Downtown Huntsville is gaining new parking and infrastructure upgrades as city leaders approve agreements tied to major development projects.
New Lease to Support Downtown Parking
The Huntsville City Council approved a five-year lease for a 127,000-square-foot parking lot near the Von Braun Center to serve downtown businesses and event visitors. The city will pay $125,000 annually to lease the lot from developers of the $220 million Front Row project.
Located at Holmes Avenue and Monroe Street, the surfaced lot will help offset the parking spaces temporarily lost during construction of the $78 million Pinhook Creek-Pedestrian Access and Redevelopment Corridor project.
Officials say the city will have full operational control of the lot, and the lease includes an option to renew after five years.
Front Row Development Progress
The leased parking area sits adjacent to property being developed by Essex Capital Partners and Ascend America.
Construction is underway on 1 Front Row and 2 Front Row, which are part of the first phase of the larger mixed-use development across from the VBC.
Pre-leasing has begun for residential units, with first apartment move-ins expected in June. Retail and restaurant announcements are anticipated later, and the full first phase is projected to wrap up in 2027.
Holmes Avenue Complete Street Upgrades
In a separate action, the council approved a $1.1 million engineering and construction administration contract with Volkert Inc. for the Holmes Avenue Complete Street project.
The 3.25-mile streetscape improvement will run from Spragins Avenue to Sparkman Drive and include sidewalks, multiuse paths, bicycle facilities, transit enhancements, landscaping, and park benches.
The city has secured $21 million in federal funding for the project, with construction expected to begin within 12 to 18 months and be completed within 36 months.
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