Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

On a side note a new downtown stadium for the Nashville Sounds was approved. Should open in 2015.

[HSVTiger]

The race is on

The machinists union in Washington state has rejected what Boeing describes as its "best and final counterproposal" to keep production of the 777X in the state. The move keeps the door open for states, including Alabama, that are hoping to land the company's $10 billion production facility.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The race is on

The machinists union in Washington state has rejected what Boeing describes as its "best and final counterproposal" to keep production of the 777X in the state. The move keeps the door open for states, including Alabama, that are hoping to land the company's $10 billion production facility.

They said on WAFF 48 news that Boeing is coming to Huntsville and plans to build a new facility on or near the arsenal.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

They said on WAFF 48 news that Boeing is coming to Huntsville and plans to build a new facility on or near the arsenal.

different project, this will be at Redstone Gateway, if they decide to build an assembly plant for planes it will be at the airport.

Boeing plans to establish a $17 million research center in Huntsville that will bring up to 400 engineering-related jobs to the city.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

The race is on

The machinists union in Washington state has rejected what Boeing describes as its "best and final counterproposal" to keep production of the 777X in the state. The move keeps the door open for states, including Alabama, that are hoping to land the company's $10 billion production facility.

The failure of the union talks is a boost to the states vying for the 777X production facility. Alabama/Huntsville was among the states submitting a proposal this week and company officials said a decision could come as soon as January.

Boeing said it has received proposals from 22 states, many of which submitted multiple sites for consideration. A total of 54 sites are now being evaluated and that process continued during the union talks, company officials said.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

different project, this will be at Redstone Gateway, if they decide to build an assembly plant for planes it will be at the airport.

Boeing plans to establish a $17 million research center in Huntsville that will bring up to 400 engineering-related jobs to the city.

Oh OK. I didn't know it was a different project. They were saying that it was going to pump millions into our local economy so I assumed that they were talking about the Boeing plant.

[JuanHunt]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

If it comes down to it the city can file for imminent domain. And take the land with no cost. Not a popular option but this has been done for other stadium developments around the nation.

Thats not how eminent domain works.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by JuanHunt

Thats not how eminent domain works.

If a piece of land or property is needed for economic growth for a town or city, or if the owner of that property refuses to give it up, that particular town or city can then file a claim for eminent domain. Coke better be careful because Huntsville would have a strong argument if it came to that. And if it were to come down to ED, then Coke could end up losing the property in a court of law and not get a single penny in return. If I were Coke, I'd take the city's offer and not try and be an ant fighting an elephant.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Technically Huntsvillenative is right, as long as my land use regulation knowledge is up to date. Supreme Court precedents allow municipalities to seize private property for the use of the public, even if it is for the commercial use of another private entity. It is INCREDIBLY unpopular to do so in situations like this, especially when the current use of the property is economically beneficial to the entity owning it, but it is possible. That being said, the city would never attempt to seize the property like that because there would be so much opposition. However, I imagine that that place is already a legal non-conforming use, so it is unlikely that the current operation will be maintained too far into the future... five years from now, it will be much to expensive to operate in the same fashion in that location and they will have no choice but to sell...

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by tascalisa

Technically Huntsvillenative is right, as long as my land use regulation knowledge is up to date. Supreme Court precedents allow municipalities to seize private property for the use of the public, even if it is for the commercial use of another private entity. It is INCREDIBLY unpopular to do so in situations like this, especially when the current use of the property is economically beneficial to the entity owning it, but it is possible. That being said, the city would never attempt to seize the property like that because there would be so much opposition. However, I imagine that that place is already a legal non-conforming use, so it is unlikely that the current operation will be maintained too far into the future... five years from now, it will be much to expensive to operate in the same fashion in that location and they will have no choice but to sell...

They can't just seize property. they have to pay market value for it.

This isn't a communist country.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by mp7123

This isn't a communist country.

Look again. Even the media is pointing out how we're becoming a communist nation.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by mp7123

They can't just seize property. they have to pay market value for it.

This isn't a communist country.

They have to offer market value for it, but there are ways to seize it without them agreeing to sell. It just rarely ever happens cause it's tricky and unpopular.

