Protective Stadium Takes Another Step Forward

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The new downtown Birmingham stadium expected to be the home field for UAB football took another step forward this week. Wednesday morning, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex received approval from the Birmingham Design Review Committee on the external materials for the new Protective Stadium.

Ground was broken for the stadium in December of 2018, and is supposed to open in time for the 2021 World Games. and the 2021 UAB football season.

The DRC approval also means the public will be able to bid later this year on the full construction package.

Although the stadium has been met with mostly positive response by Birmingham residents, some have questioned the design concept, including placement of the corporate boxes, and lack of ample space for tailgating.

BJCC executive director Tad Snider said making any changes to the design would be costly at this point in the process.

"In terms of the base configuration, very little (changes). We are moving to the point where the project will be bid," Snider said.

UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said this latest step forward in the approval process is good news to UAB.

"This is a tremendous day for Birmingham, for UAB and obviously our football team," Ingram said. "It’s going to put us in the position to have the very best football facilities in all of the group of five."

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.