Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

In reality adding one lane each way isn't enough, this should be planned for eight lanes now from Research Park to I-65 which would handle growth for a long time. The additional eighth lane (4 each way) could then be Phase 4.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I actually think it'll happen since that corridor is important to just the Huntsville officials. The fact that you have Decatur, Huntsville, Athens, and even Cullman and Moulton officials that would stomp and storm about getting this going increases the likelihood that we'll see this happen within a reasonable time frame. The problem with Huntsville getting support for its projects is that there are so few other areas around it that want them to happen, too. Huntsville is probably the least connected (transportation-wise) to the rest of the state out of the Big 4.

Although, what did make me laugh about that article is that the think it will be needed for the growth that might occur along that corridor... come on, what world do they live in? I seriously doubt any of them have tried to commute from Redstone to Decatur around 5:15PM.... the words "it can take over 1.5 hours" don't do the journey justice... That's what happens when you only have 4 lanes each way going between two of the largest cities in the state...

[bamastu13]

What about the Council Court deal being postponed for the 4th time? Do y'all think that's any cause for concern?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by bamastu13

What about the Council Court deal being postponed for the 4th time? Do y'all think that's any cause for concern?

no, but it could delay it a few months.

meanwhile
Toyota plans to break ground Tuesday on a 300,000-square-foot V6 engine expansion project at its Huntsville plant.

At an announcement in May, Gov. Robert Bentley said the expansion would mean about 125 new jobs at the plant, bringing the number of employees to 1,150.

With the expansion, the plant will produce 3.5-litre V6 engines for Highlander models assembled at a plant in Princeton, Ind.

In May, it was announced that the $80 million project will bring Toyota's total investment to more than $700 million in Huntsville, and the extra space will allow the plant to build 216,000 more engines each year, increasing its total V6 annual capacity to 362,000.

The expansion is the fourth in the facility's 10-year operation.

Engines built at the Huntsville plant go into eight of the 12 vehicles that Toyota builds in North America.

In 2003, the plant in North Huntsville Industrial Park started producing the first Toyota V8 engines made outside of Japan. It now builds four-cylinder engines for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna and Venza vehicles, and V6 and V8 engines for the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and the Sequoia SUV.

Source HSV Times

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

no, but it could delay it a few months.

meanwhile
Toyota plans to break ground Tuesday on a 300,000-square-foot V6 engine expansion project at its Huntsville plant.

At an announcement in May, Gov. Robert Bentley said the expansion would mean about 125 new jobs at the plant, bringing the number of employees to 1,150.

With the expansion, the plant will produce 3.5-litre V6 engines for Highlander models assembled at a plant in Princeton, Ind.

In May, it was announced that the $80 million project will bring Toyota's total investment to more than $700 million in Huntsville, and the extra space will allow the plant to build 216,000 more engines each year, increasing its total V6 annual capacity to 362,000.

The expansion is the fourth in the facility's 10-year operation.

Engines built at the Huntsville plant go into eight of the 12 vehicles that Toyota builds in North America.

In 2003, the plant in North Huntsville Industrial Park started producing the first Toyota V8 engines made outside of Japan. It now builds four-cylinder engines for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna and Venza vehicles, and V6 and V8 engines for the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and the Sequoia SUV.

Source HSV Times

Great news in continuing to try and diversify this economy up here.

[stallty]

It looks like Providence is about to grow some more. The Slyman Construction group was issued a building permit at 485 Providence Main St for $800,000.

Anyone know what this might be?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by stallty

It looks like Providence is about to grow some more. The Slyman Construction group was issued a building permit at 485 Providence Main St for $800,000.

Anyone know what this might be?

Providence developers David and Todd Slyman recently unveiled plans for 460 new homesites in what is now a wooded area between Indian Creek and U.S. 72 W., just south of the current residential development.

The city Planning Commission approved the layout of the first 49 lots last week. The Slyman brothers hope to hire a contractor soon to begin clearing trees, paving streets and running utilities.

"We'd like to get started in the next 30 to 45 days,

Of course clear the trees,... idiots

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by stallty

It looks like Providence is about to grow some more. The Slyman Construction group was issued a building permit at 485 Providence Main St for $800,000.

Anyone know what this might be?

