Alabama 11, May 31, 2023

Crews Encounter Challenging Vein of Rocks During $38M Project

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

Young students in Hartselle, Ala., will soon have a new place to learn.

Construction is under way on a $38 million replacement for Crestline Elementary School, which has served the community for more than six decades.

“The enrollment within the city has continued to increase,” said Crestline Elementary School principal Karissa Lang. “Due to the age of the building, along with required renovations, the board determined a new building was needed.”

In September 2022, Hartselle City Schools hosted a long-awaited groundbreaking for the new facility. Lang noted the original wing of the school, built in 1958, had only 10 classrooms.

“During the next school year, a cafeteria was added. Additional classroom wings were added in 1962, 1972, 1985 and 2000. The new school is being built to accommodate all the Pre-K from around the city. The use of the remaining portion of the old building has not yet been determined.”

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Karissa Lang photo

Construction began October 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in time for students to move into the new space in August 2024.

Bailey-Harris photo

Growing Companies Invest $98M in Mobile County Projects

The Mobile, Ala., area will be the beneficiary of two companies launching growth projects in 2023, bringing a combined $98 million in new capital investment and almost 240 jobs, according to the Mobile Chamber.

The announcement was made May 12 by Made in Alabama, the online news site of the state Department of Commerce (DOC).

The companies headed to the Gulf Coast region of Alabama are:

• Georgia-based Chart Industries, which plans to invest $73.7 million to open a second production site in Mobile County to increase its manufacturing capacity of cryogenic containers. The new production plant will create 59 jobs.

• Superior Air Parts, which produces Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)approved replacement parts for pistonengine aircraft, plans to spend $24.2 million to move its manufacturing operation and corporate headquarters from Texas to Creola in Mobile County. Over five years, the company expects to create 180 jobs at the plant.

Chart Industries Opening Plant Near Mobile Bay

As part of its new project, Chart Industries purchased the former Standard Concrete manufacturing facility, found along the Theodore Industrial Canal, adjacent to Mobile Bay.

The cryogenic containers to be manufactured at the new plant will be up to 30 ft. in diameter, 100 to 200 ft. long, and weigh close to a million pounds. This location will allow the company to load the containers,

which are too heavy to transport on roadways, directly onto barges.

Chart’s expansion project builds on its Alabama presence, which began in 2020 when it acquired the cryogenic and hydrogen trailer business of Worthington Industries, the former operator of the Theodore site.

In March 2021, Chart announced a $2.5 million expansion project, which tripled its employee roster at the Mobile County facility. Currently, it employs 165 people at the plant.

“We are thrilled to see Chart’s continued confidence in the Mobile area by expanding their operations in Theodore,” Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne explained. “Expansions like this are made possible by support from Partners for Growth investors and Team Mobile.”

Chart is a publicly traded company based in Ball Ground, Ga., just outside Atlanta. It was named one of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Fastest Growing Companies” in 2020 and has customers on six continents.

“The expansion of Chart Industries is another reflection of the great workforce and thriving business environment that exists in the Mobile area,” noted Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “We are excited to be a partner in the future success of Chart and are grateful for their continued investment.”

Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson echoed those comments.

“This substantial capital investment and the creation of these new jobs will greatly benefit and further diversify our local econ-

omy,” she added.

Mobile’s Education, Infrastructure Just Right for Superior

Keith Chatten, CEO of Superior Air Parts, said his company considered many factors in its decision and found that the Mobile area offered many advantages.

“The transportation system that is in place and expanding in the Mobile area is very impressive,” he noted. “The area has invested heavily in education including high school programs, technical schools — with the recent addition of manufacturing programs at Bishop State — and the extensive growth at the University of South Alabama.

“All of that certainly helps us find the various skill sets needed, such as machinists, operators, test technicians, engineers and various other professionals,” Chatten added.

Superior Air’s Mobile County facility also will be designed to host research and development, engineering, a test cell, machining and manufacturing. Its operation, including the corporate headquarters, will be located on Radcliff Road in Creola.

The company plans to break ground by the end of this year, according to the Mobile Chamber. Operations for the first phase of the plant are set to begin in 2024.

“As a leading manufacturer of FAAapproved aftermarket parts for piston-engine aircraft, Superior Air Parts will be a strong addition to the growing aviation cluster in the Mobile region,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama DOC. “Superior’s decision to relocate its manufacturing operation and headquarters to Mobile County clearly reflects the company’s confidence in the area’s workforce.” 

Dirt Work Begins at Site of New HQ for Davidson Technologies

Looking to the future, Davidson Technologies recently broke ground for its new global headquarters at Huntsville, Ala.’s Redstone Gateway.

The new single-tenant building, scheduled for completion during the first quarter of 2024, will modernize Davidson’s facilities, increase proximity to its customers and provide added capabilities.

The government contractor was founded in Huntsville, and for more than 27 years has distinguished itself in the aerospace and missile defense industry with an outstanding reputation for excellence.

The new 46,000-sq.-ft. facility is designed to supply the security necessary for Davidson’s customers and warfighters.

In a May 2 ceremony celebrat-

ing the construction, Davidson executives were joined by representatives from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers, including Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon, Huntsville City Council President John Meredith, and James Lomax, vice president of Asset Management & Leasing for Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT), the developer of the property.

