University Of Alabama To Demolish Tutwiler Hall On July 4

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama on Tuesday officially set the date for the demolition of the historic Tutwiler Hall, as the university makes way for a new residency hall nearby.

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UA said the demolition on the morning of July 4 will be done at 7 a.m. by way of implosion, which will be conducted by D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company from Birmingham and Dykon Explosive Demolition Corporation from Bixby, Oklahoma. As part of the demolition, crews have drilled 2,000 holes in the structural columns of the building, where approximately 675 pounds of dynamite will be placed.

Officials expect the building to come down in about 20 seconds.

According to UA, Tutwiler Hall has housed more than 50,000 women since first opening in 1968 and pays homage to Julia Tutwiler, who successfully lobbied UA Board of Trustees to allow female students admittance to the university in 1893.

The first Tutwiler Hall was opened in 1914 and demolished in the late 1960s on the site of the Rose Administration Building.

UA says a comprehensive evaluation of the building determined that a renovation would not be cost-effective, which prompted the UA System to move forward on construction of a new Tutwiler Hall next to the old building.

The new Tutwiler Hall is set to open in August and will remain an all-female dorm primarily serving freshmen, with a bed capacity of 1,284. University officials said the new residency hall will feature state-of-the-art furnishings and amenities, with a hybrid community-apartment style setup of double-capacity bedrooms.

What's more, each room is expected to include two twin beds with a shared private bathroom. while the building itself will also feature public community spaces with TVs and white boards, outdoor social spaces, laundry rooms on each floor, a fitness area, craft room and large storm shelter which will also serve as a multipurpose room.

An outdoor space making up the Tutwiler Promenade will include personalized pavers purchased by alumni and friends.

Those wishing to view the implosion can click here to watch UA’s livestream.

UA also said a small public viewing area will be available on the top floor of the Magnolia Parking Deck at 800 Paul W. Bryant Dr. The public will be able to access the deck by taking Bryant Drive to 6th Avenue, with parking available on the first two floors of the parking deck and in the surface lots around the deck.

Dust masks will be provided to spectators.

Here are road closures for the implosion, with streets closing at 5 a.m.

• Paul W. Bryant Drive from 6th Avenue to Wallace Wade Avenue.
• 10th Avenue from 12th Street to Paul W. Bryant Drive.
• 12th Street from 8th Avenue to 10th Avenue.
• 8th Avenue from Paul W. Bryant Drive to 12th Street.
• Colonial Drive from Paul W. Bryant Drive to Judy Bonner Drive.
• Magnolia Drive from Paul W. Bryant Drive to Judy Bonner Drive.

These streets will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. to westbound traffic at 7th Avenue:

• 10th Alley.
• 11th Street.
• 11th Alley.

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