It's for an office building next to Phuket

[HSVTiger]

Typical ALDONT. they have no intention of building this 10 year old project,
the city needs to chew a new one on aldont's a$$.
Johnny Harris doesn't want to upset his free ride to retirement.

A letter in the Huntsville Times..

"Monty Redburn asked for an update on the status of the planned U.S. 72 overpasses at Moores Mill and Shields roads. He also asked if the state still plans to eliminate the "dangerous access" from High Mountain Road to U.S. 72 on Chapman Mountain.
"It seems as if this project gets additional delays each year and does not seem to be a priority for the," state, Redburn said in an email.Correct
The project is still in the preliminary engineering phase, said Johnny Harris, this area's division engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Harris said the DOT is addressing comments it received at a public hearing at the Alabama A&M University Agribition Center in January, and resolving issues concerning the final environmental report and the right of way requirements a future interchange in the High Mountain Road area.
[B]"It is unknown at this time how long these issues will take to resolve," Harris said. "We will move forward on the final design and right-of-way acquisition as soon as a resolution to these issues are accomplished and, of course, adequate funding is provided."[/B]that's funny
The plans shown at the public hearing eliminated the access to U.S. 72 from High Mountain Road because officials thought it created a safety hazard for motorists wanting to enter the limited access U.S. 72 highway.
The project building a limited highway on U.S. 72 from the end of Interstate 565 to east of Shields Road. The work will include interchanges and overpasses at Moores Mill and Shields roads. I-565 ends just east of the U.S. 72/Maysville Road interchange.

[HSVTiger]

Big things brewing for Bridge Street, if it's not Von Maur I'll be surprised. Their first store in the state is under construction at the Galleria/Hoover.

Huntsville's Bridge Street Town Centre appears to be on the verge of landing a major department store.

At its meeting Thursday, the Huntsville City Council is expected to consider a $4 million incentive package designed to help Bridge Street lure a two-story department store, 45,000 square feet of new retail space and a popular chain restaurant not currently in North Alabama.


City Councilman Will Culver said he is not at liberty to name the department store. It won't be a Macy's or Nordstrom -- luxury chains on the wish list of many shoppers -- but Culver said people will be excited when details are announced.

"This department store is going to have the highest quality clothing that you can get in Huntsville," Culver said Tuesday. "They're upping their line of merchandise.

" I talked with them firsthand about that."

The combined 215,000 square feet of new retail space will expand Bridge Street's shopping area by more than 35 percent.

Plans call for filling in most of the large manmade lake on the west side of Bridge Street to make way for the future stores and eatery. Some water would remain around Connors Steak & Seafood.

Shane Davis, the city's director of urban development, said Bridge Street's owners also plan to turn the large surface parking lot near Red Robin Gourmet Burgers into a two-story garage.

Miller Capital Advisory, which recently acquired the five-year-old shopping center from O&S Holdings, is prepared to spend about $65 million on the expansion, said Davis.

The city's proposed $4 million incentive package includes running utilities to the department store site, said Davis, as well as an underground storm culvert that will carry rainwater to a city-owned lake about a quarter-mile away in Cummings Research Park.

Mayor Tommy Battle's communications director, Kelly Schrimsher, said those incentives are in line with what the city would invest in any large retail expansion with sound financial projections.

Davis said design work on the utility and drainage improvements would start after the City Council OKs the development contract, which could happen as soon as Thursday night.

"We've got a hard date in the contract that all the new stores be ready to open no later than March 2015," said Davis.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/09/city_of_huntsville_bridge_stre.html#incart_river_default

[HSVTiger]

Governor Bentley hints at something

Speaking Wednesday afternoon in Huntsville to the convention of the Alabama Retired State Employees' Association, Bentley hinted at an economic windfall for the state larger than the $600 million Airbus project that's expected to create more than 3,000 jobs in the Mobile area.
"We've got some projects I can't talk about," Bentley said. "We've got some major projects that will help this state that are truly significant -- more significant than Airbus, and that's pretty significant."

[thunder89]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Governor Bentley hints at something

Speaking Wednesday afternoon in Huntsville to the convention of the Alabama Retired State Employees' Association, Bentley hinted at an economic windfall for the state larger than the $600 million Airbus project that's expected to create more than 3,000 jobs in the Mobile area.
"We've got some projects I can't talk about," Bentley said. "We've got some major projects that will help this state that are truly significant -- more significant than Airbus, and that's pretty significant."