[MovingAL]

Originally Posted by tascalisa

They have to offer market value for it, but there are ways to seize it without them agreeing to sell. It just rarely ever happens cause it's tricky and unpopular.

The city has to pay FMV for any property taken under ED. Coke wouldn't need to agree to sell it, but they have to be compensated for the taking. Further, ED is limited in Alabama. The law in AL that allows municipalities to transfer the property to a private entity applies to manufacturing sites. It may be able to cover the private ownership of a ballpark, but a quick read of the law doesn't seem to allow that.

The city can still use ED to build a "recreational facility." I couldn't find the state's definition of "recreational facility" but it seems like a ballpark for a professional team can be seen as that. But the city still has to pay FMV for the land it takes.

[Huntsvillenative]

Originally Posted by MovingAL

The city has to pay FMV for any property taken under ED. Coke wouldn't need to agree to sell it, but they have to be compensated for the taking. Further, ED is limited in Alabama. The law in AL that allows municipalities to transfer the property to a private entity applies to manufacturing sites. It may be able to cover the private ownership of a ballpark, but a quick read of the law doesn't seem to allow that.

The city can still use ED to build a "recreational facility." I couldn't find the state's definition of "recreational facility" but it seems like a ballpark for a professional team can be seen as that. But the city still has to pay FMV for the land it takes.

Any new stadium will be a publicly funded facility.

[MovingAL]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

Any new stadium will be a publicly funded facility.

Undoubtedly. The point, however, was that the City would still be required to compensate Coke for the land and that it won't be as easy as just condemning the property and exercising eminent domain to force the sale.

[HSVTiger]

The renovation of Todd Towers downtown is set to begin and be completed in about 6 months

[HSVTiger]

Hopefully Huntsville will make the cut

Boeing will narrow its list of sites for the new home for the 777X this week, company officials announced in an email to company employees Tuesday.

The Seattle Times is reporting the information was relayed in an email sent to company employees from Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner. The company has received proposals from 22 states, many of which submitted multiple sites. A total of 54 sites are under consideration.

The email said Boeing will cut that number "down to a handful."

[JuanHunt]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Hopefully Huntsville will make the cut

Boeing will narrow its list of sites for the new home for the 777X this week, company officials announced in an email to company employees Tuesday.

The Seattle Times is reporting the information was relayed in an email sent to company employees from Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner. The company has received proposals from 22 states, many of which submitted multiple sites. A total of 54 sites are under consideration.

The email said Boeing will cut that number "down to a handful."

My guess is that HSV will not get a FAP, but will get some sub-assembly work. The new Carpenter Steel facility in Decatur is making some specific parts for big jet engines, and I dont think they built in Decatur by accident.

[HSVTiger]

The Huntsville Planning Commission voted Tuesday night to approve a rezoning request for a planned high-end shopping center on a 126.9-acre tract at the northwest corner of Carl T. Jones Drive and Ledges Drive in Jones Valley.

The unanimous decision came after a public hearing was held to discuss whether the city should change the zoning from high-density residential and neighborhood retail to highway business C-4, which would allow for a wider range of retail and specialty uses.

Approved by the Planning Commission, the rezoning request will now move to the Huntsville City Council for another public hearing and vote in February.

The council chambers on the ground floor of Huntsville City Hall was moderately packed Tuesday night as residents approached the microphone to express their concerns about the proposed 400,000-square-foot shopping development.

[HSVTiger]

Good luck to Biloxi..you will need it
A fresh beginning for Huntsville

The 10 owners of the Southern League have voted to allow the move of the Huntsville Stars Double-A minor league baseball team to Biloxi, according to a report by WHNT in Huntsville.

The Stars have been rumored to be the franchise selected to begin playing a new stadium in Biloxi in the 2015 season.

The Stars, team officials stress, will be in operation in Huntsville in 2014 no matter the outcome of a sale and city leaders are optimistic that should the Stars be sold, Huntsville would be able to quickly bring in another franchise. Sources throughout the Southern League have said they want Huntsville as a member because of its geography and tradition, recognizing the potential for success.