Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Heard the Yellowhammer guys talking about this last month, pretty exciting news for beer lovers. Straight To Ale and YellowHammer plan to also incorporate a Lowe Mill type vibe there as well with merchants and live music.[/QUOTE]



“This is an exciting, game-changing redevelopment for West Huntsville and the city’s western gateway into downtown from I-565. We’re excited about what it can do for West Huntsville, for downtown and for our entire community,” said Chad Emerson, CEO, Downtown Huntsville, Inc.

“With two incredibly breweries, a planned new green space and amphitheater, and a world of potential for the areas around us, this will be a project that continues Downtown Huntsville, Inc.’s charge to build our downtown area into one of the nation’s best.”

Plans call for converting part of the Stone Middle building into a 40,000-square-foot brewery for Straight to Ale, currently located in a warehouse on Leeman Ferry Road. Yellowhammer intends to build a new 6,000-square-foot brewery – complete with beer garden and tasting room – on land that used to be the school’s athletic fields.

Between Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer, the city is looking at creating a large amphitheater for concerts and other outdoor events.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Glad to see this part of town bringing in some business. Although I don't agree with how some define parts of Huntsville as "downtown" I am glad to see such a substantial part of this neighborhood develop in this way!

[beergutbrew]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Heard the Yellowhammer guys talking about this last month, pretty exciting news for beer lovers. Straight To Ale and YellowHammer plan to also incorporate a Lowe Mill type vibe there as well with merchants and live music.

“This is an exciting, game-changing redevelopment for West Huntsville and the city’s western gateway into downtown from I-565. We’re excited about what it can do for West Huntsville, for downtown and for our entire community,” said Chad Emerson, CEO, Downtown Huntsville, Inc.

“With two incredibly breweries, a planned new green space and amphitheater, and a world of potential for the areas around us, this will be a project that continues Downtown Huntsville, Inc.’s charge to build our downtown area into one of the nation’s best.”

Plans call for converting part of the Stone Middle building into a 40,000-square-foot brewery for Straight to Ale, currently located in a warehouse on Leeman Ferry Road. Yellowhammer intends to build a new 6,000-square-foot brewery – complete with beer garden and tasting room – on land that used to be the school’s athletic fields.

Between Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer, the city is looking at creating a large amphitheater for concerts and other outdoor events.


[/QUOTE]

Not announced yet, but Salty Nut is considering moving/upgrading to the soon to be old YellowHammer location, making three breweries in that area.

[David1502]

The Town Madison is definitely happening as Governor Bentley, Congressman Mo Brooks and of course, local officials were present for the groundbreaking of the $400 million development which will have 1.5 million sq. ft. including over 500,000 sq. ft. of office space. as well as two large apartment developments.

Congressman Mo Brooks said:
"It's going to be the apple of the eye of the Tennessee Valley once it's completed."

Here is the link to the al.com article http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index....ley_helps_kick_off_400.html#incart_river

With all of this buildup, it will need to include a Macy's or Von Maur and some other big name retailers which are new to the area, to live up to the hype. Another development like the Target Shopping Center on University is not going to cut it. The road construction for the development will begin immediately and the buildings will be built as soon as the roads are completed.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by David1502

The Town Madison is definitely happening as Governor Bentley, Congressman Mo Brooks and of course, local officials were present for the groundbreaking of the $400 million development which will have 1.5 million sq. ft. including over 500,000 sq. ft. of office space. as well as two large apartment developments.

Congressman Mo Brooks said:
"It's going to be the apple of the eye of the Tennessee Valley once it's completed."

Here is the link to the al.com article http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index....ley_helps_kick_off_400.html#incart_river

With all of this buildup, it will need to include a Macy's or Von Maur and some other big name retailers which are new to the area, to live up to the hype. Another development like the Target Shopping Center on University is not going to cut it. The road construction for the development will begin immediately and the buildings will be built as soon as the roads are completed.

it will probably include both

[David1502]

Intergraph was also at the groundbreaking of the Town Madison development this morning as they own a large amount of land in the Town Madison Cooperative District. According to the al.com article, http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/08/intergraph_taking_active_appro.html Intergraph has extensive plans for their land:
"Intergraph has announced plans to redevelop the remainder of its campus to attraction high-tech companies, new retailers and commercial developments. Atlanta-based Cooper Carry, Inc. has designed a master plan for the Intergraph campus, which will feature 60,000 square feet of retail buildings, 117,000 square feet of entertainment facilities and 695,000 square feet of office space."

When you take in the totality of Bridge Street, the new Parkside development (where Cabela's and other retail is being built) and the Town Madison development (both Breland and Intergraph properties), the area near Research Park Blvd. to Zeirdt Rd. along I-565 will be the most heavily developed retail/office concentration north of Birmingham.

