Huntsville updates

[benjo33]

Amen, brother.

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Seems ironic, the Mayor wants to ban texting but a plan to put a gawdy
tacky electronic billboard on Memorial Parkway somehow escapes from being distracting on perhaps the most dangerous stretch of freeway mess in Huntsville.

"HUNTSVILLE, AL -- A proposed $40,000 message board outside Huntsville City Hall has been scrapped in favor of a much more visible -- and expensive -- digital billboard on Memorial Parkway."

The colorful, two-sided sign would tower above the Parkway just south of the Interstate 565 interchange. About 110,000 vehicles pass that spot every day.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/06/500000_electronic_billboard_on.html

This is a stupid idea, why not try to reduce the number of billboards in the city and use that tacky billboard money to replant quality trees to replace the ones we are losing to
poor planned urban sprawl. A big sign for advertisers does not improve the quality of life in the city.

[Huntsvillenative]

I love the billboard idea. This is 2010 not 1960. Lets get with the times. It's bad enough that Huntsville is more like Mayberry these days than Chattanooga.

[Dyingyak]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Seems ironic, the Mayor wants to ban texting but a plan to put a gawdy
tacky electronic billboard on Memorial Parkway somehow escapes from being distracting on perhaps the most dangerous stretch of freeway mess in Huntsville.

"HUNTSVILLE, AL -- A proposed $40,000 message board outside Huntsville City Hall has been scrapped in favor of a much more visible -- and expensive -- digital billboard on Memorial Parkway."

The colorful, two-sided sign would tower above the Parkway just south of the Interstate 565 interchange. About 110,000 vehicles pass that spot every day.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/06/500000_electronic_billboard_on.html

This is a stupid idea, why not try to reduce the number of billboards in the city and use that tacky billboard money to replant quality trees to replace the ones we are losing to
poor planned urban sprawl. A big sign for advertisers does not improve the quality of life in the city.

Agreed...visual pollution is to prevalent and the city should be looking at ways to improve and reduce the existing clutter instead of contributing to it themselves.

[stewdog1]

County Line and I-565 finally becoming a reality.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/06/post_347.html

[HSV79]

Well a bit of good news to post. Toyota will start its hiring process on July 5 and it's looking to hire 250-300 people for its new 4 cylinder engine. When that line opens it will be the only Toyota facility to build 4,6, and 8 cylinders under one roof. So this plant is no longer just a truck engine plant. The 4 cylinder engine will go in Highlanders and Corrolla and Camry. By the way the Mississippi plant has resumed installation of its machines and will build the Corrolla.

[vin265]

How is construction coming on the Constellation Development downtown? Any new construction plans for the area? Also is there a link to check real progress of all major construction activities?

[TimCity2000]

al.com says that the first hotel is starting to go up (springhill?)

[ViperHavocStars]

Originally Posted by HSV79

Well a bit of good news to post. Toyota will start its hiring process on July 5 and it's looking to hire 250-300 people for its new 4 cylinder engine. When that line opens it will be the only Toyota facility to build 4,6, and 8 cylinders under one roof. So this plant is no longer just a truck engine plant. The 4 cylinder engine will go in Highlanders and Corrolla and Camry. By the way the Mississippi plant has resumed installation of its machines and will build the Corrolla.

Where can one go to apply for one of these jobs? I tried looking online and only found info about the plant itself.

[HSV79]

The website to apply is www.aidt.edu

[Huntsvillenative]

A really cool thing is happening downtown. There's a new tourist attraction going on every Saturday evening at 6 pm where they take you on real ghost adventures of the historical district. Here's the website if you are interested in taking it in sometime. http://huntsvilleghostwalk.com/index.html

[Huntsvillenative]

I was out at Bridgestreet Friday and the word around is that they're looking at bringing in an attraction to lure more visitors out there. I keep telling them a ferris wheel would be ideal and would keep that place packed with guests and children. Not a fair type ferris wheel but one like in Chicago at the Pier.

Also, there's talk of a major waterpark coming to Huntsville. Maybe it's Wet & Wild? That would be cool for the kids and families during hot summer days. I don't know where it would be located. I would hope near Bridgestreet though.

The Stars baseball team may be leaving unless the city and county can come up with a plan for a new stadium within 5 years from now. The team's owner has said he will keep them in town for the next 5 years but that's not a guarantee. Some believe he's looking at other options for another town to build a new stadium and then move the team there. It would be a financial blow to the local economy if the Stars are to leave because of our poor leadership in office and lack of vision. They MUST find a way to fund a $40-50 million stadium and put it downtown.

[OCA REP]

Originally Posted by Huntsvillenative

The Stars baseball team may be leaving unless the city and county can come up with a plan for a new stadium within 5 years from now. The team's owner has said he will keep them in town for the next 5 years but that's not a guarantee. Some believe he's looking at other options for another town to build a new stadium and then move the team there. It would be a financial blow to the local economy if the Stars are to leave because of our poor leadership in office and lack of vision. They MUST find a way to fund a $40-50 million stadium and put it downtown.

