Arsenal office park bill advances
Senate panel OKs TIF district for$1 billion complex
MONTGOMERY – A bill that would allow Huntsville to form a special tax increment finance district for a 470-acre, $1 billion office park at Redstone Arsenal got a big boost Thursday.
It won unanimous and bipartisan approval by the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.
Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, the Senate sponsor, said he hoped the bill would be considered by the full Senate next week.
“We’re trying to put it on a fast track because it’s a huge piece of the (BRAC) puzzle,” he said. “I think we’ve educated as many people, particularly on that committee, as possible how important that bill is.”
Butler amended the bill so that the TIF would not extend beyond 35 years. A TIF district allows the city to borrow money for public improvements and repay the debt with property tax revenue gains resulting from the improvements.
In this case, the developer, LW Redstone, has agreed to buy the bonds directly and be repaid as the tax growth happens.
Although BRAC, which will bring an estimated 10,000 government and contractor jobs to Huntsville and North Alabama, will have an economic impact statewide, Butler said Huntsville will bear the brunt of related problems such as the need for improved roads and more classrooms.
The new development would eventually include 4 million square feet of office space and employ about 14,000 people. Butler said it would generate $80 million alone in sales taxes off construction materials.
“We’re behind the curve, and we can’t go fast enough,” he said.
The Madison County House and Senate delegation are fully supportive of the bill.
“All five Madison County senators now are supporting it, including, (Sen. Paul) Sanford (R-Huntsville),” said Butler.
Sanford had declined to sign the bill earlier because he hadn’t read it, but Butler said Sanford told him Wednesday he backs it.
Huntsville ranks No. 3 in world for Top Places to Celebrate New Year’s
HUNTSVILLE, AL — Huntsville belongs on a lot of lists: Top Places to Work in the United States. Top Places to Raise a Family. Top Places to Design Things that Go Boom.
But when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Huntsville may not seem like Party Town, USA. Have you ever been to a party with rocket scientists? I wouldn’t call it a “blast.”
So it came as a shock earlier this month when the hotel booking Web site
HotelsCombined.com released a list of the Top 10 Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve, and the “Blue Moon Ball” New Year’s Eve Party at the Huntsville Marriott ranked No. 3.
And not just No. 3 in the United States, but No. 3 in the entire world. That’s ahead of Rio de Janeiro, New York City and London.
Here’s the entire list:
1. Waikoloa, Hawaii
2. Clearwater, Fla.
3. Huntsville
4. New York City
5. Las Vegas
6. Reykjavik
7. Barcelona
8. London
9. Sydney
10. Rio de Janeiro
Now, I’m not saying Huntsville isn’t a happening place on Dec. 31. The Downtown Forty-Seven’s $85-a-person party at the Von Braun Center includes complimentary wine and beer. The Wilcoxon Municipal Ice Complex has a late-night skate. And the “Blue Moon Ball” at the Marriott, which features a tasty continental breakfast, a champagne toast at midnight and live music from local rockers Kozmic Mama, will probably be a fun night out.
But better than seeing the ball drop in New York City? Better than partying all night in Las Vegas? Better than watching fireworks over the skies of Sydney?
I don’t think so.
Ressa Mackey, a marketing spokesperson for HotelsCombined.com, said the list is actually based on a few criteria. Here’s how it breaks down: The top three destinations, including Huntsville, were chosen because of their “unique and interesting” New Year’s Eve celebrations featuring “blue moon” themes. For the non-NASA people out there, a blue moon will occur on Dec. 31, meaning we’ll experience a second full moon in one calendar month. (There was a full moon on Dec. 2.)
For the others on the list, the Web site chose a few designations - Las Vegas, London, and New York - based on the total number of hotel rooms searched through HotelsCombined.com. Then, the remainder of the list - Sydney, Reykjavik, Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona - made it because of their “level of extravagance and flair.”
In other words, Huntsville isn’t really tops when it comes to New Year’s Eve.
But Mackey did say Huntsville is a great destination for last-minute travelers who live in the Southeast.
“Huntsville is more accessible than flying up to New York,” said Mackey.
Daniel LaBourdiere, director of sales at the Huntsville Marriott, hadn’t heard about making the list. He started to laugh when told about it.
“Are you kidding me?” he said.
But LaBourdiere did say the New Year’s Eve parties at the Marriott have become a tradition for many Huntsvillians. The hotel has been throwing one every Dec. 31 since it opened in 1987.
“We think it’s the best party in town,” LaBoudiere said. “As far as the world … that’s weird.”
Here’s a list of places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Rocket City:
Sammy T’s Place, 116 Washington St.
Lowdown: Celebrate the new year with music from DJs Keibot and Magic Mike at one of downtown Huntsville’s most happening clubs.
Price: $20 single; $30 couple
The Station No. 2, Bridge Street Town Centre
Lowdown: Family and adult party packages available, which include bowling, arcade games, live music and a balloon drop at midnight. Prizes at 1 a.m.
Price: No cover; $125 to reserve lanes for one hour
Embassy Suites, 800 Monroe St.
Lowdown: Party with hors d’oeuvres by Ruth’s Chris and live music from Juice. Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.
Price: $75 per person; hotel packages start at $309, includes two event tickets
Holiday Inn downtown, 401 Williams Ave.
Lowdown: Four parties in one, including music by The Flashbacks, The Time Machine, Ted
Cannon’s Music Machine and Timothy Lawless & the Jazzway Elect.
