Posted January 3, 200718 yr I finished writing the history of Pullman Square, derived from many sources. Pullman Square is a lifestyle center in downtown Huntington, West Virginia between 8th and 10th Street and 3rd Avenue and Vietnam Memorial Boulevard. It is located on what was known as the Superblock, a large large urban renewal project that saw the demolishing of four city-square-blocks in 1970. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Square It is an excellent case study for similar projects in Ohio. Abandoned or underutilized malls in downtowns (e.g. Cincinnati) should take note of Pullman's success, along with other lifestyle centers. Pullman is successful in not only attracting tenants to their development, but all along 3rd Avenue - and is now spilling to 4th Avenue. Lofts and condos are being constructed, and buildings are being renovated. It's a win-win situation.
January 3, 200718 yr It's definately an amazing example, esp. in person. Do they still have the bus loop that goes from Marshall to downtown/Pullman Square still? "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 3, 200718 yr Yes, it's still there. For Marshall Students, it is free to ride. The original intent was for 25-cents, however, that plan did not fare over so well...
August 13, 200816 yr Since a lot of forumers have been to Huntington and have been impressed with the size of the city (it once held 80,000!), I thought that starting a general news thread about the city across the river would be fitting. You can find older threads about Huntington here. Council voting on Old Main Corridor contracts By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, August 10, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Huntington City Council will vote on two contracts this evening for a long-awaited improvement project in downtown Huntington. The contracts are for the first phase of the Old Main Corridor, which aims to provide a better link between Marshall University and the downtown on 4th Avenue through enhanced landscaping and lighting, bicycle lanes, public art and incentives for small-business owners.
August 15, 200816 yr A very novel idea... Removable floodwall is being considered By Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, August 10, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Huntington city officials are exploring whether a section of "invisible floodwall" might be a practical way to showcase Harris Riverfront Park. Bill Toney, executive director of the Huntington Municipal Development Authority, is planning a trip with other city officials to Louisville, Ky., to see if its "invisible floodwall" would work in Huntington.
August 18, 200816 yr City facing downturn in population By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, August 17, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- As the 2010 Census nears, Huntington officials are starting to talk about their desire to keep the city's population above 50,000. Falling below that number would only have a minimal effect, federal and state officials say, on the amount of funding that Huntington gets through state taxes and federal programs. But city officials say staying above the 50,000 benchmark is important for the city's image.
August 18, 200816 yr Unlike other states, West Virginia has virtually been unaffected by the housing meltdown (sans the eastern panhandle). Newly renovated 9th Street Flats finished Herald-Dispatch, August 15, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Commodore Holding LLC hosted an open house Thursday evening for its newly renovated condos, 9th Street Flats. The residential condominiums are located at 419 9th St., in the former Keen Jewelers building. For more information, visit http://www.commodoreholding.com.
August 25, 200816 yr Huntington wants to ensure Old Main Corridor project goes smoothly By Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, August 24, 2008 HUNTINGTON — The city hopes to minimize the impact on the downtown business community when the first phase of the Old Main Corridor project begins on 4th Avenue between 8th and 10th streets. That first phase of the project, which overall aims to provide a better link between Marshall University and the downtown, is scheduled to begin in mid-September. Hager Construction was awarded the $997,197 construction contract to do the first phase. Several streetscape areas, including sidewalks and driving lanes, will be drastically changed.
August 26, 200816 yr Inter-city bus plans speed up By Rusty Marks, Charleston Daily Mail, August 23, 2008 Regularly scheduled commuter bus runs between Huntington and Charleston and back could start within six months, state officials said Friday. Gov. Joe Manchin announced the inter-city bus plan at a press conference Friday morning. Manchin said state officials have been looking at ways to save state residents money on fuel bills, and the daily commuter runs are one of the ideas they came up with.
September 2, 200816 yr Officials plan trip to removable floodwall By Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, September 1, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- City officials are planning a trip to Louisville, Ky., this week to see if a "removable floodwall" like the one there could help open up Harris Riverfront Park to downtown Huntington. Scheduled to make the trip are Huntington Mayor David Felinton; Bill Toney, executive director of the Huntington Municipal Development Authority; and Charles Holley, the city's director of development and planning.
September 22, 200816 yr Group seeks new vision for city By Jean Tarbett Hardiman, Herald-Dispatch, September 18, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- A group that wants to improve Huntington is looking for ideas from the public. Community members who have joined an organization called "Create Huntington" are trying to put together a long-term plan for city improvements, and they want everyone to be involved.
