HUNTSVILLE — Someone may have “paved Paradise to put up a parking lot,” but in MidCity and Huntsville, they do things a little bit different.
In fact, the west Huntsville development is going on a “road diet,” so to speak.
“The city is reimagining (Old Monrovia Road) with what’s called a ‘road diet’ — scaling it back to two lanes of traffic, adding a beautifully landscaped median, and introducing street parking on both sides,” said Nadia Niakossary, senior director of development for RCP Companies. “That combination will slow traffic, make crossing the street safer, and most importantly create a more walkable, people-friendly environment.”
Niakossary said the goal is really simple, “to transform Old Monrovia from a high-speed cut-through into a vibrant, walkable boulevard that connects people, businesses, and public spaces.”
MidCity District is a $2.2 billion mixed-use district. When complete, the 140-acre redevelopment will feature 1,850 residential units, 925 hotel keys, premium office space, and over 40 acres of outdoor gathering spaces.
Construction by the city on Old Monrovia Road is expected to start next month.
“The Old Monrovia improvements are part of the overall redevelopment plans of the city for the Research Park/University Drive corridor near the MidCity District,” said Shane Davis, Huntsville’s director of Urban and Economic Development. “With the ongoing construction within the MidCity District nearing completion (adjacent to Old Monrovia), the city can move forward with our transportation improvements.
“Recently completed developments and new proposed developments in this area, along with the opening of the Orion Amphitheater, have significantly increased pedestrian activities along the corridor.”
The planned Old Monrovia Road improvements (between University Drive and Corporate Drive) will include reducing the five-lane cross section to a three-lane cross section with on-street parking, 12-foot wide multi-use paths (pedestrian and bikes), new street lighting, and landscaping, he said
“This section of Old Monrovia is a gateway into Research Park East,” Davis said. “The city’s goal with this project is to enhance this gateway into Research Park while improving public mobility.”
On the west side of the street, the city is also building a linear park. This new public green space will tie into the corridor and give pedestrians another reason to linger, stroll, and enjoy the area instead of just driving past it, Niakossary said.
“At the same time, we’re moving forward with private-side improvements at MidCity Plaza,” she said. “In the parking lot, we’re creating a clear pedestrian connection that lines up directly with the new raised median, so people can cross safely into the shopping center without having to cut through rows of parked cars.
“And looking ahead, we’ll also be giving the Plaza itself a facelift — refreshing the façade and re-energizing the overall look and feel of the center to match the energy of what’s happening across the street in MidCity District.”
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