Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama
Surest sign yet?
In what might be the surest sign yet that an announcement that Space Command Headquarters is moving to Redstone Arsenal, Fow Wow, the locally famous T-shirt design company, is selling a Space Command-themed shirt with an outline of the state of Alabama standing in for the letter “A” in Space Command. Of course, a more reliable indicator might be that Sen. Tommy Tuberville said this week that he expects an announcement of the move to come within “a short period of time.” But cool T-shirts probably help.
‘Death blow’
A building that still stands in Research Park today is no longer what it once was. Actually, it might be utterly useless after its occupants, two government contractors with the same owner, were excluded indefinitely from working for the federal government. It’s been a topic of chatter around town that Huntsville companies Systems Products and Solutions and Millennium Systems Services, as well as their owner, Nilimini Thompson, have been formally excluded from an exhaustive range of technical and support contracting roles by the GSA in violation of the False Claims Act. According to those in the business, such is a death blow for companies of its kind.
A BeltLine for North Huntsville?
The city has released early plans for the North Huntsville Greenway, a trail that could one day connect downtown to Alabama A&M through historic neighborhoods and new parks. Inspired by Atlanta’s BeltLine, the project aims to spark reinvestment along the corridor. Thursday evening’s meeting featured renderings as well as feedback and even collected name suggestions (it’s just North Huntsville Greenway for now). If you missed the meeting, there will be another opportunity coming up. City Councilmember Michelle Watkins is planning a town hall soon.
Sax in the City
The W.C. Handy Music Festival is officially in full swing across the Shoals. The weeklong celebration honors Florence’s own W.C. Handy, better known as the “Father of the Blues,” with more than 200 events happening all over northwest Alabama. From concerts and plays to art shows, club nights, and picnics, there’s no shortage of ways to get your groove on. One OTR favorite? Sax in the City hits Wilson Park tonight at 7. Don’t miss it.
