Huntsville updates

[Jugernagt]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

I know I am LOVING the look of the new WALL-mart on the parkway. Can't get enough of all that cinderblock...

Don't worry, they will paint the blocks brown and blue

[JuanHunt]

The Walmart does seem kinda close to the highway, they must have got a variance.

[jhsv]

Originally Posted by Jugernagt

Don't worry, they will paint the blocks brown and blue

Regular brick would have at least blended with some of the other buildings around but it is what it is ...

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by jhsv

Regular brick would have at least blended with some of the other buildings around but it is what it is ...

Real Architecture is not allowed within the Huntsville City limits. To enter, a project must be cheap, bland, all one level (don't want to be seen from any distance) , and completely surrounded by asphalt.
Landscaping must first clear cut any existing mature trees and replace with Home Depot or equivalent Crepe Myrtals

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Real Architecture is not allowed within the Huntsville City limits. To enter, a project must be cheap, bland, all one level (don't want to be seen from any distance) , and completely surrounded by asphalt.
Landscaping must first clear cut any existing mature trees and replace with Home Depot or equivalent Crepe Myrtals

AKA a shoebox with holes in it.

[jhsv]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Real Architecture is not allowed within the Huntsville City limits. To enter, a project must be cheap, bland, all one level (don't want to be seen from any distance) , and completely surrounded by asphalt.
Landscaping must first clear cut any existing mature trees and replace with Home Depot or equivalent Crepe Myrtals

There are a few decent looking places... the bank near the new walmart and the building where maynor eye center is but otherwise, you are correct most of the buildings are not very attractive.

[HSVTiger]

Probably not a bad thing as this older style doesn't match the current designs. Two new Holidays have opened or opening, one by the airport and another new one opens around June 29 out bythe new Kroger on West University . No indication if or what will be built on the site.
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites on 3810 University Drive in Huntsville has closed, and a liquidation company plans to begin clearing the hotel of its contents this week before it is demolished.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Probably not a bad thing as this older style doesn't match the current designs. Two new Holidays have opened or opening, one by the airport and another new one opens around June 29 out bythe new Kroger on West University . No indication if or what will be built on the site.
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites on 3810 University Drive in Huntsville has closed, and a liquidation company plans to begin clearing the hotel of its contents this week before it is demolished.

And I just realized yesterday that the Lonestar next to it is closed as well.

[chris21718]

3810 University is the one across from where the Carriage Inn used to be. The one where Lonestar closed is next to Madison Square Mall.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by chris21718

3810 University is the one across from where the Carriage Inn used to be. The one where Lonestar closed is next to Madison Square Mall.

and is a regular Holiday Inn and open

[HSVTiger]

Huntsville City Population update


2010 (Census)
180,105

2011 (est.)
182,247

2012 (est.)
183,775

2013 (est.)
186,254

[HSVTiger]

Lets hope we don't blow this opportunity with a blah, boring, cheaply built, forgettable project. The city says all the right things so it sounds promising.
A chance for a developer to have a signature design in the city. I dare say the entire state/ and southeast, a signature development opportunity like this doesn't come along too often.

The city of Huntsville is soliciting requests from developers interested in transforming the vacant Holiday Inn site into a "distinctive and sustainable mixed-use development."

A request for proposal was issued this week for the 6.28-acre property across from Big Spring Park. The 270-room Holiday Inn closed in December.

The proposal also includes an adjacent 2.38-acre site where Scruggs Community Center and the Jim Williams Aquatic Center currently operate. The RFP said developers can redevelop the Holiday Inn parcel alone or both parcels together.
Possible project elements could include lodging, residential, ground floor retail, office, parking and open space.

City leaders desire a "significant retail presence on the street, including – but not necessarily limited to – at least two 'sit-down' dining establishments," according to the RFP.

If the 2.38-acre parcel is included, the developer must replace the existing community and aquatic centers on-site or at a nearby location.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Lets hope we don't blow this opportunity with a blah, boring, cheaply built, forgettable project. The city says all the right things so it sounds promising.
A chance for a developer to have a signature design in the city. I dare say the entire state/ and southeast, a signature development opportunity like this doesn't come along too often.

