, including the new Twickenham Square mixed-use project across from Huntsville Hospital

Aldont threatens to kill progress in the state (my comment not the Mayors)

However, the mayor said the city's road network suffered a serious blow this spring when the Alabama Department of Transportation delayed more than $400 million in planned upgrades to Memorial Parkway, Interstate 565, Research Park Boulevard and U.S. 72 West.

"We were, frankly, stunned," said Battle. "Many of these improvements have been in the works for decades, and the city has already spent millions buying rights-of-way, moving sewer and utility lines.

"These improvements cannot wait 10 years."
he has been meeting behind the scenes with Gov. Robert Bentley and ALDOT Director John Cooper.

The meetings have been productive, he said.

"They are listening and working with us on a solution," said Battle.

[HSVTiger]

Big changes are coming downtown, remember the "electric avenue concept years ago/ This is not that but the location is, a nice high rise hotel would really fit well here.
There are at least three major/large devlopment opportunities downtown.

"The City of Huntsville is moving quickly to fill the void created by the closing of the 270-room downtown Holiday Inn next month.

City officials plan to solicit proposals for a "lodging and mixed-use development" to replace the Von Braun Center parking deck bordering Big Spring International Park. Mayor Tommy Battle has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference to discuss the plan in more detail.

The massive parking garage fills nearly an entire city block bordered by Monroe Street, Clinton Avenue, Church Street and the park."

[downtownhsvguy]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Big changes are coming downtown, remember the "electric avenue concept years ago/ This is not that but the location is, a nice high rise hotel would really fit well here.
There are at least three major/large devlopment opportunities downtown.

"The City of Huntsville is moving quickly to fill the void created by the closing of the 270-room downtown Holiday Inn next month.

City officials plan to solicit proposals for a "lodging and mixed-use development" to replace the Von Braun Center parking deck bordering Big Spring International Park. Mayor Tommy Battle has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference to discuss the plan in more detail.

The massive parking garage fills nearly an entire city block bordered by Monroe Street, Clinton Avenue, Church Street and the park."

Here is the story:
The City of Huntsville is moving quickly to fill the void created by the closing of the 270-room downtown Holiday Inn next month.

City officials plan to solicit proposals for a "lodging and mixed-use development" to replace part of the Von Braun Center parking deck bordering Big Spring International Park. Mayor Tommy Battle has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference to discuss the plan in more detail.

The massive parking garage fills nearly an entire city block bordered by Monroe Street, Clinton Avenue, Church Street and the park.

Parking and Public Transit Director Tommy Brown said only the westernmost section of the parking deck along Monroe Street is being considered for redevelopment. The bulk of the 1,175-space, multi-level garage would remain, he said.

Brown estimated a new hotel or other development fronting Monroe Street across from the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall would chew up "about 200" current parking spaces.

"What we're looking for is a proposal that has minimal impact on VBC parking," Brown told AL.com Thursday. "We're not going to do anything that would hinder the general public's access to VBC events."

In addition to the Monroe Street garage, there are more than 2,100 city- or VBC-owned parking spaces within a short walk of the civic center. The South Hall garage, BB&T Building and Lot K across from the downtown post office can each accommodate around 550 vehicles.

Battle and Big Spring Partners Board Chairman John Stallworth announced last Friday that the Holiday Inn on Williams Avenue will shut its doors on Dec. 15. The city owns the land; Big Spring Partners owns the building and contracts with a hotel management company.

Stallworth said the 38-year-old structure has become too costly to operate.

The city would like to see the Holiday Inn site redeveloped into a mix of uses - Battle has mentioned restaurants with outdoor seating and loft apartments -- and will solicit proposals in the spring.

Meantime, the Holiday Inn closing could be a temporary setback to Huntsville's ability to attract conventions downtown.

Most large conventions require 1,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the VBC. Taking away the Holiday Inn leaves 449 downtown hotel rooms between the Embassy Suites and SpringHill Suites.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by downtownhsvguy

City officials plan to solicit proposals for a "lodging and mixed-use development" to replace part of the Von Braun Center parking deck bordering Big Spring International Park.

To me, this project is the lynchpin to a vibrant downtown. If you are a convention-goer and you walk out of the VBC or look out the window of the Embassy Suites all you see is a beautiful park, a bank, and a parking garage. Nothing to draw you out at night. If there was something on the park side of the parking deck that had some life and energy to it, it would make all of downtown look alive.

