Huntsville/Madison Development News (Meridianville, Ardmore: low income housing, violence, projections)

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Jakeweg

I noticed Dirt Cheap in Madison was closing April 6th. It also appears the thrift store in that same shopping has permanently closed. Anyone heard if they are preparing to tear it down? I recall seeing the shopping center for sale 6 months to a year ago.

No idea about the future of the shopping center, but its time is certainly in the past for the most part. The west end is better, especially with the UPS store (very convenient) and the cleaners. I went to Dirt Cheap one time and wasn't impressed. I suppose it was expected to have lower quality items, but I didn't see anything I wanted. I think my visit was to see if they had hand sanitizer during the pandemic and they did not (but neither did anyone else at the time).

[RocketDawg]

Looks like the explosive apartment permitting in Huntsville is slowing quite a bit. There are still a number already approved that are being constructed, but in the past month and 30 days, no new units were permitted. And only 297 newly permitted units so far in 2024. Still to come however are for those more urban-like in Front Row, MidCity, and CityCenter. The quoted numbers are only for the city of Huntsville, not Madison or the rest of the metro.

Single family permits in Huntsville are at about the same rate as last year to this point with 329 permitted through March 28. That's a rate of over 1300 for a year. Once again, only inside the city of Huntsville.

Unless I'm remembering incorrectly, over the past two or three years, there were some 25,000 apartment units permitted in Madison County in close to 200 complexes.

[1973PINTO]

what are they preparing for or doing at Bob Wade lane .. i heard it was another 565 extension ,

[AU HSV]

Originally Posted by 1973PINTO

what are they preparing for or doing at Bob Wade lane .. i heard it was another 565 extension ,

no, but something different

https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/roadwor...us-hwy-231431/

[FriscoEGS]

Originally Posted by AU HSV

no, but something different

https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/roadwor...us-hwy-231431/

Its something even better... THE NORTHERN BYPASS!!!!


Additionally, have any government related agencies been buying the nececary right of way for a potential 565 extension? It would be great for future-proofing.

[AU HSV]

Originally Posted by FriscoEGS

Its something even better... THE NORTHERN BYPASS!!!!


Additionally, have any government related agencies been buying the nececary right of way for a potential 565 extension? It would be great for future-proofing.

I wouldn't say its better, (better than what's there now) this will not be controlled access, just frontage roads with stop lights. It should be a proper freeway with interchanges, lighting, and additional lanes. But we get what we can. This has been in the works for probably 15 years and will take 3 years to complete. So it is already inadequate.

[dijkstra]

Originally Posted by FriscoEGS

Additionally, have any government related agencies been buying the nececary right of way for a potential 565 extension? It would be great for future-proofing.

You must not have lived in the Huntsville area very long. ALDONT (as we call ALDOT) does not plan for the future around here very much if at all. It goes more like they see we need a road project, they propose it, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing for 5 to 10 years and then they bring it up again, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing again for 5 to 10 years and this repeats until one of two things.....1) It has been at least 20 years and they then half ass it and build whatever that would not have even been adequate 20 years ago when they first planned it or 2) We get fed up and the city ponies up most if not all of the money and we make it happen ourselves.

Originally Posted by AU HSV

I wouldn't say its better, (better than what's there now) this will not be controlled access, just frontage roads with stop lights. It should be a proper freeway with interchanges, lighting, and additional lanes. But we get what we can. This has been in the works for probably 15 years and will take 3 years to complete. So it is already inadequate.

Exactly. It should be done right the first time with controlled access and interchanges along with an overpass at the parkway intersection. Instead we are getting this road with side streets accessing it. Very soon there will be businesses all along it and developments that will cause tons of congestion and constant wrecks. It will cost millions upon millions to go back and do it right as if that will ever happen.

[Maya Blue]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

You must not have lived in the Huntsville area very long. ALDONT (as we call ALDOT) does not plan for the future around here very much if at all. It goes more like they see we need a road project, they propose it, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing for 5 to 10 years and then they bring it up again, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing again for 5 to 10 years and this repeats until one of two things.....1) It has been at least 20 years and they then half ass it and build whatever that would not have even been adequate 20 years ago when they first planned it or 2) We get fed up and the city ponies up most if not all of the money and we make it happen ourselves.

