Trustees approve construction, lease and equipment actions across UA, UAB and UAH

The Board of Trustees approved a slate of construction, renovation, lease and equipment items for the system’s campuses, voting to approve revised budgets, consultant selections and contract authorizations across UAB, UAH and UA.

The actions address classroom and research facility renovations, athletics and recreation projects, a lease renewal for a medical office building, funding adjustments and an equipment purchase.

Key approved items included a revised scope and budget for UAB’s Education and Engineering Complex renovation; a five‑year extension and revised lease terms for a UAB Health System physician practice in Gardendale; authorization for several UAH capital projects (including a track and field complex, a Bevel Center renovation for a Center for Cybersecurity Research and a fitness center reconfiguration); and multiple UA construction and real estate projects ranging from a basketball training facility to student recreation and accessibility improvements.

UAB: Education & Engineering Complex (EEC)

UAB presented a revised stage 2/3 submittal for selective renovation of the EEC east wing and replacement of the building exterior envelope. The total project budget increased from $17.5 million to $33.5 million to accommodate exterior envelope repairs, a metal panel cladding system, new storefront glazing and a new roof on the eastern wing. The $14 million increase will be funded with increased future bond revenues plus College of Arts and Sciences reserve funds and School of Education reserve funds. The board approved the revised scope and project budget.

UAB Health System: lease amendment, Gardendale office

Trustees authorized an amendment to the lease for the UAB Saint Vincent’s Physician Services practice space at 2217 Decatur Highway in Gardendale. The parties will exercise an option to extend the lease for an additional five‑year term beginning July 1, 2025. The renewal rent for the first year was presented as $24.44 per square foot for roughly 22,492 rentable square feet, with a 3% annual increase and a landlord tenant improvement allowance of $15 per square foot (approximately $337,380) to prepare the space. The resolution authorizes execution of the proposed amendment.

UAH construction items (approved collectively)

- Track and field complex: Approved a stage 3 architectural design and a project budget of $14,210,602 funded with a mix of gifts and university reserve funds. The project will provide an NCAA‑compliant 400‑meter, eight‑lane track and supporting spectator and team infrastructure; the board noted this will be UAH’s first on‑campus track since the sports programs’ inception.

- Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training (Bevel Center renovation): Trustees approved a revised scope and a budget increase from $24.4 million to $34.4 million to renovate approximately 45,000 square feet of the Bevel Center, address envelope deficiencies and reconfigure facades and windows. The presenters identified a state of Alabama ETF supplemental appropriation as the funding source and listed the top ranked design firm as Freedom Real Estate and Capital.

- University Fitness Center reconfiguration: Approved stage 1/2 planning and authorization to execute an owner‑architect agreement for reconfiguring the natatorium and associated envelope repairs. Total project budget was presented as $1,206,165 funded with F&O plant funds and auxiliary reserves.

UA: multiple construction and real estate approvals

Trustees approved several University of Alabama projects presented by system construction staff, including:

- Coleman Coliseum basketball training and player development facility: package A construction authorization; favorable bids reduced the previously approved budget from about $59.1 million to approximately $54.6 million. Funding sources include university central reserves, Crimson Standard cash and general revenue bond series 2024B.

- Colonial Drive and University Boulevard infrastructure improvements (Package B): approved revised scope and contract authorization; budget reduced slightly from $15 million to $14.8 million and now includes permanent and hydraulic bollard physical‑security measures.

- RISE Center playscape renovations: approved design and budget remaining at $3.0 million funded by gifts and Office of Academic Affairs reserves for accessible playgrounds.

- Student recreation court (Parker Hahn) — new courts/pickleball expansion: approved consultant ranking and design authorization; total budget approximately $1.6 million funded with State ETF appropriation.

- Student Well‑being Hub: approved selection of commissioning firm and continued authorization for the project (approximately $59.9 million) funded with general revenue bonds and central reserves.

- North Engineering Research Center (NERC) basement fit‑out planning: authorized planning and owner‑architect agreement; budget $3,125,000 funded with central reserves.

Real estate and equipment reports

The committee also approved acquisition of a small parcel adjacent to existing UA property on Nineteenth Avenue Northeast (appraised internal market opinion ~ $180,000) and authorized a lease agreement to maintain access and operations for a radio tower on a separate parcel with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa LLC (initial five‑year term with successive five‑year renewal periods described in board materials). Separately, staff reported an equipment cost increase for a PET‑CT scanner at the Wallace Toomer facility: the previously approved $3.8 million equipment item increased to just over $4.2 million after construction bid results.

Votes at a glance

- UAB EEC revised scope & budget (increase to $33.5M): approved. - UAB Health System lease amendment (Gardendale): approved (exercise option to extend 5 years beginning July 1, 2025; first‑year rent $24.44/sq ft; tenant improvement allowance $15/sq ft). - UAH Track & Field Complex (budget $14,210,602): approved. - UAH Bevel Center cybersecurity renovation (budget increase to $34.4M): approved. - UAH University Fitness Center reconfiguration (budget $1,206,165): approved. - Coleman Coliseum training facility (budget reduced to ~$54.6M after bids): approved contract authorization for package A. - Colonial Drive & University Boulevard package B (budget ~$14.8M): approved. - RISE Center playscape ($3.0M): approved. - Parker Hahn court expansion (~$1.6M): approved. - Student Well‑being Hub (~$59.94M): approved commissioning selection and continued authorizations. - NERC basement planning ($3,125,000): approved. - Nineteenth Avenue property acquisition (parcel ~0.25 acre, internal opinion ~$180,000): approved. - Townsquare Media lease easement/access agreement (~1.26 acres): approved. - PET‑CT equipment cost increase to ~$4.2M: reported to committee.

What trustees said and next steps

Presenters noted that several budget increases reflect discovered building envelope deficiencies discovered during earlier phases. Various projects will proceed in packages, with construction start dates and funding mixes to be managed by campus finance and facilities teams. The board approved consultant rankings and authorized negotiating agreements where noted; campuses will return with contract awards and implementation details as appropriate.