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Media Coverage

Demolition begins at Holiday Inn in downtown Huntsville to make way for new project

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Lucy Berry
The Huntsville Times
al.com

A new chapter began today in downtown Huntsville.

The 270-room former Holiday Inn on Williams Avenue came crumbling down this morning to make way for CityCentre at Big Spring, a $70 million mixed-use project that will feature a new-to-market boutique hotel, parking deck, 30,000 square feet of restaurants and retail stores, 53,000 square feet of office loft space and 200 multi-family apartments. The structure is expected to break ground in April.

The Holiday Inn across from Big Spring International Park and Von Braun Center was open for about 40 years and served a variety of guests, including late rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley. The facility, which was a Hilton before being rebranded in 2005, closed in December 2013 and hosted a massive liquidation sale a month later.

RCP Companies, which is building CityCentre with Central Realty Holdings of Greenville, S.C., and Strand Development of Myrtle Beach, S.C., has plans for Phase II of the development. The second $30 million phase will include a 130-key urban hotel and 50,000 square feet of mixed-commercial and office loft space.

The Huntsville City Council voted to spend $227,250 in November to have Hardiman Remediation Services dispose of asbestos throughout the building. The asbestos and bottom-floor carpet were removed earlier this month prior to the start of demolition.

City of Huntsville Director of Public Works Terry Hatfield has said demolition will end no later than March 31.

Check out the demolition in the AL.com video below:

Check out the full gallery on al.com.

Media Coverage

A year in review: the 10 most popular Huntsville, north Alabama business stories in 2014

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We made the list!

Check out The Huntsville Times’ write-up on CityCentre at Big Spring

Lucy Berry
The Huntsville Times
al.com

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — 2014 was a big year for business in the Tennessee Valley.

Using web analytics, we compiled the most widely-read business stories in the Huntsville and north Alabama area during the past year.

Here is a list of some of our most popular 2014 business stories in no particular order. Let us know which stories you think should have made the cut in the comment section.

1. Remington: A few days after The Military Times leaked in February that Remington would open a large gun factory in Huntsville, company leaders confirmed they were expanding during a packed-out press conference with state and local officials. The $110 million firearms assembly and machining operation is located in the former Chrysler building near Huntsville International Airport and will employ up to 2,000 workers over several years. The facility, which is currently in pre-production, is hiring advanced manufacturing workers through Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT). Read full Remington coverage from AL.com here.

2. Shakalaka: Readers went crazy when they first learned about Shakalaka, an all-ages extreme indoor trampoline park developed by California entrepreneur Case Lawrence. Although the 4710 University Drive venue took several months to open, the site served thousands of jumpers within its first few days of operation. Shakalaka has 12,000 square feet of trampolines, a dodgeball stadium, slack lines, dunk basketball hoops, Olympic Foam Pits and more. Unlike elevated trampolines, Shakalaka has built-in platform decks so jumpers cannot fall off.

3. Whole Foods:

One of the area’s most-wanted retailers announced in February it would open its first Huntsville location. The store will anchor the Shops at Merchants Walk, a new 100,000-square-foot shopping and restaurant development under construction at Bob Wallace Avenue and Memorial Parkway. Maki Fresh Sushi Rolls and Japanese Grill, Mountain High Outfitters and Orangetheory Fitness are among announced retailers slated for the $50 million project.

4. Cabela’s: The city of Huntsville scored another key retailer in 2014 with the landing of Alabama’s first Cabela’s superstore. The Nebraska-based hunting, fishing and outdoor retailer has an 80,000-square-foot store under construction at the new Parkside Town Centre, an $80 million mixed-use project near the intersection of Interstate 565 and 255 at Governors West Road. The store was the subject of a lawsuit filed earlier this year by developer Louis Breland, claiming his former employee and current Huntsville school board member, Mike Culbreath, committed “economic espionage” against him, including stealing Cabela’s.

5. Lowe Mill: In Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment media director Dustin Timbrook’s words, 2014 was a “crossover year” for the regional arts center. The former cotton mill recently celebrated a major 37,000-square-foot north floor expansion, which increased the center’s square footage by 30 percent and brought the total number of working artists to 200. The grand opening in December attracted thousands of visitors, art lovers and Christmas shoppers to Lowe Mill.

