Keeping you informed and inspired. VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 2
February 2021
DEVELOPMENT
COVER STORY
After Years of Planning, Constellation Huntsville is Underway
After decades of planning and dreaming, Constellation Huntsville is finally under construction. By Alan Clemons - Page 7
TRAVEL / LEISURE
Space & Rocket Center Launches Shuttle Restoration Project
The Pathfinder space shuttle is facing a multi-year, multi-million dollar restoration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Page 19
ADDITIONAL STORIES • Fifth Annual Von Brewski Beer Festival Returns By Alan Clemons • Page 2
• Air Force Selects Redstone Arsenal for Space Command HQ By Alan Clemons • Page 9
• A&M and UAH Teams Tackle Financial Challenges During Pandemic By Mike Easterling • Page 16
• Phoenix Glass Recycling: Cullet Rising from the Ashes By Lori J. Connors • Page 20
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HUNTSVILLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 4, Issue 2 February 2021 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
ENTERTAINMENT
Fifth Annual Von Brewski Beer Festival Returns What’s better than one Von Brewski Beer Festival? How about four of them? Changes due to the ongoing pandemic will turn the fifth annual suds bash into four events the weekend of Feb. 12-13 at the Von Braun Center. Prior festivals have been four-hour events in the VBC South Hall, attracting more than 1,600 each year to sample a variety of different beers on tap, swap ideas on tastes and enjoy live music. This year’s festival in Mars Music Hall will be split into four events, each lasting three hours, with a 200-attendee capacity to meet social distancing recommendations. Between sessions, the venue will be cleaned, sanitized and restocked by the VBC team for the next event. Attendees will be able to enjoy more than 70 taps offering local, regional and international brews,
along with live music, pre-made pretzel necklaces and a cash bar for non-drinkers. “We’re thrilled with the announcement that Von Brewski will be returning for another year,” VBC Marketing and Public Relations Manager Samantha Nielsen said. “Attendees from all over the region look forward to our festival, and we’re more than happy to implement every precaution in order to bring back our signature event.” Sample pours will be served in disposable cups to limit touchpoints. Attendees will receive a souvenir, limited-edition Von Brewski glass when leaving the event. Along with the pretzel necklaces, which will be pre-made, tasty brats, pretzels and loaded nachos will be available for purchase. Different solo artists will perform at each session. “It’s important to all of us at the
By Alan Clemons
VBC to provide a safe and fun event for our guests to enjoy,” Nielsen said. “While Von Brewski may look different this year, we’re excited to maintain the spirit of the beer festival and continue the tradition of bringing friends and brews together. A limited number of tickets are available for each event, so we’re encouraging anyone interested in
attending to purchase tickets early — especially if you’ll be attending with a group.” Tickets can be purchased in person at the VBC Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $40, but increase to $50 on the days of the event. A non-sampling ticket is $15. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID. w
February 2021
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SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS
Troy 7 CEO Lynn Troy ‘An Unlikely Entrepreneur’ Sitdown with Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. This month’s subject is Lynn Troy, founder/president/ CEO of Troy 7. For the complete interview, visit huntsvillebusinessjournal.com. Lynn Troy calls herself an unlikely entrepreneur. Coming up through the ranks at Teledyne Brown Engineering from a co-op position while completing her bachelor’s in electrical engineering from UAH, starting her own government contracting business was not a long-term goal. That changed when she and her husband John got married and a contract they were working on seemed to be slipping away. What initially attracted you to the missile defense industry? I thought I was going to be a lawyer, but those plans changed when I found myself a young mother in high school and unable to go off to college or law school. My dad encouraged me to pursue engineering. He was a mechanical en-
gineer, and knew UAH had an excellent engineering program. He thought electrical would give me the broadest career options, so I enrolled at UAH. When I began working in the Optics Department developing infrared signature models of rockets, that’s when I knew I was hooked on Missile Defense. Teledyne Brown Engineering hired me into their co-op program when I was 18 years old and I had just completed my freshman year at UAH. I was so deeply grateful for the opportunity to have my first real job that I honestly thought I would retire from TBE one day. What triggered your starting your own business? In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Teledyne Brown was forced to divest the contract I supported to another company, and Teledyne Solutions was created. While we all hoped it would be an adequate solution to create the separation the government required, after a few years the government decided it was still not enough. It was during this time, the idea of
forming a new company came into being. I had recently remarried and the date was July 7, 2007 or 07/07/07, and that is where I came up with the name of our company, Troy7. My husband John truly believed we could together, start a new business. It was a hard decision to leave TBE after almost 20 years and so many wonderful opportunities, but within a relatively short time after we left, Teledyne Solutions was forced to dissolve as an entity, so I believe we made the best decision we could for us and our family. What specific challenges did you face in getting started on your own? I think the biggest challenge we faced in getting started was all the things we didn’t know we didn’t know. I often tell people, I was too naïve to realize how much I didn’t know about the business side, insurances, taxes, corporation rules, accounting, etc. and it’s probably for the best. I think it is fear of all those unknowns that holds people back. What advice would you give to
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos by Steve Babin
someone interested in getting into the government contracting business? Don’t be afraid to fail but be prepared to learn from the surprises and disappointments you will inevitably encounter. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek advice. Huntsville is rich with successful small businesses whose founders and leaders are eager to advise and mentor new small businesses. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
FOOD / DINING
No-Contact Delivery Boosts Business for Dished By Lori J. Connors
Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing
President /Publisher................................................................ Todd Stephenson Editor .......................................................................................... Bud McLaughlin Writers.........................................................................................Kimberly Ballard Alan Clemons Lori J. Connors Mike Easterling Graphic Design ............................................................................. Justina Simon Website................................................................................................ Jim Gharib Photographers...................................................................................Steve Babin Kimberly Ballard Justina Simon Director of Sales ................................................................. Carolyn Stephenson Account Executives.....................................................................Michelle Epling Distribution......................................................................................Glenda Mace
Huntsville Business Journal is published monthly by EVENT Publishing,
PO Box 14219, Huntsville, AL 35815. For advertising information call 256.533.8078, e-mail todd@eventhuntsville.com, or visit us on the web at www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com For editorial information contact editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com
Sometimes, food boredom sets in. Sometimes, one simply gets tired of meal planning and cooking. That’s when a meal delivery plan can be worth its weight in gold. Dished is just that plan. Dished is a locally owned, readyto-cook meal service that delivers meals throughout Madison County. Despite the dark cloud of COVID-19 overshadowing dining out plans, Dished provides meals with a regular delivery schedule. And, there are no membership fees or long-term
commitments required. Owner Jennifer Sherman got her start with Dinner by Design, her previous business venture in Jones Valley. She started Dished five years ago and, so far, with the popularity of no-contact food delivery due to the pandemic, business has been booming. “This has been in our wheelhouse,” said Sherman. “We were averaging 30 meals a week that we were delivering before the pandemic; after COVID, it went way up to 50 to 60 deliveries.” The meals come in various sizes and with easy-to-follow cooking instructions with little to no cleanup required. Here’s how it works: Subscribers to the e-mail list (mydished.com) receive a menu every Thursday. Customers have until 10 p.m. every Sunday to make their meal selection. The orders are delivered to homes and offices throughout Madison County. Delivery fees are based on Zip code and range from $4.99 to $8.99 per order. Orders over $75 before taxes qualify for free delivery. Meal orders can also be scheduled to be picked up from the Dished kitchen at the Commissary Kitchen on the corner of Washington Street and Oakwood Avenue. w
ALL CONTENTS ©2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF THE CONTENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EVENT PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED AT THE RISK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR AUTHOR. EVENT PUBLISHING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE RETURN OF ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS AND MAY USE THEM AT ITS DISCRETION.
