HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville Hospital has kicked off its $150 million expansion project at the Madison Street Tower. The hospital secured a $112 million building permit on February 13 for the addition, marking it as the largest construction project permitted in Huntsville over the past month.

This project is part of a broader wave of new construction across Madison, Morgan, and Limestone counties, which has seen a total of $242 million worth of building permits issued since February 6. Among the other notable new developments are the addition of a new building at Cummings Research Park, a new Starbucks, a significant expansion at the Downtown Rescue Mission, and a Jim 'N Nicks barbecue restaurant.

Construction Permits Breakdown for Huntsville Area

• City of Huntsville: 143 permits totaling $170 million
• Madison County: 174 permits totaling $39 million
• City of Madison: 50 permits totaling $15.8 million
• City of Athens: 29 permits totaling $14 million
• City of Decatur: 20 permits totaling $2.6 million

The Huntsville Hospital expansion will add 154,000 square feet of new clinical space to the hospital's existing campus. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board approved the five-story expansion late last year, with construction slated to take about two years.

Key Features of the Expansion

• A new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CICU), made possible by a $10 million philanthropic donation, the largest private gift the hospital has ever received.
• A new Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU) dedicated to neurosurgical and stroke patients.
• Three floors of new acute medical space.
• 120 new private patient rooms.
• A redesigned and upgraded Emergency Department vehicle entrance.

When the project is completed, Huntsville Hospital’s flagship facility will house 931 patient beds, a notable increase from its current capacity of 881. Additionally, 70 existing double-occupancy patient rooms will be converted into private rooms.

Construction Team and Other Projects by Robins & Morton

‍Robins & Morton, the general contractor for the Madison Street Tower and the ongoing expansion, also took on several other projects in the Huntsville area. This includes a $3.7 million, 28,000-square-foot buildout at 9700 Advanced Gateway, which will feature office and high bay spaces.

In addition, Robins & Morton is engaged in a $25 million terminal project at Huntsville International Airport, further expanding its footprint in the region.

Other Ongoing Projects in Huntsville

• Turner Construction is handling a $16.5 million building at 905 Mark C. Smith Drive in Cummings Research Park.
• The Downtown Rescue Mission is expanding its facility with a $5.5 million addition at 1400 Evangel Drive to increase its capacity for women and children.
• Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ is also building a new restaurant at 2001 Cecil Ashburn Dr. with a $2.7 million permit.
• Blue Origin, the rocket engine company, is constructing a new building on its campus at 646 James Record Rd., with a $1.7 million permit.
• Starbucks has begun work on a new location at 4849 Moores Mill Rd. with a $1.2 million permit.

Local Housing Developments

‍The month also saw growth in residential construction. Davidson Homes emerged as the leading homebuilder in the region, with 50 permits issued totaling $11.6 million. Lennar Homes of Alabama was issued 20 permits totaling $5.4 million.

Notable Home Construction:The most expensive home currently under construction is located at 15900 Saban Lane in Athens, valued at $1.1 million. The home spans 4,496 square feet and is being built by Trinity Homes.

Further Expansion Plans and Community Impact

‍As Huntsville continues to grow, the construction of new buildings, hospitals, and homes highlights the region's economic prosperity. Huntsville Hospital's expansion is not only a major development for the medical community but also a sign of the area’s commitment to meeting the needs of its growing population. The hospital’s investment in its infrastructure will help enhance healthcare services in the region while benefiting the local economy.

Originally reported by Scott Turner in AL News.