You describe it exactly correct! Every. Single. Road. Project. in Huntsville is currently 25-30 years behind.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

You must not have lived in the Huntsville area very long. ALDONT (as we call ALDOT) does not plan for the future around here very much if at all. It goes more like they see we need a road project, they propose it, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing for 5 to 10 years and then they bring it up again, plan it, engineer it, survey it and then do nothing again for 5 to 10 years and this repeats until one of two things.....1) It has been at least 20 years and they then half ass it and build whatever that would not have even been adequate 20 years ago when they first planned it or 2) We get fed up and the city ponies up most if not all of the money and we make it happen ourselves.



Exactly. It should be done right the first time with controlled access and interchanges along with an overpass at the parkway intersection. Instead we are getting this road with side streets accessing it. Very soon there will be businesses all along it and developments that will cause tons of congestion and constant wrecks. It will cost millions upon millions to go back and do it right as if that will ever happen.

I think folks are misunderstanding the process by which AL 255 has been built north of University Dr. First, the service roads are built, however a there is a large grass median remaining, so that years later, when funds become avilable, the controlled access, main lanes are constructed. This is what happened on the stretch between University and AL 53 (also known locally as Ardmore Highway). In 1996, the service roads were opened and in 2013, the overpasses and main lanes were opened. The service roads between AL53 and Bob Wade Lane were opened. So, long before any controlled access lanes (with overpasses) are built on the section between Bob Wade Lane and US 231/431 (Also known as Memorial Parkway) near Meridianville, the controlled access lanes with overpasses will have to be built on the three mile section between AL 53 and Bob Wade Lane.

So, it's not about building it wrong the first time - the State plans on having service roads with driveways and side streets. These allow existing property owners to more easily access their property and commercial propeties can be built adding to the tax base. The Parkway also has this configuration because when it was originally built in the 1950's, it was intended to be a bypass to the small City of Huntsville - they didn't see the growth and congestion. In 1950, Huntsville's population was only 16,000, so no one saw the need at that time for a controlled access highway.

[AU HSV]

Originally Posted by David1502

I think folks are misunderstanding the process by which AL 255 has been built north of University Dr. First, the service roads are built, however a there is a large grass median remaining, so that years later, when funds become avilable, the controlled access, main lanes are constructed. This is what happened on the stretch between University and AL 53 (also known locally as Ardmore Highway). In 1996, the service roads were opened and in 2013, the overpasses and main lanes were opened. The service roads between AL53 and Bob Wade Lane were opened. So, long before any controlled access lanes (with overpasses) are built on the section between Bob Wade Lane and US 231/431 (Also known as Memorial Parkway) near Meridianville, the controlled access lanes with overpasses will have to be built on the three mile section between AL 53 and Bob Wade Lane.

So, it's not about building it wrong the first time - the State plans on having service roads with driveways and side streets. These allow existing property owners to more easily access their property and commercial propeties can be built adding to the tax base. The Parkway also has this configuration because when it was originally built in the 1950's, it was intended to be a bypass to the small City of Huntsville - they didn't see the growth and congestion. In 1950, Huntsville's population was only 16,000, so no one saw the need at that time for a controlled access highway.

I think we understand the process and know that what is considered "northern bypass" in reality is a northern half ass that will never see any controlled access mainline construction past Jordan Lane (53). oh the talking point is that it will be some day, but get real. Any timetable for controlled access portion? It ain't happening.
The state is building it as minimalistic as possible totally ignoring the growth and future growth so the costs to build it in the future will be so high they won't do it.
Is there any design work underway now for the mainline? If not why not? Now is the time to build proper interchanges at Memorial Parkway/ Pulaski Pike while he frontage roads are under construction. Don't have to wait to build them now. Now all the property around the future intersection south of Bob Wade/Parkway intersection is or will be developed. Surprising the city hasn't pushed for better design. The state probably told the COH to back off or see even further delays, Besides there are more important un-needed projects south of the Tennessee River that need their attention.
Remember the Moore's Mill/Shields road overpasses? Another delay con job by the state.
Your last paragraph just confirmed the state's poor design and planning for road infrastructure, never planning for the future, and still build like its still the 1960's.