deesonic

This is going to be a great development once it's all complete. I really like how the city is upgrading 4th Ave between the Stovehouse and Campus No. 805 to create a nice walkway between the two. This area is fast becoming Huntsville's premier entertainment district. Word is that a boutique hotel is coming to the space just west of Stovehouse where the old shopping center was recently demolished. I would expect some sort of condo/townhouse developments in the area soon too.

It's been no more than 20 years. I played basketball as a kid there as recent as 1985 or so. It's a fantastic building. It had a pool under the basketball court. They would just raise the floor to the ceiling for swimming. I miss the old McCormick Y on Triana in West Huntsville too. It was another great building now being used as a kitchen supply place or something.

I've been lurking here for many months now, but figured I'd contribute today for a change... Years ago, before Calhoun bought the old Chrysler building on Wynn Drive, officials bounced around the idea of taking over the old Central Bank building downtown, which was completely empty at the time. I guess it cost too much and Calhoun probably wanted a strong presence in the Research Park area. But a downtown campus could have been a master stroke, I agree. Business geared toward students (cafes, arts, crafts, books, pubs, etc) could have sprung up all around there and offered lots of character. And with all the night classes, there would have been people around after dark for a change. Instead Calhoun went for a giant bland white box. Oh what could've been... But of course downtown is booming now (relatively speaking), but if someone were to add a downtown extension, particularly and arts/muisc type program, downtown could still really benefit.

http://www.merrimackhall.com/index.html I grew up in southwest Huntsville near Merrimack. My grandmother and some other family lived in the old Merrimack village. I'm excited to see someone is finally making an effort to revitalize the area. This truly could become another 5 Points type area.