State and Local Leaders Break Ground for BJCC Stadium

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/12/bjcc_rendering2.jpeg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1280;s:6:"height";i:675;s:4:"file";s:28:"2018/12/bjcc_rendering2.jpeg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-336x177.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:177;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-771x407.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:407;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-140x140.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-768x405.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:405;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"bjcc_rendering2-80x80.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-600x338.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-600x600.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-590x311.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:590;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-470x248.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:248;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-600x400.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-600x600.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"bjcc_rendering2-125x125.jpeg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:28:"The file could not be saved.";}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => error
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Source: BJCC
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1655035214 
1544719734

Local and state leaders turned the first dirt today on a lot that will become a new open-air stadium in downtown Birmingham. The $175 million stadium is part of a larger BJCC expansion.

This is the third ground breaking in 20 years for a stadium at the BJCC. Mayor Randall Woodfin says this time the stadium will be built because government and business leaders are working together.

“Everyone has come together to say what can be and make it a reality,” Woodfin says.

Completion of the new stadium is targeted for mid-2021, just in time for The World Games 2021 and the UAB football season.  The BJCC expansion will help revitalize Birmingham neighborhoods and create more business opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, Woodfin says.

Ray Watts, President of UAB, says the new stadium will be home to UAB Blazer Football. He says the BJCC expansion may be the most important Birmingham economic development project to date.

 

Mississippi’s tech scene is in a catch-22. How can it move forward?

Mississippi ranks near the bottom for the size of its tech industry. But despite its shortcomings, some believe the state is not far from its own tech boom.

London-bound Air India flight with more than 240 aboard crashes in Ahmedabad, India

A Boeing 787 crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad city five minutes after taking off. The flight was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.

Public media funding up in the air as House prepares to vote on claw backs

public-media-funding-up-in-the-air-as-house-prepares-to-vote-on-claw-backs

She served the American people for 35 years. Now her retirement income is on the line

As part of Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill," the House voted to end a retirement supplement aimed at helping federal employees who retire before they're 62.

By the numbers: A look at the Army’s 250th anniversary parade on Trump’s birthday

In a few days, the nation's capital will host its largest military parade in more than three decades. We look at some numbers behind the celebration and the key historical moments leading up to it.

House GOP plan to gut green energy tax credits meets resistance in Senate

Several Republican senators say they're opposed to the wholescale repeal of certain clean energy tax credits passed by the House. Their phones have been ringing off the hook from industry leaders and energy lobbyists who want to make sure the Senate makes changes to the bill.

More Front Page Coverage