By Kimberly Ballard

Dirt is Moving on the New Boeing Space Camp Operations Center

By Kimberly Ballard Renderings courtesy of Fuqua Partners Architects

There is something new at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center!

The new 40,600-square-foot Boeing Space Camp Operations Center will be the permanent home for U.S. Cyber Camp as well as a 1,000-seat auditorium, 10 classrooms, and laboratories that support the Space Camp family of programs.

Named for the longtime supporter of the USSRC and its Space Camp programs, aerospace giant Boeing made a $3.5 million donation for the new building at the groundbreaking in October. It is the Center’s single largest donation to date.

“Our friends at Boeing have been with us since Space Camp began in 1982, and we’re honored to partner with them in creating a space that embraces the future of exploration and will inspire generations to come,” said Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the Rocket Center.

Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing Space and Launch said the Boeing Company is investing in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center because it provides innovative exposure to STEM-based knowledge and hands-on learning that help students see themselves in the careers of the future.

“In fact, many of our Boeing space systems engineers are graduates

of Space Camp, and credit their experiences here with inspiring them to reach for the stars,” said Chilton.

In addition, the Center named its soaring new multi-functional Anthony Loumis Lobby in honor of 13-year-old Space Academy graduate Anthony Loumis, thanks to funds made available from the Allen Foundation.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama contributed funds to outfit the Robotics Lab. The Gary Brukardt Foundation’s donation will equip the Rocketry Propulsion Lab; and the Dr. Joyce Neighbors Trust endowed the STEM Lab.

All three of the 10 state-of-theart classrooms will be named for those gracious donations according to the USSRC.

The State of Alabama previously awarded the Rocket Center an economic development grant for the construction of the facility, but construction has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Located between the Rocket Center’s Education Programs building and the Habitat 1 Space Camp dormitory, the Boeing Space Camp Operations Center is now well underway and scheduled to open in March 2023.

Designed by Fuqua and Partners Architects, Fite Building Company of Decatur is the general contractor.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center® is a Smithsonian Affiliate and home to Space Camp®, Space Camp Robotics, Aviation Challenge® and U.S. Cyber Camp®; as well as the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket, the INTUITIVE® Planetarium, and world-class traveling exhibits.

USSRC is also the official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. u

Huntsville’s Historical Architecture: Stovehouse

By Noah Logan Photos courtesy of Stovehouse Marketing

The recent Stovehouse developments on Governors Drive have been a prime example of Danny Yancey’s vision since he purchased the property in 2016.

When he was presented with the opportunity to redevelop the Martin Stove building, the Stovehouse CEO began researching large scale industrial redesign projects called adaptive reuse. His experiences in Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta helped form his vision for what the former stove factory could eventually become.

“In every possible situation that we can throughout the campus, we want to honor what came before us”

In 2021, Stovehouse was transformed into a blended village of restaurants, cocktail & coffee bars, offices and event spaces. Companies like NAI Chase Commercial and Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate have helped Stovehouse become a hub for entertainment in Huntsville. Amidst all of the modern additions to the 226,000 square foot campus, the history of the Martin Stove building has managed to be preserved and displayed for all visitors to experience.

Stovehouse is constructed on the bones of the Martin Stamping & Stove Factory. Construction started in 1928 and its first tenant was the Electric Belle Stove Company.

W.H. Martin and his brother Charles visited the plant in 1939 to bid on machinery being auctioned off. The brothers from Sheffield, Alabama instead opted to place a bid on the entire operation where they began producing a line of unvented gas heaters.

Over the next 60 years, the plant was also used to produce magazine heaters for the Army during World War II, electrical heaters, barbecue grills, gas logs and filing cabinets. The facility would remain operational throughout the 20th century but financial troubles forced the Martins to close their Huntsville property in 2000.

From manufacturing stoves to manufacturing leisure, Stovehouse has helped put a new face on a section of west Huntsville while displaying various architectural features and construction artifacts from the historical Huntsville community.

The 12-acre campus features signs from the past made of bridge trusses and columns constructed from acetylene canisters repurposed during WWII austerity measures.

Stovehouse Marketing Director Steven Jackson has maintained the importance of preserving the history of Huntsville through the development process.

“In every possible situation that we can throughout the campus, we want to honor what came before us,” Jackson said earlier this year. “And I think that feels authentic and that lends to a better experience.”

One of the most recent developments for the Huntsville hotspot is last week’s announcement of a new music venue and bar being added at Stovehouse.

The Belle is one of two new event spaces opening soon. The Belle, which will mostly be used for private events, will transform into The Electric Belle (the name of the building’s first tenant) for public events. The Electric Belle will incorporate a music venue that can hold up to 300 people along with a 30-foot boasting 10 taps and several signature cocktails. u

Exploring America’s “Employee Market”: Questions Left Unanswered by Employment Rates

By Mike Easterling

One local restaurant manager has his pulse on the workforce situation this country faces is in a pandemic environment.

It’s not a comforting picture.

The manager, who like many others, said his chain restaurant was bracing against the same fate many businesses are in these days.

They’re short-staffed.

“We have managers having to cook and even wait tables,’’ he said. “Some of the restaurants around us are also struggling.’’

Owner David Martin has placed his fingerprints all over the Huntsville dining landscape. He’s seeing an improvement in workforce issues. Since opening Steak-Out in 1986, his business has branched out to include Rosie’s Cantina, Little Rosie’s, Blue Plate Special, Ted’s Bar-b-Que and Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos.