September 28, 200816 yr Charleston-Huntington bus route gets federal funding Herald-Dispatch, September 28, 2008 CHARLESTON -- The federal government is making a three-year commitment to a new public transit service between West Virginia's two largest cities. The federal grant will pay 100 percent of the cost for a bus route between Huntington and Charleston the first year. There will be a matching requirement for the next two years, with the federal grant paying 80 percent of the costs and the state paying the rest. -- Charleston-Huntington bus trips to cost passengers $4 By Matthew Thompson, Daily Mail, September 26, 2008 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A ride on the new public transit service from Charleston to Huntington is going to cost passengers $4 each way. That's the word from Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority officials. They announced the price during a Kanawha County Commission meeting on Thursday.
September 28, 200816 yr Old Main Corridor Project now under way By Jean Tarbett Hardiman, Herald-Dispatch, September 22, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Two projects near the Frederick Building have affected traffic patterns around 10th Street and 4th Avenue. Streets have been roped off on both streets as the city gets its Old Main Corridor Project under way, and as restoration work continues at the Frederick Building.
September 30, 200816 yr Construction on $30M center expected to be finished by February 2009 By Laura Wilcox, Herald-Dispatch, September 29, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Crews are working extra shifts in an effort to complete Marshall University's Student Recreation Center by February 2009. Crews are currently putting in six 10-hour days each week to meet the deadline, said university spokesman Dave Wellman. The center is located at 20th Street and 5th Avenue.
October 1, 200816 yr Huntington's Old Main Corridor project, designed to link Marshall University to downtown via 4th Avenue, is now under construction after seven years of planning and much anticipation. Modeled after other gateway corridors, including Columbus' Short North, Old Main will include new street lighting, the reduction of 4th Avenue from four- to two-lanes, the construction of bicycle lanes, the reconstruction of the sidewalks, the creation of two outdoor plazas at the Keith-Albee and the Frederick, and the installation of a Wireless Internet network. Check out the Old Main Corridor page for further information and renderings.
October 21, 200816 yr Keith-Albee continues improvements By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, October 21, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Almost three years have passed since the Keith-Albee closed as a movie theater and work began to transform it into a performing arts center. In that time, a number of changes have been made to turn the historic theater into a viable venue for Broadway shows, comedic acts and musical performances. Officials now responsible for the Keith-Albee point to the success of recent shows such as comedian Jim Gaffigan, who kicked off the Marshall Artists Series' 72nd season with a sellout, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group ZZ Top, which turned a profit for the performing arts center.
October 23, 200816 yr ^ I did a project on the Kieth-Albee theater in grad school. Fascinating building. It's got some of those sweet creepy old theater elements, like the big empty room that you walk through to get to the men's room. And the little theater off to the side is an interesting element.
October 27, 200816 yr Create Huntington hosting meetings By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, October 25, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- A group that wants to improve Huntington is seeking input this week through an online survey and four public meetings that will play a key role in the development of a strategic plan. The online survey and meetings are sponsored by Create Huntington, which promotes itself as a group that empowers citizens to improve community livability so that the city is successful in the global economy.
November 21, 200816 yr Marshall fitness complex getting into shape New facility featuring four gyms, Olympic pool set to open in February By Matthew Thompson, Daily Mail, November 20, 2008 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall University is giving students a $30 million reason to avoid packing on the freshman 15. The school is constructing a new campus recreation center featuring an Olympic-sized pool, four full-sized gymnasiums and a walking/jogging track.
December 1, 200816 yr The Hal Greer Blvd. underpass (West Virginia Route 10) badly needs a facelift. Many of its original light fixtures no longer function or no longer exist, and the concrete pavement is over 60 years old and shows the old streetcar rail! Council approves facelift for Hal Greer underpass By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, November 29, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- An underpass along one of the city's main arteries will get a facelift in the near future. Huntington City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday designating $18,000 of hotel/motel tax proceeds for improvements to the Hal Greer Boulevard underpass between 7th and 8th avenues. The work will include improvements to the walkway, increased lighting and aesthetic enhancements to the walls of the underpass.
December 1, 200816 yr Land bank top priority in 2009 By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, November 29, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Mayor-elect Kim Wolfe says creating a land bank will be one of his first orders of business when his administration moves into City Hall on Jan. 1. "I've always said it is a good idea because it puts the city on the fast track of acquiring abandoned homes and tearing them down," Wolfe said last week. "So is it a high priority? Absolutely."
