What Can You Do to Improve Huntsville? (Birmingham, Madison: power lines, how much)

[mm42]

Next time, try to be more explicit when you tell the librarian how to run the library! Sheesh!

[Reactionary]

Originally Posted by KE111691

5. to be more involved in the Black community to attract more Blacks (not trying to racist)

Note that Huntsville is 30% Black, Alabama (http://http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/01000.html - broken link) is 26% Black, and the USA (http://http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html - broken link) is 13% Black.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by KE111691

I think that Huntsville needs:
1. more entertainment
2. things that will attract the younger generation to the area
3. an amusement/water park
4. better roadways
5. to be more involved in the Black community to attract more Blacks (not trying to racist)
6. to stop annexing land and build to fill in the "rural" areas in the city limits.
7. to fix Madison Square Mall
8. to improve highway 72 like Birmingham is going to fix and improve highway 280.

In all fairness, some of these things are demand driven. For example "Huntsville needs more entertainment". In our capitalist society, in theory, if a buck can be made, someone will make it but if there are no bucks (no demand) then it won't happen.

Also, more subjectively, it seems like Huntsville is this big family town with a lower population of entertainment seeking citizens. Maybe that's true (I don't have statistics handy.) Mom and dad are too burnt out to go out clubbing and dancing.

Other things just flat out cost big money like better roads. Yesterday it was a big deal when the governor announced plans for funding to widen a 1/2 mile stretch of Madison Pike and also build an interchange to support a "proposed" mixed use development out at County Line and 565. I'm wondering if that whole thing will fly. I didn't read anything about making more safe Research Parkway where that girl died last week.

There is this water park thing in the Decatur area called Point Mallard. It's a bit of a drive from Madison and pushing an hour from south and east Huntsville. I think there is a smaller water park somewhere in Huntsville. But yes, I think a moderate sized, like Point Mallard, could make it in Huntsville (perhaps not now with the economy sinking like a lead zeppelin) - not sure why we haven't heard about something like this.

I haven't been to Madison Square Mall but my wife has - she said it does need a makeover. I have been to Park Place mall and it seemed pretty nice but it seemed smaller than any mall I've ever been to. (By the way, who goes to malls anymore? Who needs a mall when you have the internet?) Also, if Constellation is going to be a mall (???) then I would think that would put some pressure on both MSM and PPM to kick it up a notch to compete for mall dollars. And, we have Bridge Street and its second (and third?) phase expansions.

[HB2HSV]

Well today being a NICE WARM DAY and we get to shop up & down University avenue, even get to eat a Five Guys, reminded me what Huntsvillians can improve desperately.

That EVERYONE can be more health conscious !

My gawd! Can we say "flabby nation"? It's not just the overweight thing, even slim/ skinny men & women are "shape challenged"! Visible gut belly even with rest of body being slim, young women with no muscle tone at all Has the "buns of steele" generation simply skip the south and moved onto Florida?

I looked around and realized that I am in a burger place (GREAT BURGER, btw !), then I realize we don't have much choices as far as healthy food is concern. Wifeo then say that she misses the "California Fish Grill' and I echo her sentiment.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

we don't have much choices as far as healthy food is concern. Wifeo then say that she misses the "California Fish Grill' and I echo her sentiment.

al.com: We're fat in Alabama; Why are Alabamians obese?

We were looking for a Baja Fresh type place but we ate at Tazikis tonight and that is pretty healthy food. (Unfortunately, both my wife and I thought the food was mediocre - could have been a bad night for them though - we'll try again another night.)

[Katsmeeyow]

Move there!

I have been through Huntsville many times, and am hoping a job change with Hubby will ensure that! Seriously, I really loved the "feel" of Huntsville and am hoping fervently to be in or near!

[SouthernBoy205]

Best answer yet!

[33458]

Originally Posted by Charles

I didn't read anything about making more safe Research Parkway where that girl died last week.

There's at least one intersection that needs to be addressed - Bradford turning on to Wynn coming out of Research Park to University - the left lanes turning to Wynn don't have a light anymore (no green arrow, no red, no nothing - burned out? Not being triggered?)...just go-for-it-straight ahead green, so two lanes are turning in to head-on traffic (no signage directing otherwise)...legally yielding, but that's just stupid. It's too busy at 4:30-5pm to not have an arrow combined with folks that don't use directional signals, others looking very confused and making wide turns. Gonna be an accident there soon. Neato.

[HSVbulldawg]

I would like to see the cities of Huntsville and Madison plan a network of bike paths that are separate from the roads, and then make plans for implementing the construction of those paths (in phases if need be.) I would like to see separate bike paths from housing areas to research park, UAH, downtown Huntsville, and various greenways and parks, and also to bridgestreet and the new constellation project.

Some people I now already bike to work/school on a regular basis. Other would if there were safe routes to and from work. Also, I think there are a lot of active people in our community who would at least make use of those paths on the weekend. Our community would be healthier, and the risk of biking deaths would be reduced.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by 33458

There's at least one intersection that needs to be addressed - Bradford turning on to Wynn coming out of Research Park to University - the left lanes turning to Wynn don't have a light anymore (no green arrow, no red, no nothing - burned out?

I google map street viewed this description. It looks like there is a left turn hanging light box there and one red light is illuminated, but who knows when this photo was taken. The double left lanes are clearly visible.


35805 - Google Maps

Originally Posted by 33458

It's too busy at 4:30-5pm to not have an arrow combined with folks that don't use directional signals, others looking very confused and making wide turns.

Also, at 430PM the westbound drivers could be looking straight into the sun.