UA System committees approve campus construction budgets, IT plans, consultant and lease agreements

Trustees and committee members for the University of Alabama System approved multiple resolutions covering campus construction budgets, information-technology plans, consultant agreements and real-estate transactions across UA, UAB, UAB Health System and UAH.

The items were presented in committee and approved with minimal discussion; routine votes were recorded as approved by voice vote. The committee packages included project budgets, funding sources, and consultant selections for a mix of stage 1–4 construction submittals and lease/real-estate items.

Dr. Dana Keith, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration, presented the system-level information-technology item and a professional services agreement. “This resolution requests approval for the University of Alabama to execute an agreement with Scott Madden Management Consultants to support the organizational redesign of the shared administrative services unit within the division of finance and operations,” Dr. Keith said, and recommended approval.

UA campus items (approved) - Parker Hahn Tennis Facility — student recreation court expansion: revised total project budget increased to $2,015,000; low bidder Price Construction Company (Peterson, Ala.); funding: State of Alabama ETF A&T Supplemental Appropriation Act, 2024. - Student Well-Being Hub (Bryce Campus): revised total budget increased to $63,614,000 (increase ≈ $3,600,000); WAR Construction (Tuscaloosa) low bidder on package B; additional funding from General Revenue Bond Series 2024 B; increases attributed to scope transfers, structural issues and accepted alternates. - Facilities Administration Community Safe Room: project budget $3,850,000; shelter ≈3,500 sq ft designed for 325 occupants to FEMA 361 and ICC 500 requirements; funded largely by a FEMA hazard-mitigation grant and university central reserves. - Campus-wide construction materials testing master services agreement: consultant selection ranked TTL (Tuscaloosa) top; initial agreement three years with two one-year extensions. - Chi Omega sorority house renovation (901 Magnolia Drive): project budget ≈ $2,600,000 funded from chapter reserves; scope focused on kitchen, serving lines and deferred maintenance. - Psychiatry residency program renovation and addition (Betty Shirley Clinic, University Medical Center, 850 Peter Bryce Blvd.): project budget just over $5,500,000 funded with College of Community Health Sciences reserves to support a newly accredited four-year psychiatry residency program. - Real-estate lease — East Edge Apartments (1131 Jackson Avenue): one-year initial lease for the 2026–27 academic year to house anticipated overflow (462 beds); initial term 08/01/2026–07/31/2027; total annual rent for initial term not to exceed $6,000,000; option to renew annually through 07/31/2036.

UAB items (approved) - Community Care Building demolition (908 Twentieth St. South): project budget $3,000,000; site cleared for future redevelopment; funding split between institutional reserves and facility reserve funds. - Bartow Arena renovations: revised scope and budget reduced to $14,600,000 (from $20,300,000); funding sources include $2,000,000 in gift funds (in hand), institutional reserves, future bond funds, Jefferson County grant funds and facility reserves; Goodwyn Mills & Caywood ranked top design firm. - Southern Research Phase 1 campus improvements: revised scope to fit out basement shell space for a BSL-3 laboratory; total project budget increased from $122,000,000 to $141,000,000; additional $19,000,000 funded by Southern Research Board restricted and operating funds. - Blunt Residence Hall renewal (Wynton Blunt Jr. Residence Hall): project budget $22,750,000 funded primarily by future bond funds and student affairs reserve funds; scope includes roof, envelope, interior upgrades and systems work. - Mervyn H. Stern Library renovation and modest expansion: budget just over $17,000,000 funded largely by future bond funds and institutional reserves; scope includes roof, fire shutters, fire alarm, freight elevator upgrades and a net increase of ~8,400 sq ft. - Volker Hall ground-floor renovation for research: budget just over $4,700,000 funded by School of Medicine reserve funds to create ~12,000 sq ft of biomedical research laboratory and support space. - Oxmoor property disposition (UAB Research Foundation): proposed sales price $1,082,000 for remaining Lot 4 (12.4 acres); appraised value $1,080,000; resolution authorizes the sales agreement with Bridal Inc. - Acceptance and sale of Triggs gift property (616 Tenth Court South): accepted gift and authorization to sell; appraised value $164,900 and accepted offer $180,000; proceeds designated to the UAB Department of Sociology per donor instructions.

UAB Health System (approved) - Cotton Exchange acquisition (Cullman medical office building): authorization to acquire 75% membership interest for $2,100,000 (proposed) in the business entity that owns the Cotton Exchange of Cullman property; appraised value listed at about $2.6 million; transaction presented as a strategic partnership to secure UAB Medicine market presence.

UAH item (approved) - Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training (550 Sparkman Drive): consultant selection ranking for commissioning firms (top-ranked firm Gresham Smith) and authorization to negotiate owner consultant agreement; total project budget $34,400,000 funded by State of Alabama ETF supplemental appropriation.

Most items were presented by campus or system staff (Mike Rogers, campus capital planning; Dr. Dana Keith, finance/administration) and recorded as approved by voice vote. Several presenters noted funding sources and specific bidders or preferred design firms. The committee packet also included informational materials — five-year capital plans, deferred maintenance lists, and timber management plans — that trustees were directed to review ahead of future September resolutions.

Votes at a glance (committee-recorded resolutions listed in meeting materials and approved): - UA: 7 resolutions (construction and one real estate lease) — approved. - UAB: 8 resolutions (six construction, two real estate) — approved. - UAB Health System: 1 real estate acquisition — approved. - UAH: 1 construction/consultant resolution — approved.

There were no recorded public-comments or extended debate on the items; presenters answered few questions and several motions were approved after a request to consider items collectively. The transcript records committee approvals but does not provide individual roll-call tallies for the votes.

Next steps: campus project teams will proceed to contract execution, bid award and project planning as authorized; several projects noted subsequent construction packages or future bond funding authorizations that will return to the board when required.