Coca-Cola UNITED officials are fizzing with enthusiasm now that work has begun on a new corporate headquarters in Birmingham’s Kingston community. The $330 million project includes an office complex, warehouse, sales center and customer service center.
“Our home is in Birmingham, and it was important to our owners and our leadership that we stay in Birmingham,” said Stan Ellington, facilities consultant, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. “This is where our story began more than a century ago, and where our future lies. Our new corporate headquarters represents our long-term commitment to the state of Alabama, and the communities we have the privilege to serve.
“This project will position us for continued growth for many years to come,” he added. “It will no doubt positively impact our operations, reuniting all of our Birmingham-area associates under one roof and housing the most state-of-the-art technology in the beverage industry.”
Founded in 1902 by Crawford Johnson Sr. in
To date, crews have been fortunate to not be affected by the weather.
To date, crewsBecause the project is located on a brownfield site, remediation is crucial. have been fortunate to not be affected by the weather.
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Work Set to Begin On Submarine Plant, Airport Access Road
Austal USA, an Alabama-based builder of commercial and defense aluminum seagoing vessels for the U.S. market, held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 23 to celebrate the start of construction of a new submarine modules manufacturing (MMF3) facility at its Mobile complex.
The new building, scheduled to be fully operational in late 2026, will significantly increase Austal USA’s capacity to support the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), the company said in a news release.
Austal USA’s shipbuilding facility occupies 164 acres on the eastern shore of the Mobile River and is strategically positioned at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.
The new building will provide 369,600 sq. ft. of indoor manufacturing space purpose-built to manufacture submarine modules. Production from this building will support the U.S. Navy’s goal of delivering one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines each year. It also will include a material storage area, machine shop, assembly area and waterfront improvements to support the shipment of the completed modules via barges.
Combined with the recent groundbreaking for another nearby manufacturing building, this latest project represents over $750 million in expansion of Austal USA’s Mobile facility to further solidify the company’s role as a major contributor to Alabama’s economy.
In July, Austal USA began construction on a new assembly building to enable the erection of large steel modules for Navy and Coast Guard ships, including the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and TAGOS-25 pro-
grams. It will encompass 4.5 acres providing more than 192,000 sq. ft. of new indoor manufacturing space.
Included as part of the project is a shiplift system that features an articulated lifting platform approximately 450 ft. long by 125 ft. wide. The new shiplift will provide a safe and reliable system to launch ships as they are completed in the assembly buildings and also will enable crews to bring ships back on the land-side facility for repair and maintenance, the company said.
Upon completion of these buildings, Austal USA’ s Mobile, Ala. ship manufacturing facility will include a 117,000 sq.-ft. steel panel line, two module manufacturing facilities totaling over 1 million sq. ft. of covered manufacturing space optimized for serial production, and seven assembly bays providing over 400,000 sq. ft. of indoor erection space.
In all, the Mobile facility covers 180 acres and, when this project is complete, over 1.5 million sq. ft. of indoor manufacturing room.
The two buildings, when fully operational, will also add over 2,000 new jobs. Last year, Austal USA’s contracts were supported by 259 Alabama-based suppliers accounting for over $115 million of business, including 185 small businesses, which accounted for over 50 percent of the total spending.
“Austal USA is committed to supporting national security initiatives like the Navy’s Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programs, evidenced by our aggressive infrastructure and workforce expansion efforts,” noted Michelle Kruger, president of
Austal USA.
“The key to our success is the strong partnerships we have built with not only our customers but also our employees and the amazing community surrounding us. We are grateful for the unending support we continue to receive from the city and county of Mobile and the great state of Alabama.”
Mobile Airport Wins $4M for Access Road
Not too far away, Mobile International Airport (BFM) has received a $4 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to build a new access road, providing travelers with easier terminal access and improving public transportation connections. The funding, which comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, strengthens the convenience and accessibility of the airport.
The announcement was made in an Oct. 25 news release by the Mobile Airport Authority (MAA).
Elliot Maisel, the MAA’s board chair, noted that he and his colleagues were appreciative of the efforts of Alabama’s Congressional delegation in Washington for helping to secure the grant.
“We also appreciate the recognition by the FAA and their commitment to supporting our airport’s growth,” he said. “This funding helps enable the Mobile Airport Authority to complete construction of our new terminal. Upon completion, we will provide the citizens of Mobile and Baldwin counties with low-cost airfare to many direct destinations across the country.”
“This grant reflects the dedication of our
team at the Mobile Airport Authority,” added Andy Wilson, the MAA’s executive director. “We’re excited to keep building on our progress and elevating the travel experience for both residents and visitors flying from Mobile.”
The access road project contributes to a $970 million national initiative to modernize airport infrastructure and enhance passenger convenience. This fourth round of federal funding underlines the efforts to expand sustainable, accessible and safe airport facilities across the country.
The MAA owns and operates not only Mobile International Airport, but Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), Brookley Aeroplex, and St. Elmo Airport — all of which contribute $2 billion in economic impact for Alabama.
Located near the Port of Mobile, BFM is key to regional multimodal connectivity that links maritime, rail, trucking and aviation operations. Currently under construction at the airport are a new terminal and parking garage that are expected to open in the first quarter of 2026.
Breeze Airways provides nonstop service to Orlando from BFM, which also houses the Airbus Final Assembly Line, Airbus Engineering, ST Aerospace and Continental Motors, all of which highlights the Mobile airport’s critical role in Alabama’s aviation sector.
The Brookley Aeroplex supports BFM with over 90 businesses, including major transportation and logistics providers, while St. Elmo Airport, located 18 mi. from Brookley, primarily serves corporate and private aircraft.