“It’s been a pretty rough ride not having enough staff and not having enough applicants, fewer applicants,’’ Martin said. “However, we are beginning to normalize some. We’re still not back to normal but we are seeing progress. We’re more staffed now than we have been, but the situation is that it could change in the event if someone is exposed to Covid or someone has a child exposed to covid or a group or people get together that have been exposed and we have to quarantine people at times even if they don’t have covid.

“That’s been the fight from day one, trying to keep staffed with safety first. Things are getting better. We’re feeling like we’re beginning to staff up again. I feel positive about the way things are going to go. But, they’re talking about how the flu season might be bad this season. I hope not but at this moment we’re feeling better about staffing.’’

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-march 2020 and as businesses moved to stay-at-home work it was intended to be shortterm. So were stimulus checks. However, there is a sentiment that the nation’s workforce has not only become comfortable with not going into a workplace but also in not working for low wages.

“Some people, they just want to stay home and for their own reasons, maybe for health risks and safety,’’ said David Salters, who leads staffing, recruiting and HR consulting at Warren Averett in Birmingham. “If their company does not offer a remote work option they’re not going to participate.

“Others are influenced by stimulus money. And even though Alabama has ended the public government portion of that, sometimes when incentives get going, potential employees can delay their re-entry into the workforce.’’

Lucy, a manager at a local Walmart, said she thought some potential workers were taking advantage of the stimulus.

“To me,’’ she said, “it seemed like for some of them that was an issue.’’

D’Angelo, who manages a local dollar store, said he encourages potential employees who don’t want to work for low wages to take a positive approach to the job.

“It’s a hard time finding help,’’ he said. “It’s a hard time keeping them. My biggest concern is I’m on the employees’ side. The cashiers, they don’t pay them enough, so in my opinion you get what you pay for.

“But, I told a friend a job is only horrible if you’re planning to stay there. It’s like a rental. If you’re planning to stay in this house that you’re paying way too much rent for, that’s bad. But it’s OK if you’re just staying there for the meantime while you build up and do whatever you need to do or build up in the company or find something else.’’

Another manager, Jerry at Star Super Market, said he’d “love” to raise wages as chains like McDonald’s have done in the wake of the pandemic and backlash over hourly pay. As it is, keeping staff at sufficient levels has “been a struggle.’’

“At one point we could pick from applications,’’ he said. “Now, we just have to sit back. We’re not even seeing the kids. We’re usually overrun with kids wanting part-time jobs. It might be because their parents don’t want them to be around Covid. I’d love to pay around $15, $16 but the (independent) business doesn’t allow it.’’

There was the Great Depression, Great Recession and now the Great Resignation. Salters reports he’s seeing stories of not only lowwage workers turning away from jobs but professional types as well who have gotten a taste of working from home. In August, it was reported more workers left their jobs than ever recorded in the country.

“They decided, ‘I’m not going back to the office. I had a chance to boost time with my family and put a little balance back into my schedule.’ And they are not going to go back into the workforce unless they have that option,’’ Salters said.

“And we’re having wage pressure. The salaries are increasing, because of supply and demand. The number one currency of choice -- paid time off and flexibility to work from home and some companies choose to offer that, some don’t and if the company does not offer that then you’re forced to compete with that option.’’

Another negative factor for people returning to work at restaurants is foul experiences from customers. The manager mentioned at the start of this story said when his restaurant first reopened to in-store customers were “appreciative.’’

That changed.

“They’ve turned into sour pusses,’’ he said.

Salters said he’s observed the same thing.

“If you’ve been to a restaurant, they’re typically short-staffed,’’ he said. “So there’s a tremendous amount of pressure on the floor and the customers are flat-out rude to them. They’re just slam busy, even the drive-through lines. And so, yeah, you better believe you have to pay that much (more). It’s certainly worse now because of the the labor shortage.’’

The national unemployment figure is five percent. In Madison County, it’s 2.5 percent. But, Salters said, that doesn’t tell the whole story. A significant amount of the workforce that is hired have taken advantage of not returning to their daily job because of stimulus pay.

“A lot of people decided to take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a year off,’’ he said. “And for the first time in my 20-plus years of business, there’s no we’re having a year or even almost a two-year gap in your resume historically. People would get back to work, just to fill that gap and there’s a free pass for that now, so I’m taking some time off.’’ u

New Madison Villas Add to HuntsvilleMadison County Real Estate

By Gus Wintzell

Andy Keelon is the owner and developer of a $60 million luxury condo rental development, known as St. Andrews Villas, the newest and one of the only luxury condo rental developments in the area.

Keelon has bought and sold several multi-family complexes over the last several years and decided that building Class-A upscale products is the way to go, especially for Huntsville’s developing real estate community.

Instead of stacking units 3-4 stories high, the St. Andrews Villas will have their own unit featuring its own attached garage space.

While sacrificing density typical to stacked condo spaces, Keelon will offer residents an opportunity to drive into their own garage, with no stairs to climb, and without having to worry about noise above or below them.

Each garage is pre-wired for an electric car charging station. The units will feature 9’ ceilings, granite countertops, custom built wood cabinets, large walk-in closets, all brick construction, energy efficient appliances and fiber internet.

Other site amenities will include a clubhouse, pool, gym, car wash area, dog park and many others. The development will feature nice brick entrance columns and upscale fencing.

Keelon’s family has been in the contracting business since the 1940’s. His grandfather started building apartments in the suburbs of Chicago in the 1940s. Since his family returned to Alabama in the 1960’s, Keelon’s father built multiple assisted living and nursing home facilities throughout the area. u