December 10, 200816 yr MU Rec Center opening soon By Laura Wilcox, Herald-Dispatch, December 8, 2008 HUNTINGTON — Beginning Feb. 5, 2009, Marshall University students will have access to everything from treadmills to a climbing wall at the new Student Recreation Center on 5th Avenue. The facility is designed primarily for students, but Marshall employees, alumni and affiliates will have the opportunity to purchase memberships, according to Steve Hensley, dean of student affairs. Hensley said a limited number of memberships will be available for alumni, and the number is dependent on student usage of the center.
December 11, 200816 yr Old news: fire guts building. Current news: owners demolish gutted building, adjoining historic brownstone in excellent condition to develop new condominiums and offices. Coming soon: Market forces force project to be canceled at the cost of historical structures. Demolition, revitalization plans continue at Ratcliff Place By Laura Wilcox and Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, December 10, 2008 HUNTINGTON -- Demolition continues on a shared residential and commercial structure on 10th Street between 5th and 6th avenues in Huntington in preparation of future development, according to owner Dr. Bill Ratcliff. Ratcliff said demolition should be complete by this week's end, and residential and commercial condominiums may be open as early as late spring.
December 19, 200816 yr Huntington's unhealthy reputation could change Authored by Sherman Cahal at UrbanUp on December 19, 2008 After being named the unhealthiest city in the nation on November 17, Huntington, West Virginia is aiming to change that with a 26-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail system. It would extend west to east from Westmoreland to Guyandotte, with north to south connectors. A portion of the trail is aligned with the floodwall, and segments would integrate into the downtown and Marshall University campus. Currently, $1.6 million has been requested to create the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH). Thus far, $340,000 has been pledged for the project The name of the trail is derived from the late Paul Ambrose, a young doctor who was killed on American Airlines Flight 77 in the September 11, 2001 incident. At the time of his death, Paul was a senior clinical adviser for the surgeon general and was working on a project for rural health and obesity. The Rahall Transportation Institute Foundation, in association with the City of Huntington and various community members, designed the trail system to incorporate many of Huntington's amenities and workplaces to allow citizens an alternate means of transportation. Check out the official web-site for maps, information and additional links.
December 22, 200816 yr City development authority in works Group would utilize new state financing tool By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, December 20, 2008 ASHLAND — A development district that could use new state tax increment financing legislation to fund projects is being considered by officials to jump start economic development downtown.
December 22, 200816 yr This is the former Ashland Oil headquarters at Winchester Avenue and 14th Street. G.B. Johnson building deal in works Real estate developer has reportedly entered into 60-day contract By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, December 18, 2008 ASHLAND — The ailing G.B. Johnson building in Ashland’s downtown may soon have a new owner. Ashland businessman and real estate developer John Christie has reportedly entered into a 60-day contract to purchase the seven-story building at 1401 Winchester Ave. from the Kentucky Appalachian Foundation for $1 plus an assumption of debt said to be around $500,000.
December 31, 200816 yr City increasing tax to pressure owners of blighted properties By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, December 29, 2008 ASHLAND — City officials have raised the property taxes on two blighted downtown properties in an effort to encourage the owners to take action. Almost a year after the Ashland Board of City Commissioners issued an ultimatum to Perry and Susan Madden to come up with a plan for the property, the corner of 17th Street and Winchester Avenue remains fenced off and inactive.
January 7, 200916 yr Bus service to Charleston begins By Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, January 05, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- Commuters using the new bus service connecting Huntington and Charleston that debuted on Monday said they enjoyed the ride, despite some first-day kinks.
January 24, 200916 yr Committee to focus on metro gov't By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, January 12, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- Citing a need to focus more on long-term issues, Huntington City Council members unanimously approved a resolution Monday to begin discussing metro government.
January 26, 200916 yr Park district may take control of Harris Riverfront Park The Herald-Dispatch, January 25, 2009 HUNTINGTON — The city of Huntington might relinquish control of Harris Riverfront Park to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.
February 4, 200916 yr Arena finding new success By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, February 02, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- Five years ago, a contract extension for the company that manages the Big Sandy Superstore Arena would have been a hotly debated issue among Huntington officials.
February 9, 200916 yr MU's new rec center turns heads By Bill Rosenberger, Herald-Dispatch, February 05, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University opened its new recreational center Thursday afternoon to throngs of students, staff and alumni. Their responses to what they saw were generally the same.
