Huntsville/Madison Development News (Birmingham, Decatur: elementary school, zoned, food)

[Preston3124]

I would expect that area out there to grow pretty fast. Target Distribution Center, Polaris, GE Aviation and whatever businesses end up at the TVA megasite are going cause support businesses and subdivisions to pop up out there sooner or later.

[cooldiver]

So apparently now it all may be a "mirage" instead of an "oasis".

Was Oasis a mirage? Touted Huntsville complex removed from website | AL.com

David

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by TurkeyRuben

Bridge Street and Redstone Gateway were in the middle of nowhere before they were what they are today. So was the Target shopping center on Hwy 72. Ditto every development from Rideout Road to Wall Triana along Hwy 72.

This is precisely how development happens.

Thank you for your lecture.

So how many years (decades) did this take?

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

I agree. If this is built near either Redstone Gateway, Bridge Street Mall, in the Research Park, or even in downtown Huntsville, I can get excited about its possibility. It can be sustained & complemented by local businesses. But out in the middle of nowhere like exit 3 on I-565, this will likely be another fail project like many before it for the I-65/ I-565 corridor.

I still believe where bridge street at is terrible. I know it does well, but personally I hate it. It impedes evening traffic getting out if research park. It's at the edge of research park which means the scenery sucks. It's supposed to be convenient but I've never found it any more so than any other mall.

What I'm noticing with all these new developments is that they are focused on just one area. I'd rather see Huntsville put together a long term large scale attraction area like Chattanooga has done by the river or on one of the mountains.

[Tennhioland]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

I still believe where bridge street at is terrible. I know it does well, but personally I hate it. It impedes evening traffic getting out if research park. It's at the edge of research park which means the scenery sucks. It's supposed to be convenient but I've never found it any more so than any other mall.

What I'm noticing with all these new developments is that they are focused on just one area. I'd rather see Huntsville put together a long term large scale attraction area like Chattanooga has done by the river or on one of the mountains.

With the announcement of the Pinhook Creek pedestrian bridge crossing Memorial, a cool long term project could be a "river walk" (creek walk) along Pinhook Creek from about Pratt Street all the way to Brahan Spring Park. Would need to do some major cleanup of the creek and have water in it at all times. Obviously a smaller scale than San Antonio, but if bars/restaurants/shops had outdoor areas or entrances along the creek, there is a lot of available space on that route. The Coca-Cola site, VBC site, Constellation site, possible relocation of some public housing near Lowe Mill, the Lowe Mill area, and a lot of the run down property between Memorial and the creek are great places to redevelop.

Pinhook Provisions and Lowe Mill are already attractions on the path, and the Embasy Suites walkway is a natural feed from Big Spring Park and downtown. Could easily have spurs to Campus 805, CityCentre and Twickenham Square.

As you said, would be large scale and very long term.

[NoleFanHSV]

Creek walk? Yeah no. Not big enough.

I took my family down to ditto landing, who are from Florida, and asked me how come there isnt shopping, cafes, restaurants, or shopping. I've wondered that too.

[BEL2HSV]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

Creek walk? Yeah no. Not big enough.

I took my family down to ditto landing, who are from Florida, and asked me how come there isnt shopping, cafes, restaurants, or shopping. I've wondered that too.

The river walk in San Antonio is a great example of what could be done to Pinhook. The river was actually rerouted out of the downtown area. The remaining area was going to be paved over as an underground storm drain. Instead they damned up the lower end and created a controllable river.

If huntsville took this idea and applied it to Pinhook you could have a great flowing canal from Downtown to John Hunt Park connected with greenway and developments along the way.

[Tennhioland]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

Creek walk? Yeah no. Not big enough.

I took my family down to ditto landing, who are from Florida, and asked me how come there isnt shopping, cafes, restaurants, or shopping. I've wondered that too.

This is the best you'll get for Ditto Landing...

Ambitious master plan could turn Ditto Landing into Huntsville recreation hotspot | AL.com

Restaurants, shops, cafes are not allowed. The land was deeded to the port authority and commercial development is not allowed. I'm sure they could figure out some kind of basic store or food truck spot, but that's about it. Hopefully it becomes a better recreational spot though.

Chattanooga's river front is right along the interstate and downtown, so it works for them. Ditto Landing is too far removed from downtown or the western growth areas. Decatur is the city that should have a better riverfront development. Just wait for Huntsville/Madison to keep growing west, and they can build something along the river around 65/565/Alt 72.

[Satertek]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

I took my family down to ditto landing, who are from Florida, and asked me how come there isnt shopping, cafes, restaurants, or shopping. I've wondered that too.

There is a master plan that include those things, it just needs money.


Not sure what it will take to get more development down there. It may take Huntsville expanding across the Tennessee into Morgan County. Or some other type of housing development boom in Morgan County near Laceys Springs.

[cooldiver]

Originally Posted by Tennhioland

This is the best you'll get for Ditto Landing...

Ambitious master plan could turn Ditto Landing into Huntsville recreation hotspot | AL.com

Restaurants, shops, cafes are not allowed. The land was deeded to the port authority and commercial development is not allowed. I'm sure they could figure out some kind of basic store or food truck spot, but that's about it. Hopefully it becomes a better recreational spot though.

Chattanooga's river front is right along the interstate and downtown, so it works for them. Ditto Landing is too far removed from downtown or the western growth areas. Decatur is the city that should have a better riverfront development. Just wait for Huntsville/Madison to keep growing west, and they can build something along the river around 65/565/Alt 72.

Interesting stuff, Ditto Landing is enormously flood prone.

David