Blasting for Irondale’s $105 million Costco to begin this summer, mayor says

The landscape in Irondale is about to change as preparations for the highly anticipated $105 million Costco development shift into high gear. Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. confirmed that site clearing is slated to kick off within the next two weeks, with blasting operations expected to follow in mid-August.

Community Engagement and Safety

With the project moving forward, Mayor Stewart hosted a town hall on Monday evening for more than 100 residents and business owners situated within 1,500 feet of the blast zone. The meeting served as a forum to discuss construction timelines and address safety concerns, according to Stewart. Following the event, the mayor emphasized the city’s dedication to transparency via a post on his official Facebook page.

Inside the Construction Plan

This major investment, located at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Interstate 459, marks the sixth Costco in Alabama and the second for the Birmingham metro region. To manage the scale of the project, Chris Gifford—president of Mid-Atlantic Operations for Two Eight—presented the technical approach for the development. Two Eight is handling the drilling, blasting, and on-site rock crushing, the latter of which is expected to significantly reduce truck traffic by eliminating the need to haul materials away.

To ensure neighborhood safety, the team will utilize drone mapping, blast simulations, and seismographs. Two Eight reported a clean record with no documented structural damage caused by their blasting operations over the last two years. Furthermore, independent engineering firms will conduct pre-blast surveys for properties in the immediate vicinity of the work site.

Timeline and Future Outlook

Irondale finalized the development agreement earlier this month, setting the stage for a project that will bring hundreds of jobs to the area. While the construction process is intensive, the city remains focused on clear communication. According to estimates for the 26-month build, the project is expected to reach completion by late summer 2028.

"Building trust starts with transparency," Stewart said regarding the meeting. "Giving people the opportunity to ask questions and receive factual, straightforward answers helped alleviate many concerns about the process."