6. Boeing: The Rocket City was among dozens of sites in 22 states competing for about 8,500 jobs and a $10 billion plant related to Boeing’s next-generation 777X jetliner. Less than a month after Boeing announced plans for a new $6 million research center and 400 engineering jobs in Huntsville, the International Association of Machinists accepted a contract offer from Boeing to produce the plane in Everett, Wash.

7. Mentone Springs Hotel: The iconic 130-year-old hotel and nearby White Elephant Antique Galleries were both destroyed by a massive fire March 1. Officials said a faulty electrical panel caused the blaze, which agencies battled for hours and was discovered after hotel guests heard a loud popping noise and saw smoke coming from upstairs. Owners Jim and Darlene Rotch have not announced future plans for the site, but are open to redevelopment ideas from the community.

8. Town Madison: Officials broke ground in early August on the $400 million Town Madison development, which AL.com reported will lead to new roads, an interstate interchange and 1.5 million square feet of commercial and retail space along Interstate 565 and Zierdt Road. The project, which will have 445 hotel rooms and 668 apartments, is expected to create about 1,600 jobs.

9. Stone Middle School: Construction on the vacant Stone Middle School in Huntsville began in September to prepare for two well-known local breweries and an outdoor concert amphitheater. The project will include a 40,000-square-foot brewery and taproom for Straight to Ale, a new 6,000-square-foot facility, bier garten and tasting room for Yellowhammer, and a large amphitheater for concerts and outdoor events.

10. CityCentre at Big Spring:

Formerly known as Big Spring Square, this $70 million mixed-use project will take over the shuttered Holiday Inn site near Big Spring International Park and Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville. Phase I will include a new-to-market boutique hotel, 31,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants, 53,000 square feet of office loft space and 200 multi-family apartments. Phase II will represent a $30 million investment with a 130-key urban hotel and 50,000 square feet of mixed-commercial and office loft space.

An architect's rendering of the proposed CityCentre at Big Spring, formerly known as Big Spring Square, at the corner of Williams Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Huntsville. (Contributed by the City of Huntsville)

Media Coverage

Metro Rising

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Huntsville / Madison County Chamber of Commerce Initiatives
John Southerland

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In 1990, population for the two-county Huntsville Metropolitan Statistical Area hovered around 294,000 residents. Between 1990 and 2000, the MSA, which includes Madison and Limestone Counties as well as the cities of Huntsville and Madison, accounted for almost 25 percent of the population growth in Alabama.

Between 2000 and 2010, once again almost 25 percent of the entire state’s population growth occurred in the Huntsville MSA. Today, the metro population is knocking on the door of 440,000 residents…and climbing. The surge has allowed the Huntsville Metro to rise to the second most populous in Alabama behind only Birmingham.

A mixture of targeted industry recruitment successes, an economy that fared far better than many around the nation, an influx of high-paying federal and contractor jobs and the diversity of high-technology companies and entrepreneurs has the metro surging.

While the economy has long been driven by the growth of Redstone Arsenal and Cum- mings Research Park, new sectors and areas are primed for industrial and retail growth. The exponential population growth during the 1950s and 60s saw engineers and scien- tists flocking to the area to develop and man- age the nation’s missile and space programs. Long time residents still mention accounts of “building a new classroom a week” during that period. But at no time has there been more economic activity occurring in all areas of the metro than what is happening now.

From industrial to retail, the “classroom a week” catchphrase of the 1960s may be one-upped with “an announcement a week” tagline for the new millennium.

The calendar year started off with a bang (pun intended) with the announcement in February that the Remington Outdoor Company will add a new manufacturing facility in Huntsville – an announcement that generated buzz across the country.

“With the acquisition of this facility, we plan to create 2,000 jobs in Huntsville over the next decade,” said George Kollitides, Chairman and CEO of Remington Outdoor Company. “This additional capacity is essential to fulfill de- mand and introduce new products. Having watched our company grow from 2,400 employees in 2008 to 4,200 employees by the end of 2013, a five-year, 75-percent increase, it is easy to see why we’re investing now.”