I would like to see a Joe's Crab Shack or Hofbräu Beer Garden, or anything else as long as it looks lively and fun.

[HSVTiger]

I see a 15-20 story hotel as part of this

From WHNT

The city sent a 25-page Request For Proposal (RFP) to developers on Thursday, asking them to submit ideas for a mixed use development on the site of the City’s parking garage on Monroe Street. This is just across from the Von Braun Center and adjacent to Big Spring Park.
“There is heightened interest in downtown Huntsville, and we want to see what developer proposals are out there,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “The RFP is one way to solicit innovative ideas for prime property that has served as a utilitarian structure.”
Your first question may be – where would I park if I’m going to an event downtown?
The city would not lose any parking spaces. It depends on the proposals that come in whether the current structure would be partially demolished – the portion that borders Monroe Street.
If any part of the parking deck would be demolished, it would be the lower portion directly across from the VBC complex facing Monroe. The upper levels would stay.

If the structure is partially demolished, the developer’s plan would have to include additional parking to replace the spaces that were lost.
.
Proposals must be submitted by February 4, 2014 through Huntsville’s department of Procurement Services.

[downtownhsvguy]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I see a 15-20 story hotel as part of this

Since most people here have been here for a while, what do you guys think are the chances of something bold and tall being built at this time? What do you guys want to see on each of the new parcels? Does the city government have a record of making things happen?

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

I see a 15-20 story hotel as part of this.

Yeah, that's not going to happen.

Remember when they built Big Spring Summit? People were bitching about a 5 story building "casting a shadow" on the park.

[jhsv]

Originally Posted by mp7123

Yeah, that's not going to happen.

Remember when they built Big Spring Summit? People were bitching about a 5 story building "casting a shadow" on the park.

I don't see the need for a tall building just so we have a tall building downtown. How tall would a hotel building be to offset the loss of the Holiday Inn but using a smaller footprint?

I realize the Holiday Inn was probably expensive to maintain but would have thought they would have tried to maintain it till there was another hotel for convention use in the area. Still not sure why another one hasn't gone in at Constellation.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by jhsv

I don't see the need for a tall building just so we have a tall building downtown. How tall would a hotel building be to offset the loss of the Holiday Inn but using a smaller footprint?

I realize the Holiday Inn was probably expensive to maintain but would have thought they would have tried to maintain it till there was another hotel for convention use in the area. Still not sure why another one hasn't gone in at Constellation.

Driving east on 565 you can barely see the downtown skyline as it is so small low. There is a need for taller buildings. Even if only 15 stories max. It would still add to the skyline that is invincible now.

Huntsville needs at least 3 buildings that stand taller than 12 stories to create a real skyline. Memphis is a city built on mud along the Mississippi River and they still have buildings rising 20 stories. Why can't Huntsville?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by jhsv

I don't see the need for a tall building just so we have a tall building downtown. How tall would a hotel building be to offset the loss of the Holiday Inn but using a smaller footprint?

I realize the Holiday Inn was probably expensive to maintain but would have thought they would have tried to maintain it till there was another hotel for convention use in the area. Still not sure why another one hasn't gone in at Constellation.

Depending on how large the footprint of the building is, I think that just 5 floors would be enough considering the size of the property. That being said, I just don't see a building that short being constructed. This is prime real estate and I don't see a developer paying so much to build for something so short.

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Driving east on 565 you can barely see the downtown skyline as it is so small low. There is a need for taller buildings. Even if only 15 stories max. It would still add to the skyline that is invincible now.

Huntsville needs at least 3 buildings that stand taller than 12 stories to create a real skyline. Memphis is a city built on mud along the Mississippi River and they still have buildings rising 20 stories. Why can't Huntsville?

Well, the karst topography underneath downtown Huntsville makes it difficult to build any taller buildings. The area is riddled with caves and can make construction more costly and time consuming. A building around 10 or 15 stories wouldn't really be that difficult, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.

[jhsv]

Was downtown today and went by the Russell Erskine. I know it is senior living but that would be really cool restored as a hotel. It is close enough to the park and VBC to help with conventions.

[jhsv]

Well, the karst topography underneath downtown Huntsville makes it difficult to build any taller buildings. The area is riddled with caves and can make construction more costly and time consuming. A building around 10 or 15 stories wouldn't really be that difficult, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.[/QUOTE]

That is what I was thinking was some of the problem with constellation. Seems like I had read because of the topography the Springhill Suites had to be situated differently on the lot.