Museum moves ahead

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

Council votes on architect to draw plans for growth

Two years after the Huntsville Museum of Art began developing a master plan for an 18,457-square-foot expansion, the $8 million project has officially begun.

The City Council on Monday night authorized a $750,000 contract with Fuqua & Partners Architects to craft the official drawings and building requirements.

The project will add 6,500 square feet of gallery space, a 300-seat auditorium, a covered parking addition where the loading docks are now, a new west pedestrian entrance off the park, and an elevated sculpture garden above the covered parking wing.

Officials also announced a new feature Monday night: a permanent, 24-foot by 32-foot stage behind the museum for various outdoor events.

"It's a tremendous place for concerts in the park and other types of events that are held throughout the year," said museum President and CEO Clayton Bass. "You can easily sit about 3,000 to 4,000 people on the lawn."

The stage will be canopied by an arbor and can be configured to face the lagoon or a plaza spanning the museum and the new wing. The stage was recommended by a city department official and can be added with no extra cost, he said.

"We hope to break ground in the spring of 2008 and open by late, late 2009 or early in 2010," he said.

Bass said the museum has raised $7.6 million so far, which includes $2 million from a city-authorized special tax district. The master plan also calls for a $3 million endowment.

In other action, Mayor Loretta Spencer announced plans to include a 7 percent cost of living allowance for city retirees in her budget. The adjustment would take effect Oct. 1 and cost the city about $1 million extra per year, according to City Finance Director Randy Taylor.

Spencer has been under fire from retirees for refusing to include COLAs in the past several budget cycles. Spencer, who is running for re-election next year, said other city priorities - new positions related to growth, overdue capital needs, increased health care costs for retirees - made it difficult to grant a 7 percent COLA.

Expectations of "record growth" make the pension increase possible this time, she said.

Asked why announce now when budget hearings are still months away, Spencer said she wanted to give the council ample notice, given the $1 million price tag.

The council also approved a new licensing plan for a farmers-market-like venue where growers can sell their produce. The measure creates a $200-per-vendor licensing agreement for growers to use the parking lot at the former Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Center off Gallatin Street for up to six hours each Saturday, excluding Big Spring Jam weekend. Any sign or temporary booth must be removed after each use. City Attorney Peter Joffrion said the farmers market on Cook Avenue is exclusive to Madison County growers.

Joffrion said some organic growers and others from outside the county wanted a place to sell their produce, but in-county growers also would be eligible.

The council also:

Delayed action on a rezoning request from R-1 to R-2 residential for 32 acres on the east side of Meridian Street near Byers Nursery. The change would shrink from 15,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet the required minimum lot size, among other specifications. Councilman Richard Showers agreed with residents' concerns that the denser development would harm property values and degrade their quality of life. A similar rezoning request is pending for a 189-acre site north of the Mount Charron subdivision and west of Memorial Parkway.

Approved a good Samaritan award from Police Chief Henry Reyes to Tony Adair for assisting police in apprehending a driver in a hit-and-run accident May 23 at Holmes Avenue and White Street.

Heard a complaint from resident Jerry Cox about the deteriorating condition of the building and parking lot housing the Kroger on Drake Avenue. Cox questioned the city's claims that it lacked the authority to force the Atlanta owners to fix potholes in the parking lot, clear the brush growing through the broken pavement and repair broken, boarded-up windows.



Museum moves ahead Tuesday, July 10, 2007 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com Council votes on architect to draw plans for growth Two years after the Huntsville Museum of Art began developing a master plan for an 18,457-square-foot expansion, the $8 million project has officially begun. The City Council on Monday night authorized a $750,000 contract with Fuqua & Partners Architects to craft the official drawings and building requirements. The project will add 6,500 square feet of gallery space, a 300-seat auditorium, a covered parking addition where the loading docks are now, a new west pedestrian entrance off the park, and an elevated sculpture garden above the covered parking wing. Officials also announced a new feature Monday night: a permanent, 24-foot by 32-foot stage behind the museum for various outdoor events. "It's a tremendous place for concerts in the park and other types of events that are held throughout the year," said museum President and CEO Clayton Bass. "You can easily sit about 3,000 to 4,000 people on the lawn." The stage will be canopied by an arbor and can be configured to face the lagoon or a plaza spanning the museum and the new wing. The stage was recommended by a city department official and can be added with no extra cost, he said. "We hope to break ground in the spring of 2008 and open by late, late 2009 or early in 2010," he said. Bass said the museum has raised $7.6 million so far, which includes $2 million from a city-authorized special tax district. The master plan also calls for a $3 million endowment. In other action, Mayor Loretta Spencer announced plans to include a 7 percent cost of living allowance for city retirees in her budget. The adjustment would take effect Oct. 1 and cost the city about $1 million extra per year, according to City Finance Director Randy Taylor. Spencer has been under fire from retirees for refusing to include COLAs in the past several budget cycles. Spencer, who is running for re-election next year, said other city priorities - new positions related to growth, overdue capital needs, increased health care costs for retirees - made it difficult to grant a 7 percent COLA. Expectations of "record growth" make the pension increase possible this time, she said. Asked why announce now when budget hearings are still months away, Spencer said she wanted to give the council ample notice, given the $1 million price tag. The council also approved a new licensing plan for a farmers-market-like venue where growers can sell their produce. The measure creates a $200-per-vendor licensing agreement for growers to use the parking lot at the former Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Center off Gallatin Street for up to six hours each Saturday, excluding Big Spring Jam weekend. Any sign or temporary booth must be removed after each use. City Attorney Peter Joffrion said the farmers market on Cook Avenue is exclusive to Madison County growers. Joffrion said some organic growers and others from outside the county wanted a place to sell their produce, but in-county growers also would be eligible. The council also: Delayed action on a rezoning request from R-1 to R-2 residential for 32 acres on the east side of Meridian Street near Byers Nursery. The change would shrink from 15,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet the required minimum lot size, among other specifications. Councilman Richard Showers agreed with residents' concerns that the denser development would harm property values and degrade their quality of life. A similar rezoning request is pending for a 189-acre site north of the Mount Charron subdivision and west of Memorial Parkway. Approved a good Samaritan award from Police Chief Henry Reyes to Tony Adair for assisting police in apprehending a driver in a hit-and-run accident May 23 at Holmes Avenue and White Street. Heard a complaint from resident Jerry Cox about the deteriorating condition of the building and parking lot housing the Kroger on Drake Avenue. Cox questioned the city's claims that it lacked the authority to force the Atlanta owners to fix potholes in the parking lot, clear the brush growing through the broken pavement and repair broken, boarded-up windows. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.