Remington chose Huntsville over 24 other sites in its quest to find a suitable location for a 900,000-square-foot facility. And Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said the ripple effect of such an announcement would benefit all of Alabama.

“The Alabama workforce, our business climate and our quality of life continue to make Alabama extremely attractive to companies. Our relationship with Remington is just beginning, and I look forward to a continued partnership with the company.”

In 2013, Remington made significant strides including expanding its ammunition facility, increasing its firearm capacity, winning a multitude of highly competitive military and law enforcement contracts, launching its 1816 lifestyle brand, and introducing a series of exciting new products such as Ultimate Defense Handgun Ammunition and the 783 bolt action rifle. All of which helped lead Remington to record sales.

“We are capitalizing on this momentum by strengthening our positions across the board,” said Kollitides. “With demand for our products at an historic high and more new product launches planned for 2014 than ever before in our 200-year history, we are investing in the future.”

The Huntsville expansion provides for future needed capacity to support existing product demand and a robust new product pipe- line. Huntsville’s extensive history as a high tech, research and technology hub lends itself to Remington’s internal R&D efforts for design, development and testing of new products.

Fast forward from the Remington announcement in February to another major development that occurred in the MSA in October – the grand opening of the new $58 million, 5-story, 250,000 sq. ft. Intergraph headquarters in Madison that will add an ad- ditional 300 jobs, that will increase employment to more than 1,200.

While the two companies compete in completely different industries, Remington and Intergraph have some shared characteristic: facilities and amenities for employees.

Remington, refurbishing the old Chrysler building near Huntsville International Airport, is treating its new facility as an innovation center with modern amenities and shared spaces. Since Remington will be designing and testing new products in the facility, innovation will be a central part of its culture as well, according to Vice President of Operations Trip Ferguson – who described the building redesign and shared open collaboration space as “Google for Guns”. The facility will include relaxation space designed to allow collaboration and innovation to naturally occur. It will also have break rooms, an on-site cafeteria and other employee amenities.

Intergraph’s facility features a 24/7 recreation area furnished with gaming equipment designed to give employees mental breaks. Meetings can be held in the cafeteria…or wherever they happen. The entire facility is treated as each employee’s “workspace” said Intergraph Executive Vice President of Human Resources Ed Porter.

Throughout the company’s 45-year history, Intergraph employees worked in different buildings designed for functionality and compartmentalized by divisions and programs. Today all employees will be together in a unique and collaborative environment.

“For the first time in Intergraph’s history, we are bringing employees at this location together under one roof, which I’m confident will foster innovation and camaraderie,” says Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “The building is a testament to Hexagon’s commitment to Intergraph and the Madison County business community.”

But it is not only “cool facilities and cool spaces” being constructed around the metro. It’s a cultural shift across a wide variety of industry and retail. While there are always challenges in protecting the various retail corridors within the local municipalities, the one word that could be used to describe all of the activity is “energy” according to Lucia Cape, the Chamber’s vice president of economic development.

“There is as much activity here as we have ever seen – and more diverse than ever. The expansion of existing companies and recruitment of new industry leads to high interest in retail development.

Retail looks at population growth. Population growth occurs by adding new jobs. It seems like each week there is an announcement for a retail project somewhere in the MSA. And this is thanks in part to the re- gional partnership across the metro that works to expand the area’s infrastructure to support each development,” Cape said.

And the number of retail development announcements and projects continues to swell. Consider:

Cabela’s recently announced it would build its first Alabama retail store in Huntsville. The site preparation for the hunting, fishing and outdoor gear retailer has already started in the planned Parkside Town Centre located across from Bridge Street Town Centre. Soon afterward the City of Huntsville celebrated the grand opening of the

$20 million Belk at Bridge Street. Other recent announcements at Bridge Street included the opening or planned opening of several new stores and restaurants, including Texas de Brazil, Dicky’s Barbecue Pit, Bravo! Cucina Italiana and in the spring, the popular Homewood-based Steel City Pops.

In October, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle announced a $70 million hotel/residential/retail project for the former down- town Holiday Inn site. The project, Big Spring Square, will include a 100-room boutique hotel, 200 residential units, retail property and restaurants.