February 24, 200916 yr Completion of first phase of Old Main Corridor delayed Herald-Dispatch, February 24, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- A combination of harsh winter weather and numerous construction delays have pushed completion of the first phase of the Old Main Corridor project in downtown Huntington back to the middle of May.
March 11, 200916 yr Ground broken for new Ashland police building By David E. Malloy, Herald-Dispatch, March 06, 2009 ASHLAND -- For the first time in the city's history, the Ashland Police Department will have a home of its own. Ground was broken Thursday evening for a $3.89 million, two-story, free-standing building at 201 17th St., across the street from the Ashland city building.
March 24, 200916 yr City to see additional stimulus funds Corbitt confident Ashland will receive more in coming weeks By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, March 12, 2009 ASHLAND — The City of Ashland was notified this week it will be receiving $300,000 in additional funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for two projects. The announcement is the second of its kind this month and brings the total amount received to date from the stimulus package to just more than $500,000. City Manager Steve Corbitt is confident the city will receive more funds in the coming weeks.
March 24, 200916 yr Riverfront contracts awarded Construction to begin in late spring By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, March 20, 2009 ASHLAND — Construction of Ashland Veterans Riverfront Park will start within the next three months. City officials have awarded Smith Contractors Inc. of Lawrenceburg a $6.2 million contract to build most of the first phase of the park. City commissioners also approved a $2.1 million contract with the L.B. Foster Co. to purchase steel sheet piling to be used for the reclamation portion of the project.
April 11, 200916 yr Estimates begin rolling in for upgrades to old courthouse By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, April 8, 2009 CATLETTSBURG — The new Boyd County Justice Center nearing completion is quickly becoming the new jewel of Catlettsburg. But across the street, the old Boyd County Courthouse is slowly falling into despair.
April 14, 200916 yr $50 million on the line for Marshall University By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, April 10, 2009 CHARLESTON -- The state Senate's Education Committee revived legislation Thursday that could provide up to $55 million to Marshall University for various projects, including a biotechnology development center and applied engineering building along 3rd Avenue.
April 24, 200916 yr Committee backs plan for park By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, April 17, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- A proposal that relinquishes the city of Huntington's control of Harris Riverfront Park to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District won approval from a key City Council committee Friday.
May 5, 200916 yr Closure of 4th Avenue to continue into next week By Jean Tarbett Hardiman, Herald-Dispatch, April 29, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- The 900 block of 4th Avenue will be shut down for at least the rest of this week, as work continues on the Old Main Corridor restoration project, and the closure may extend into the early part of next week. It all depends on the weather, said Bruce Gold of Hager Construction, the project manager. And rain is forecast for a good part of this week.
May 20, 200916 yr Another obstacle arises in riverfront construction Permit bars construction in Ohio River until July 1 By Carrie Stambaugh, The Independent, May 18, 2009 ASHLAND — The planned start of construction on Ashland’s Veterans Riverfront Park is weeks away, but the project could face another delay. An environmental regulation in the City of Ashland’s permit to reclaim land now in the Ohio River could delay work until after the end of the warm water fish spawning season.
June 9, 200916 yr 4th avenue work almost finished By Bryan Chambers, Herald-Dispatch, June 06, 2009 HUNTINGTON — After eight months of construction that forced sidewalk and road closings, 4th Avenue business owners between 8th and 10th streets say they are ready for a return to normalcy.
July 19, 200915 yr Judicial center dedicated $20M facility has been in use for month By Kenneth Hart, The Independent, July 17, 2009 CATLETTSBURG — When it comes to courthouses, Boyd County’s have long been on the leading edge of technology, Kentucky’s chief supreme court said Friday.
August 7, 200915 yr City considers downtown corridor By Christian Alexandersen, Herald-Dispatch, August 02, 2009 HUNTINGTON -- City officials are planning to provide a safer, more inviting link between two key components of downtown Huntington -- Pullman Square and Heritage Station.
August 13, 200915 yr Ashland 'eyesore' could be removed City preparing to demolish former Sears building By CARRIE STAMBAUGH, The Independent, August 11, 2009 ASHLAND — The corner of 17th Street and Winchester Avenue may soon undergo a dramatic change. City officials are preparing to demolish the former Sears building, which has been condemned for more than a year and vacant for more than a decade. Bid packages for its demolition are expected to go out next week and officials say the building could be torn down within two or three months.
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