As Joe Knight recounted Monday’s announcement of a new Costco being built in Irondale, he cited Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens’ three C’s — communication, cooperation and coordination. But he said the event recalled another trio of letters.

“Yesterday, it was the three H’s,” Knight said during Tuesday’s commission committee meeting. “It was hot, it was humid and it was Heather.”

Heather is Heather Carter, the deputy county manager who was praised for her involvement in the project.

“All three of the speakers got up and said some words, and they all had so much accolades for Heather for making this project happen,” Knight said. “In 26 months or so, we’ll have a Costco on the eastern side of town, so that was a good day.”

Carter admitted that she was a little embarrassed by the spotlight. Still, she appreciated the attention.

“Honestly, that project was made possible through a series of combined investments between the commission and the city, working with that developer,” Carter said. “It’s a challenging site but it’s obviously well positioned. It’s going to be a great amenity for the city, for the county, for everybody.

The $105 million project is slated for the property at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Interstate 459. Irondale Mayor James Stewart said in an announcement Monday that it is predicted to create between 200 and 300 jobs.

“I think one of the things that was very important for it was the commission’s $19 million investment in Grants Mill Road,” Carter said. “That was kind of the first domino, and then the city and Mayor Stewart have done a fantastic job, just working through that whole process. I’m just here for the engineering; he (Stewart) handled the hard part.”

Contract Awarded Toward New Youth Detention Center

During the committee meeting, the commission sent a contract with Dewberry Engineers to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting for services related to the building of a new G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center.

“That’s the commissioning agent for the facility,” Carter said. “That’s engineering services. We’re getting ready to let those to contract to start the project. We’re very excited about that one.”

The new detention center will go on the same property as the current one.

“We acquired several of those older, dilapidated structures in front,” Carter said. “Those are coming down. We’re doing site improvements to the whole complex. Then the new building will move to the front forward. Once we’re finished with the new facility’s construction, the old facility will get torn down.”

Commissioners sent a pair of economic development matters to Thursday’s agenda. If approved, $150,000 apiece will go to Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, known as ¡HICA!, and Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance.