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Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Ikea US announced it will open the store, its first in Alabama, on Feb. 25 with a grand-opening celebration.

Business

It&#x27;s official: Huntsville&#x27;s Ikea store will be open within a week. Why it matters: Ikea has long been among the city&#x27;s most-desired retailers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcing last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="1ba8a082-7758-4d5e-92c8-3538a16c77ff" data-vars-headline="Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">announcing last summer</a> its plan to bring a new, smaller-format store to University Drive near GigaParts.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

News

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

Senate bill targets police staffing in Huntsville, Montgomery

Senate Bill 298 would require police departments in Alabama's Class 3 municipalities to have two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents by Oct. 1.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature aims to set minimum staffing levels for Huntsville and Montgomery police departments.Why it matters: If passed, the bill could lead to a state takeover of local law enforcement, though Huntsville leaders say the city already meets the bill&#x27;s requirements.

Huntsville STEM high school to open applications for 2026

There's no charge to attend, but students must live within the Huntsville City Schools district.

Education

<figure><img alt="A student, a young woman, gestures toward a research presentation titled &quot;How has AI impacted Gen Z Health?&quot; as a teacher looks on. " height="795" id="90f8f5c8-5125-4030-8e54-4d1245a95545" src="https://images.axios.com/sRx2QtIpsOWcPOxVerXIhFpGnCg=/2025/09/24/1758728675619.jpeg" width="976"/><figcaption>Dozens of students have published research papers. Photo: Courtesy of New Century Tech High School</figcaption></figure>Huntsville&#x27;s only full magnet high school will start accepting applications for the 2026 school year on Oct. 17.Why it matters: New Century Technology High School is focused on preparing students for STEM careers that are in high demand in Huntsville.

Toyota doubles down on STEM with $4.2M to Huntsville schools

The funding follows a similar grant in 2023 of $6.7 million from Toyota.

Toyota Alabama announced a $4.2 million grant to Huntsville Schools to fund access to STEM and other resources for elementary and middle school students.Why it matters: The funding, from Toyota&#x27;s Driving Possibilities initiative, is better equipping classrooms and preparing students to pursue careers that fit their interests.

Huntsville, Madison schools continue efforts under desegregation orders

Huntsville City Schools is now awaiting a decision from federal court on its partial unitary status.

Huntsville and Madison County are among dozens of school systems across the South with active federal desegregation orders.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="6fd97a3e-d157-4e25-84fa-c9bf78429374" data-vars-headline="Huntsville, Madison schools continue efforts under desegregation orders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration is signaling it wants to ditch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal desegregation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/doj-decades-old-school-desegregation-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="6fd97a3e-d157-4e25-84fa-c9bf78429374" data-vars-headline="Huntsville, Madison schools continue efforts under desegregation orders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/doj-decades-old-school-desegregation-louisiana" target="_self">federal desegregation</a> efforts in public school systems, a move that would end much-debated, decades-old programs mainly aimed at improving education opportunities for nonwhite students.

Education 📚

Huntsville STEM high school to open applications for 2026

Toyota doubles down on STEM with $4.2M to Huntsville schools

Huntsville, Madison schools continue efforts under desegregation orders