Walton Doster: ” … the success of our company is solely based on the integrity and the strength of our people.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

With a footprint in Huntsville established and growing, Doster Construction Company of Birmingham figured the time was ripe to open an office in the Rocket City.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 408 Franklin Street downtown ushered in the developer’s office site that will oversee more than $200 million worth of projects in the area.

“Don’t cut yourself,’’ company President and CEO Walton Doster jokingly and quietly cautioned his young son Drew, who then used the over-sized ceremonial scissors to slice the ribbon without harm and set off the day’s Grand Opening celebration.

Doster first announced its presence in the city with the Navistar Big Bore Diesel Engine project, and has since moved deeper into Huntsville’s fast-moving growth.

Current projects for the company include the mixed-use Eclipse at City Centre, Novare Madison apartments, the Constellation mixed-use development, the Village at Hays Preserve apartments and a yet-unnamed eye surgery center.

The company is in the early stages of developing other projects, including a three-story, 100,000-square foot office building in Huntsville.

“It’s an exciting day for everyone here at Doster with the opening of our office,’’ said Conn Crabtree, vice president/operations manager in Huntsville. “A little bit of backstory: We’ve done quite a bit of work here in Huntsville, hopefully you’ve all seen our signs around town and opening this office is not here just to support the projects we already have but to establish ourselves in the Huntsville community.’’

Conn Crabtree: “… opening this office is not … just to support the projects we already have but to establish ourselves in the Huntsville community.’’ (Photo/Steve Babin)

With Huntsville and the metro area, which according to a report by Stasse is the fastest economic rebounding leader in the country this year despite the pandemic, on a fast track Crabtree said Doster was eager to establish a firm presence here.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of it and embedding ourselves in the town,’’ he said, “and getting to know everybody here and just being a good corporate partner.’’

For Walton Doster and family, opening an outpost from Birmingham in Huntsville is a homecoming of sorts. He said he’s travelled through the city many times, not for business but to visit New Market. His wife, Julie Gray Noster, is a native of the northern Madison County town and a graduate of Buckhorn High School.

“She was happy,’’ he said.

As for business, Doster, whose father Thomas founded the company in 1969, said the plan is to continue to grow.

“It’s an exciting day for us,’’ he said. “We’ve got a lot of work in Huntsville, but most importantly this is our 52nd year in and we’re a family business and the success of our company is solely based on the integrity and the strength of our people.

“Our 100-year purpose is to build lasting relationships not only with our employees but all of our project stakeholders. And we want to be a big part of the Huntsville community.’’