"Who's Responsible for Ditch Maintenance," an article from the City of Huntsville -
http://cityblog.huntsvilleal.gov/whos-responsible-ditch-ma…/

A tenant improvement (TI) allowance is a specified sum of money (often expressed in $__ per square foot) that a Lessor contributes toward the cost of Lessee's build-out.  Many Lessors choose to contribute the TI allowance after construction is completed and once Lessees begin paying their lease payments.
  
 Here is an article that further outlines the basic definition of TI - or tenant improvements/tenant improvement allowance.  

http://www.reoptimizer.com/Real-Estate-Optimization-Blog/bid/203343/Basic-Tenant-Improvements-for-Commercial-Real-Estate 

[Lease terms are negotiable.  Consult with your commercial real estate professional for guidance on what terms will best suit the needs for your project.] 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2016

Brief traffic stoppages planned for South Memorial Parkway

HUNTSVILLE — The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that brief traffic stoppages, anticipated to last two to three minutes, will occur on South Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231/Alabama 53) at Martin Road between 6 a.m. and noon Sunday, June 12, for construction activities on the new Martin Road bridge.

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2016

Byrd Spring Road and Logan Drive to be partially closed Saturday, Feb. 27

HUNTSVILLE — The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that both Byrd Spring Road and Logan Drive west of South Memorial Parkway will be partially closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, for water main and drainage pipe installation.
Half of each road will be closed at a time. Flaggers will direct traffic. Expect delays and plan accordingly.
​
# # #

Remembering Bear Bryant today - Why Time Counts
This is the beginning of a new day.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not a loss;
good, not evil;
success, not failure --
in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it today.
[A prayer Coach Bryant carried with him in his wallet]

 HUNTSVILLE — The Alabama Department of Transportation advises that closure of the ramp from eastbound Martin Road to northbound Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231/Alabama 53), at the southeast corner of the interchange, will begin [January 5, 2016].
 
A temporary ramp allowing traffic from eastbound and westbound Martin Road to access northbound Memorial Parkway will be opened at the northeast corner of the interchange.
 
Eastbound motorists on Martin Road who wish to reach southbound Memorial Parkway may either follow the Whitesburg Drive detour or take the temporary ramp and use the service road loop to make a U-turn at Golf Road. The Golf Road detour is recommended for any northbound Memorial Parkway traffic wishing to access westbound Martin Road.
 
Access ramps from eastbound Martin Road to southbound Memorial Parkway and from northbound Memorial Parkway to westbound Martin Road were closed in recent weeks.
 
These closures will remain in place for the duration of the first phase of the South Memorial Parkway improvements project. The first phase, which includes construction of service roads for Memorial Parkway between Golf Road and Whitesburg Drive and replacement of the Martin Road bridge and interchange with a wider bridge and elevated intersection, has a completion deadline of Dec. 1, 2017. The closures of eastbound Martin Road and both access ramps on the south side of Martin Road are necessary for construction of the service roads and bridge.
 
In the second phase, which has a completion deadline of June 1, 2019, the Memorial Parkway mainline and overpasses at Byrd Spring Road and Logan Drive/Lily Flagg Road will be constructed, forming a continuous expressway between National Boulevard and Mastin Lake Road.
 
# # #
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Seth Burkett
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
North Region Information Specialist
256-505-4964
burketts@dot.state.al.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2015
 
Additional Martin Road ramp and lane closures ahead
 
HUNTSVILLE — The Alabama Department of Transportation advises that closures of additional access ramps between Martin Road and South Memorial Parkway (Alabama 53/U.S. 231) are possible before the New Year as part of the ongoing $53.9 million South Memorial Parkway improvements project.
 
Sometime Dec. 28 or later, contractors will implement the following traffic control measures:
 

• Reduction of Martin Road west of the bridge to one travel lane in each direction.
• Closure of the ramp at the southeast corner of the interchange, from eastbound Martin Road to northbound Memorial Parkway.
• Closure of the ramp at the northeast corner of the interchange, from northbound Memorial Parkway to westbound Martin Road.
• Opening of a temporary ramp at the northeast corner of the interchange (and incorporating part of the closed ramp) that will allow traffic from both westbound and eastbound Martin Road access to Memorial Parkway northbound.

 
Weather conditions will be a major factor in determining the date these ramp and lane closures take effect.
 
These closures and the closure of the ramp at the southwest corner of the interchange, from eastbound Martin Road to southbound Memorial Parkway, will remain in place for the duration of the project’s first phase, which has a completion deadline of December 1, 2017.
 