February 2021
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DEVELOPMENT
After Years of Planning, Constellation Huntsville is Underway After decades of planning and dreaming, Constellation Huntsville is finally under construction. Located on about 11 acres sandwiched between Memorial Parkway, Clinton Avenue and the Von Braun Center, the mixed-use project has sparked numerous questions and much speculation over the years. Developer Scott McLain never lost faith, although it may have been shaken a bit over the last 12 years after two recessions, a pandemic and other natural bumps in the road of developing such a large project. On the site of the old Heart of Huntsville Mall, which was demolished in 2007, Constellation Huntsville will feature 219 apartments, about 25,000 square feet of retail space, about 20,000 square feet of small office space, multiple restaurants and a parking deck. A 200,000 square-foot office tower could be the tallest in downtown, McLain said, and “only limited by physics and economics.” A hotel will join Springhill Suites on the site. The project is being developed by Constellation LLC, which consists of Heartland Real Estate Services (Heartland Development Services LLC of Chicago) and Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate. The second hotel will be developed by Yedla Management Company, which owns the hotel site. Yedla lists 17 hotels in its portfolio in Huntsville, Florence, Decatur, Foley, Atmore, Charlotte and Lake Mary, Fla. “Constellation is fully under con-
struction at this point and we are excited,” McLain said. “Constellation is part of downtown Huntsville’s exciting, new mixed-use projects and is strategically located at what some say is the front door of downtown. I am exceedingly proud to see this project executed. “The site is very important and demands a high-quality and exciting project. Being at the front door to downtown on Memorial Parkway is a responsibility to ensure that the property is fully utilized and developed to its fullest purpose to the benefit of our community.” The plot has the highest traffic count in the city, with Memorial Parkway, Clinton Avenue, Govenors Drive and I-565 within a mile. The City of Huntsville has pledged $3 million for upgrades to the intersections near the site along with access to parking. Asked about potential changes to access roads on South Memorial Parkway, which are stressful at rush hours, McLain
said none were planned and “it’s a U.S. highway, so the ramps are as they are.” The four-story apartment building will feature courtyards, a heated swimming pool, 1- to 3-bedroom apartments, gym facilities and meeting facilities along with other amenities. McLain said the apartments will not be completed until at least April 2022.
By Alan Clemons / Photos by Steve Babin
Retail and restaurant leasing “is in full swing, but they decide when they want to announce so we have no announcements at this juncture,” McLain said. Total investment for Constellation will be close to $100 million, McLain said. His father, the late Gene McLain, purchased the site in the 1980s and demolished the one-story Heart of Huntsville mall in 2007. McLain died the day he and Scott were to meet with then-Mayor Loretta Spencer about the development. A year later the worst recession since the Depression hit. “It certainly is a highly complex project,” McLain said, “and between two recessions, two partnership deaths and the pandemic it has taken quite some time to get to this point. “But we are extremely excited to be underway and fully under construction.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
DEVELOPMENT
Blue at Valley Bend: A Retail Center with ‘Local Flair’ Curbs are poured, dirt is being moved and Phase I development is underway of a new retail center — Blue at Valley Bend — on Four Mile Post in southeast Huntsville. Developer John D. Blue said the retail center will have approximately 30,000 square feet, with about 16,000 spoken for now. Peppered Pig, a popular local food truck, will open its first permanent location, Blue said, and be an anchor tenant. Others secured so far include Handel’s Ice Cream “and an ultramodern, 5,000-square-foot nail salon,” Blue said. Financing for the project is provided by Bank Independent. Blue at Valley Bend will have a patio spilling into a dog park and paths to Jones Farm Park, to the west across Aldridge Creek, via a bridge over the creek, Blue said. The Aldridge Creek Greenway access on Four Mile Post will be routed underneath the bridge. Apartments and office space are part of Phase II and III. “We’re underway on the first phase,” Blue said. “It seems it took forever and a day, but it takes time. We ran into soil problems and then it started raining, we got the base down and curbs in, so we should be going vertically soon. “This is a little retail center primarily for local flair, a little center that shies away from corporate stores. It’s a bit more difficult to do from the financial side to try to attract the right people. This could be secondstore space for local trade industries, chiropractors, doctors … we’re trying
to shy away from anything Amazon can deliver.” Renderings of the project show slope stabilization and improvements along Aldridge Creek, which flows to Cecil Ashburn Drive. Also shown are a bike path with dedicated right-ofway, walkways, a bridge over a pond (currently is a flood retention area), event lawn, and amphitheater with ticket booths and concessions. Jones Farm Park has 33 acres of passive recreation opportunities,
with walking paths circling two large lakes. It is a popular park for walkers, runners, anglers and others. Blue said stabilization of Aldridge Creek along with bridges connecting the park to Blue at Valley Bend and the larger Valley Bend complex would be beneficial. “I know that Fleet Feet has some running events and getting around there can be challenging,” he said. “As for the greenway (rerouting under Four Mile Post), that’s a busy road
By Alan Clemons / Photos by Alan Clemons
that people have to cross to get to either the park or greenway. There’s a curb on the street, but I’ve seen some kids get ahead of their parents and that could be dangerous. “Routing the greenway under the bridge will be safer because you won’t have to get on Four Mile Post.” The property flyer for the project describes it as a “combination of restaurants, retail shops, professional office space, apartments, and residential condos creates an all-inclusive neighborhood that departs from the convention of other developments. Large open spaces highlight architectural interest and provide a park-like atmosphere enhanced by waterfalls, exquisitely landscaped gardens and the sight and sound of moving water features. The unique arrangement in which each building intersects the next with corners clipped at 45 degrees allows for wide, shaded sidewalks, large open spaces, al fresco dining and other creative uses of space.” The project has taken time, Blue said, due to others he has been working on in the area. He said Blue at Valley Bend “is the last piece of the 100 acres we have in that shopping center.” He put this fall as a cautiously optimistic timeframe for completion. “I guess the reason (it’s taken so long) is because we concentrated on other things,” Blue said. “I spent 10 years at the Ledges doing that and another four with Lendon (of Huntsville, a neighboring development), and that was taking most of the time. “We’re excited to finally be moving on this.” w
February 2021
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DEVELOPMENT
Don’t Let What Looks Like a Slow Start to 2021 Fool You Formal announcements and groundbreaking ceremonies can be deceiving. To recap what was by all economic standards a disastrous year of pandemic across the nation, Huntsville’s smart growth strategy of building a solid infrastructure, offering a high quality of life, providing good paying jobs for the citizenry, and incorporating all points of the city into that strategy, will not let up in 2021. Despite the COVID-19 hit, Huntsville created 960 jobs in 2020 and put $2.1 billion in new product on the ground. In September, just prior to Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s 2020 State of the City Address, the city Inspections Department issued permits totaling $220 million of commercial and residential construction, an all-time record month for Huntsville in capital investment. Home values increased by 12.57 percent in 2020, nearly two times greater than the national average. According to the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville has a lot of good paying jobs available – especially in the automotive industry – so many they are having a hard time reaching people to let them know about them. “To sustain this kind of growth,” Battle said at the State of the City in November, “You have to
have a plan in place, and we do.” He laughingly declared the construction crane as the official city bird – all despite the pandemic. Heading into 2021, an increase in COVID cases and extremely cold temperatures have dampened some of the formalities surrounding Huntsville’s big agenda, but here are just a few projects lying underneath the radar you will be hearing more about in 2021: Window World Manufacturing Complex
Space & Rocket Center, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Redstone Arsenal, MidCity, and Cummings Research Park. New Autograph Hotel by Marriott Downtown A $40 million Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott will soon rise over Big Spring Park. Construction is expected to start this year at the southwest corner of the parking garage between Monroe and Church streets in downtown Huntsville. The hotel has been two years in the making. New Homebuilding Projects
A permit for a Window World manufacturing complex has been approved for the Greenbrier area in unincorporated Limestone County off I-565 and west of Madison. More information will be coming soon. Holiday Inn Express at I-565 and Bob Wallace A Holiday Inn Express is on the rise at the Bob Wallace exit off Interstate I-565. Being built by Heritage Hospitality Group in Ridgeland, Miss., construction on the newly franchised Holiday Inn property has been slowed slightly by COVID complications, but a completion date is on the horizon. It will offer easy access to the U.S. Autograph Hotel By Marriott
Jeff Benton Homes’ new Sage Creek community, just outside Redstone Arsenal Gate 7 off Zierdt and Martin roads is just minutes from Town Madison, restaurants, and within walking distance of the new Shoppes at Redstone Square anchored by a new Publix. They have five 3 and 4-bedroom floorplans available. Breland Homes’ Estuary at Natures Walk, located off the newly widened Martin Road, a few blocks from Gate 7 and within walking distance of the Shoppes at Redstone Square, offers low-maintenance, luxury 3-bedroom townhomes. The community is also convenient to Town Madison, Cummings Research Park and the Huntsville International Airport. Legacy Homes’ new Trailhead Village on the eastern side of Chapman Mountain is offering chalets, bungalows and mountain lofts starting at $300,000. It is surrounded by Monte Sano State Park and offers plenty of untouched
By Kimberly Ballard
nature with biking, hiking, and walking trails. Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing & Suppliers Expansion
Additional permitting related to Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and its suppliers has been approved and as these facilities expand in 2021, the biggest challenges they face, according to the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, is a large-scale hiring effort. Starting wages for production team members is $17 an hour with a top growth of $23 an hour plus shift premium. Reaching regional residents who are unemployed, underemployed, concerned about losing a current job, or searching for new careers in the automotive manufacturing industry, should contact MazdaToyota.com. Southpoint Industrial Park Expansion The new 400,000 square-foot spec warehouse at Southpoint Industrial Park, said to be the largest industrial building built completely on speculation in North Alabama, broke ground last August. The new facility will provide 404,738 square feet of concrete tilt wall with a 40-foot clear height and 60-feet by 60-feet column spacing, and more than 50 dock doors. The 11th facility built by The Hollingsworth Companies in the Southpoint Business is expected to be complete early this year. It will bring the entire industrial park to 1,962,606 square feet of industrial space. The park is along the I-565 corridor and near the new Mazda Toyota plant. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
DEFENSE CONTRACTING
System High Acquires Booz Allen TEAMS Contract Protecting sensitive government activities and operations is one of the biggest national security challenges facing our country. The Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville got a big boost of momentum with System High’s acquisition of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Technical, Engineering, Advisory, and Management Support (TEAMS) contract with its 110 employees here. System High specializes in a diverse spectrum of national security protection disciplines and compliance using innovative protection solutions in the areas of Proactive Protection, Security Engineering, Counterintelligence, Intelligence, and Cybersecurity solutions across the Aerospace, Defense, and Government sector. With the TEAMS contract, System High expands its work providing bestin-class protection solutions for
information and assets vital to national security. “The close of this transaction increases our momentum in helping customers solve their most challenging protection problems,” said Rob Howe, System High’s president and CEO. “We welcome these new employees and look forward to combining forces to better protect current and emerging MDA capabilities. “This is just one of the initiatives being executed to expand our impact to preserve national security, and MDA success is critical for sustaining this objective. We are excited to grow
our presence in the Huntsville area, and look forward to serving the community and establishing strong lines of communication and collaboration with the MDA stakeholders so that we can consistently meet and exceed their expectations.” Booz Allen has supported the DoD for decades helping to accelerate innovation and create transformative solutions to help defend the nation. Lincoln Hudson, senior vice president and leader of Booz Allen’s Huntsville office, has been instrumental in securing the deal with Systems High.
