Panel approves Embassy Suites plans

Thursday, August 19, 2004

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com

A city planning subcommittee approved site plans Wednesday for the 10-story Embassy Suites hotel downtown. Approval sends the measure to the full Planning Commission, which meets Tuesday.

"This will clear the way for them to start site work,'' said Jeff Mullins of Civil Solutions, the Huntsville-based engineering firm managing the city's part of the project. The hotel developer is John Q. Hammons Industries of Springfield, Mo.

The 300-room hotel will be built next to the Von Braun Center. Completion is expected by December 2005 or early 2006.

Mayor Loretta Spencer and other city officials had talked of a July groundbreaking with opening in late fall. Mullins said planning has gone more slowly than expected because of Hammons' other hotel projects.

The city is realigning the intersection of Monroe Street and Williams Avenue to improve downtown access and modify the streetscape around the VBC. Plans call for an 1,100-foot canal off Big Spring Lagoon to connect with Pinhook Creek behind the convention hotel. Sidewalks and plazas will line the waterway as it threads between the hotel and the VBC's South Hall.

Huntsville Utilities is moving an electrical substation, and the state is building a new downtown access road off Memorial Parkway. Several arts groups are pushing for an amphitheater or outdoor stage along Pinhook, where landscaping and a public greenway are planned.

The hotel isn't the only major construction project getting under way downtown. A formal groundbreaking was scheduled today for a multistory condominium complex at Green Street and Holmes Avenue. The developer is Thornton Properties.

The seven-story Big Spring Summit office tower in Big Spring International Park is also in line to begin soon. Triad Properties secured the final lease agreements for the site from the City Council in May.

The building will be on the southeast corner of the city parking deck between Church and Monroe streets. The 99-year-lease agreement with the city gives Triad an option to develop most of the rest of the garage front along the lagoon. Triad officials say the second phase could include condos, shops, restaurants and perhaps more offices.

Triad officials originally planned an April groundbreaking, then a July or August startup. The project has become a heated issue in the mayor's race, with opponents blasting the mayor and council supporters for pushing development in Big Spring Park.

Triad executive William Stroud said this morning that the company will seek planning approval later this month and begin construction by the end of September. The building is expected to be open by fall of 2005.



Panel approves Embassy Suites plans Thursday, August 19, 2004 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com A city planning subcommittee approved site plans Wednesday for the 10-story Embassy Suites hotel downtown. Approval sends the measure to the full Planning Commission, which meets Tuesday. "This will clear the way for them to start site work,'' said Jeff Mullins of Civil Solutions, the Huntsville-based engineering firm managing the city's part of the project. The hotel developer is John Q. Hammons Industries of Springfield, Mo. The 300-room hotel will be built next to the Von Braun Center. Completion is expected by December 2005 or early 2006. Mayor Loretta Spencer and other city officials had talked of a July groundbreaking with opening in late fall. Mullins said planning has gone more slowly than expected because of Hammons' other hotel projects. The city is realigning the intersection of Monroe Street and Williams Avenue to improve downtown access and modify the streetscape around the VBC. Plans call for an 1,100-foot canal off Big Spring Lagoon to connect with Pinhook Creek behind the convention hotel. Sidewalks and plazas will line the waterway as it threads between the hotel and the VBC's South Hall. Huntsville Utilities is moving an electrical substation, and the state is building a new downtown access road off Memorial Parkway. Several arts groups are pushing for an amphitheater or outdoor stage along Pinhook, where landscaping and a public greenway are planned. The hotel isn't the only major construction project getting under way downtown. A formal groundbreaking was scheduled today for a multistory condominium complex at Green Street and Holmes Avenue. The developer is Thornton Properties. The seven-story Big Spring Summit office tower in Big Spring International Park is also in line to begin soon. Triad Properties secured the final lease agreements for the site from the City Council in May. The building will be on the southeast corner of the city parking deck between Church and Monroe streets. The 99-year-lease agreement with the city gives Triad an option to develop most of the rest of the garage front along the lagoon. Triad officials say the second phase could include condos, shops, restaurants and perhaps more offices. Triad officials originally planned an April groundbreaking, then a July or August startup. The project has become a heated issue in the mayor's race, with opponents blasting the mayor and council supporters for pushing development in Big Spring Park. Triad executive William Stroud said this morning that the company will seek planning approval later this month and begin construction by the end of September. The building is expected to be open by fall of 2005. Copyright 2004 al.com. All Rights Reserved.