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Council hears winning bidder for Mobile arena; finance committee schedules working session
Summary
BL Harvard International was announced as the apparent low bidder for Mobile’s new arena; company representatives and the mayor introduced the project and a Finance Committee working session on arena funding and contract details was scheduled for later the same day.
The city announced on Feb. 18 that BL Harvard International was the apparent winning bidder for the new Mobile arena. Representatives from the company described their regional arena experience and said they will work to meet the city’s schedule.
Mayor William S. Stimpson said the bidder “came in, I’ll say it’s on budget,” and introduced company leadership to the council. Billy Harvard, identified at the podium as president and CEO of BL Harvard International, said the firm has worked in Mobile previously and has built arenas across the Southeast. Johnny Garlington, introduced by Harvard as the executive overseeing U.S. operations, accompanied him.
Councilmember Reynolds thanked the company and said the bid’s timing offered the council “relief,” noting that a fair price had been received and expressing hope the project will stay on time and on budget. Mayor Stimpson noted the arena timeline is tight — the mayor said Mardi Gras starts early in 2027 and that the schedule “is just barely ahead of Mardi Gras.” He said the administration will maintain communications with the nearby Church Street East and Downtown neighborhoods during construction.
The council also announced a finance committee working session at 1 p.m. the same day to review the arena’s funding mechanism and contract; Councilman Daves (District 5) said that session would be a working meeting without public comment. The working session is intended to provide council members more detail on financial arrangements and outstanding contract issues before formal approvals.
Why it matters: The arena is a major capital project for Mobile; the selection of a general contractor or construction manager marks a significant procurement milestone. Councilmembers and residents have previously raised questions about cost, timeline and community impacts, and the finance committee session signals the council will review funding and contract terms before further action.
What’s next: The administration and the contractor said they will begin pre-construction coordination. The council’s Finance Committee will meet in a closed work session to review contract and funding details; public approvals or contract awards may follow after committee review.
