Huntsville Planning Council Chair, Councillor Bob Stone, says he anticipates a development plan for the former Empire lot will be presented in September.
The lot, located at the corner of Main and Centre, where the Empire Hotel once stood, is a prominent property in downtown Huntsville. It had much-needed residential and business units. It was destroyed in a fire just before Thanksgiving in October 2009, and has sat empty since.
The lot was sold to the new owners in 2021 for $950,000. At the time, the agent said the new owners were still working on a plan for the property.
“I have seen preliminary plans, and I do think it’s coming in September,” said Stone. He said the plan will more than likely involve commercial units at the bottom and residential units at the top.
He said that the fact that a development plan for the property is in the works is great news. “I am thrilled that we’re finally seeing development on that property. The early plans that I have seen look fantastic and will potentially be as high as the original Empire building.”
The former Empire building was five storeys, including the basement.
Discussions between the municipality and the developer have been ongoing.
Related
Huntsville’s downtown Empire lot sells for short of a million: agent
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
I do not trust this Council nor our planning leadership and we expect that residents will have a chance of input. We do not wanta repeat of the Brunel Condos noor the temple on Main. Show some leadership and get rsidents input.
Wonderful news!
However, in the interim would the town please force the new owners to clean up that lot. It is an utter disgrace to have such an eyesore on our main street, particularly considering the millions of dollars that have been spent on beautification.
Between the orange snow fence and the mass of weeds that are three feet high surrounding the entire lot it is an embarrassing first impression we present to the guests of our pretty town. I pass it
every day and it just gets worse and worse. I guess we should be thankful that the squatter was moved along.
As tax payers we have the right to call the bylaw office to insist something be done.
I hope that part of the new plan could include some kind of parking garage for the public. Not enough parking in downtown.
Wonderful news, a long time coming.
The town fathers understand the parking problem in downtown that’s why they keep deleting
as many parking spots as possible. As stated a grocery store would be a wonderful thing if the parking was available? Every decision lately seems to be made to drive the customers away from the downtown and towards the big box stores. Maybe there is just more parking available?? I honestly don’t know how the downtown merchants stay in business.
Parking space would be amazing and a great service to the downtown core. I know it probably won’t happen, but it still is an amazing concept and could be a money maker for the owner. Huntsville needs parking.
Business and residential units are great, but there’s barely enough parking as it is… make it a 4 or 5 story parking building with solar panels/ev charging on the top… parking issues alleviated!
A grocery store would be a wonderful thing!