Any clue? I'm racking my mind thinking if I've heard rumblings or whispers of some secret development or announcement and nothing that is deemed "more significant than Airbus" is coming to mind

[Huntsville_secede]

According to WAFF the store is a Super Belk. What the heck is a super Belk and we already have two Belks we need something new not relocating of stores from the other malls. I don't think they should spend $4 million to help pay for the project unless it's a new retailer coming to the area.

From WAFF
http://www.waff.com/story/19650324/big-c...he-way-for-bridge-street-shopping-center

A popular Huntsville shopping center could see major changes if it receives the backing from city leaders.

Bridge Street Town Centre appears to be on the verge of getting a big-name department store and restaurant.

A source told WAFF 48 News that Super Belk will be added to the list of places to shop. They also said that there are two major restaurants in the running; Cheesecake Factory is one of them.

During a city council meeting Thursday, the council is expected to consider a $4-million incentive package that would help pay for the project. The project would call for the lake on the west end of the property to be filled in to make way for the new additions. Also, a two story parking deck would be added to the property and over 45,000 additional retail spaces.

Shoppers said they are happy to hear of the possible changes.

"I'd like to see more stores that they have in Birmingham because Huntsville is growing, and I would like to see a Macy's," said shopper Erin Atkins. "I also hope that eventually they can get more affordable or locally owned businesses."

If this package is approved by the city council, Bridge Street could see those changes in 2014.

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Big things brewing for Bridge Street, if it's not Von Maur I'll be surprised. Their first store in the state is under construction at the Galleria/Hoover.

Huntsville's Bridge Street Town Centre appears to be on the verge of landing a major department store.

At its meeting Thursday, the Huntsville City Council is expected to consider a $4 million incentive package designed to help Bridge Street lure a two-story department store, 45,000 square feet of new retail space and a popular chain restaurant not currently in North Alabama.


City Councilman Will Culver said he is not at liberty to name the department store. It won't be a Macy's or Nordstrom -- luxury chains on the wish list of many shoppers -- but Culver said people will be excited when details are announced.

"This department store is going to have the highest quality clothing that you can get in Huntsville," Culver said Tuesday. "They're upping their line of merchandise.

" I talked with them firsthand about that."

The combined 215,000 square feet of new retail space will expand Bridge Street's shopping area by more than 35 percent.

Plans call for filling in most of the large manmade lake on the west side of Bridge Street to make way for the future stores and eatery. Some water would remain around Connors Steak & Seafood.

Shane Davis, the city's director of urban development, said Bridge Street's owners also plan to turn the large surface parking lot near Red Robin Gourmet Burgers into a two-story garage.

Miller Capital Advisory, which recently acquired the five-year-old shopping center from O&S Holdings, is prepared to spend about $65 million on the expansion, said Davis.

The city's proposed $4 million incentive package includes running utilities to the department store site, said Davis, as well as an underground storm culvert that will carry rainwater to a city-owned lake about a quarter-mile away in Cummings Research Park.

Mayor Tommy Battle's communications director, Kelly Schrimsher, said those incentives are in line with what the city would invest in any large retail expansion with sound financial projections.

Davis said design work on the utility and drainage improvements would start after the City Council OKs the development contract, which could happen as soon as Thursday night.

"We've got a hard date in the contract that all the new stores be ready to open no later than March 2015," said Davis.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/09/city_of_huntsville_bridge_stre.html#incart_river_default

[HSVTiger]

I would think this would open up a great opportunities for Madison Square after Belks relocates if that is the store.
Don't think the owners will let that mall slip much further.
Super Belk..ok whatever
Cheesecake..how often will you visit? once twice then maybe 6 months.

[HSVTiger]

And a main downtown corridor set to reopen, it has been widened and improved.
Meridian Street in Huntsville will reopen Thursday after more than a year and a half of construction.

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

According to WAFF the store is a Super Belk. What the heck is a super Belk and we already have two Belks we need something new not relocating of stores from the other malls. I don't think they should spend $4 million to help pay for the project unless it's a new retailer coming to the area.

New poster here, but I'm from Florence and have friends in Huntsville. I pass through quite often and have a definite interest in the city. I hope I can throw in my opinions!

