Protective Stadium: Final Design Unveiled

BIRMINGHAM, AL — One of the city's most important construction projects in decades is taking shape, as designs for Protective Stadium were presented to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex board of directors at Wednesday's regularly scheduled BJCC board meeting.

The $180 million project is expected to be completed by 2021.

The board presentation focused on 45,000-seat Protective Stadium interior and exterior designs, revealing renderings previously unseen by the public. The BJCC also presented a "sun study" to demonstrate sun patterns in and around the stadium at different times of day throughout the calendar year. With this sun study, sports and entertainment fans will know exactly where the sun will fall during a 2 p.m. event in September versus a 5 p.m. event in November at Protective Stadium

"I’m happy to be able to present to these designs to our board," said Tad Snider, executive director and CEO, BJCC Authority. "Each step in this process brings us closer to a completed stadium. The team at Populous are industry leaders in human-centered design and have done a wonderful job with this project. They’ve designed Protective Stadium with a clear understanding of what has worked well—and what hasn’t—for other facilities around the world."

Following Birmingham’s Design Review Committee approval of the stadium’s external materialson September 11, the next step in the construction process is the preparation of a comprehensive construction package. The package will be put forward for public bid later this year.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham football team will be the multi-purpose stadium’s primary tenant, making Protective Stadium the Home of the UAB Blazers.

"We are so excited and thankful to everyone who has made this happen," said UAB Director of Athletics, Mark Ingram. "I am thrilled for our fans who have waited so long to see our football program achieve the success we are capable of. This is a crowning achievement for everyone in the greater Birmingham area and something that we all will enjoy for years to come. Protective Stadium continues to put us in a position to win championships."

UAB football coach Bill Clark has been a vocal supporter of the stadium since it was first discussed.

"This is a monumental day for UAB Football and the entire city of Birmingham," Clark said. "Protective Stadium is a huge step in our vision of making this program a national contender every single year, and we would like to thank everyone who has made our future home possible. Birmingham is growing together and adding a world-class stadium in the heart of downtown will provide incredible value for our entire city."

Funding for the stadium has come from a variety of sources. The Birmingham City Council in March of last year voted to approve a resolution that would commit $90 million over 30 years toward the new stadium. The city's pledge added to the BJCC Authority's $10.7 million to the annual debt service on the project. The Jefferson County Commissison has committed $1 million a year for 30 years.

UAB and corporate partners have committed to a combined $4 million a year for 10 years through a lease agreement, sponsorship and naming rights. The state legislature also approved a bill that would use car rental tax funds to help pay for the stadium.

In addition to UAB football games, the new stadium also opens the door for events such as neutral site college football games, concerts and other events.