The ramp from southbound Memorial Parkway to westbound Martin Road will remain open. Motorists wishing to access westbound Martin Road from northbound Memorial Parkway will be able to do so by taking the northbound service road and making a U-turn at Golf Road, where additional traffic control has been placed to protect vehicles entering the southbound service road from the turn loop.
 
For motorists wishing to access southbound Memorial Parkway from Martin Road, the existing detour via Whitesburg Drive will remain in place.
 
The section of southbound Memorial Parkway from Martin Road to Boulevard South will remain reduced to two lanes for the duration of this phase of the project. Temporary, single-lane closures may still occur during work hours in other areas of Memorial Parkway.
 
At an undetermined date Dec. 28 or later, all traffic on Memorial Parkway will be shifted to the northbound side in the area of Members Drive. At another, later date, all traffic will be shifted to the southbound side. Two travel lanes will remain open in each direction.
 
Motorists are advised to expect delays in the project area, plan accordingly, and use alternate routes if possible. Please obey construction zone speed limits and any “stop” or “slow” instructions given by flaggers, and please be on the lookout for workers or construction vehicles on or entering the roadway.
 
The first phase of the project will construct service roads for Memorial Parkway and replace the Martin Road bridge and interchange with a wider bridge and elevated intersection. The railroad bridge will also be replaced.
 
In the second phase, which has a completion deadline of June 1, 2019, the Memorial Parkway mainline and overpasses at Byrd Spring Road and Logan Drive/Lily Flagg Road will be constructed, forming a continuous expressway between National Boulevard and Mastin Lake Road.
 
Joint venture contractors Reed Contracting and Miller & Miller may receive up to $2.5 million in incentives per phase for early completion. The contractors also face up to $2.5 million in disincentives per phase for late completion.
 
The project is part of ALDOT and the City of Huntsville’s five-year, $250-million joint-funding agreement.
 
# # #
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Seth Burkett
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
North Region Information Specialist
256-505-4964
burketts@dot.state.al.gov

One of North Alabama’s favorite Christmas traditions, Huntsville Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights attracted over 23,000 cars last year.
​
Have you visited the Galaxy of Lights yet? Check out our Rose Bouquet to represent Nicole Jones's love for roses, Huntsville Botanical Garden, and the community.

http_://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sY7eqhs7DI   (YouTube Video)

​Thank you to everyone who made the 2015 Huntsville Veterans Day Parade memorable, and thank you to all of our veterans for your service.

Sincerely,
Nicole Jones

Check out the article entitled, "Investing in Real Estate for Retirement Income: How to find the most suitable and reliable properties."

Source: Next Avenue
http://www.nextavenue.org/investing-in-real-estate-for-retirement-income/

Nicole Jones' photography featured on the Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau site - 

https://www.huntsville.org/blog/list/post/best-places-to-see-fall-colors-in-huntsville-alabama/

Learn how strategic planner Ryan Gravel's dream of transforming miles upon miles of old railways in Atlanta into a walkable, bikeable mode of transportation became a reality - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yHOGflbPMY&feature=youtu.be_

Toyota in Huntsville, Alabama manufactured its four millionth engine last week.  Congratulations!

According to the United States Department of Education, University of Alabama (UAH) alumni earn the highest when compared to the rest of the state.

http://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?100706-University-of-Alabama-in-Huntsville

Are you considering investing in commercial real estate? Here is a commercial mortgage calculator to estimate your payments.  

http://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calcs/commercial.php

(Disclaimer: Financial institutions have unique requirements for commercial loans.  In other words, not all banks are alike.  Make sure to check with your specific institution for exact terms).

"10 Things to Know About Commercial Real Estate Appraisal"

Source: Darren Dahl, Inc.com
http://www.inc.com/guides/201105/10-things-about-commercial-real-estate-appraisal.html

7 Essentials for Making $1 Million From Scratch

Source: Entrepreneur 
Written by:   William Sykes

Investors and visionaries, check this one out - 
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/7-essentials-for-making-dollar1-million-from-scratch/ar-AAd0N5j

Alabama is rising in the ranks for automobile manufacturing and workforce development!

Read the article here: http://www.madeinalabama.com/2015/07/business-facilities-alabama-ranks-high-auto-manufacturing-workforce-development/

Source: Made in Alabama, An Economic Development Initiative by the Alabama Department of Commerce

View the article by clicking the following link:
http://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/new-keys-modern-master-planned-communities/

Source: Urban Land Institute, Camilla McLaughlin

Are you considering the purchase of an investment property?  

View an explanation of capitalization rate (cap rate) here. 

http://www.propertymetrics.com/blog/2013/06/03/cap-rate/ 

Article written by: Robert Schmidt