Huntsville/Madison Development News (York: pools, summers, weekend)

[AU HSV]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Whatever you were trying to convey, the article has been pulled. Link is no good now.

Maybe now
https://www.waff.com/2023/05/10/resu...rnance-change/

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by AU HSV

Maybe now
https://www.waff.com/2023/05/10/resu...rnance-change/

Clearly 70% of residents (who voted) wanted an elected and accountable mayor that may not be a career experienced city planner but one that will have to explain their actions. The voting was to decide the path vs an endorsement of the sitting mayor.

With only 7,000+ votes, that wasn’t an outpouring of interest. Difficult times when the city of Madison increased 200+% in the past decade or two.

[Rick In Madison]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Clearly 70% of residents (who voted) wanted an elected and accountable mayor that may not be a career experienced city planner but one that will have to explain their actions. The voting was to decide the path vs an endorsement of the sitting mayor.

With only 7,000+ votes, that wasn’t an outpouring of interest. Difficult times when the city of Madison increased 200+% in the past decade or two.

I was torn on which way to vote.
On one hand, I didn't like the one person who runs the city is not elected but on the other hand I liked the fact the person would or should be educated in the ways of city management and is pursuing it as a career versus some almost random person who was able to muster enough votes from a lackadaisical population.

[RocketDawg]

We were downtown this afternoon at the civic center and it looked like the Marriott Signature (I think that's the name) is 4 floors up, another 4 or 5 to go.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

We were downtown this afternoon at the civic center and it looked like the Marriott Signature (I think that's the name) is 4 floors up, another 4 or 5 to go.

You were a week too early. Gun show is next weekend.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

You were a week too early. Gun show is next weekend.

Meaning it'll be topped out next week? If so, it's going up fast. I guess everything's prefab as opposed to the city hall.

Or - maybe you literally meant a gun show. We were at a Broadway Theater League play. It wasn't very good.

[AU HSV]

A little update on the Lewter Hardware site at 222 Washington St; Lewters served downtown Huntsville and beyond for 94 years.
The decision to close came soon after the passing of Donnie Lewter, the third generation to operate the respected establishment.
The property is now owned by a development firm in New Orleans.
Sounds like the building will possibly be a restaurant: When asked what would become of the Lewter Hardware building, Mac Lewter said it was purchased by a development team. He believes the main part of the store will be redeveloped as a fine dining establishment. There are other development plans in the works for the site. Though the business opened in July 1928, a portion of the building dates back nearly 150 years. An antique freight elevator was still in use when the store closed.
The rest off the site may be an 8-10 story midrise, but development plans may change.

The Huntsville Planning Commission recently voted to rename the 350-foot section of Meridian Street between Washington and Jefferson streets Lewters Way.

Shortly after the store’s closing, Lewter Hardware donated its ledgers, which date back to the 1930s, to the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Archives, Special Collections and Digital Initiatives. Donna Castellano with the Historic Huntsville Foundation helped facilitate the transfer.

Castellano said the ledgers are valuable because they capture a history that is independent of the building. Though the ledgers mostly detail sales, customers and types of merchandise sold, they also reflect Huntsville’s evolution from a small, cotton town to the Rocket City.

“Records such as this are incredibly useful to historians as well as individuals who may be interested in family histories,” Castellano said. “Conceivably, one could consult Lewter records and determine the purchases made by a grandparent.”

source WZDX-TV

[AU HSV]

The Huntsville City Council has approved a construction agreement for phase four of the Huntsville Aquatics Center. The $6.4 million contract with Garber Construction Company involves an extensive renovation of the Legacy Pool.

Improvements will include new bleachers, a new exhaust system and LED lighting. The windows and wall panels will be replaced. Roof panels will be replaced or repaired. There will also be updates to the pool and deck area, including new blocks and timers.

The Legacy Pool, the centerpiece of the former Brahan Spring Natatorium, has remained virtually untouched since the facility was transformed into the Huntsville Aquatics Center in 2017, with the addition of the 50-meter Competition Pool and Instructional Pool.

[AU HSV]

The City on Thursday authorized an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., to conduct market analysis and visioning for future development in West Huntsville along Interstate 65.

The City of Huntsville has contracted with a consultant to conduct market analysis and envisioning for future development in West Huntsville along Interstate 65.
The effort is a continuation of a 2011 Master Plan for Western Annexed Lands within Huntsville-annexed Limestone County. Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban & Economic Development, said consultants would update portions of the original plan while also providing economic analysis on properties not previously included.
“Since 2015, the original study area has produced over 16,000 new jobs, added $6 billion in private investments to the tax rolls and today generates over $700 million annually in payroll within the area,” he said.
source City of Huntsville.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by AU HSV

The City on Thursday authorized an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., to conduct market analysis and visioning for future development in West Huntsville along Interstate 65.

The City of Huntsville has contracted with a consultant to conduct market analysis and envisioning for future development in West Huntsville along Interstate 65.
The effort is a continuation of a 2011 Master Plan for Western Annexed Lands within Huntsville-annexed Limestone County. Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban & Economic Development, said consultants would update portions of the original plan while also providing economic analysis on properties not previously included.
“Since 2015, the original study area has produced over 16,000 new jobs, added $6 billion in private investments to the tax rolls and today generates over $700 million annually in payroll within the area,” he said.
source City of Huntsville.

Wish they'd put a Poarch Creek Tribe casino/hotel out there. I bet they'd get a lot of business, and the city would get a lot of tax income (but I'm not sure that Native American businesses have to pay taxes).