A mix of heavy equipment is a familiar sight on campus, as Alabama State University (ASU) prepares for two new student housing complexes. Work on the $77 million project began in July 2025.
“As ASU continues to strategically grow our enrollment, expanding student housing is necessary,” said ASU President Quinton T. Ross Jr. “This is a key component of our strategic plan ‘Focus 2030’ and is essential for continuous improvement and growth.
“Through progressive thinking and transformative actions, we are committed to moving forward. These projects are not just buildings; they are bridges to future investments in the student experience and the vitality of our university community.”
According to Ross, the new housing will enhance the student experience.
“With the growing demand for on-campus living, these complexes will provide our students with peace of mind, allowing them to focus on achieving their dreams of graduating from ASU right here on campus.”
The Forest Ave. site on the east end of the campus will
Huntsville’s Building Boom Tops
Huntsville Hospital’s Madison Street Tower expansion is still the most expensive project initiated in northern Alabama during the first three quarters of 2025.
Overall, more than $1.6 billion in construction is under way this year in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties, according to permits pulled by the publication Report Construction.
Other top projects started since Jan. 1
include construction on the Clearview Cancer Institute facility in Decatur, and the Ditto Landing event center and buildings at the Redstone Gateway and Cummings Research Park, both located in Huntsville.
Looking ahead to the last quarter of the year, Al.com reported Sept. 30, 2025, that additional construction is ahead on an $82 million research and manufacturing facility for eyecare tech firm Glaukos at
house 238 beds in five buildings, three floors each. The total square footage of each building is 20,963. This site also will contain a 4,189-sq.-ft. cafe, as well as two free-standing storm shelters.
The University Drive site on the west end of the campus will house 260 beds in 11 buildings, with the same square footage, number of floors and design. It will feature one freestanding storm shelter.
Donald Dotson, ASU vice-president of facilities management and operations, said the university has not constructed or renovated any of its residence halls since 2010.
Cummings Research Park, and a $44.6 million expansion of Huntsville’s Ice Sports Center.
Bids also are expected to be let soon for the expansion of Big Spring Park East in the Rocket City.
Report: New Construction Tops $1.6B So Far in 2025
BUILDING from page 1
13 major construction companies are working in the region in 2025 to build commercial and residential projects, Al.com noted.
Robins & Morton Group
Birmingham’s Robins & Morton is the top builder so far with seven permits totaling $157 million. The firm also is building the most expensive project: a $112 million portion of Huntsville Hospital’s $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion.
The hospital’s expansion includes adding 154,000 sq. ft. of new clinical space. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board unanimously approved the five-story addition in late 2024 and Robins & Morton obtained the permit in February.
Most of the work is taking place at the hospital’s northeast corner facing Madison Street and St. Clair Avenue. The project includes:
• a new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit made possible by a $10 million philanthropic donation — the largest private gift the hospital has ever received;
• a Neuro Intensive Care Unit for neurosurgical and stroke patients;
• three floors of acute medical space;
• 120 private patient rooms; and
• a new and improved Emergency Department vehicle entrance.
When the construction is finished, HH Health System’s flagship facility will have a total of 931 patient beds — up from the current 881. 70 existing patient rooms are being converted from double occupancy to single
occupancy.
Robins & Morton originally built the Madison Street Tower in 2006. Chapman Sisson Architects designed the tower and the expansion.
The hospital expansion is not the only project started by the contractor this year. It also is the builder of the $37 million Clearview Cancer Institute going up at 1626 6th Ave in southeast Decatur. According to a development agreement with the city, the institute is building a two-story, 50,000-sq.ft. facility. Chapman Sisson Architects is also involved with that project.
Nearby, Robins & Morton is constructing a $3.7 million, 28,000-sq.-ft. buildout at 9700 Advanced Gateway. That facility will include office and high-bay space, company spokesperson Chris Yazbec told AL.com.
Lennar Homes
Lennar Homes of Alabama is the top homebuilder in the area so far this year, according to the online news source, as it has been issued 496 permits totaling $100.2 million. The company is a homebuilder for the Clift Farm development bordering north Madison off U.S. Highway 72. It also has constructed other homes in Madison and Athens as well as the Retreat subdivision in Meridianville. Most homes listed on the Lennar website range from $280,000-$400,000 in price.
