2023 was a year of groundbreakings in the Rocket City

Just about every week in the Huntsville area this year we saw ground broken on new projects — whether it was apartment complex, a new restaurant or new office building — which is reflective of the tremendous growth the area continues to experience.

Here are 5 major groundbreakings that happened this year in the Huntsville area:

1. BJ’s Wholesale

BJ's Wholesale groundbreakings — BJ’s Wholesale opened in Madison in October. (Michael Seale/Hville Blast)

Ground was broken in February for the new BJ’s Wholesale store in Madison, and the store opened in November to a tremendous amount of fanfare. The store, located at 165 Graphics Drive, Madison, AL 35758 started accepting new members a few months ago, and is the first BJ’s location in Alabama.

The building permit for the new BJ’s was issued Feb. 8, with a cost of $13.2 million. The lead contractor was MacDougal Pierce Construction.

2. Drake State Manufacturing Center

Drake State groundbreakings — The groundbreaking for the new Advanced Manufacturing Center at Drake State was in September. (Fite Building Co.)

Fite Building Co. broke ground on a new Advanced Manufacturing Center at Drake State in September.

The project includes two 50,000-square-foot buildings consisting of classrooms, welding and machine tool labs, industrial and electronic labs, additive manufacturing and additional academic spaces.

The buildings are single story structures with interior equipment platforms and an integral tornado shelter.

3. Huntsville Logistics Center

Officials broke ground on a $200 million dollar Huntsville Logistics Center, which is located at 29300 Old Hwy 20 NW near manufacturing facilities in southeast Limestone County. Two building permits issued in March are for this massive project.

The entire project includes more than 2 million square feet across 4 buildings. Jim Cooper Construction is the lead contractor on this project.

4. The Wellory

The Wellory Living project in MidCity is a “net zero energy” multifamily development bringing low-footprint living and dining options to the area.

The six-story development situated on 4.2 acres on the corner of Old Monrovia and Stax Street will feature:

328 apartment units
13,582 square feet of ground floor retail
Coworking spaces
Roof-level lounge
Outdoor terrace with district views

5. Calhoun Community College Training Center

building permits — Among the new high-dollar groundbreakings this year was the new Calhoun County Community College Training Center. (Bailey-Harris Construction Co.)

Ground was broken in October on the Calhoun Community College Workforce Skills Training Center, part of the Advanced Technology Center for the school.

The $21.3 million project, a two-story addition to Calhoun Community College’s Tanner Campus with an additional storm shelter, will include more than 55,000 square feet and is expected to be complete by the 2024-25 school year.

Check out the groundbreakings statewide in 2023 and see what’s being built throughout Alabama.

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