I don't believe there is any such thing as a Super Belk, per se. It appears the media is making up the term. Belk does have several "flagship" stores throughout the southeast, including Charlotte, Atlanta, and Birmingham. Perhaps this will be another store along those lines? From what I understand, the flagship stores do carry a lot of higher-end merchandise not seen at other Belks. Though the Parkway Place location already seems to do a pretty good job of that.

FWIW, after browsing the Von Maur website, I didn't see much that sets it apart from a higher-end Belk. I'm sure a relatively unknown/new name would maybe have some more cache than "just another Belk". I'd like to see it for no other reason than that. I'll admit having never been in a Von Maur though.

If Madison Square loses Belk (as it probably will), it will be interesting to see what happens. I doubt Macy's could be persuaded to come there, and the options for other mid-range department stores seem limited.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Smoothcat

New poster here, but I'm from Florence and have friends in Huntsville. I pass through quite often and have a definite interest in the city. I hope I can throw in my opinions!

I don't believe there is any such thing as a Super Belk, per se. It appears the media is making up the term. Belk does have several "flagship" stores throughout the southeast, including Charlotte, Atlanta, and Birmingham. Perhaps this will be another store along those lines? From what I understand, the flagship stores do carry a lot of higher-end merchandise not seen at other Belks. Though the Parkway Place location already seems to do a pretty good job of that.

FWIW, after browsing the Von Maur website, I didn't see much that sets it apart from a higher-end Belk. I'm sure a relatively unknown/new name would maybe have some more cache than "just another Belk". I'd like to see it for no other reason than that. I'll admit having never been in a Von Maur though.

If Madison Square loses Belk (as it probably will), it will be interesting to see what happens. I doubt Macy's could be persuaded to come there, and the options for other mid-range department stores seem limited.

welcome Smoothcat, good observations.
I would love to see a major overhaul of Madison Square which could have a bigger impact than Bridge Street. That is some very valuable property.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Maybe Belk saw an opportunity in Huntsville since there isn't a truly high end department store already? I'm betting that "Super Belk" is just another way of saying a flagship store. I don't think they'd hesitate to put one in North Alabama if they didn't think they'd be the best game in a town that is starving for higher end retailers.

[mustanggt]

The Belk in Southpark(Charlotte) is apparently their true flagship store, and another example is apparently the Belk at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. Looking online and reveiws of the stores etc. There isn't much "Name Brand" difference from that of the Parkway Place location.

There is a difference between items at the Madison Sqaure and Parkway Place location, but I don't see how much more of an improvement can be made at a Belk Super Store at Bridge Street, unless it is just size. I would have liked to see a true High-end retail chain, like Von M, Nordstrom, Macy's or Saks Fifth Ave. Something different!

Another thought. I personally think Bridge Street needs a couple more "low-end" eateries as well. Maybe a Johnny Rockets, California Pizza Kitchen, In and Out would be fabulous. Just something that if you just want a quick in-expensive bite to eat you can do so. Everything there is to me is more of a dinner/date night type of place. Don't know how many times I have been there around lunch time and left just to go get something to eat, where if there was something more reasonable I would have eaten and continued to shop. Just my $0.02

[mp7123]

Originally Posted by mustanggt

The Belk in Southpark(Charlotte) is apparently their true flagship store, and another example is apparently the Belk at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. Looking online and reveiws of the stores etc. There isn't much "Name Brand" difference from that of the Parkway Place location.

There is a difference between items at the Madison Sqaure and Parkway Place location, but I don't see how much more of an improvement can be made at a Belk Super Store at Bridge Street, unless it is just size. I would have liked to see a true High-end retail chain, like Von M, Nordstrom, Macy's or Saks Fifth Ave. Something different!

Another thought. I personally think Bridge Street needs a couple more "low-end" eateries as well. Maybe a Johnny Rockets, California Pizza Kitchen, In and Out would be fabulous. Just something that if you just want a quick in-expensive bite to eat you can do so. Everything there is to me is more of a dinner/date night type of place. Don't know how many times I have been there around lunch time and left just to go get something to eat, where if there was something more reasonable I would have eaten and continued to shop. Just my $0.02

Something like a Taco Mac or Hudson Grille (Sports Bar) would do great at Bridge Street.