By Kimberly Ballard
“System High is a strong organization for ensuring the continued protection of the essential systems, technologies, and capabilities that enable success of the MDA mission, which is to defend the United States and its allies from hypersonic and ballistic missile attacks,” said Hudson. “We remain fully committed to MDA’s mission and to Huntsville, where we will continue to hire and develop talent, invest in cutting-edge innovation, and deliver high-end technology services. “We are confident this realignment of the TEAMS business will ensure uninterrupted support for this critical work and are so pleased these jobs will remain part of Huntsville’s thriving technology community as well as others across the country.” The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. w
February 2021
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GOVERNMENT
Air Force Selects Redstone Arsenal for Space Command HQ While the Air Force has selected Redstone Arsenal for the site of the U.S. Space Command headquarters, there are a few steps left before it is finalized. Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado currently houses the Space Command. Space Command’s Brig. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton, deputy director of operations, said the headquarters migration to Huntsville would proceed over six years and is not yet final. The decision could be reversed by the Biden administration. Huntsville is the “preferred” site, based on a study conducted by Space Command. Finalization is subject to an environmental impact study, which does not pose a serious obstacle.
“Huntsville compared favorably across more of these factors than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs.” However, if the White House were to initiate another study and conclude that political influence tilted the decision, this would set in motion a new round of studies and assessments, causing further delays in establishing the permanent headquarters. The role of the Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communication and providing warning of missile launches. That is different from the Space Force, which is a distinct military service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
In making the decision last month, the Air Force said it “conducted both virtual and on-site visits to assess which of six candidate locations would be best suited to host the Space Command Headquarters based on factors related to mission, infrastructure capacity, community support and costs to the Department of Defense. “Huntsville compared favorably across more of these factors than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs. “Additionally, Redstone Arsenal offered a facility to support the headquarters, at no cost, while the permanent facility is being constructed.” Mayor Tommy Battle said the Air Force site-selection team “was meticulous in its review and assessment of potential sites, and they put us through the paces in their research these past two years. “The site team learned about the Redstone region’s proven track record in relocating military commands to our community. Army Aviation
moved here in 1995 and Army Materiel Command moved here in 2011. Our low cost of living and doing business means the country’s tax paying dollar will stretch much farther, providing more valuable resources for our space effort and warfighter. Battle credited U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby for leading the way for Huntsville. “We are grateful to Sen. Richard Shelby for his confidence in Huntsville. Senator Shelby has been front and center of this space effort from its inception,” Battle said. “As one of our nation’s strongest defense advocates and most knowledgeable leaders in defense matters, Sen. Shelby recognized the value of a program that would focus on space assets and threats. It is his vision to protect our country in space with a dedicated command.” Other sites under consideration were Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Offutt AFB in Nebraska, Patrick AFB in Florida, Peterson AFB in Colorado and Port San Antonio in Texas. “This is outstanding news, not only for our state but also for the Air Force,” Shelby said in a statement. “This long-awaited decision by the Air Force is a true testament to all that Alabama has to offer. Huntsville is the right pick for a host of reasons – our skilled workforce, proximity to supporting
By Alan Clemons
space entities, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life, among other things.”
“We are confident that the Air Force has made the correct decision to base the Space Command Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal” The Redstone Regional Alliance and the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce released a joint statement commending the selection. “We are confident that the Air Force has made the correct decision to base the Space Command Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal,” the statement said. “The Redstone site offers the Department of Defense the lowest cost option with superior regional capabilities, capacity and quality of life. We look forward to working with Space Command to make this transition as seamless as possible. Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong said the strength of the regional partnership was a key to the decision. “Once again, the selection of Redstone Arsenal for US Space Command demonstrates what regional partnerships can do when we collectively work together to reach our goals,” he said. “I congratulate all of our local, state, and federal leaders from Alabama, particularly Senator Richard Shelby for his leadership and work to bring Space Command to Alabama, along with our neighbors in Tennessee that have worked together to prove Redstone Arsenal is the true and best choice for the United States Space Command Headquarters.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
GOVERNMENT
GSA Unveils Design for New Federal Courthouse in Huntsville
By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff / Rendering Provided by the U.S. General Services Administration
With a nod toward a “neoclassical design” with 21st century technological and security features, the planned federal courthouse will be a prominent feature in Huntsville’s historic downtown. The three-story courthouse with a walkout basement will include five courtrooms and six judges’ chambers, as well as workspace for the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the U.S Probation and Pretrial Services.