Other projects in and around downtown Huntsville include the $50 million Whole Foods Market at the new Shops at Merchants Walk development. The organic and natural food chain will be the anchor tenant in the 100,000 sq. ft. shopping center that broke ground in 2014.

The $100 million Twickenham Square, a live-work-shop development in downtown Huntsville anchored by the Artisan Square Apartment, a Publix supermarket and a Homewood Suites hotel, is nearing completion as shops and restaurants such as Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill and others are slated to fill in the remaining available space.

Likewise, commercial developer Scott McLain said negotiations continue with the planned $180 million Constellation live, work and shop development just to the west of the Von Braun Center that would include 280,000 sq. ft. of office space, new restaurants and shops, a new hotel and 150 apartments.

The Village of Providence has also continued its growth of restaurants, homes and retail shops. Founded in late 2003, the mixed-use neighborhood includes numerous restaurants, retail shops, offices, a Homewood Suites hotel, a SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel, high-end condos and hundreds of residential lots and growing.

Lendon, a mixed use development under construction in South Huntsville, will include a 400,000 square foot shopping complex with 19 retail parcels in the main center and 11 restaurants or retail out-parcels. The adjacent planned residential community will include a variety of house types, sizes and styles with interconnected walkways and a live, work, play culture similar to the Village of Providence.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said each area of Huntsville is poised for significant growth and that recruiting, planning and execution have made it possible.

“The growth we have experienced the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it should not come as a surprise,” Battle said. “We have everything companies are looking for including prime land, strong infrastructure, a skilled work- force, and a quality of life that is second to none. Retailers new to our market further recognize the growth and purchasing power in Huntsville. We are pleased our citizens can access the variety of shopping choices found in most major cities.”

In Madison – the biggest retail announcement of all was made in late summer when local and state officials announced the $400 million Town Madison development, which will include 900,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 450,000 sq. ft. of office space, 445 hotel rooms and 668 apartments. This development will also create new roads, and an interstate interchange on about 700 acres alongside I-565 and Zierdt Road.

The entire Huntsville Metro will benefit from all of the retail and industrial projects, said Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong.

“Over the past year our community has announced over 3,000 new jobs, a combined investment in new school construction of $300 million and over $400 million in new road projects.

I firmly believe that these investments along with the positive jobs news and hundreds of millions of dollars in new commercial development show that our economy is strong and our community will continue to invest in growth,” Strong said.

“The high bond ratings for Madison County that were recently announced are a reflection of the sound policies that this Commission has put in place to increase accountability and spend taxpayer money wisely. We will continue to do more with less and make investments to bring new jobs, support our schools and improve the quality of life across our County and all six cities that call Madison County home,” he said.

While Remington was the largest of the industrial project announcements, several notable expansions are helping to create the buzz that attract more industry and more retail options. Science and Engineering Services executives were joined by local and state leaders at the Farnborough Air Show this past summer to announce a $70 million expansion of its manufacturing operation at the former Dunlop Tire plant. The company, which provides support and maintenance, repair and overhaul services to military, commercial and unmanned aircraft, will add 450 jobs over the next three years.

General Electric Intelligent Platforms expanded in 2014 by adding a new production facility and 50 jobs at its Huntsville facility. The Verizon Wireless announced last spring that it would hire an additional 300 workers at its call center in Huntsville.

Add to the industry and retail growth new energy and buzz attached to downtown Huntsville and downtown Madison, both featuring new events, concerts, gatherings and activities each week, and it is easy to see why residents are seeing radical changes.  Alex Moore, recruiting manager for Curse, Inc., spent eight years living in Austin, Texas before moving to Huntsville. What she sees happening in the metro area now reminds her of the growth and culture of Austin.  “I am a Texan born and raised, and I spent a lot of time visiting family and friends in Austin before I moved there for college. The Huntsville area has so many of the same characteristics of a younger Austin. Huntsville has the same government and technology foundation that Austin originally had in place 20 to 30 years ago. Once the abun- dance of technical talent became known to companies or entrepreneurs outside of Aus- tin, they started either opening up offices there or starting a company there knowing they could hire the talent they needed lo- cally,” Moore said.