Alabama AGC Honors 2024 Winners of 40 Under 40 in Construction
Alabama AGC celebrated the 2024 Forty Under Forty in Construction Class at Back Forty Beer Company on Oct. 3.
The Top 40 Under 40 Award, in partnership with Business Alabama, recognizes the remarkable achievements of the next generation of industry leaders. As an organization dedicated to promoting the state’s construction industry, Alabama AGC aims to celebrate those who are shaping the future of Alabama’s billion-dollar industry.
“Alabama AGC is extremely proud of these young leaders. Not only will they contribute to the success of their companies, but they will ultimately play a role in the leadership of Alabama AGC,” said Billy Norrell, Alabama AGC CEO.
“This unique program shows the dedication and commitment that Alabama AGC has in establishing a strong foundation for the future of this industry and our organization.”
The 2024 class of 40 Under 40 features an exceptional group of professionals, including project managers, engineers, attorneys, suppliers and safety managers, who exemplify excellence in the nonresidential construction industry.
For more information, visit alagc.org/events/top-40-under-402024.
Alabama AGC photo
The 2024 class of 40 Under 40 features a group of professionals, including project managers, engineers, attorneys, suppliers and safety managers.
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Crews Move 300,000 Cu. Yds. of Material On UNITED Project
UNITED from page 1
location for the new campus is ideal.
“Our new facility, along with our famous trademark, will be an eye-catching gateway to Birmingham. It will be highly visible to motorists traveling on Interstate 20/59 and air passengers flying into Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. We’re proud to be ambassadors for the Magic City and give both residents and visitors a Coca-Cola welcome.”
Ellington said the project has received positive feedback since the formal announcement was made earlier this year.
“We are grateful to call the State of Alabama, Jefferson County and the city of Birmingham partners in bringing our vision to life. Coca-Cola UNITED is built on a foundation of family, service and community, and we thrive on strong partnerships and relationships. It’s been amazing to see all our friends and partners celebrate our good news.”
Construction/remediation began shortly after the company’s groundbreaking in June and will continue over the next three years. Officials hope to have the grand opening in 2027, in time for Coca-Cola’s 125th anniversary.
“The groundbreaking was truly a celebration of everyone who helped make our vision a reality — our leaders, elected officials, community leaders, partners and, last but not least, our dedicated associates. Our associates are the secret ingredient of our success.
“Our associates propel our company forward every day by embracing our core values of quality, excellence, integrity and respect. Without their inspiration, and a fair amount of perspiration, none of this would be possible.”
The new headquarters also will provide an economic boost to the area.
“We anticipate the new facility will create up to 50 new jobs, bringing our total Birmingham workforce to approximately 800. It’s very rewarding to create new opportunities and continue to build on our ‘Associates First’ culture.”
Tyler Gurley, Brasfield & Gorrie project manager, said construction of the facility is going well.
“We are currently performing sitework, which consists of mass grading and storm piping. Despite the initial uncertainty of onsite soil conditions, the work is progressing smoothly.”
Because the project is located on a brownfield site, remediation is crucial.
“This property was the site of the old Stockholm Valves and Fittings foundry,” said Gurley. “Foundry operations began in the early 1900s and continued until the 1990s. As was typical of foundry operations during this time frame, spent foundry sand used to make molds and castings was deposited on the property and used as ordinary fill. Spent foundry sand can contain varying levels of contaminants,
such as lead, arsenic and cadmium.
“In order to develop the site in a safe manner, CCBCU engaged environmental, geotechnical and construction experts to assist with presenting a cleanup and development plan that would meet the requirements of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s [ADEM’s] Voluntary Cleanup Program [VCP]. The ADEM-approved plan includes, among other things, the capping of impacted soil with clean imported fill and/or with asphalt parking lots, roads or future buildings. CCBCU and its experts, in cooperation with ADEM, are implementing the cleanup and development plan in a manner to ensure the project can be completed safely.”
Regarding the actual building process, Gurley said, “We are about to start deep foundations and concrete following the mass grading effort, and vertical construction is slated to begin after the first of the year. Currently, a large amount of sitework equipment is being used, including excavators, offroad trucks, dozers and compactors. For erecting steel and installing the exterior building skin, cranes, forklifts and boom lifts will be required. Once interior construction begins, equipment will be limited to smaller scissor lifts, scaffolding and ladders.”
“To date, we have been fortunate to not be affected by the weather,” he added. “During the three months of construction, we have only received a handful of rain days.”
Construction calls for approximately 300,000 cu. yds. of onsite material to be moved, with an additional 310,000 cu. yds. of import material.
Gurley said unlike many construction projects, overlaying the geotechnical considerations and the civil design requirements with the environmental uncertainties associated with almost 100-years of manufacturing has created issues for construction professionals.
“Depending on the geotechnical properties of the various material types, the environmental factors being managed through ADEM’s VCP and the future land use or cover material, specific locations were identified where materials could and could not be relocated.
“Close coordination between the construction professionals and the CCBCU design team is key to properly sequence the work and integrate the elements of the VCP into the design and construction of the new corporate campus.
“It’s a great honor to work on such a highly regarded project in Birmingham,” he added. “Attending the groundbreaking and hearing the excitement, love and appreciation for the client and the project’s potential positive impact on the community only increases our pride. Partnering with such a great client to deliver this project is truly gratifying.” CEG
(All photos courtesy of Brasfield & Gorrie.)
Construction calls for approximately 300,000 cu. yds. of onsite material to be moved, with an additional 310,000 cu. yds. of import material.
Tyler Gurley, Brasfield & Gorrie project manager, said construction of the facility is going well.
