Haysland/Hamilton Square shopping center (Huntsville, Athens: to rent, cinema, school)

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by Noel41

Does anyone remember the name of a book store in Haysland Square in the 80's and possibly the 90's?

Originally Posted by jasonhsv

Was it Book Villa? I went to the one in Athens as a kid, and seem to remember there being one in Huntsville also.

A Google search yielded this old information:
Book Villa
8920 Memorial Pkwy SW
Huntsville, Alabama 35802-3029

Mike's Merchandise is at that address now. That is a block north of Haysland Square

Haysland Square's address is 9030 & 9032A Memorial Pkwy SW

[dijkstra]

This is one of those places where I would support imminent domain being used. That place is an eyesore and is in a prominent location making the city look like a dump. If the owner refuses to improve it for the benefit of the community, use imminent domain and turn it over to a developer and make it into something that will benefit the community as a whole.

After all we could use a new strip center down in that area with a mexican restaurant and a mattress store. lol

[catfishin2000]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

This is one of those places where I would support imminent domain being used. That place is an eyesore and is in a prominent location making the city look like a dump. If the owner refuses to improve it for the benefit of the community, use imminent domain and turn it over to a developer and make it into something that will benefit the community as a whole.

After all we could use a new strip center down in that area with a mexican restaurant and a mattress store. lol

If you don't like how someone else is using their property, you support the Gov just taking it?
I love your "for the benefit of the community" line.

Wait till they come for you

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by catfishin2000

If you don't like how someone else is using their property, you support the Gov just taking it?
I love your "for the benefit of the community" line.

Wait till they come for you

Someone who understands!

[dijkstra]

Originally Posted by catfishin2000

If you don't like how someone else is using their property, you support the Gov just taking it?
I love your "for the benefit of the community" line.

Wait till they come for you

Normally I do not support the imminent domain law. It is actually useful in certain circumstances. In my opinion this is one of those circumstances. Someone is allowing prominent property to give a substantially negative appearance to the city which in the long run affects potential business and in turn affects us all in the way of tax base for infrastructure as well as potential employers and job growth. So yeah, in this particular case you are correct...I support the Government paying the owner the market value of the property and redeveloping it but only after requesting the property owner upgrade the property on his own and then his ultimate refusal.

They won't ever come for me.....I wouldn't allow any of my property to be a disgrace to the community like Haysland square and if you read the imminent domain laws you will see that they are designed "for the benefit of the community" in cases such as these. Don't really care whether you love it or not, I didn't write the laws.

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

...if you read the imminent domain laws you will see that they are designed "for the benefit of the community"...

...and if you read the Constitution of the United States...

Constitution of the United States

[catfishin2000]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

if you read the imminent domain laws you will see that they are designed "for the benefit of the community" in cases such as these. Don't really care whether you love it or not, I didn't write the laws.

You sure don't want to benefit the community of the property owner.
And who is the judge of what benefits the community?
Who is the judge of what property is kept up to some mythical standard?

You have opened yourself up to a slippery slope discussion.

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

...and if you read the Constitution of the United States...

Constitution of the United States

Eminent domain used to mean taking land for public good. For example a new road. The Supreme Court has ruled that eminent domain can be used seize land and turn it over to another private owner that might better utilize it. For example the new owner would benefit the "public good" by bringing in more tax money.

[writerwife]

Eminent domain has be extremely abused in the past several years for personal gain. One only need google it to see the myriad of cases.
I agree that Haysland is an eyesore and personally, it's one of my fonder memories from back in the 70s living near there and Big K.. the diner, etc... however, I disagree with using eminent domain on it.
If someone personally wants to offer the dude enough for him to sell it rather than use it as a tax write off, then fine. If he wants to sell.

[Dirt Grinder]

Does anyone remember The D'Livery Stable restaurant that was in Haysland Square? Wow, they could cook a burger.