“Another similarity I see is the artistic culture. It’s so important for people to see the work/life balance in a community if they are considering moving themselves, or their companies there.

So the fact that people can enjoy the arts in the community they live in outside of work is important.

Beautiful terrain and outdoorsy fit and cul- ture are also similar – people are increasing- ly paying attention to their health, so oppor- tunities to enjoy nature and stay fit exist in both areas,” she said. “And the growing craft brewery and local food/restaurant/bar cul- ture is really similar. People in Austin love supporting local businesses – it makes them prideful about where they live and what great food and beverages are made there. I see a similar culture here. The fact that both areas have similar local food and beverage cultures is awesome.”

And more growth looks to be on the ho- rizon, according to Cape. The community and state continue to work a number of projects that could continue the dramatic growth for years to come. “Working along- side the Alabama Department of Commerce, TVA, Huntsville Utilities and all of our eco- nomic development partners across the re- gion, we are working more projects together than ever,” she said.

“The Huntsville metro is definitely on the radar of companies and site selection consul- tants. Our current projects are a good balance of new companies and expansions. Nearly half are commercial, and nearly two-thirds are manufacturing. Because of the high-tech economy, skilled workforce and solid infra- structure, we are very active right now.”

Metro rising indeed.

Media Coverage

Curious about Big Spring Square in downtown Huntsville? Look at this California development for a preview

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Lucy Berry
The Huntsville Times
al.com

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – If you’ve been curious about what the $70 million Big Spring Square project might be like in downtown Huntsville, you can look at a development Santana Row in San Jose, Calif. for a preview.

Max Grelier, executive vice president of RCP Companies in Huntsville, said the conceptually-similar, 650,000-square-foot property has a mixed-use urban layout developers are aiming for with Big Spring Square, which will replace the shuttered Holiday Inn site as early as 2016.

Santana Row, a $450 million, 42-acre mixed-use “village within a city” when it opened, is on a much grander scale with 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theater. It also features 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately-owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space.

“It’s got some of the similar kinds of retailers we’ll be trying to attract in terms of food venues and boutiques,” Grelier said. “It’s a lot larger in scale, it’s in a bigger city, but I think it’s a decent example of the mix of uses and how they harmonize and fit into the fabric of the community.”

Mixed-use urban ‘experience’ center

The development, which offers more than 3,500 parking spaces, features Crate & Barrel, Gucci America, the Container Store, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Maggiano’s, Best Buy, Lululemon Athletica and dozens of other tenants, according to the Federal Realty Investment Trust website.

Grelier said other U.S. mixed-use projects with a similar feel are Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Fla., Avalon in Alpharetta, Ga., Jefferson @ Hollywood in Hollywood, Calif. And Glenridge Springs in Atlanta.

Phase one of Big Spring Square, which will break ground in April, will include a new-to-market boutique hotel with at least 100 rooms, 31,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants, 53,000 square feet of office loft space and 200 multi-family apartments.

RCP is about 60 days from announcing the name of the hotel, which is a brand spokeswoman Lindsay Harper said “brings attention to detail, unique design philosophy and an outstanding operating platform.”

RCP, which is developing Big Spring Square with Central Realty Holdings of Greenville, S.C., and Strand Development of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is also actively working to recruit a combination of polished- and fast-casual restaurants that are new to the Huntsville area.

“From a food standpoint, we will probably have a restaurant that does breakfast and lunch, maybe a couple that do lunch and dinner and then maybe one or two that actually go into the night and provide entertainment,” Grelier said.

High-tech hub

Developers plan to position the loft office facility as a “high tech hub” with a possible business incubator that brings local technology and life-science leaders together to create an epicenter and a niche market for job growth in the Rocket City.

Phase one will also include a parking deck with 400 spaces. CMH Architects Executive Vice President Michael Tillman said the structure will serve the hotel, mixed-use food and retail buildings and residential units.

“It’s probably going to be four elevated levels,” he said. “That’s what we’re thinking right now. That first elevated level will extend in and become sort of a plaza level with a pool and outdoor spaces toward the multi-family. The multi-family will C-shape around it as it goes up.”

