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December 11 2024
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Vol. XXVI • No. 25
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‘Game Changer’ Massive Project to Transform One of Alabaster’s Main Gateways By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Described as a power lifestyle destination center, District 31 will bring roughly 600,000 sq. ft. of new retail, restaurant and hotel space to Alabaster, Ala. Construction on Phase IV of the $242 million project began in May 2024, with Phases I-III starting in January 2025. “Projects of this size are dwindling in the retail world,” said Keith Owens, CEO and managing partner of Alumni Development. “This one is the largest in the state at this time.” Alumni Properties is the landowner and prime developer, as well as a building subcontractor. According to Owens, there has been explosive growth in Shelby County, making this pedestrian-friendly project a natural fit. “Housing growth is the third highest in the state, only behind Madison and Baldwin counties. This project is located at the corner of Highway 31/Interstate 65, a ‘top five’ traffic count corner in the state in the summer months for beach travel.” District 31, between Birmingham and Montgomery, is visible to more than 100,000 vehicles per day from I-65, and 40,000 vehicles daily from U.S. Highway 31, according to the project website. With a trade area that extends north to Birmingham and Jefferson County and south to Clanton in Chilton County, the development is surrounded by high income households within a 10-mi. radius of the site and several of the MSA’s largest and fastest growing schools. The project calls for a modern design featuring a Main Street plaza. Phases I-III are devoted to the District 31 project, while Phase IV focuses on the Shoppes at District 31. As for the title, “We wanted a unique name
Josh Reeser, SiteSolutions photo
A variety of equipment is required on the job, with crews moving forward at a steady pace
see ALABASTER page 6
SpaceFactory to Build HQ in Huntsville; State Grant Boosts Megasite SpaceFactory, an industry leader in space and terrestrial construction technology, announced plans in early November to relocate its headquarters to Huntsville, Ala., thus positioning itself within the heart of the nation’s high-tech and aerospace industries. The strategic move places SpaceFactory’s new facility at 209 Bailes St. in the Rocket City, near the innovative Campus 805,
where the company will expand its lunar research and advanced manufacturing divisions. SpaceFactory will make a $2 million investment in the new facility, which is expected to bring more than 25 new jobs to the area by its completion next summer. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey welcomed the announcement, underscoring its significance
for the state’s economic future. “SpaceFactory’s decision to relocate to Huntsville underscores Alabama’s growing reputation as a leader in high-tech innovation and space exploration,” she said. “We’re thrilled to welcome a company committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and supporting NASA’s return to the Moon with [the] Artemis [program].”
Pioneers in large-format 3D printing, SpaceFactory leverages innovative technology developed through its collaborations with NASA to revolutionize manufacturing. On its website, the company bills itself as being “at the forefront of developing advanced manufacturing systems that not only promise to be the first to build on the see NEAR page 2