On the bright side... The Huntsville Stars hosted a very well attended Southern League All Star Game last night. Congratulations!

[mp7123]

I'm willing to bet the new aerospace company possibly coming to HSV is EADS. What other company would you need to go to Europe to get that is an "industry leader". If its EADS, i bet it will be contingent upon them winning the tanker contract and don't get your hopes up for that to happen.

Any rumors on what the larger possible economic development may be looking at Decatur?

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by mp7123

I'm willing to bet the new aerospace company possibly coming to HSV is EADS. What other company would you need to go to Europe to get that is an "industry leader". If its EADS, i bet it will be contingent upon them winning the tanker contract and don't get your hopes up for that to happen.

Any rumors on what the larger possible economic development may be looking at Decatur?

I'm actually thinking that, that "larger possible economic development" maybe that aerospace development that Governor Riley was talking about when he was in Decatur for the robotics center groundbreaking.

[Colin Giersberg]

I don't think so. First of all, the report mentioned that it would be for Huntsville. The Delphi plant location is physically in Decatur.
Secondly, the Delphi plant was an automotive parts plant, and it isn't likely, in my opinion, that EADS would buy, lease, whatever, a factory that might require a significant amount of demolition, and re-construction in order to meet their needs. Granted, this type of activity occurs all the time, but I don't think it will happen here.
When VW went to Chattanooga, rumors began to circulate that Audi might build a factory here. I don't know where the rumors started, but it sure would be nice if it would happen. I could see them, or some other corporation lease the Delphi plant, get their operation going, and then buy the TVA megasite up the highway and build a full fledged plant that would serve their needs better.
The robotics facility is still close enough for that to be practical, and this would allow another company to come in to the Delphi plant, and get their operation going too, before building a new plant. This would be like a business incubator, only on a much larger scale.
I know what I am saying is "way out there", but what if it's partly right. Until the official announcement, everything we consider is all pure speculation.

Regards, Colin

[Colin Giersberg]

I didn't know that Progress Rail is located in Albertville. While owned by Caterpillar, they have bought Electro Motive Diesel (EMD), formerly owned by General Motors, then Berkshire Partners till the current sale.
Could this be the big announcement? Pay particular attention to the second paragraph.

http://www.cat.com/cda/files/2227002/7/0...ng%20and%20Rail%20Services%20Company.pdf

Regards, Colin

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by Colin Giersberg

I don't think so. First of all, the report mentioned that it would be for Huntsville. The Delphi plant location is physically in Decatur.
Secondly, the Delphi plant was an automotive parts plant, and it isn't likely, in my opinion, that EADS would buy, lease, whatever, a factory that might require a significant amount of demolition, and re-construction in order to meet their needs. Granted, this type of activity occurs all the time, but I don't think it will happen here.
When VW went to Chattanooga, rumors began to circulate that Audi might build a factory here. I don't know where the rumors started, but it sure would be nice if it would happen. I could see them, or some other corporation lease the Delphi plant, get their operation going, and then buy the TVA megasite up the highway and build a full fledged plant that would serve their needs better.
The robotics facility is still close enough for that to be practical, and this would allow another company to come in to the Delphi plant, and get their operation going too, before building a new plant. This would be like a business incubator, only on a much larger scale.
I know what I am saying is "way out there", but what if it's partly right. Until the official announcement, everything we consider is all pure speculation.

Regards, Colin

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh ok. Sorry, guess I didn't notice where it said it was for Huntsville. Thanx for correcting me

[huntsvillefan]

It seems that no one knows for sure what major developments are out there but it does look like they will be coming soon. This is exciting for the whole Huntsville-Decatur area.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Colin Giersberg

I don't think so. First of all, the report mentioned that it would be for Huntsville. The Delphi plant location is physically in Decatur.
Secondly, the Delphi plant was an automotive parts plant, and it isn't likely, in my opinion, that EADS would buy, lease, whatever, a factory that might require a significant amount of demolition, and re-construction in order to meet their needs. Granted, this type of activity occurs all the time, but I don't think it will happen here.
When VW went to Chattanooga, rumors began to circulate that Audi might build a factory here. I don't know where the rumors started, but it sure would be nice if it would happen. I could see them, or some other corporation lease the Delphi plant, get their operation going, and then buy the TVA megasite up the highway and build a full fledged plant that would serve their needs better.
The robotics facility is still close enough for that to be practical, and this would allow another company to come in to the Delphi plant, and get their operation going too, before building a new plant. This would be like a business incubator, only on a much larger scale.
I know what I am saying is "way out there", but what if it's partly right. Until the official announcement, everything we consider is all pure speculation.

Regards, Colin

Any hints from ALDOT?

[Colin Giersberg]

No. All of the things that I mentioned are purely my own thoughts.

Regards, Colin