“GSA is excited to give the people of Huntsville a glimpse into what their future downtown will look like through this courthouse design” According to a release from the General Services Administration, the design is “neoclassical in style, with a large pedimented entry portico flanked by gently arcing symmetrical wings.” “The design incorporates modern security, sustainability and technological features necessary for a 21st-century federal courthouse, while integrating classical organizational, proportional and design elements,” the release said. “In addition, the design features a large formal public lawn with symmetrical plantings that will help both to create a sense of space and to focus the eye toward nearby panoramic views.” With an authorized budget of nearly $86 million, construction of the 123,000 square-foot courthouse is
anticipated to begin in early 2022 and will take approximately 30 months to complete. The five-acre property is at the intersection of Lowe Avenue and Gallatin Street. Steve White of Fentress Architects in Washington, D.C., is the project’s lead designer, and Lee Sims of Studio Scarab Architecture Interiors Planning in Montgomery serves as the courthouse designer. Payne Design Group Architects of Montgomery is providing bridging architectural services. “GSA is excited to give the people of Huntsville a glimpse into what their future downtown will look like through this courthouse design,” said Kevin Kerns, regional commissioner for GSA’s Public Build-
ings Service Southeast Sunbelt Region. “GSA strives to provide a state-of-theart facility that meets the long-term
workspace and security needs of our partners in the Northern District of Alabama.” w
February 2021
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GOVERNMENT
County Line Road: Proof That If You Build A Road Correctly, They Will Come MADISON -- Nowhere in Madison is the growth more prominent than along the western corridor of the city at County Line Road. “County Line Road was the first road in which Madison was able to get ahead of the growth,” said Mayor Paul Finley. “Everything else, we have just been playing catch-up or retrofitting in a way that changes traffic problems. The process eases in economic development to meet the challenges of rapid growth. Again – managing the growth.” Going back to 2011, Finley said they knew County Line was where the growth was happening. He worked with Huntsville, Madison County and then-Gov. Robert Bentley to receive its first ATRIP-II award to get County Line Road funding. ATRIP-II is an Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II award that provides grants to rehabilitate and improve transportation infrastructure projects. That award covered the rehabilitation of five-lane County Line all the way from south, near the airport entrance, north through Madison. “When we put the walking path on it and completed it in 2014, look at the growth,” said Finley. “And it has happened organically with restaurants, retail like Daisy Lane Gifts, and business support like Devaney Brothers Farms. “Now you are starting to see some doctors’ offices and assisted-living facilities like the new Madison Crossings at James Clemons High School, because it was set up for success. “Compare that to other developments off Hughes Road, Wall Triana, and even off of Zierdt Road where they built a road, but they didn’t leave any room for expansion. “County Line Road shows that if you build a road correctly, they will come, and they have, and they will continue to do so. It’s amazing.” He said County Line does represent growth in unincorporated Limestone County, but he credits the foresight to the days when John Hamilton was still the garrison commander
on Redstone Arsenal between 2010 and 2013. “County Line Road was an understanding about what we were missing from traffic coming from the west and northwest to Redstone Arsenal and from Cummings Research Park,” said Finley. “Hamilton did his homework and said, ‘this is where all our traffic fits.’ One of the missing components was a north to south route on the western perimeter of Madison, so we used that data to go to the state when they were doing ATRIP-II, and said, this is supporting Redstone Arsenal, but it’s also getting ahead of the game on County Line.” With support from Huntsville, the city got the money. “That is how it came about - listening and supporting Redstone Arsenal while also looking at where our primary growth was going to happen, and that was going to happen along Coun-
ty Line and west of County Line,” said Finley. “It had a lot of support from Huntsville and it was the first project (Huntsville) Mayor (Tommy) Battle and I landed, along with Old Madison Pike and Zierdt Road, as far back as 2009. “That is how long it has taken to get to that point.” County Line Road was finished around 2015 when I-565 was completed. Finley said when they got the ATRIP-II funding, it started at County Line and went through to I-565, but it left a problem between it and Wall Triana that needs to be fixed. “When we do that, it’s going to include looking at the airport intersection to see how we might make that better,” Finley said. “They are looking at all alternatives to find a solution to an eventual bottleneck at the airport.” Dirt is moving all up and down County Line Road today.
By Kimberly Ballard
In addition to sprawling new subdivisions, you will find new businesses of all types rising from the area’s famous red dirt. Across from the Waterford subdivision between the new O’Reilly Auto Parts and Dunkin’ Donuts, a 10,000 square-foot medical office building is being developed by AAA Holdings. The Animal Health Care Center north of Palmer Park near the Somerset at Madison is expaneding, and two dental offices are planned. North of Madison at the Range, an Alabama Credit Union is under construction at the corner of New Bristol Lane; and north of that, a 17,000 square-foot multi-tenant commercial building has been approved for construction and a self-storage business will soon open. Indeed – Madison built it and now they are coming. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER COVER
Madison’s Managed, Balance
By Kimber Over the years, Madison has been referred to as Huntsville’s bedroom community. For those who have lived in the area since the beginning of the space program, people were said to live or work, “out in Madison.” It is a community that has for so long been considered a quaint little rural stop on the way to the Rocket City, that aside from a single event known as the “Affair at Madison Station,” it even missed mention in history books about the Civil War. Well, Huntsville’s little bedroom community has awakened, and it has been coming for a long time. In 1990, Madison’s population was approximately 15,000. In 2000, it had doubled to 30,000, and, according to the census, in 2019 it had grown to almost 50,000 people. Today, Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has one of the highest per capita incomes and a school system recognized for scholastic excellence at the local, state, and national level. Everywhere you look, businesses are throwing open their doors; new buildings are rising out of the distinctive “redstone” clay; residential communities are spreading out; roads are widening; and aging buildings, parks, and residential communities are being revitalized. “It scares me when I hear people talk about Madison’s explosive growth because the explosive growth is happening throughout the entire area, the multiple communities in Madison County,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley. “I prefer to say Madison is managing and balancing our growth. “One of the things I think we’ve done a good job of is rather than taking every subdivision that wants to build, instead, manage the process with a focus primarily on the economic development side of retail and commercial, knowing it’s not going to be that hard to bring housing here if we balance our opportunities.” While the Mayor may be man-
aging and balancing the growth as opportunities arise, the growth is so widespread it is visible along every street and in every neighborhood. Starting with the skyline-altering Town Madison, the Rocket City could not ask for a more inviting gateway than Madison! Minutes from a bustling Huntsville International Airport, named the Best Small Airport in the United States by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards, and a line drive out of Toyota Field with its baseball diamond shimmering underneath the stadium lights lies the world-renowned U.S. Space & Rocket Center; Redstone Arsenal; and
Cummings Research Park, home to dozens of Fortune 500 companies with their advanced manufacturing and high-tech capabilities. Fanned out across both sides of a revitalized Madison Boulevard are luxury homes such as the Heights at Town Madison and The Station highrise apartments at Town Madison. Just announced and set to start construction early this year is a mixed-use project developed by Novare Group out of Atlanta. Across from the Madison Golf Center on Lime Quarry Road within the Town Madison development, a 290-unit apartment complex with eight live and work units, will be built with Photo by Steve Babin
approximately 5,000 square feet of commercial and coworking space for its residents, and more than 68,000 square feet of open space. Popular restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse and J. Alexander’s are opening soon. Both have been stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many of these restaurant venues are having to go back to the drawing board and redesign their restaurants based on today versus the world a year ago,” said Finley. “They are taking a little extra time to look at more outdoor dining, drive throughs, curbside pick-up and how to do takeout if they have never done it before. The take-out business has expanded dramatically, and they want the right type of store to meet the new demand.” Boutique hotels Home2 Suites and the Avid will soon be joined by resort-style hotels and entertainment venues such as the Hotel Margaritaville. Infrastructure, said Finley, is part of managing and balancing growth. He explains that in 2010 and 2011, Hughes Road at U.S. 72, and Wall Triana at U.S. 72 were the two highest traffic accident areas in Madison. “When we put our efforts into
February 2021
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STORY STORY
ed, But Widespread Growth
rly Ballard redoing those two intersections for safety, adding double turn lanes and more, it became an economic development driver in those areas,” Finley said. “Two old shopping centers were revitalized so that Planet Fitness and several popular restaurants were created out in front. “Two years ago, those same accident studies showed I-565 at the Wall Triana exit as the highest accident area. It was also difficult to get to the Ruby Tuesday and Cracker Barrel once you got off at that exit,” Finley said. “We applied a grant and redid the design, but it is only about 30 percent finished.” There are now three hotels at the Wall Triana exit – the Clarion Pointe and two new hotels, the Avid and Home 2 Suites, as well as Twice Daily. “With that being the first exit coming from the west to Town Madison, that intersection has to change,” said Finley. “We are looking at how improving it for safety, will also create economic development and improve accessibility.” Across from Town Madison, Madison Boulevard is getting a heavy revitalization. “There is a big reason for it,” Mayor Finley said. “We have an agreement with businesses along Madison Boulevard that if you tear down a building, improve a building, or build a new building, or if we need to put in a traffic light to make the location safer or more accessible, then we’ll do that, but we want to see better signage from your business.” One of the new kids in town in that busy area is Terramé Day Spa, Hair Salon & Blow Dry Bar. Terramé started in Huntsville 18 years ago and the Madison location is its third. The 16,660 square foot building is the largest freestanding hair salon and day spa in Alabama, excluding hotel and resort spas. Mike and Charla Johnson and Mike’s brothers, Jeff and Charles, are partners in the business and in the 5,000 square-foot commercial space