Price: $45; hotel packages start at $149 (prime-rib buffet is $22.95)
Marriott, 5 Tranquility Base
Lowdown: Check out the “Blue Moon Ball” and ring in the new year with music group Kozmic Mama.
Price: $40 per person; hotel packages start at $175
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
Lowdown: Swing back to the Big Band era as the symphony presents Big Band Fever for New Year’s, which will feature the Ladies for Liberty singers. The program includes songs such as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Shoo Shoo Baby” and more. Concert is at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall.
Price: $28-$68
Crossroads, 115 Clinton Ave.
Lowdown: Party like it’s 1979 as party band DiscOasis rocks the Crossroads stage.
Price: $7
Downtown Forty-Seven
Lowdown: Join Huntsville’s downtown civic organization to party with a purpose at the Von Braun Center. The party, called “12:01,” will feature dancing, a DJ, food and drinks. Profits go back to the community.
Price: $85 per person; $100 at the door
J’s Special Occasion, 5080 Meridian St.
Lowdown: Celebrate the new year with George West and the Uptown Jazz Band, jazz guitarist Roland Gresham and comedian ALJJ.
Price: $40 per person; $50 at the door
Hoppers, Holiday Inn Research Park, 5903 University Drive
Lowdown: Two rockin’ parties with music by The Breakers and Full Circle. Party favors, hors d’oeuvres and a late-night continental breakfast.
Price: $30; hotel packages including dinner start at $169
Expanded Home Buyer Tax Credit Likely
Posted by: Jane Sasseen on October 28
From our colleague Prashant Gopal:
It’s increasingly likely that Congress will extend and expand the popular home buyer tax credit, which will expire next month. CNN.com reported today that a compromise proposal based on bills that have already been introduced could pass the Senate as early as this week (assuming that it is attached to a bill to extend unemployment benefits).
The compromise bill would likely open the program to some existing homeowners. The expiring tax credit is limited to buyers who have not owned a home for at least two years.
According to a CNN.com story today:
* First-time buyers could continue to claim up to $8,000. But existing homeowners who have lived in their home for five years could receive up to $6,500 if they trade up to a larger principal residence.
* The full credit would be limited to buyers who earn less than $125,000 a year and for married couples with annual incomes up to $225,000.
* The credit could only be used for homes selling for $800,000 or less.
* Contracts must be signed by April 30, 2010 and sales must close by June 30.
Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com (MCO), told me recently that he supports the extension because the housing market could take a big step back without it. But he agreed with critics that it is one of the most inefficient ways for the government to support housing.
According to Zandi, only 22% of about 1.8 million buyers who will claim the soon-to-expire credit would not have bought a home but for the incentive. Expanding the credit to include previous homeowners and extending the credit through June will cost about $30 billion, on top of about $8 billion that would have already been spent, he said.
The compromise bill outlined here might be cheaper because it seems to more narrowly define the existing homeowners who can take advantage of the credit.
Eco-friendly tax credits for Huntsville, Madison, and Athens homeowners….
Being eco-friendly is an important issue to most people today. Making your home as energy efficient as possible makes sense on many levels, but do you know it makes sense when it comes to federal tax credits too? They’re not small incentives either. These tax credits are another major reason to be serious about going green in your Huntsville, Madison, or Athens home.
Tax Credits for Existing Homes
Making your home energy efficient will benefit you whether you are planning to stay in your home for years to come or you are considering selling in the near future. Prospective buyers will react favorably to eco-friendly installations. It will also help move your Huntsville home faster and get a better price.
In 2009 and 2010, you could get major tax incentives for going green too. When you purchase certain energy efficient items, you may get as much as 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of the item returned to you as a tax credit. These items include:
- Energy efficient windows and doors
- Energy efficient insulation (primary use must be for insulation. Items such as insulated siding are not included)
- New Roofs created with Energy Star materials
- Most HVAC products including: central air units, air pumps, furnace for natural gas, propane, or oil, water heaters, main unit circulation fans.
- Geothermal Heat Systems
- Solar Energy
- Biomass Stove
- Wind Turbine System
- Residential Fuel Cells and other Microturbine Energy systems
- Hybrid Cars (hybrid gas, electric, diesel, battery, alternative and fuel cell) May have a much higher tax value between $2,500 and $7,500 based on several criteria
Tax Credits for Construction and New Homes
There are also excellent tax credits for consumers building a new home. These credits are up to 30% of cost on acceptable items with NO limit. These items include:
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
- Solar Panels
- Solar Water Heaters
- Wind Turbines
- Fuel Cells
Protecting your Huntsville, Madison, and Athens home, making it more energy efficient, and saving money has always been important, but there has never been a better time to get started.
If you would like more information on how to take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, give me a call today at 256-777-6490. Or email me at sam@sambryan.net
Learn more about buying a Huntsville, Madison, or Athens home by visiting www.sambryan.net
Madison among America’s ‘Best Places to Grow Up’
HUNTSVILLE, AL — U.S. News and World Report magazine has dubbed Madison as America’s second-best place to grow up.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley was among the local leaders who celebrated the ranking Friday at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
“Honors like this continue to validate what a wonderful community we live in,” Finley said.
The magazine analyzed about 2,000 different communities based on low crime rate, strong school system, among of green space and family events present, and number of children in the area.
Virginia Beach, Va. topped the list. The other communities, in order of ranking, are: San Jose, Calif.; Overland Park, Kan.; Boston; Denver; Rochester, Minn.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Plano, Texas, and Edison, N.J.
