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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.

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

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...

It sure is a nice development.

  • 1 month later...

thank you, seicar

  • 1 year later...

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.

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.

Good stuff!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

^Sounds like a great project!

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

^ 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.

Oh, the partions have been removed :)

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.

  • 4 weeks later...

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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."

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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.

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

$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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

  • 2 weeks later...

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

  • 1 month later...

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.

  • 3 weeks later...

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.

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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