they are building next door for lease. Resilience and a determination to warrior on despite COVID-19, they plan to open by Feb 1. “We are very happy they chose our city,” said Finley. “Terramé will draw daytime traffic to Madison and although we have a lot of people who come home to Madison after work, I am focusing on offering quality of life services that bring more people to Madison to shop, dine, and enjoy the day here.” “That is managing growth,” he said. Several road projects in addition to the Wall Triana and Madison Boulevard intersection are underway, including restriping Intergraph Way, widening Lime Quarry Road, and improving the intersection between the two. They are lengthening Short Road in downtown to open a better thoroughfare from the new Avenue Madison project, and the City will begin work on the Balch and Gillespie roads intersections by the second quarter 2021. Hughes Road and Sullivan Street are undergoing major widening projects expected to be complete at the end of 2021, according to Mary Beth
Broeren, Madison City Planner. “Hughes Plaza, across from City Hall, is undergoing a complete upgrade,” Broeren said. “A couple of existing tenants, Bicycle Cove and Interiors by Consign, will remain, but Absolute Nutrition just opened in November; and Fleet Feet, a physical therapy business, and a coffee shop will be new tenants in 2021.” The Madison Chamber of Commerce is moving next door into a converted house, providing more space, better visibility, and easier access. “That is big for us,” said Finley. “Finally getting the opportunity to revitalize that shopping plaza, getting a Fleet Feet and a nutrition store, with the Chamber right next door – all right across the street from City Hall is a big deal to us and making a positive impact.” To the west of downtown Madison, the Argento at Oakland Springs developed by Sterling Development has been approved at the entrance to the Village at Oakland Springs on the south side of Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road. “This mixed-use project will contain 262 apartments and approximately 18,000 square feet of
commercial space, similar in character and design to the Village of Providence in Huntsville,” said Broeren. “Construction is expected to start this quarter.” The extension of the Mill Creek Greenway is finished except for some last-minute landscaping; and the City has added parking and a complete park at the Bradford Creek Trailhead. Both Bradford Creek and the Palmer Park expansion will be complete in March. “We are working on a renovation to Home Place Park to create an outdoor venue for small concerts such as the summer Concert in the Park series,” said Broeren. Formerly held at the Gazebo on the Village Green on Main Street, they have outgrown it. “We will move them to Home Place Park between The Avenue Madison project and the high school football stadium where we will have a small amphitheater. Construction has started and should be complete by this summer, in time for the Concert in the Park series.” “These park projects go towards quality-of-life improvements that are vital to our growth and prosperity,” said Finley. w Photo by Steve Babin
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
HOUSING
Madison Crossings Addresses County’s Underserved Senior Living Options MADISON -- Elderly people are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. In the Madison community alone, studies show the population growth among people 75 years and older is expected to grow 40 percent over the next five years. The new Madison Crossings senior living community opening this summer is addressing the needs and expectations of this expanding demographic, and it is not just existing residents who will benefit. With Madison County growth on an explosive upswing, families migrating to our area will bring extended families with aging loved ones as well. According to Matt Coughenour of Kirco Senior Living, the company developing Madison Crossings, the new community will bring senior living options that today, are unavailable to seniors in this area. “We are excited about the growth we see, but more importantly, we feel Madison is highly underserved in terms of existing senior living options,” said Coughenour. “The area’s demographics, amenities, and economic growth make Madison a great new market for us, and from a macro perspective, Huntsville presents a strong opportunity because it is the fastest growing MSA in Alabama. “Currently, with the Mazda Toyota plant on track to bring 4,000 jobs to the surrounding area, that could create further unmet demand. It is common for adult children to want Mom and Dad close to their home and work, so for anyone that chooses to move their aging family member with them, Madison Crossings will provide a fantastic environment that is nearby, offers outstanding care, market-leading amenities, an abundance of natural light, and diverse programming and activities.” Madison Crossings, which is on County Line Road, will feature 105 independent living apartments, which are typically targeted toward younger, more independent seniors who are seeking an active and social
resort-style environment. It will also have 27 Memory Care apartments designed for those diagnosed with varying degrees of memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease. That section of the neighborhood will offer higher levels of care. Jesse Marinko, founder and CEO of Phoenix Senior Living, the company that will be managing the facility, said the average resident will be in their 70s to 80s. “Because of the clientele in Madison, we will offer a nurturing, individualized environment,” Marinko said. “Our spectrum will start with a senior who still works part-time, still drives and comes and goes freely, who still enjoys a diverse dining experience, enjoys engaging with others and is still looking for socialization. “Many of our residents will be married couples who have downsized; maybe one spouse needs some support while the other is completely independent. “Then there is the resident who is experiencing some memory loss or has been diagnosed with some form of dementia. We have an extensively trained staff in the memory care neighborhood who can assist residents with medication management, and the activities of daily living.” Marinko and Coughenour said Madison Crossings is designed to
help with navigation, minimize fall risks, encourage socialization, and ensure residents feel safe and comfortable. “Madison Crossings’ indepen-
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo by Steve Babin
dent living residents can live in their unit and receive homecare within our community, which is the same thing they get in an assisted living community,” said Marinko. The location, adjacent to James Clemons High School, is also a strategic move. “We purchased the land before we knew the Mazda Toyota plant was coming, but certainly it will be a benefit for the project,” said Marinko. “But being located adjacent to James Clemons High School presents some unique intergenerational programming opportunities for us as well.” A study conducted by the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at Penn State University shows that in the past 20 years, there has been a growing gap between young people, age 21 and younger, and elderly people,
February 2021
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HOUSING
“You also have Town Madison with Toyota Field just three miles from our site. That will present additional programming opportunities like taking residents to see minor league baseball games. age 60 and older in terms of living arrangements and recreational outlets. This breach isolates older people from other age groups leaving children and young adults without meaningful relationships with senior adults and is linked to a decline in life satisfaction among older people, and an increase in negative stereotypes toward the aging among young people. “Intergenerational programming” involves activities or programs that increase cooperation, interaction, or exchange between any two
generations, as defined by the National Council on the Aging. “By partnering with local school systems, we can help better educate students and young people on seniors and getting them familiar with and comfortable with the aging process. It means a lot to the seniors, and to children,” Marinko said. “You also have Town Madison with Toyota Field just three miles from our site. That will present additional programming opportunities like taking residents to see minor league baseball games. “We often say that when you bring kids into a senior neighborhood, it is like shooting oxygen into the veins, and brings life to everybody within the community. Our residents benefit from the interaction with young people.” Madison Crossings will officially open this summer and any formal ribbon-cuttings and open house events depend on the status of the coronavirus at that time.
“We have hired an on-property Community Engagement Director, Lila King who is reporting a strong level of initial interest about the community, which we are excited about,” said Coughenour. “We have a sales office with model rooms built out with finishes from the actual project and Lila is reporting we have already reserved numerous apartments and have deposits on those units.” Coughenour describes Madison Crossings as a resort community lifestyle designed to promote social interaction and activity for the residents. “That includes an outdoor amenity space including a courtyard with outdooring dining, a pool and lounge area, a fireplace and grilling area, covered seating, a bocce ball court, pickleball court and walking paths.” He said the interior of the building will feature an abundance of natural light, multiple restaurantstyle dining venues, a pub, an
intergenerational room with games for children and grandchildren, state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, a full-service salon and spa, and a movie theater. The property will offer a doctor’s office on the property where physicians can visit patients without them having to leave the property, and where they can conduct telehealth services. “The entire property is wireless, and we offer an open-source platform so doctors and nurses can conduct telehealth services in whatever format they prefer be it Doctor on Demand, Zoom, Facetime or something else.,” said Marinko. “First and foremost, Phoenix Senior Living is one of the best operators in the country and will provide unparalleled care and service to our residents,” said Coughenour. “Through partnerships and outreach, Madison Crossings intends to become part of the very fabric of the local community.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SPORTS / RECREATION
