Nearly eight months after breaking ground, construction on the $13 million Ditto Landing Event Center is ahead of schedule and on budget, according to Marina & Port Authority Executive Director Brandi Quick.
The project officially launched June 26, 2025, with Madison County leaders calling it a “legacy project” for residents. Now, as work continues on the renovation of the former State Docks Building along the Tennessee River, Quick said progress has remained steady despite minor weather interruptions.
“We are right on target,” Quick said. “We’re ahead on schedule and within budget and everything’s going great.”
Quick said construction is expected to be completed in early fall, though she emphasized officials are building in a little cushion to account for potential delays.
“There have been a few weather delays, but those were built into the schedule,” she said. “We knew we were going to have weather delays and so far everything has gone as planned.”
When completed, the event center will provide a waterfront venue capable of hosting banquets, concerts, conferences and community gatherings. Plans call for seating up to 415 guests for banquet-style events, about 790 for seated concerts or conferences and as many as 900 for standing-room events.
For Quick, the most exciting part is not just the building itself but what it represents for South Huntsville.
“To be able to open it up and let the public see all that the Tennessee River and Ditto Landing has to offer,” she said. “And get people to enjoy the Greenway and to be out along the Greenway, see the amazing views, and then just have another reason for people to come to Ditto Landing and make it not the best kept secret in Huntsville.”
Ditto Landing offers camping, fishing, boating and kayaking, along with access to greenways for biking, running and walking. The connected greenway system creates a 16-mile loop around South Huntsville and ties into the larger Singing River Trail network.
“We’re part of the Singing River Trail, which creates an even bigger network that is so fantastic,” Quick said.
She said the goal is to encourage families to use the space for recreation and relaxation.
“You can just relax. Take a deep breath and relax,” she said.
County Commissioner Phil Riddick previously described the renovation as a transformative initiative designed to revitalize a 2.5-acre riverfront site.
Once completed, the venue is expected to expand Huntsville’s event capacity while highlighting one of Madison County’s most scenic locations.
With construction moving smoothly and completion anticipated later this year, Quick said she is eager for the community to experience the finished space.
“It’s going to be something Huntsville can really be proud of,” she said.