Davidson Homes
As of the end of September, Davidson Homes was issued 324 permits totaling $70.8 million to build homes in Huntsville, Madison, north Madison County, Decatur,
Athens, Toney, Hartselle and Harvest.
The Huntsville-based builder advertises homes starting in the $250,000 to $500,000 range.
Alston Construction
Alston Construction has been issued three permits totaling $50 million. It is building the Huntsville Logistics Center at 29424 Withers Spring Dr. in the northwest part of the city.
Woodland Homes
Woodland Homes was issued 89 permits totaling $44.3 million. Its website advertises 15 new home communities, including developments in Madison, Athens, Meridianville, New Market and Owens Cross Roads with most going for more than $400,000.
DR Horton
Homebuilder DR Horton has been issued 296 permits totaling $39.5 million. It is the contractor for the Greenbrier Preserve development near Interstate 565 and several employers in the Limestone County part of Huntsville. It also is building homes in north Huntsville, north Madison County, Athens, Madison and the Owens Cross Roads area. Its homes cost between $200,000 to $350,000.
Fite Construction
This Decatur, Ala.-based contractor has so far been issued 11 permits totaling $39 million.
Two of the permits were for alterations to the Nucor Towers and Structures facility at 913 Maero St. NW in Decatur. The permits were issued to the City of Decatur’s Industrial Development Board.
Among the building company’s other projects are:
• a $7.5 million Vermeer Sales and Service Center at 25164 One Aviation Way SW in Huntsville;
• a $7.1 million alteration to a building at 719 Hughes Road in Madison;
• construction of the new Cadence Bank at 102 Heart of Huntsville Dr. SW, the contract is worth $3.6 million; and
• a $3.1 million alteration to the First Presbyterian Church building at 307 Gates Ave. SE in Huntsville.
In addition, Fite is the builder of the recreation center at Huntsville’s John Hunt Park, a preschool in Madison and several downtown Decatur projects. Its project to construct a $32.7 million hangar project at Pryor Field Regional Airport in Tanner is currently getting under way.
Vericon Construction
Vericon Construction Co. LLC. in Mountain Side, N.J., has been issued two permits totaling $32.5 million. It is constructing a $29.6 million building in Decatur at 2288 Winchester Rd. and a $2.9 million structure down the street at 2104 Winchester.
The firm specializes in a variety of construction projects — from multifamily units to heath care facilities to retail. The Decatur sites are near Winchester Plaza, a Walmart Supercenter and an ALDI supermarket.
Brasfield & Gorrie
Brasfield & Gorrie in Birmingham has been issued four permits totaling $29.3 million. The largest construction project is a $25 million, 125,000-sq.-ft. building at 8500 Redstone Gateway in Huntsville that will be managed by COPT Defense Properties.
The nationally known contractor is also working retail and office components for the city’s Stadium Commons development near Joe Davis Stadium, a project that first got under way in 2024.
Olympia Construction
This Albertville, Ala.-based affordable housing developer and builder has been issued two permits totaling $26.5 million. It is building the Cedar Crossing senior housing development and an adjacent 56-unit multifamily project on 5.6 acres in southwest Decatur. Five two-story buildings are planned at the latter site.
Breland Homes
The recipient of 106 permits totaling $26 million, Breland Homes in Huntsville is developing and building homes in Clift Farm ($500,000 and up) and Town Madison (starting at $300,000).
The company also is constructing homes in Limestone County and Decatur, according to Al.com.
Turner Construction
Turner Construction is the contractor for a $16.5 million building at 905 Mark C. Smith Drive in Cummings Research Park. The Huntsville-Madison Chamber of Commerce was issued the permit for the work. The firm has worked on several high-profile projects in the area, including Huntsville’s new City Hall, which opened last year.
Lee Builders
Lee Builders has been issued five permits totaling $15.3 million, the majority of which is for the $13 million Ditto Landing event center project. The Huntsville contracting firm also renovated Joe Davis Stadium, which reopened in 2023 as a multipurpose venue.
Beyond the projects listed above are those that are ongoing and were started before the beginning of this year. They include the $375 million Front Row mixed-use development being built at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street across from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.