A&M and UAH Teams Tackle Financial Challenges During Pandemic The pandemic created unique challenges for college athletic programs throughout the country, and the Division I Southwestern Athletic Conference came up with an original answer for its football programs. The SWAC moved the regular season to this spring. Players at Alabama A&M began reporting for COVID-19 testing the week of Jan. 11-15 and were preparing to begin football operations Jan. 18. A&M opens a six-game schedule at home Feb. 27 against Alcorn State. The Bulldogs have only one more home game when Grambling State visits the Hill March 27. Bryan Hicks, director of athletics for the school, said the coronavirus could dictate the success or lack thereof of regular-season spring football. “It all depends on where we are as it relates to the pandemic,’’ he said. “That’s the really big concern. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to play. “The question is, ‘Is it safe and secure?’ And ‘can we provide the safety that is required?’ We’re gonna do the best we can under the circumstances.’’ A&M has already restarted its athletic program in other sports such as basketball. All collegiate sports activity was halted last March. The same is true across town at UAH, a member of the Division II Gulf South Conference. During the shutdown, the two city schools underwent separate paths to financial survival since neither have the independent financial resources in reserve as Power Five and Group of Five programs do. At UAH, Cade Smith, the director of athletics, said one key to surviving for the Chargers during stoppage of play was to rein in all spending and plan accordingly. “It was trying to be as prepared while dealing with it, working with our overall institutional administration and with the different leagues that we are involved in,’’ he said. “I think all those commissioners and other athletic directors all really work together. And we just met a lot to
Photo courtesy of UAH
share ideas and talk about how to get through it. We spent months not playing and just talking about, ‘What is it gonna look like’? (When play resumed). “Then, as we got closer to playing it was a lot of developing policy, looking at what we’re going to do working through and how is this going to impact eligibility and seasons of competition and things like that? But it’s definitely been collective, and no one knew how to do it at the beginning. We’ve all just kind of learned as we worked together.’’ Being in a Division I conference
helped A&M overcome financial shortfalls, particularly in the area of COVID-19 testing. “Along with our conference office, the state and the programs that we have with the university, we’ve been able to find enough money to have testing available,’’ Hicks said. “So that hasn’t had an impact on us as much. And we have enough to test the students going forward.’’ Though seasons have resumed, the dark cloud of postponements or
Photo courtesy of AAMU
By Mike Easterling
cancellations because of multiple positive virus tests on a given team looms. With crowd capacities already limited, that could create taller obstacles for schools outside of those with TV contracts and such. “The key is communicating with your staff and proper monitoring and testing, I think,’’ Hicks said. “We have an excellent medical team that assists us with this unbelievable protocol and we’re really able to support our student/athletes and our staff that are working in this environment. “We make every effort; we take no risk at all. We’re very conservative trying to ensure the safety of our student/athletes.’’ UAH and A&M won’t recoup lost gate money despite resumption of play because of the crowd limitations. There are also future monetary concerns when it comes to scholarships -- the NCAA has granted all athletes another year of eligibility because of the pandemic, something that could squeeze a budget like the one at UAH. But, Smith said, that’s something that will be dealt with in time. “That’s trying to take care of the student/athletes, so I appreciate that,’’ he said. There are silver linings. Though the Von Braun Center is restricted to 30 percent capacity for hockey, and Chargers basketball season tickets (500 are usually sold) have been reduced to 90, the Chargers men and women’s basketball teams play on separate dates instead of playing doubleheaders as in the past. “I think we’re going to work through our universities, which have been really supportive,’’ he said. “Our university has been good to us. And we’ve done a good job of being good stewards of the budgets that we have and not spending in some areas that we normally would spend in. We’ve decreased our budgets overall for the year, trying to save money as we go forward. “So, I think we’re going to be OK when we get to the other end of this. We’re just hoping that comes soon.’’ w
February 2021
ASSISTED LIVING LOCATORS LAUNCHES FRANCHISE IN HUNTSVILLE, SERVING NORTH ALABAMA Assisted Living Locators has launched a Huntsville franchise to serve north Alabama. Assisted Living Locators provides the full continuum of care offering free guidance in locating quality assisted-living and in-home care options. The franchise owner is Kim Krause, a Huntsville resident. According to Krause, the service will be especially helpful to seniors and their families during the COVID-19) pandemic by offering an easy-to-use, online assessment tool, and virtual consultation options. “To proactively protect our vulnerable seniors and families as the coronavirus evolves, I’m available 24/7 to provide access to senior care solutions on demand to help reduce exposure to the virus,” she said. “I’m also available to meet with families in-person at their convenience.” The free services include: - Easy-to-use, online Assessment Tool, to give quick insight to
appropriate senior housing - In-take interview by phone or video technology to learn how to best serve you - Tours of qualified vetted home health, hospice, assisted living, memory care and adult family homes - Status updates on visitation and acceptance of move-ins for assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities in your area - Home care support with network of leading regional home care agencies; whether to ensure a safe home environment for seniors or to help with the activities of daily living required during a period of self-quarantine - Dedicated local resources for seniors and families such as eldercare attorneys, skilled home health, moving companies and hospice - Guidance throughout the entire decision-making process.
“During this challenging time, online assessment tools and the option of virtual communication will be more important than ever in maintaining the well-being of seniors and their families,” Krause said. “I’m here to answer your questions and concerns about COVID-19 and senior placement, whether it’s for a shortterm or long-term solution.” Assisted Living Locators has 140 franchises in 36 states and the Dis-
17 ADVERTORIAL
trict of Columbia. The company is ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s 2021 Franchise 500 issue and is on the Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. For more information about Assisted Living Locators, call Kim Krause at 256-542-0223 or visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com/ north-alabama.
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
TRAVEL / LEISURE
The Sweet Sounds of Progress: The Singing River Trail Is On Its Way! There has been nothing but beautiful music coming from the Singing River Trail project since Dr. John Kvach took over as its first executive director in July. Launched last year by the Land Use Committee of Huntsville’s Launch 2035, the Singing River Trail is the committee’s most ambitious legacy project. It connects the North Alabama region to its rich history and preserving its pristine environment – originally consisting of 70 miles of walking, biking, and hiking trails and greenways. However, the trail is kicking off 2021 with several significant accomplishments. Kvach was on hand to announce the opening of four miles of the Hays Farm Greenway that includes an early intersection with the vast Singing River Trail network. The ribbon-cutting highlighted the partnership the trail has with south Huntsville, the city of Huntsville, Hays Farm, and South Huntsville Main Business Association, and stirred the interest of other potential corporate partners. The Singing River Trail at Hays Farm merges the local greenway into the larger SRT footprint. “The Singing River Trail is open for business along 2 1/2 miles of Haysland Road just south of the new Grissom High School,” he said. Perhaps the biggest news to come out in 2021 is the new and much expanded trail map. Originally planned as a 70mile, three-county project, it has grown into a 150-mile, eight-county
project under Kvach’s leadership, connecting North Alabama from Bridgeport/Scottsboro to Sheffield, bringing it within 16 miles of the Natchez Trace. Kvach has met with state legislators, mayors and city officials to increase awareness and possible funding sources. And he is working on a feasibility study for a section of the trail that will run from Scottsboro to Guntersville to Huntsville. “We are now partnering with the National Park Service as we focus on the Deas-Whiteleay Trail of Tears Overland Route as the western expansion route,” he said. “And we can now call Athens State University a partner after it proactively reached out to to make sure the trail will be part of their campus.” The National Park Service and Muscle Shoals Heritage Area are also in talks as the trail grows. The trail has received funding from the state of Alabama, and the Community Foundation awarded a Compass Society grant for $11,000 for a new and more engaging website design promoting their “Get Outside Alabama” campaign. Kvach has also been working on a corporategiving strategy and development packet that will allow the trail to pursue public and private money. “We are currently working toward funding two design projects at the Huntsville International Airport, a trail route feasibility study in Athens, website work in collaboration in Decatur/Morgan County Tourism, and funding for a master plan from Bridgeport/Scottsboro to Huntsville and from Decatur to Sheffield/ Florence,” Kvach said. “Because the trail is a nonprofit tasked with raising its own operating expenses and funding, we will begin working with the state Legislature to pass a resolution of support on behalf of the Singing River Trail
in 2021, and to find a line on the state budget for recreational, educational, and cultural/historical programing and to help with economic development along the trail. Kvach said despite COVID-19 numbers rising in North Alabama going into the first of the year, he has seen an increase in interest about the trail. “Outdoor recreation, hospitality,
By Kimberly Ballard
and engagement are becoming more commonly accepted and desired,” he said. “The trail has been working with two new partners in Huntsville who will rely on the trail as a source of alternative transportation, and as a way to highlight safe and fun outdoor activities and engagement. “Taking a negative and making it a positive is working well with community partners.” w
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TRAVEL / LEISURE
Space & Rocket Center Launches Shuttle Restoration Project Some three decades of Huntsville weather have taken its toll on a Rocket City landmark. The Pathfinder space shuttle is facing a multi-year, multi-million dollar restoration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Work is underway on the $1.5 million first phase of the project, which begins with removing the Pathfinder orbiter from atop the external fuel tank. Once the orbiter is on the ground, the Rocket Center will work with NASA to evaluate its original metal frame to determine the damage and cost for restoration. Originally a top priority for 2020, the Rocket Center put the Pathfinder project on hold due to the severe financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic and reduced attendance at the museum and Space Camp.
