Exploring North Alabama Exploring North Alabama - Huntsville ...

continued from page 1140 to 60 condominiums,” addedStroud. Furthermore, the new 300-room Embassy Suites, to be builtadjacent to the Von Braun Center,is expected to be completed byDecember of 2005 or early 2006.Plans call for a 1,100-foot canal toconnect Big Spring Lagoon withPinhook Creek, providing a picturesquewaterway and sidewalks toaccommodate downtown visitorsand hotel guests between the hotel,the South Hall of the Von BraunCenter and Big Spring Park.Rendering of Phase I of the Big Spring Summit office buildingBrandon BooneOccupation:Public Relations, NASABrandon Boone never expected to live in the South, let alone Huntsville,Alabama. Brought here by his public relations work for NASA, he’s calledHuntsville home for more than three years. Of Huntsville, Boone said, “I likethat it has the feeling of a newer city and it’s growing.”Born and raised just outside of Seattle, Boone is a self-proclaimed citylover. He enjoys the urban lifestyle with everything within walking distance.He also favors locations where there is great cultural diversity. Coming fromSeattle it was a “little scary” coming to what he perceived as a little southerntown. But to his surprise, he noted that he has found Huntsville to have manyof the attributes he prefers. That’s not to say Brandon sees Huntsville thesame as Seattle, or any of his other favorite cities including Salt Lake City, LasVegas or Miami. “Huntsville has some large city amenities, but it has a smalltown feel. The city isn’t changing so rapidly that you still can’t recognize itsface. It’s still Huntsville, Alabama.”Boone is part of the elusive group described as young professionals. He’s26, single, and living an active lifestyle. He defines active as going out to eatat restaurants, grabbing a drink with friends and enjoying the park – thingsyou find in big cities. These are also the things Boone has found in thedowntown Huntsville area. Brandon admits there could be more, but rightnow it’s enough for him to live a very satisfying lifestyle.Importantly, others seem to be recognizing an emerging downtownlifestyle, as well. “The bars, restaurants and parks are only as fun as thepeople who come and use them. In my three years of living in Huntsville, I’veseen increasing numbers of people coming downtown.” For the young publicrelations professional, more people going out has correlated with downtownHuntsville being more fun. Boone says the growing downtown is critical toHuntsville becoming a city that appeals to people his age.Molly HooperOccupation:Community ResourceDirector, Atria AssistedLivingMolly Hooper is a Huntsville native, but for the past several yearsshe’s lived in Birmingham, partly because she thought it offered a betterquality of life. Well, she’s moved back to Huntsville and believes thingshave changed.What is it that now makes Huntsville different to Hooper? She says abeautiful, historic downtown has been complemented by restaurants,night spots and, simply put, things to do. For her it’s, “dinner at Pauli’s anda walk downtown.” Something, Hooper says, you couldn’t do years ago.“I’ve also found that I’m not the only one who moved away and then cameback.”At age 26, Hooper noted, “I like the fact that it’s beautiful, that I haveclose friends. I think it’s neat that my father went to the same high schoolas I did.” Hooper also especially enjoys some of Huntsville’s other citycenters like Five Points. “I think it’s charming when they have artshowings.”Since she’s been home she’s been working with the group HuntsvilleYoung Professionals (HYP). She’s been impressed by the turnout for thefirst group events. “It makes a statement that there are young professionalshere who want to be part of growing this city.” She’s satisfied to be ableto be making a difference in her hometown.It’s been several months since she returned to Huntsville and Hooperis having a great time, but she does see a need for “more” in Huntsville.Hooper wants Huntsville to be a place people talk about – a place wherekids coming out of high school and college want to stay. “I think what weare doing is really high quality, but there is a need for more.” And sheplans on being a part of it.Initiatives October 200413