The city of Huntsville is soliciting requests from developers interested in transforming the vacant Holiday Inn site into a "distinctive and sustainable mixed-use development."

A request for proposal was issued this week for the 6.28-acre property across from Big Spring Park. The 270-room Holiday Inn closed in December.

The proposal also includes an adjacent 2.38-acre site where Scruggs Community Center and the Jim Williams Aquatic Center currently operate. The RFP said developers can redevelop the Holiday Inn parcel alone or both parcels together.
Possible project elements could include lodging, residential, ground floor retail, office, parking and open space.

City leaders desire a "significant retail presence on the street, including – but not necessarily limited to – at least two 'sit-down' dining establishments," according to the RFP.

If the 2.38-acre parcel is included, the developer must replace the existing community and aquatic centers on-site or at a nearby location.

I thought they were already doing this. Didn't they do this back when it closed?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

I thought they were already doing this. Didn't they do this back when it closed?

no, this has pretty much been the schedule..putting together the proposal and having the liquidation sale about a month ago. The word is there are plenty of interested developers...I just hope there are legit architects interested.
We need a design that will raise the standards and expectations in this city..
lazy "off the shelf architecture" need not apply.

[beergutbrew]

Monrovia gets a Neighboorhood market?!

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/201...t_construction.html#incart_river_default

Small lot, but I guess 42000 sqft can fit there (southwest corner).

Rumored across the street from the new high school.

[Jugernagt]

Originally Posted by beergutbrew

Monrovia gets a Neighboorhood market?!

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/201...t_construction.html#incart_river_default

Small lot, but I guess 42000 sqft can fit there (southwest corner).

Rumored across the street from the new high school.

That's funny, I didn't think the school board had selected the location of the new school yet.

[beergutbrew]

Originally Posted by Jugernagt

That's funny, I didn't think the school board had selected the location of the new school yet.

Rumored....

Of the lots listed, that's the only one that didn't get tilled and planted this year, they have just let the weeds take over.

The whole plan is bonkers anyway, I'm all for a new school but logistically it is going to create a zoning nightmare.

[Jugernagt]

Originally Posted by beergutbrew

Rumored....

Of the lots listed, that's the only one that didn't get tilled and planted this year, they have just let the weeds take over.

I noticed that too and thought the farmer might have known something no one else knew. Just a shame to have the Walmart kingdom expand into this area.

[HSVTiger]

New downtown greenway,

Dallas Branch Bypass creek, which crosses under Meridian Street near Bud Cramer Park, is being transformed to anchor the first segment of what city officials call the Gateway Greenway.



Crews from Miller & Miller General Contractors are busy lining the creek banks with more than 180 tons of decorative river rock. The project also includes steps leading down to the water, a concrete plaza, pedestrian bridge, heavy landscaping, park benches, street lights, sidewalk meandering along the water and 12-foot-wide greenway path.

The work is taking place along a 350-foot stretch of creek just south of A.M. Booth's Lumberyard and Lone Goose Saloon.

Toneka Lindsey, city project engineer for the Gateway Greenway, said construction is expected to wrap up in September. "It's going to be a really nice beautification project," she said.

The work happening now is the first piece of what will eventually be a longer downtown greenway linking Bud Cramer Park and the Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial.

hopefully Pinhook Creek alongside the VBC and Constelllation development will be next

[HSVTiger]

At Bridge Street

Earlier this week, Bridge Street announced SHADES, a south Alabama sunglass retailer, will open a 3,800-square-foot store in a new building next to Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. Dickey's Barbecue Pit plans to open this summer in the Power Center next to Mattress Firm, while Texas de Brazil will launch in late fall in the former Tavern space across from Monaco Pictures.

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, a full-service restaurant, is on target to open next spring on the shopping center's south side near DSW. Bridge Street welcomed PANDORA and Michael Kors earlier in the year.

The two-level, 170,000-square-foot department store, which will replace the Madison Square Mall location, is slated to open Oct. 15.

Four retail buildings spanning about 50,000 square feet are also under development at Bridge Street. New surface lots near Belk's south entrance and Red Robin, as well as a multi-level deck, will bring more than 1,000 parking spaces to the 7-year-old regional center.