“We were honored to receive the Save America’s Treasures grant to help us restore the Pathfinder Space shuttle, a beloved exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and a critical piece of hardware in the American space program” In August, however, the Rocket Center received a Save America’s Treasures grant for $500,000 from the National Park Service. Subsequent donations from Tim Sheehy, a multi-time Space Camp and Aviation Challenge alumnus and CEO and Founder of Montana-based Bridger Aerospace; Lockheed Martin; the late Dr. Joyce Neighbors; The Daniel Foundation of Alabama; and PPG Industries
By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff
“We look forward to working with our USSRC Education Foundation to raise additional funds to continue the work of restoring this important artifact in the future.” matched the grant, allowing the project to begin. Matt Sheehy, Tim’s brother and a Space Camp alumnus and president of Tallgrass Energy in Leawood, Kan., has also made a significant donation for the Pathfinder project as well as other Rocket Center restoration efforts. “We were honored to receive the Save America’s Treasures grant to help us restore the Pathfinder Space shuttle, a beloved exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and a critical piece of hardware in the American space program,” said Rocket Center Executive Director/CEO Louie Ramirez. “We are grateful for the support of community partners and the Sheehy family for their help in getting us started on this important project. “We look forward to work-
ing with our USSRC Education Foundation to raise additional funds to continue the work of restoring this important artifact in the future.” The Pathfinder shuttle stack was erected in 1988 and is the only full-stack shuttle exhibit in the world. The property of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Pathfinder was originally used as a heavy-lift article to test
“We are grateful for the support of community partners and the Sheehy family for their help in getting us started on this important project.”
handling, transportation and other procedures for the shuttle program. Pathfinder is a name NASA gives to articles used to test infrastructure and logistics for its programs. In the early 1980s, a group of Japanese businessmen paid to modify the structure with plywood and fiberglass to more closely resemble a real orbiter and displayed it from 1983 to 1984 at an exposition in Tokyo. After the expo, Pathfinder returned to Huntsville and was mounted for the display seen today. The Pathfinder shuttle stack consists of: • Orbiter • External tank • Two prototype solid rocket boosters • Three space shuttle main engines, including one flown on STS-1, the first shuttle fight. The other two were engineering development engines. The Rocket Center has contracted with the Signature Renovations office in Loretto, Tenn., to manage the first phase of the restoration. The second phase will be determined by what is learned in the evaluation stage. To donate to the Pathfinder Restoration Project, visit rocketcenterfoundation.org. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SMALL BUSINESS
Phoenix Glass Recycling: Cullet Rising from the Ashes When the Solid Waste Disposal Authority ended its long-time contract with Republic Services, glass recycling went right along with it. For many years, Republic’s recycling center was a popular destination. There were several bins where recyclables, such as plastics, paper, and cardboard could be conveniently dropped off. There were also two large bins dedicated for glass recycling. The glass bins were often full to the point of overflowing. Since taking over recycling services, the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama, has provided residences with blue recycling carts and has a monthly pickup of everything – except glass. The elimination of glass recycling in Madison county has been a concern for many, especially now, as glass continues to accumulate in the area’s landfills. To address this concern, a local woman decided to start her own glass recycling business. “I’ve been collecting glass since October,” said Moriah Fordham, owner of Phoenix Glass Recycling. “The goal is to reduce the amount of glass being thrown away and give it a second life.” It’s no secret that glass packaging is superior to plastic. Glass is nonporous and impermeable, so there are no interactions between glass and its contents, thus ensuring that any product inside a glass bottle keeps its strength, aroma, and flavor. Glass is also infinitely recyclable. A glass bottle or jar can be made into a new one many times over, without compromising the quality or purity of its contents. It takes less energy to produce new glass bottles and jars from recycled glass. The renewal of glass from its recycled elements. Fordham named Phoenix Recycling after the mythical bird, which could be reborn after bursting into flames. Eight years ago, Fordham moved to Huntsville from Oregon to take a job at the Space & Rocket
“The goal is to reduce the amount of glass being thrown away and give it a second life.”
Center. Unfortunately, she was part of the massive COVID-19-based layoff. Like everyone else who happens to stay here longer than a week, Fordham grew attached to Huntsville, its natural beauty, and the temperate climate. Growing up in Oregon, Fordham knows firsthand of the importance of having glass recycling. She also knows there’s sweat-equity involved. “It’s a time-intensive process, preparing glass for recycling,” said
Fordham. After collecting the glass, Fordham cleans and removes the labels. The next step is to use machinery to pulverize the glass into cullet, the super-fine pieces of crushed glass. By using cullet, manufacturers save on raw materials and lessen the demand for energy, thus leaving a smaller carbon footprint. In addition to bottles, cullet has other applications. Construction and roadways use cullet, mixed in with cement and asphalt. Cullet is also used as artificial sand, which is beneficial to beaches to help stem coastal erosion. It can even be mixed with clay soil to improve its quality. Fordham recently hosted a recycling day in the parking lot of the Space & Rocket center. Despite
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Steve Babin
“It’s a time-intensive process, preparing glass for recycling” the cold and the wind, there was a huge turnout. The event was so well received that Fordham ended the event earlier than planned, there was just that much glass brought in. In fact, there were two 20-foot UHauls filled with glass. Because of the overwhelming success of the first event, plans for future community glass recycling days are underway. As a new business venture, Fordham plans to start small, starting with commercial glass pickup at local bars and restaurants. She eventually plans to add curbside pickups or community drop-off bins throughout Madison County. Fordham is doing her part to getting glass out of the landfill and transform it into something shiny and new, just like the Phoenix bird, rising up from the ashes. To sign up for the glass recycling notification list visit https://phoenixglassrecycling.com/. w
February 2021
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SMALL BUSINESS
Deaf Access: 25 Years of Assisting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community The ability to hear is something that is often taken for granted. For the deaf and hard of hearing, it can be even more challenging in the workplace. In situations where key information is being relayed, difficulties can arise when it comes to following a conversation. Whether it be in meetings, performance evaluations, or salary negotiations.
“When a deaf person goes to see the doctor or has an employment conversation, a meeting with an attorney, or any kind of situation in which people congregate, we process the conversation back and forth so that everybody has been heard, and hopefully heard the way they want to be heard” For the past 25 years, Deaf Access has been providing American Sign Language sign language interpreting services in the Huntsville-Madison County area. “We serve most of north Alabama, parts of Tennessee and Georgia,” said owner Frances Smallwood. “We travel further south, if need be.” Deaf Access facilitates communication between the deaf and people who can hear, but do not know sign language. “When a deaf person goes to see the doctor or has an employment conversation, a meeting with an attorney, or any kind of situation in which people congregate, we process the conversation back and forth so that everybody has been heard, and hopefully heard the way they want to be heard,” said Smallwood. Growing up in a household with deaf parents, Smallwood experienced the struggles and dis-
By Lori J. Connors
“They can excel at their work because an interpreter is present. They have the skills; they can do the job. With the interpreter everyone else can see they have the skills and can do the job.” crimination the family often faced. This set the stage for her future career as an interpreter. After receiving her degree in deaf education, Smallwood started out as a guidance counselor and taught for a few years. When she returned to Huntsville 31 years ago, there were no teaching positions available, so Smallwood took a position with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, then later with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. During the time she worked with the deaf community, Smallwood identified a need for a community-based interpretation service.