Like the Artisan at Twickenham Square apartments near Huntsville Hospital, the Big Spring Square residential component will offer a similar lifestyle, price structure and choice of amenities, Grelier said. Williams Avenue in front of the property will be narrowed to engage Big Spring Park and increase open space for outdoor concerts, art in the park and other family activities.

Harper said the area in front of the park will have shaded seating areas, public art, landscaping and hardscapes to boost interaction between guests, shoppers, employees and area residents.

Adding continuity

Central Realty will lease the six-acre site for 99 years, paying $144,000 per year. In addition to demolishing the Holiday Inn property and clearing the land, the city will do street-side landscaping. Brasfield & Gorrie will act as general contractor for the project.

“You have an old vacant Holiday Inn that’s doing nothing but being an eyesore,” said Bill Steed, a vice president and division manager at Brasfield & Gorrie. “It’ll help link the Von Braun Center, the Embassy Suites and what’s going on in the Twickenham area. I think it adds continuity from one side of town to the other.”

Phase two of the project will represent a $30 million investment with a 130-key urban hotel and 50,000 square feet of mixed-commercial and office loft space. Grelier said the timing of the second phase is subject to the city’s process.

“We believe once we’re finished opening the hotel here, that’s about the time we would get access to that site,” he said.

Media Coverage

$70M Big Spring Square development in downtown Huntsville could include rooftop dining, office lofts for high-tech firms

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by Steve Doyle
The Huntsville Times
al.com

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Restaurants with rooftop dining and office lofts for high-tech companies are strong possibilities at the new Big Spring Square development in downtown Huntsville.

RCP Companies of Huntsville released additional details Monday about the $70 million mixed-use project that promises to transform the old Holiday downtown Inn property at the corner of Williams Avenue and Monroe Street.

Max Grelier, RCP’s executive vice president, said the goal is to bring “round-the-clock activity and services” to the 6.8-acre site bordering Big Spring International Park and the Von Braun Center.

Grelier said RCP, which is currently building the Whole Foods-anchored Shops at Merchants Walk south of downtown, will have a key role in recruiting retail and office tenants to Big Spring Square.

The early returns are encouraging.

“We are receiving strong feedback from our initial contact with prospective tenants,” said Grelier, “and believe some announcements are forthcoming.”

Scheduled to break ground next April and open in 2016, Big Spring Square will include 200 apartments, a boutique hotel, 28,000 square feet of restaurants, shops and offices, and multi-level parking garage.

Central Realty Holdings of Greenville, S.C., and Strand Development of Myrtle Beach, S.C., are developing the project with RCP.

Central Realty Holdings has agreed to pay the City of Huntsville $144,000 per year to lease the Holiday Inn site. The company also has the first option to redevelop an adjacent city-owned parcel that includes the James A. Williams Aquatic Center and Scruggs Recreation Center.

Grelier said Big Spring Square will boast a blend of national and/or regional restaurants that are mostly new to Huntsville. Those eateries are likely to offer rooftop or alfresco dining overlooking the park, he said.

RCP also wants Big Spring Square to become the home of multiple high-tech firms.

“Leaders in the technology community are being recruited to help develop this as an epicenter which we hope will result in a niche for tech job growth,” said Grelier. “The format may include the creation of a business ‘accelerator,’ which will attract entrepreneurs, capital and talent, and drive new ventures for graduation to larger spaces in and around Huntsville.”

The city has agreed to cover the cost of demolishing the vacant Holiday Inn, which closed last December, and also spend about $1.5 million on “streetscape improvements” around Big Spring Square.

Those improvements could take the form of narrowing Williams Avenue, which spans five lanes in front of the Holiday Inn site. Big Spring Square patrons will have to walk across the road to get to the park, Huntsville Museum of Art and other parts of downtown.

Director of Urban Development Shane Davis said reducing Williams Avenue to two lanes in that area would slow traffic and also “pull the park” closer to Big Spring Square, the VBC and Embassy Suites.

“We’d really like to make that area much more pedestrian-friendly,” Davis told AL.com last week.