Mill to get new life as condos

Saturday, December 08, 2007

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

$20 million Lincoln project 'will do wonders' for area

Plans are in the works for a $20 million renovation of a former textile mill that helped propel Huntsville into the space age.

The makeover would transform the turn-of-the-century Lincoln Mill building into a mix of eateries, offices and as many as 70 condominiums, which would be "loft" units with tall ceilings and stylish interior features, said Dr. James Byrne, a Huntsville eye doctor who now owns the old mill. The condos will range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, with prices perhaps starting between $100,000 and $150,000, Byrne said. Tenants would park in what is now the basement.

The smaller old building in front of the main one also will be renovated for restaurants, shops and possibly an independent film theater. Byrne said he hopes to start renovations on the smaller building early next year, and maybe open some of the shops and restaurants by the end of 2008.

The renovation work on the larger building, which would house the condos, will likely take about three years, Byrne said.

Only a handful of operations are in the drab Lincoln building now, including a dance studio, startup engineering offices and other small businesses.

Byrne said he's excited about the prospect of jumpstarting redevelopment in the old mill village.

"The neighborhood is a little run down, but could be brought back to life," Byrne said.

Assistant City Planner Marie Bostick said the project will preserve a key historic landmark while helping city efforts to revitalize an aging part of Huntsville.

"We hope it will be a catalyst for continued redevelopment and the reinforcement of the residential character of that neighborhood," Bostick said Friday.

City Councilman Mark Russell said Byrne's investment "will do wonders" for the Lincoln Mill village area.

"Having people there will bring shops and hopefully a grocery store," Russell said. "Anytime you have an investment like that in an older neighborhood, it helps with revitalization."

Lincoln Mill is among the last of Huntsville's former textile mills. Cotton mills were part of Huntsville long before Wernher von Braun and his rocket scientists turned the city into the high-tech center it is today.

Lincoln literally helped bridge those two eras: Brown Engineering (now Teledyne Brown Engineering) performed some of the early contract missile work from Lincoln until moving to newly created Cummings Research Park in the early 1960s. Lincoln was built by Madison Spinning Mill in 1900 and operated as Lincoln Mills from 1918 to 1957.

Today, only the Lowe Mill (circa 1900) and a portion of Lincoln Mill still stand. Nearby Dallas Mill burned in a spectacular fire years ago, leaving only its steel fire suppression water tank on stilts. Merrimack Mill off Triana, was razed because of safety concerns. Huntsville Utilities is refurbishing the rusting Lincoln-Dallas water tank with a shiny coat of paint and a spiffy new cone top.

Local architect Paul Matheny said the residential units in Lincoln Mills should be attractive to young professionals. The building is solid throughout and still in relatively good shape. While the metal panels retrofitted over the window openings gave the building a warehouse look, they protected the frames and window panes, he said.

"The intent (with the renovation) is to do everything possible to preserve the image of the building and restore it as much to its original character as possible," Matheny said.

City leaders have been trying to spark redevelopment along Meridian Street and other areas immediately north of downtown through rezonings, pedestrian-friendly amenities like sidewalks and greenways and landscaping.

Bostick said Meridian will soon be resurfaced and lined with sidewalks and trees and better lighting. A recent rezoning created a new zoning category designed to protect residential areas that abut industrial areas.



Mill to get new life as condos Saturday, December 08, 2007 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com $20 million Lincoln project 'will do wonders' for area Plans are in the works for a $20 million renovation of a former textile mill that helped propel Huntsville into the space age. The makeover would transform the turn-of-the-century Lincoln Mill building into a mix of eateries, offices and as many as 70 condominiums, which would be "loft" units with tall ceilings and stylish interior features, said Dr. James Byrne, a Huntsville eye doctor who now owns the old mill. The condos will range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, with prices perhaps starting between $100,000 and $150,000, Byrne said. Tenants would park in what is now the basement. The smaller old building in front of the main one also will be renovated for restaurants, shops and possibly an independent film theater. Byrne said he hopes to start renovations on the smaller building early next year, and maybe open some of the shops and restaurants by the end of 2008. The renovation work on the larger building, which would house the condos, will likely take about three years, Byrne said. Only a handful of operations are in the drab Lincoln building now, including a dance studio, startup engineering offices and other small businesses. Byrne said he's excited about the prospect of jumpstarting redevelopment in the old mill village. "The neighborhood is a little run down, but could be brought back to life," Byrne said. Assistant City Planner Marie Bostick said the project will preserve a key historic landmark while helping city efforts to revitalize an aging part of Huntsville. "We hope it will be a catalyst for continued redevelopment and the reinforcement of the residential character of that neighborhood," Bostick said Friday. City Councilman Mark Russell said Byrne's investment "will do wonders" for the Lincoln Mill village area. "Having people there will bring shops and hopefully a grocery store," Russell said. "Anytime you have an investment like that in an older neighborhood, it helps with revitalization." Lincoln Mill is among the last of Huntsville's former textile mills. Cotton mills were part of Huntsville long before Wernher von Braun and his rocket scientists turned the city into the high-tech center it is today. Lincoln literally helped bridge those two eras: Brown Engineering (now Teledyne Brown Engineering) performed some of the early contract missile work from Lincoln until moving to newly created Cummings Research Park in the early 1960s. Lincoln was built by Madison Spinning Mill in 1900 and operated as Lincoln Mills from 1918 to 1957. Today, only the Lowe Mill (circa 1900) and a portion of Lincoln Mill still stand. Nearby Dallas Mill burned in a spectacular fire years ago, leaving only its steel fire suppression water tank on stilts. Merrimack Mill off Triana, was razed because of safety concerns. Huntsville Utilities is refurbishing the rusting Lincoln-Dallas water tank with a shiny coat of paint and a spiffy new cone top. Local architect Paul Matheny said the residential units in Lincoln Mills should be attractive to young professionals. The building is solid throughout and still in relatively good shape. While the metal panels retrofitted over the window openings gave the building a warehouse look, they protected the frames and window panes, he said. "The intent (with the renovation) is to do everything possible to preserve the image of the building and restore it as much to its original character as possible," Matheny said. City leaders have been trying to spark redevelopment along Meridian Street and other areas immediately north of downtown through rezonings, pedestrian-friendly amenities like sidewalks and greenways and landscaping. Bostick said Meridian will soon be resurfaced and lined with sidewalks and trees and better lighting. A recent rezoning created a new zoning category designed to protect residential areas that abut industrial areas. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.