What would you like to see in HSV-Madison? (Birmingham, Huntsville: hotel, university)

[Jakeweg]

Originally Posted by guinb

I'd really like to see some unique amenities that make Huntsville stand out and take advantage of our unique features rather than more retail or dining.

- Develop the river front. Greenways along the water, a lodge/hotel, upgraded facilities at Ditto, a swimming area, etc.

- Further development at John Hunt. Tons of space still available for fields and facilities.

- Really take advantage of the fact that we have Monte Sano practically in downtown. A hotel near the state park or Land Trust would be great. A public bouldering park. More mountain bike trails. If we're really dreaming then run a chairlift from downtown to the state park.

- Expand the canal portion of Big Spring park from where it ends near Heart of Huntsville Dr to encompass the rest of Pinhook Creek in the downtown area.

- Trams running on the old train tracks from downtown to Ditto.

- Upgrade the Veteran's Memorial Museum. Give it a state of the art building near the Space and Rocket Center. With the Army presence here via Redstone I'm kind of surprised this hasn't already happened.

- Speaking of the Space and Rocket Center, make promoting and upgrading it a priority. #1 paid tourist attraction in the state could easily be made a large regional draw.

I just read a booklet on the current and future greenway progress in huntsville and they appear to be extending the ditto pathway that currently runs parallel to the river across 231 a mile or so.

I agree that the canal running from big spring park should be extended somehow. It's really nice walking that section between embassy and the VBC. Imagine having small cafes/vendors on each side of the spring. I think that would be a unique draw for visitors.

[denofhc]

Originally Posted by guinb

I'd really like to see some unique amenities that make Huntsville stand out and take advantage of our unique features rather than more retail or dining.

- Develop the river front. Greenways along the water, a lodge/hotel, upgraded facilities at Ditto, a swimming area, etc.

- Further development at John Hunt. Tons of space still available for fields and facilities.

- Really take advantage of the fact that we have Monte Sano practically in downtown. A hotel near the state park or Land Trust would be great. A public bouldering park. More mountain bike trails. If we're really dreaming then run a chairlift from downtown to the state park.

- Expand the canal portion of Big Spring park from where it ends near Heart of Huntsville Dr to encompass the rest of Pinhook Creek in the downtown area.

- Trams running on the old train tracks from downtown to Ditto.

- Upgrade the Veteran's Memorial Museum. Give it a state of the art building near the Space and Rocket Center. With the Army presence here via Redstone I'm kind of surprised this hasn't already happened.

- Speaking of the Space and Rocket Center, make promoting and upgrading it a priority. #1 paid tourist attraction in the state could easily be made a large regional draw.

These are great ideas. Make Huntsville stand out even more.

[AU HSV]

Originally Posted by denofhc

These are great ideas. Make Huntsville stand out even more.

Most of these have been explored or studied.
Ditto has a master plan done several years ago, and John Hunt Park has and is having massive upgrades and has a master plan as well.

Current and planned hotels are as about as close u can get to the State Park including the Hampton Inn in Hampton Cove.

There is a Pinhook Creek riverwalk / greenway is planned.
The proposed skywalk over Memorial Parkway to Lowe Mill was part of that but funding has not happened .

Light rail from Downtown to Ditto has been talked about for years, but would require a lot of cash.

The space center revolves around funding and just spent a boat load of money on the Saturn V refurb.
It already is a regional draw.

[RocketDawg]

Isn't the rail line from downtown to Ditto Landing still being used by trains, at least part of the way?

[TimCity2000]

would a rail line from ditto landing to downtown actually get much use? would it be for commuting purposes? honestly, ditto landing seems like a place most people would want to get to by car, especially if towing a boat or a bike. and the major employment centers in the area are west of downtown. what am i missing? i guess the sell is that the tracks are already in place, so this would just require new cars?

(this isn't an indictment of huntsville... frankly, i think light rail would be a hard sell ANYWHERE in the state, including along 280, which has been floated around for years as well.)

[F382]

Some thoughts:

- Outlet mall. We have to drive to Nashville / Birmingham / Sevierville. I agree Huntsville doesn’t need another shopping mall but do believe we have thrifty brains who love deals but also have money. Put it off 565 near county line and airport. Quickly reachable from I-65 but primarily supported by locals and those traveling in for business or sports tournaments. May help Town Madison and boost other local tourism.

- Winery with bed and breakfast. Once again, we drive to Nashville when we have great scenery right here.

- Spanish Tapas restaurant

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

would a rail line from ditto landing to downtown actually get much use? would it be for commuting purposes? honestly, ditto landing seems like a place most people would want to get to by car, especially if towing a boat or a bike. and the major employment centers in the area are west of downtown. what am i missing? i guess the sell is that the tracks are already in place, so this would just require new cars?

(this isn't an indictment of huntsville... frankly, i think light rail would be a hard sell ANYWHERE in the state, including along 280, which has been floated around for years as well.)

Trains are very expensive to operate and are usually big money losers expect the few places where there is a big enough demand. An example where trains make sense is the northeast.

Even after spending billions of dollars California is no closer to its light rail system than it was at the beginning. Does it make sense for Huntsville to spend millions of dollars on such a project when it could easily lose ten times that?

[guinb]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

would a rail line from ditto landing to downtown actually get much use? would it be for commuting purposes? honestly, ditto landing seems like a place most people would want to get to by car, especially if towing a boat or a bike. and the major employment centers in the area are west of downtown. what am i missing? i guess the sell is that the tracks are already in place, so this would just require new cars?

(this isn't an indictment of huntsville... frankly, i think light rail would be a hard sell ANYWHERE in the state, including along 280, which has been floated around for years as well.)

I think this would work more as a tourist and recreational attraction rather than for commuting. And it wouldn't have to be a full train. A 1-2 car tram running a handful of times a day would probably be sufficient. Imagine a nice, sunny afternoon. You could grab dinner and a drink in downtown then take a leisurely ride down to Ditto for the sunset. Or the reverse, after a day on the water in your boat ride up to downtown for dinner without having to load up and tow the boat with you.

Its fun to dream about right?

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by guinb

I think this would work more as a tourist and recreational attraction rather than for commuting. And it wouldn't have to be a full train. A 1-2 car tram running a handful of times a day would probably be sufficient. Imagine a nice, sunny afternoon. You could grab dinner and a drink in downtown then take a leisurely ride down to Ditto for the sunset. Or the reverse, after a day on the water in your boat ride up to downtown for dinner without having to load up and tow the boat with you.

Its fun to dream about right?

Yes, tourist/recreation is what I interpreted the originial idea to mean. I've lived in this area for a long time, and don't recall going to Ditto Landing. I suppose if you like fishing and boating, it's OK but I don't think would be an entertainment destination.

Light rail might eventually be something that would work to a degree, but mostly with the Arsenal and Research Park as destinations. But then you'd have the problem of qualified Arsenal access, so security would be a huge bottleneck.

We mostly need a better freeway system here, and better local roads over rail.

[jewel104]

Speaking of Ditto Landing whatever happened to the improvements proposed in 2015? A Ditto Landing restaurant has been talked about for decades and decades and has never come to fruition. https://bigpicturehuntsville.com/wp-...rrative_sm.pdf


Also, I'd love to see the Haysland Square eyesore gone - I think just about all that is left there is a Staples and a pet store there. I know the Hayslands are supposed to develop this area; however have not heard much about that lately.


Agree with others about the VBC not being sizeable to supporting major acts. That's been a Huntsville issue for decades. We have to go to Birmingham, Nashville, or Atlanta for most major shows (at a minimum).


I'd love to see cheaper air carriers, like Southwest come to HSV.


I agree with the golfing comments, I hated when the City closed muni.


I wish we had an Ethiopian restaurant. The closest ones used to be in Nashville - now Birmingham has at least one.


I agree about IKEA, too. I read that there is an organization/company that makes regular "IKEA runs" between HSV and ATL.


I'd also love love to see our courthouse downtown razed and replaced with something less unattractive.