By contrast, the Constellation site on Clinton Ave.has weeds growing

[HSVTiger]

A thousand new residential rooftops will be popping up in eastern Limestone County, based on recent rezoning proposals to the Madison City Council.

On Monday, the council announced public hearings on rezoning for three separate parcels totaling 176 acres. Combined with the rezoning in July of 158 acres on Huntsville Brownsferry Road, Madison can expect to add more than 1,000 single-family homes, said Mayor Troy Trulock.

"There's another 600 in the pipeline," he added.

The 1,000-home estimate will take two to five years to play out completely, the mayor said, so there's going to be plenty of ongoing construction work in western Madison.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by David1502

When you take in the totality of Bridge Street, the new Parkside development (where Cabela's and other retail is being built) and the Town Madison development (both Breland and Intergraph properties), the area near Research Park Blvd. to Zeirdt Rd. along I-565 will be the most heavily developed retail/office concentration north of Birmingham.

Unfortunately, 565, even with a new intersection near Zeirdt can't handle that. Between Zeirdt and the 565/Research Park interchange, there needs to be some massive rework done.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by David1502

Intergraph was also at the groundbreaking of the Town Madison development this morning as they own a large amount of land in the Town Madison Cooperative District. According to the al.com article, http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/08/intergraph_taking_active_appro.html Intergraph has extensive plans for their land:
"Intergraph has announced plans to redevelop the remainder of its campus to attraction high-tech companies, new retailers and commercial developments. Atlanta-based Cooper Carry, Inc. has designed a master plan for the Intergraph campus, which will feature 60,000 square feet of retail buildings, 117,000 square feet of entertainment facilities and 695,000 square feet of office space."

When you take in the totality of Bridge Street, the new Parkside development (where Cabela's and other retail is being built) and the Town Madison development (both Breland and Intergraph properties), the area near Research Park Blvd. to Zeirdt Rd. along I-565 will be the most heavily developed retail/office concentration north of Birmingham.

By contrast, the Constellation site on Clinton Ave.has weeds growing

Here is an artists rendering of the big plans Intergraph has for the large amount of property it owns surrounding its corporate headquarters:


In case the image file doesn't work, here is a link to the article which has the image among 26 images. http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2014/08/gov_bentley_helps_kick_off_400.html
Intergraph's site plan is the fourth image.

The key features of Intergraph's plans are:
1. Office space
2. Movie Theatre
3. Dual brand 250 room hotel
3. High end retail
4. Apartments
5. 95 single family homes
6. Townhomes

They have plans almost ambitious as Breland's. It will be interesting to see how much they follow through with these plans and how long it takes them to implement them.

[HSVTiger]

FYI Bass Pro planning store in Chattanooga.
Huntsville has the better deal with Cabela's, Decatur what are you doing?

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

FYI Bass Pro planning store in Chattanooga.
Huntsville has the better deal with Cabela's, Decatur what are you doing?

Noticed that on the way back from Atlanta today. It's actually south of Chattanooga in Georgia. There is also a new Cabelas opening in Acworth, Ga. (N of ATL) on Monday. I wish it was already open to see what the on in HSV is going to be like.

I've been to a Cabelas in Austin, TX but it is a huge store, much bigger than the HSV store will be.

[HSVTiger]

Whole Foods given extension

A revised contract approved by the council last week changed the construction deadline to Dec. 31, 2015.

Shane Davis, the city's director of urban development, said RCP Merchants Walk asked for the extension because of some last-minute design changes to the Whole Foods and delays involving a new Regions Bank on the property.

Davis said the developer still hopes to have the 42,000-square-foot Whole Foods open by the original deadline; Oct 2015

"They asked for the extension just in case," he told AL.com. "We agreed because we want to be good partners in growing the city. There's just a lot of moving pieces on that site."

Whole Foods will anchor The Shops at Merchants Walk, a new shopping center featuring 48,000 square feet of additional restaurant and retail space plus the new Regions Bank. Several old buildings are being demolished to clear the 7.2-acre site just south of downtown Huntsville.

At Bridge Street Dickeys is open
Dickey's Barbecue Pit, which launched Saturday in a 1,584-square-foot space next to Mattress Firm, is a Dallas-based restaurant that specializes in seasoned and slow-smoked meats cooked over on-site hickory wood-burning pits

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

FYI Bass Pro planning store in Chattanooga.
Huntsville has the better deal with Cabela's, Decatur what are you doing?

There's a lawsuit in Decatur right now over this. This won't be happening anytime soon.

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by mp7123

Noticed that on the way back from Atlanta today. It's actually south of Chattanooga in Georgia. There is also a new Cabelas opening in Acworth, Ga. (N of ATL) on Monday. I wish it was already open to see what the on in HSV is going to be like.

