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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.

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

The sprawling mixed-use development has launched its official website.

Business Brief

The Residences at Front Row is getting ready to sign its first leases for a targeted June move-in date. Why it matters: The sprawling mixed-use development under construction across from the Von Braun Center has been years in the making and is expected to help transform that &quot;gateway&quot; into downtown.

City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown

Huntsville leaders envision a grass- and tree-lined stream beside concrete sidewalks, benches and other amenities.

Culture Brief

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;skybridge&quot; part" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" data-vars-content-id="24a58f2d-2a8b-4632-a7b1-358c3edf25bb" data-vars-headline="City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" target="_self">&quot;skybridge&quot; part</a> of an ambitious project underway in Huntsville may grab headlines, but a contract recently approved by City Council could have just as big an impact downtown.Why it matters: Essentially a stream restoration project for a prominent stretch of Pinhook Creek downtown, the contract is the first step in transforming it into a 13-acre linear park and greenway.

Huntsville Utilities maps out the future of local power

The utility unveiled an ambitious plan to expand local power generation as Huntsville continues to grow.

Huntsville Utilities wants to change its governance structure, upgrade its infrastructure and increase local power generation with natural gas. Why it matters: Huntsville wants to add natural gas generation to its profile as it aims to keep up with the area&#x27;s economic and residential growth, looking to a new pipeline and gas-fired power plants.

Fuel leak pushes NASA's Artemis II launch

Artemis II is now set for launch no earlier than March.

Aerospace

The Artemis II launch window now opens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="March 6" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemis-ii-mission-availability.pdf?emrc=698228bb21474" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemis-ii-mission-availability.pdf?emrc=698228bb21474" target="_blank">March 6</a>, following familiar fueling issues during a test Monday. Why it matters: A hydrogen fuel leak during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal process has pushed back the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">launch</a> of NASA&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first moon mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/" data-vars-content-id="3863b13c-a0eb-4ccd-863c-84be3e4652b5" data-vars-headline="Fuel leak pushes NASA&#x27;s Artemis II launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/" target="_blank">first moon mission</a> in more than 50 years.

Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows

More than 20 nations have expressed formal interest in the system.

Northrop Grumman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locally made" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" target="_self">locally made</a> Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is aiming to prove itself in the field. Why it matters: The company is preparing to ramp up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="production" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">production</a> as international interest grows in the all-in-one command and control system.

Rocket Fuel: Astronauts dish on ISS life

This is my first installment of Rocket Fuel, a periodic column on what I'm hearing around town.

This is my first installment of Rocket Fuel, a periodic column on what I&#x27;m hearing around town, interesting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aerospace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="ea570387-99f8-4548-87f4-765846706f63" data-vars-headline="Rocket Fuel: Astronauts dish on ISS life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a> news that didn&#x27;t make it in the newsletter, or topics on my radar planned for future coverage. The big picture: Rocket scientists are just like the rest of us. At least that&#x27;s one of the takeaways I got from hearing astronauts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nichole Ayers and Takuya Onishi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/26/from-orbit-to-rocket-city-astronauts-highlight-huntsvilles-iss-role" data-vars-content-id="ea570387-99f8-4548-87f4-765846706f63" data-vars-headline="Rocket Fuel: Astronauts dish on ISS life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/26/from-orbit-to-rocket-city-astronauts-highlight-huntsvilles-iss-role" target="_self">Nichole Ayers and Takuya Onishi</a> speak this week at Marshall Space Flight Center. <ul><li>Employees asked good questions, but what struck me was that they wonder the same things us normies do about space: What&#x27;s the food like? What&#x27;s it sound like? What&#x27;s haircare like?</li></ul>The short answer: Most food is standard fare, Onishi said, but astronauts can personally choose and contribute 15% of the meals — Onishi, for example, said he brought Japanese food — which is shared with the crew.<ul><li>Ayers said sound levels vary: it&#x27;s quiet in sound-proofed crew quarters, but fans and workout equipment can get loud. She even wore hearing protection sometimes on the treadmill. </li><li>She said her hair was mostly up and out of the way, but &quot;shedding is definitely a real thing,&quot; and &quot;if you float by a hair, do not let it go,&quot; referring to how stray hairs float in space rather than fall to the ground.</li></ul>In other news: A couple council members, Michelle Watkins and Bill Kling, weighed in last week on Huntsville Hospital&#x27;s purchase of Crestwood, with Kling saying HH CEO Jeff Samz will make a public presentation at some point.<ul><li>Watkins said the sale shouldn&#x27;t move forward without more public transparency and input, and Kling said, &quot;Crestwood Hospital is still going to remain and be called Crestwood Hospital.&quot;</li></ul>Got tips? Ideas? Want to vent about traffic? Hit reply and let me know!

News 🗞

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

Artemis II rolls back to VAB

Orbit: Spotlight on Black artists

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

Orbit: Monte Sano cabin refresh

Photos du jour: Smokey and the mayor