ARCO/Murray National Construction, the top builder in the Huntsville area the last two years, is the contractor for that project. In August, the company was also awarded the contract by the city to work on the Ice Sports Center on Leeman Ferry Road.
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Bear Brothers, Design To Build Construct Housing for ASU
“There is a need for more modern living options that offer many of the amenities students desire during their post-secondary experience. Each unit will consist of four bedrooms, two baths, a common area and a warming kitchen. The addition of 498 new beds will accommodate projected enrollment increases, as well as make ASU an option for students who might not have considered us for their college experience.”
Dotson said it’s exciting to see construction under way.
“This period marks a significant and transformative era in the history of ASU. The campus community, including students, faculty and staff, is animated by the visible progress. The demolition of outdated structures, the meticulous grading of land, the establishment of new foundations and the persistent hum of construction equipment all signal the university's forward momentum.
“Alumni, too, share in this enthusiasm, recognizing that these state-of-the-art facilities will further empower them to advocate for and represent their alma mater to prospective scholars.”
For marketing coordinator Ashley Knight, the groundbreaking ceremony marked an essential step in strengthening and advancing the mission of ASU.
“It was inspiring to see support from faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Their presence underscored a shared commitment to ensuring bright futures for our students. It was both a celebration of progress and a reflection of the collective investment in the growth and success of ASU.”
General contractor Bear Brothers Inc., was awarded the Forest Ave. site, while Design To Build LLC, is facilitating the University Drive site. Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated serves as the architect of record.
Johnny Raines III, managing partner of BDW Architects in Montgomery, said that the installation of underground stormwater systems and the building of retaining walls are essential components of construction.
“A stormwater drainage system is a critical element of any project. Each apartment site must connect to the existing drainage systems of the surrounding buildings. Civil engineering design ensures that the subsurface infrastructure prevents flooding throughout the lifespan of both the apartments and the neighboring structures.”
Both apartment sites required the demolition of old structures, buried rubble and debris that included foundation footings, tree stumps, abandoned utilities and unsuitable topsoil. Selective demolition at each site took approximately 1.5 months to complete.
“The process involved the use of specialized heavy equipment, including excavators, backhoe loaders and bulldozers,” said Raines. “Much of the debris was transported to landfills designated for demolition materials.”
Excavation work is proceeding as planned. This includes the removal of unsuitable soils to make way for properly engineered soils.
The complexes require retaining walls to stabilize the soil on the steep site and to create level building pads for the new construction. Engineers also assessed the strength of the soil across the entire building site to determine its suitability for construction. In many cases, including the university apartments, the engineer may require the addition of compacted engineered soil as part of the building's foundation.
“The removal of unsuitable soils is typically determined after soil testing is completed,” said Raines. “A geotechnical engineer conducts a soil analysis across the entire building
site at selected locations to assess whether the soil is strong enough for construction.”
Recent work on both projects involved having the underground stormwater systems installed, plumbing rough-in and retaining walls erected. Effective coordination among various construction trades, including civil, electrical and plumbing, has been critical to ensure a smooth progression of the project.
Significant milestones will include pouring concrete slabs and erecting each apartment building.
The primary equipment being required during construction includes dozers, excavators, backhoes and dump trucks.
Raines acknowledged that playing a part in such an important project is extremely rewarding.
“Contributing to the construction of apartments that will serve students for years to come is incredibly meaningful. Being part of a team that enhances student life on campus ultimately enriches the college experience for many.”
Ross added, “It signifies legacy and longevity, knowing that these new student apartments will serve generations long after many of us are gone. It is truly awe-inspiring.”
Both apartment sites required the demolition of old structures, buried rubble and debris that included foundation footings, tree stumps, abandoned utilities and unsuitable topsoil.
DJ Pearson/Alabama State University photo Work on the $77 million project began in July 2025.
David Campbell/Alabama State University photo Excavation work is proceeding as planned. This includes the removal of unsuitable soils to make way for properly engineered soils.
David Campbell/Alabama State University photo General contractor Bear Brothers Inc., was awarded the Forest Ave. site, while Design To Build LLC, is facilitating the University Drive site.
David Campbell/Alabama State University photo
David Campbell/Alabama State University photo Significant milestones will include pouring concrete slabs and erecting each apartment building. ASU from page 1