“Those of us who can hear are not always patient and often don’t want to take the time passing notes back and forth. An interpreter can ask questions without barrier.” “I had no intention of starting my own business,” she said. “However, there was an obvious gap in services when it came to the performing arts, employment, and other areas.” Smallwood saw an opportunity to assist companies that needed to provide those services for their employees. Deaf Access offers interpreting services for a variety of settings to include technical, employment, legal, healthcare, education, business, and government. “We help to facilitate com-
munication and process the conversation,” said Smallwood. “Those of us who can hear are not always patient and often don’t want to take the time passing notes back and forth. An interpreter can ask questions without barrier.” As a woman-owned small business, Deaf Access has seen immense growth over the last several years and is the only interpreting services firm in North Alabama that is qualified to interpret sensitive information, which greatly supports Huntsville’s defense-centric community. Since the pandemic, however, many of the on-site services that Deaf Access provides have decreased. It struck a heavy blow, resulting in the layoff of half of their staff. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in 25 years,” said Smallwood. Although wearing face masks is important for minimizing the spread of COVID-19, they create a unique communication challenge for the deaf community. With a mask covering one’s mouth, it is
hard to gauge facial expressions or even know if someone is speaking. For this reason, Smallwood uses a clear face shield when working with clients. There are 14 to 15 contracted interpreters working for Deaf Access. Each interpreter holds national certifications and complies with the State of Alabama licensure requirements. “Some customers we support by going attending weekly staff meetings, some customers we support by coming in for performance appraisals and companywide meetings,” said Smallwood. “There are other companies we support by providing an interpreter 40 hours a week. That way, the deaf person who is in the leadership role has full access to anyone and everyone when they need to. “They can excel at their work because an interpreter is present. They have the skills; they can do the job. With the interpreter everyone else can see they have the skills and can do the job.” Smallwood’s son, Ryan, is director of operations. He is developing ways to use technology to help overcome some of the communication obstacles presented by the pandemic. “He is incredible, very forward thinking,” said Smallwood. “He is working with video relay interpreting as well as with WebEx and Cisco type-meetings, using a variety of video platforms.” For more information, visit www.deafaccessinc.org w
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Irby Named Cintel President Cintel has named Will Irby president, working alongside CEO Dale Jobes and Senior Vice President of Business Services Patti Rehage. The Huntsville-based company provides defense solutions for local and national initiatives. “Will becoming President is an excellent move for Cintel,” said Jobes. “Will is perfect for this role due to his strong experience in leadership, operations, government contracting, and business development.” Irby is responsible for providing strategic and tactical leadership across the company with a specific focus on company operations, business growth, profitability, and strategic initiatives. “At our core, Cintel has always been focused on three things: employees, customers, and quality,” Irby said. “As we grow, I am excited about the opportunities we have to grow our team, continue to deliver customer focused results, and never settle for anything less than the best solution for the challenge at hand.” Prior to his promotion, Irby served as executive vice president and vice president of operations. w
Anglin Reichmann Armstrong Partner Jay Reichmann Retires Wrapping up a 32-year career, partner Jay Reichmann has retired from Anglin Reichmann Armstrong. Reichmann joined the firm in 1998 when it had less than 10 employees and played a key role in its growth. His client and firm relationships will continue to be served by the firm’s teams in Huntsville and Pensacola.
“After much thought and discernment, it feels like the right time to make a change and pursue other opportunities,” Reichmann said. “I am grateful to my colleagues and clients for the opportunity to lead and grow a public accounting firm and meet so many wonderful people over the years. “I will miss those daily relationships the most.” In recent years, Reichmann focused on growing the firm’s manufacturing niche and mergers and acquisition consulting. “We can’t thank Jay enough for his contributions to the firm,” Managing Partner Gary Anglin said. “I greatly appreciate the role he played in helping to lay the foundation that we continue to build upon. We all wish him and his family the best.” w
Foundation Title & Escrow Merges with Paulus Title Foundation Title & Escrow Series is expanding into Huntsville through a merger with Paulus Title, a statewide provider of real estate title and closing services. Craig Paulus, who founded Paulus Title in 2007, will serve as president of Foundation Title & Escrow’s Alabama operations. Paulus Title’s two offices in Huntsville will transition to the Foundation Title & Escrow brand. “This is a natural alliance,” said Chris Cantrell, CEO of Franklin, Tenn.-based Foundation Title & Escrow. “Paulus Title and Foundation Title & Escrow have so many shared values, especially the focus on constant improvement and customer service. We look forward to serving our customers in Alabama and continuing to grow there.” Under Paulus’ direction, Paulus Title became Best Practices-certified through the American Land Title As-
sociation. “I share the Foundation Title & Escrow goal of being the most innovative title company in our markets to give the best possible customer service,” Paulus said. “We are excited to combine our talents and technology with Foundation Title & Escrow to continue providing premier title and closing services across the great state of Alabama.” w
Yorktown Systems Group Strengthens CMMI Certification Yorktown Systems Group, a provider of customized solutions and management services, has received CMMI Capability Level 2 for Appraisal and Certification. CMMI, or Capability Maturity Model Integration, applies to an organization’s performance and process improvement achievements in individual practice areas. CMMI has a strong focus on quality-related activities including requirements management, quality assurance, verification, and validation. In addition, it ratifies Yorktown’s continued effort to exceed customer expectations by delivering quality service and following a global standard for efficiency. “We’ve been honored to support our customers’ multi-discipline contracts that require precision, flexibility, and consistency,” said Bryan Dyer, Yorktown Systems Group president and chief executive officer. “This certification provides our customers confidence in our processes and our ability to quickly adapt to changing needs.” Yorktown is a Huntsville-based, Veteran-Owned Large Business. w
Huntsville is the No. 4 Destination for United Van Lines Clients We all knew that Huntsville is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Now, a study that shows Huntsville is the No. 4 choice for people to move to just reinforces that position. United Van Lines released its 44th annual National Migration Study, revealing in 2020, Americans continued to move westbound and southbound – and the COVID-19 pandemic factored into and accelerated many of those decisions to move. According to the study, which tracks the company’s exclusive data for customers’ 2020 state-to-state migration patterns, Huntsville was the city with the fourth-highest percentage of inbound migration with 70 percent among cities experiencing more than 250 moves with United Van Lines. w
Huntsville Home Values Increase Among Highest in US A recent study has found that in 2020, the typical home value in Huntsville experienced one of the highest surges among real estate markets across the country. Between January and October 2020, home values in Huntsville increased by 12.57 percent, which is 1.95 times greater than the national average. Huntsville was ranked 15th in
February 2021
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Attention All Thrashers (Even Grommets): Skatepark Coming to John Hunt Park
In a few months, you’ll be able to go to John Hunt Park and grab some air with your crew on a half-pipe. That’s right, thanks to a $1 million anonymous donation, the city of Huntsville is moving ahead with plans for an innovative skatepark that will challenge skaters, from professional to novice. The proposed $4 million facility will be Olympic quality and include restrooms, pavilions, sunshades, lighting, landscaping and expanded parking. It is slated to be built on a three-acre site between Kids Space and the championship soccer fields. “Skateboarding continues to grow in popularity and is a sport the community has long wanted to see in John Hunt Park,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “We’ve been holding a space in the park for skaters, and thanks to the generosity of a local donor we’re able to start moving forward on a project this year.” Fueled by the anonymous donor’s gift, the city is working in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. An account has been established to continue fundraising to support the total cost of the project. The city of Huntsville and Community Foundation team is also reaching out to a charity established by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to help with the design. “The Community Foundation is proud to help our donors put their
philanthropic dreams into action,” said Melissa Thompson, CEO and president of the Community Foundation. “We strive to help our donors be generous, however that looks for them. “We are excited to help bring to life the John Hunt Skatepark, which will enhance the quality of life and bring new opportunities to a diverse group of people in our community.” For the donor, having spent formative years enjoying the former Get-A-Way Skatepark on Leeman Ferry Road, the goal is for others to have the opportunity for physical fitness and to learn important life lessons. “Skateboarding is not easy … you have to fall a lot,” said the donor. “I used the focus and dedication harnessed from my skateboarding experiences throughout my business life, understanding you have to be dedicated and work hard to succeed; and you have to learn to fall and get back up.” The city and the Community Foundation will work with The Skatepark Project, Hawk’s national skatepark advocacy charity, to ensure the project is completed efficiently and up to contemporary standards. It will incorporate elements of the GetA-Way Skatepark and offer areas for Olympic and street-style skateboarding. “We are extremely happy to be adding another attraction to John Hunt Park,” said Steve Ivey, director of Huntsville Parks & Recreation. “We know the new skatepark will be a huge success and thank the Community Foundation for helping us make this become a reality.” w
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NASDAQ:SFBS), recently announced the addition of Ben Splawn to ServisFirst Bank Huntsville as a Credit Analyst.
Ben Splawn, Credit Analyst
Splawn joins ServisFirst Bank as a Credit Analyst. In this role he will be responsible for determining the creditworthiness of potential clients based on financial statements, borrowing history and market conditions. Splawn will conduct loan reviews and approvals as well as determine the terms of the loans for clients of the Bank. Prior to this role, Ben Splawn worked with Dynetics, Inc. as a Project Finance Analyst. He tracked budget, scope, and schedule for Department of Defense projects and their project managers to ensure deliverables remained profitable over project periods. Splawn worked with customers such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin to prepare mid-project contract modifications and price negotiations. Splawn earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate from The University of Alabama in 2017. He served as president of the Rho Epsilon Real Estate fraternity, and also had the opportunity to study abroad in Mianyang, China through Southwest University of Science and Technology. Splawn was a member of several honor societies including Golden Key, Cardinal Key, and Phi Eta Sigma, and he served as the historian and social chairmen of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. For more information regarding Ben Splawn as Credit Analyst for ServisFirst Bank, please contact Krista Conlin, Krista@KCProjects.net. To learn more about ServisFirst Bank, visit www.servisfirstbank.com.
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