Issues with development downtown (Huntsville, Madison: housing, rent, hotel)

[Huntsville_secede]

Watson wants ban on building at park


Friday, February 22, 2008By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com
Some on council voice caution over proposed limits
City leaders, still targets of criticism over two recent building projects in Big Spring International Park, are reviewing a proposed ordinance that would prohibit any further development in Huntsville's downtown park.
A draft was unveiled at a City Council work session Thursday night on the UAH campus.

al.com: Everything Alabama

[Reactionary]

Do you know if the 'ban' takes effect after the Art Museum expansion?

I think it's a good idea - we have little enough park space as it is.

[NicoleC]

Urban green space can be a very big asset to a city. Locking down the space there is sounds like a good idea to me, and yes, access needs to be preserved for the general public -- it's a PARK, not a courtyard for an office building.

Also, I seem to recall reading that the park (with the exception of the strip of land recently added) was originally donated by a family with the proviso that it remained a park. If so, there could be legal ramifications and the city could lose the park if they allow any development on it.

As for the hotel, why not erect a structure with the same footprint? I don't have anything against making the park larger, but this seems like a great spot for new downtown development that won't impact existing green space. High class development near the park will help keep the park safe and desirable.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by NicoleC

Urban green space can be a very big asset to a city. Locking down the space there is sounds like a good idea to me, and yes, access needs to be preserved for the general public -- it's a PARK, not a courtyard for an office building.

Also, I seem to recall reading that the park (with the exception of the strip of land recently added) was originally donated by a family with the proviso that it remained a park. If so, there could be legal ramifications and the city could lose the park if they allow any development on it.

As for the hotel, why not erect a structure with the same footprint? I don't have anything against making the park larger, but this seems like a great spot for new downtown development that won't impact existing green space. High class development near the park will help keep the park safe and desirable.

I agree theres nothing wrong with preserving the park but the park has actually increased in size in recent years, and the art museum expansion is a good thing. But the height limit is stupid.. if there wasn't a height limit there wouldn't be such an issue with encroaching on green space.

[Reactionary]

NicoleC - I didn't get the part about the Hilton reverting to park, either.

H_s - I think the current height limit is silly if it prevents Constellation from building high rises because of the housing across the Parkway. BUT, I like the height limit if it stops a high rise from shading the park or historic residential.

I liked Councilman Russell's comment about creating a park / greenway along the creek at Council Project.

[NicoleC]

I think an overall height limit is stupid, too. There's a balance than can be struck here between improving and redeveloping downtown and destroying or diminishing the good parts already there.

[Huntsville_secede]

Looks like we are keeping the height limit

10-story limit will stay, but others rise
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

Planners may raise height limits in downtown borders

The Huntsville Planning Commission isn't budging from a 10-story, 150-foot height limit for downtown buildings.

But it's amenable to increasing two- and three-story limits to as high as six in some buffer areas around downtown historic neighborhoods.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/ind....xml&coll=1

[java85]

Since the city council wants to keep the height limit on structures downtown, I wonder how this will play out in the Constellation development that all of us have been looking forward to. I think that Constellation will be a success but this should have been much taller in height as the developer would had wanted it to be. This is such a big opportunity to bring in more amenities of shopping, dining, living, and entertainment to downtown's growing nightlife scene. I just totally think it is such a big mistake to consider 10 stories as the mandatory height for downtown construction. I guess the city council doesn't realize that Huntsville's population is growing ever so rapidly and a lot of people want to relocate or move here to start a family or get good jobs. A lot of people depend on BRAC jobs to locate here and if the city council believes that is true then the city will never see future potential of high-paying jobs that can locate in downtown and result in future living for its downtown residents. The skyline needs to grow along with its population, unfortunately, the backward minds of the few city council members want to see the traditional structures in downtown.

[rnc76]

I see no reason why the traditional structures can't stay mixed into newer, taller buildings. There is plenty of surface lots and just flat out empty spaces on the west/northwest sides of downtown. If it is done properly, you can blend the old and new very nicely.

[deesonic]

Downtown's bright future died a little today (or yesterday I guess). Then, lets take Madison by force and flat out move downtown to Research Park where it would then be centrally located. OK, I'm kidding. But man that's frustrating. Huntsville: The Sky Is Not the Limit....10 stories (150 ft) is.