“This is a very fitting progression for this company coming from being here and being a local homegrown company, and then growing into Redstone Gateway is a great thing for our community, for the city of Huntsville, and for all north Alabama,” Battle said at the

groundbreaking.

Davidson CEO John Holly, a retired Army Major General, explained, “Our new global headquarters will help to support our mission and company goals. We’re extremely excited about our future in the new Davidson Technologies facility.”

During his remarks, Lomax reminded the audience of the many years Davidson Technologies has been an important part of the Huntsville community.

“The legacy of this company runs deep, and we’re proud they have entrusted COPT to develop their future home,” he said.

Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, one of the nation’s largest privately held construction companies, is the general contractor of the project. It has worked in

the growing Redstone Gateway business hub since 2011, according to Sara Beth Wilcox, vice president and division manager at the building firm.

“We’ll use tilt-up construction methods, an efficient construction method appropriate for a business like Davidson, which is also committed to innovation in its work,” she told Yellowhammer News.

One Expert Company Working for Another

As a top government defense contractor, Davidson Technologies is recognized for hiring noted experts, experienced engineers, and scientists dedicated to designing and delivering advanced, intelligent technology solutions in the defense of America. It specializes in artificial intelligence (AI), mod-

eling and simulation, software development and weapon system cybersecurity.

Brasfield & Gorrie was opened in 1964 and since then the firm has expanded its services to include not only general contracting, but design-build, and construction management services for a wide variety of markets. Additionally, it is skilled in best practices including virtual design and construction, integrated project delivery, and Lean construction, but may be best known for its preconstruction and self-perform expertise, and exceptional client service.

Today, Brasfield & Gorrie has 13 offices in the Southeast and more than 3,500 employees, with $5 billion in 2022 revenue. It is consistently ranked among the top contractors in the United States.

Mobile Chamber rendering

A rendering of Superior Air Parts’ planned new facility in Creola.

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Rocks, Rain Hamper Crews Building Elementary School

ROCKS from page 1

Student capacity is for 1,000 students. There will be 62 full-size classrooms, along with a large gym, library and other smaller rooms/offices for special area personnel. The school also will have space for an outdoor classroom and dining area.

The project is being funded through a bond secured through the city. The new school will be one level, with just more than 105,000 square footage. Bailey-Harris Construction of Auburn, Ala., serves as the general contractor and the design firm is Davis Architects, a nationally recognized architecture firm headquartered in Birmingham.

“Because construction is taking place next door to the existing school, it’s been awesome to watch the entire process, from dirt work to foundation to walls,” said Lang. “The equipment used, along with the amount of manpower, has been amazing. I can’t wait to see the finished project. I check on the project every day. I have a great viewpoint from one of the doorways at school.”

The project is 40 percent complete and is not without its share of challenges.

“Building it beside the existing school, along with the fact that we are located in the middle of the neighborhood, has made parking, deliveries, etc. difficult,” said Rocky Smith, facilities and operations for Hartselle City Schools. “Space is limited.”

Wet conditions also have been a factor.

“It has rained an average of three days per week; therefore, we have lost 43 days of construction. It has created somewhat of a mud bog around the entire site, but the construction crew brought in gravel and other equipment to maneuver the process.”

The walls are currently being finished on the last two classroom wings, along with the front office. Crews are preparing to roof the completed wings. Foundations have

already been completed. The roof install, interior finishes, installation of equipment and the framing of interior walls remain, along with awnings, parking lots and storm drains.

Regarding site work, crews did encounter one unexpected issue.

“A vein of rocks below the surface was much larger than originally planned,” said Smith. “It took months to chip away.”

Most of the dirt excavated for foundations has remained on site. The project also calls for demolition.

“Two classroom wings will be removed from the existing building, along with one of the parking lots,” Smith

The building will be brick exterior with a shingled roof. Interior finishes include VCT in hallways, classrooms and a cafeteria. Polished concrete will be used in the main entrance, with carpet in the administration office and library.

Construction began October 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in time for students to move into the new space in August 2024. Lang said the children, parents and staff are counting the days until the doors open.

“Everyone is ready to move. We are all excited about the larger gym and cafeteria, along with the needed additional classrooms.”  CEG

said. “Both wings will be abated during the asbestos removal process. The Pre-K drop off/pickup lane will not be able to be completed until the wings are demolished.”

Jonathon Knight, senior superintendent of Bailey-Harris, said already 250,000 cu. yds. of material has been moved. Heavy machinery on site includes dozers, an excavator, dump trucks, a reach lift, boom lift, scissor lift and skid steer. Concrete and cinder block have been the main materials used.

“Because construction is taking place next door to the existing school, it’s been awesome to watch the entire process, from dirt work to foundation to walls,” said Crestline Elementary School principal Karissa Lang.

Karissa Lang photo

Bailey-Harris photo

Bailey-Harris Construction of Auburn, Ala., serves as the general contractor and the design firm is Davis Architects, a nationally recognized architecture firm headquartered in Birmingham.

DAVIS Architects Inc. rendering

The building will be brick exterior with a shingled roof. Interior finishes include VCT in hallways, classrooms and a cafeteria. Polished concrete will be used in the main entrance, with carpet in the administration office and library