Council approves major exhibit contract and related contracts for Savings Center project

The Tuscaloosa City Council on a voice vote approved a $19,683,408 contract with 12 20 Exhibits to fabricate and install exhibits for the Savings Center, and approved several related professional-services contracts and contract amendments critical to the project’s construction and operations planning.

The exhibit contract covers the core Ignite galleries, outdoor exhibits, the Sabin Legacy Hall and the Galaxy Gallery in the building’s glass entrance, Jonathan (Staff member) told the council during the presentation. He said the scope and price reflect a year-long design and pricing process with the exhibit fabricator and designers.

Why it matters: the exhibits are the central programmatic element of the Savings Center; the council and staff said the building would be only a shell without them. Council members pressed for clarity about how the exhibits fit the project budget and long-term maintenance plans before approving the contract.

Council approved the following related items during the same meeting: a not-to-exceed $50,000 professional-services contract with Turner & Townsend for operations planning; a $66,001.86 contract with Duncan Coker for resident observation services during site construction; a reconciliation amendment with Davis Architects for $3,189,080 to align architect fees to awarded construction amounts, and a $70,000 deductive balancing change to the Bridal demolition contract reflecting savings.

Jonathan summarized the exhibit cost history: early estimates in 2022 put exhibit budgets near $10 million for roughly 15–20,000 square feet; subsequent increases in scope — additional exhibits, the Sabin Legacy Hall and the Galaxy Gallery — raised the number. "We've really worked that hard ... we've cut about 3, 3 and a half million out of that to get back down to where we are now," he said, describing negotiations and scope adjustments with the design and fabrication teams.

Audrey (Presenter), showing exhibit renderings, said the exhibits will include an LED globe on the north façade, a large science-on-a-sphere installation, flight simulators, a sustainable communities interactive, an adaptive athletics exhibit and a 0–6 children’s area. "The exhibits are the heart and soul of this project and we really just have a building if we, if we don't, have our exhibits," Audrey said.

Council members asked how exhibit upkeep and technology refreshes will be funded. Staff said maintenance and refreshes were modeled in multi-year pro formas and will be supported by a combination of operating-set-aside funds in the River District and Elevate accounts, fundraising, and a planned endowment discussion with the University of Alabama. Jonathan said staff will present a fiscal 2026 budget base with projections that include ramp-up and ongoing operations details.

On financing, staff told the council that private capital pledges already factored into the bond sizing will reduce the city’s direct share; staff estimates city direct-debt exposure would fall into the high $50 millions to low $60 millions once private donations are realized and applied.

The council approved the exhibit contract, the Turner & Townsend contract, Duncan Coker’s contract, the Davis Architects amendment and the deductive adjustment to the Bridal demolition contract without recorded roll-call tallies; votes were taken by voice and the chair announced approval by unanimous "aye" responses.

Looking ahead: staff said the exhibit fabricator will proceed to fabrication and that further operational planning and pro forma detail will be included in upcoming budget briefings and project updates as the Savings Center moves toward a 2027 opening.