This area is actually getting both Bass Pro AND Cabela's, within about three or four miles of each other. The Bass Pro will be in East Ridge (a suburb surrounded by Chattanooga) on I-75 on the Tennessee side of the line. Just a few miles south in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, Cabela's will be just off the interstate beside an existing Costco. And as you said, some 90 miles further south towards Atlanta in Acworth will be another Bass Pro (I thought it was BP, maybe it's Cabela's instead?). It seems like a bit of overkill, but I guess these companies are banking on there being enough tourists passing through to supplement the local population here.

I think Cabela's in Huntsville will be well positioned to bring in folks from all over north Alabama. However, capturing that "just passing through" I-65 traffic might be a little more difficult. Bass Pro will definitely have the advantage there if they ever do eventually get the Decatur store built.

[David1502]

Louis Breland has filed a court claim against a former employee and the developers of the Parkside Town Center. The suit claims that the employee knew about Cabela's plans to locate in Breland's Town Madison, and gave this information to the developers of Parkside Town Center who then lured Cabela's into their own development. It is an involved lawsuit with claims regarding the City of Huntsville giving up the easement to the Parkside developers and then buying it back. Here is the link to the al.com article: http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index....tition_claims_huntsvil.html#incart_river

The take-away question is if the law suit will result in Cabels's backing out of Parkside Town Center and locating into Breland's Town Madison, or if Cabela's will decide to not locate in the Huntsville area at all, and avoid the controversy.

Finally, will the voting public find the methods used to obtain Cabela's to be unethical and oppose the City of Huntsville's efforts. In other words, will they perceive Parkside as getting a special deal that no other development has ever gotten and therefore it isn't fair and shouldn't happen. Time will tell...

[JuanHunt]

Battle seems to have used his influence to get a favorable appraisal for the Stone School property thereby allowing it to be sold to his close associate for 20% of the original appraisal value. When compared to what the city paid for the old rescue mission property in the same area, a property that doesnt front on Governors, the numbers just dont add up. Battle comes from a real estate background, and I guess we should expect him to reward his associates and cronies.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by JuanHunt

Battle seems to have used his influence to get a favorable appraisal for the Stone School property thereby allowing it to be sold to his close associate for 20% of the original appraisal value. When compared to what the city paid for the old rescue mission property in the same area, a property that doesnt front on Governors, the numbers just dont add up. Battle comes from a real estate background, and I guess we should expect him to reward his associates and cronies.

There's a big difference between what a property appraises for and what someone is willing to pay for it. Considering it was an abandoned school, is blight, and was costing a ton of money to maintain, I'm surprised it got that much.

For example, there was a church for sale on University, across from UAH and behind that old Taco Bell. It appraised for almost 5 million. It sat on the market for 5 years, even had an auction and the highest bid was $750k. Two years later they ended up selling it for $1.5mill to another church group.

In this case, the land was worth much more than the building, however, it would have been over a million to demolish the building.

[JuanHunt]

Originally Posted by stewdog1

There's a big difference between what a property appraises for and what someone is willing to pay for it. Considering it was an abandoned school, is blight, and was costing a ton of money to maintain, I'm surprised it got that much.

For example, there was a church for sale on University, across from UAH and behind that old Taco Bell. It appraised for almost 5 million. It sat on the market for 5 years, even had an auction and the highest bid was $750k. Two years later they ended up selling it for $1.5mill to another church group.

In this case, the land was worth much more than the building, however, it would have been over a million to demolish the building.

Is the church referenced the current rescue mission property?

There was a total of about 13 acres of land at the school. The city paid about $1million per acre for the old rescue mission property with some old tin buildings. The school property should certainly be more due to location alone. Even the West HSV property apprasied at $160k per acre.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by JuanHunt

Is the church referenced the current rescue mission property?

There was a total of about 13 acres of land at the school. The city paid about $1million per acre for the old rescue mission property with some old tin buildings. The school property should certainly be more due to location alone. Even the West HSV property apprasied at $160k per acre.

No, but close. I believe that was the old Westminster school. The one I'm talking about was across the street, West Huntsville church of Christ.

[JuanHunt]

The story with Stone got a little worse on Friday. Turns out Schrimsher only paid about $650k for the property and the City put up the other $450k to get to the announced sale price of $1.1mill. You probably already heard that Schrimshers wife works in the Mayors office.
The West Huntsville School property that also sold last month went for $500k, and it only had about 4 acres of land and a building that is going to be put back in use.
Oh, and the City has to pay to demo part of the building for Schrimsher, along with having an architect evaluate any needed structural mods to the structure that will remain, and pay for those too. Plus they need about $1mill for the theater.
Good thing they raised the sales tax rate, Battles cronies really need the money.