Huntsville Daily Local Headlines: Holmes Avenue, Hemp Rules, Ice Sports, Schools

Top local headlines

• Holmes Avenue corridor makeover moves forward, aiming for safer walking and biking from downtown toward Research Park.
• New zoning language could treat hemp-product retailers more like alcohol sales, with location and store-size rules.
• The Ice Sports Center expansion adds a second arena and a dedicated curling facility as demand grows.
• Huntsville City Schools laid out a 10-year facilities plan and received new funding tied to closed tax-increment districts.

Holmes Avenue: a $30M multimodal corridor

Huntsville leaders are advancing a long-planned redesign of the Holmes Avenue corridor, with bike lanes and upgraded pedestrian infrastructure across more than three miles between downtown and the Sparkman Drive area near Cummings Research Park. The project is expected to include streetscape upgrades like lighting, seating, and other features aimed at making the route more comfortable for daily trips, not just weekend strolls.

City leaders said engineering work is underway now, with construction not expected to start until 2027. Current timelines point to completion around 2030.

Hemp sales: zoning update heads to council vote

A proposed zoning update would align Huntsville with Alabama’s newer hemp framework by placing hemp-product establishments under rules that resemble package alcohol sales. In practical terms, the plan would set clearer limits on where these stores can locate, especially around neighborhoods, schools, and churches, and it would connect eligibility to state licensing requirements.

The ordinance is scheduled for a City Council vote on March 26, with an April effective date if approved.

Ice Sports Center: new arena and curling space

Construction continues on Huntsville’s roughly $44 million Ice Sports Center expansion, nearly doubling the facility’s footprint. Plans include a new east-side arena with about 1,200 seats and a full hockey-sized rink, with that portion targeted for completion later this year. A west-side curling facility with five lanes is also in the works and is expected to wrap up in early 2027.

Schools: 10-year capital plan and $5M+ check

Huntsville City Schools presented a $600 million, 10-year capital plan focused on modernizing facilities and supporting growth. Leaders highlighted ongoing and planned projects, including new STEM-focused campuses and classroom additions. The district also received a check for more than $5 million tied to the closeout of three tax increment financing districts, with city leaders describing the funds as a return stream meant to support schools and infrastructure.

Sources

https://www.waff.com/2026/03/04/huntsville-plans-30m-makeover-holmes-avenue-sidewalks-adding-bike-lanes/
https://www.waff.com/2026/03/05/huntsville-considering-zoning-update-fit-hemp-state-law/
https://www.wsfa.com/2026/03/03/construction-gliding-along-huntsville-ice-sports-center-expansion/

Huntsville City Schools presents 10-year capital plan, receives $5 million dollars from area economic development districts