Huntsville’s Redstone Gateway, an Arsenal-centric business park, is receiving a $65 million investment from developers as tech and engineering firm KBR has agreed to lease office and facility space from which it will conduct business operations.
Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) and its joint-venture partner Jim Wilson & Associates (JWA) on Monday announced that it has executed two leases totaling 178,500 square feet at Redstone Gateway with KBR.
KBR provides a full spectrum of engineering and technical services across the life cycle of military systems for the United States and allied nations, the release states. Areas of KBR expertise include acquisition, systems engineering and integration, AI/big data applications, assured microelectronics, rapid prototyping, research and development, and test and evaluation.
According to the release, KBR will occupy 90% of a 172,500 square foot office building and roughly half of a 45,000 square foot research and development facility. Both projects are scheduled for shell completion in the fourth quarter of 2022, with lease commencement dates expected in the first quarter of 2023. COPT expects to invest approximately $65 million in the two new developments.
KBR Government Solutions president Byron Bright expressed his enthusiasm about the company expanding its footprint in the Rocket City.
“Recently named one of the ‘Best Places to Live in the U.S.’, KBR is excited to, not only maintain, but also enhance its presence in Huntsville,” said Bright. “As the team behind the soldier, we’re committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s missile programs as well as the operations and missions of several army commands. Meeting the needs of our customers is crucial and being in close proximity to quickly address what’s required makes good business sense.”
COPT’s chief operating officer Todd Hartman looks forward to Redstone Gateway housing KBR, which further expands the Gateway’s square footage.
“We value the trust KBR has given us in building their new Huntsville offices and are excited to welcome them to the growing list of defense contractors who chose to support their U.S. Government customers on Redstone Arsenal from Redstone Gateway,” said Hartman. “Including the other projects under construction, Redstone Gateway’s operational square footage will surpass 1.8 million square feet when KBR’s facilities come on-line.”
Mayor Tommy Battle and Governor Kay Ivey congratulated the firms and welcomed their business.
“We’re glad to see KBR expanding in Huntsville where the company’s best and the brightest engineers and innovators contribute to aerospace and defense industries,” said Battle. “Congratulations to KBR and to COPT on this exciting venture.”
Ivey added, “It’s always great to see a company like KBR that has a major presence in Alabama decide to expand its operation in the state, especially when the jobs being added are highly technical and well paying. KBR is a world-class company, and I look forward to seeing it grow and thrive in Huntsville’s dynamic economy.”
Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, says Huntsville is the “perfect” location for KBR to expand its operations.
“With capabilities that truly span the globe and a culture of innovation and problem-solving, KBR stands out as one of the most impressive companies in its field,” said Canfield. “These qualities mean KBR shares the same kind of DNA as Huntsville, and I can think of no more perfect place for the company to execute growth plans.”
COPT’s Huntsville asset manager James Lomax added, “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to support a world-class firm such as KBR at Redstone Gateway and are proud to develop their Huntsville home. This decision reaffirms Redstone Gateway’s unrivaled combination of efficiency, convenience, walkable amenities, and access to important commands at Redstone Arsenal as Huntsville’s modern office park.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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