The stadium bid for Woodlawn High School is approved. It could be built by the fall
The Birmingham BOE rejected the bid for the revised Woodlawn stadium plans after the price estimate more than doubled.
Karlos Dansby had one more reason to be thankful this Black Friday morning when he learned that the Birmingham Board of Education had accepted the bid to build a football stadium and fieldhouse on the campus of Woodlawn High School.
“Without a doubt, I’m thankful,” said Dansby, a 2000 alumnus of Woodlawn who went on to play at Auburn University before playing in the National Football League. “Happy Thanksgiving to everybody, and I look forward to seeing this project come to life.”
The board of education on Tuesday unanimously approved a bid of $8.7 million with Argo Building Company for a new stadium and fieldhouse at Woodlawn High. Work on the project is expected to be completed in fall 2022.
It initially rejected the bid in early November with five members voting no, two voting yes and two abstaining after the estimated base project cost more than doubled from the initial $4.2 million estimate. The architect said the board needed to increase stadium capacity to 2,800 with space for 1,700 additional seats to host playoff games, build a new parking lot to accommodate the added seating, increase concessions and restrooms and build structural support to remediate unsuitable subsurface conditions. The new board members at that time said they wanted to start over on the project and reconsider the options.
Superintendent Mark Sullivan said the new stadium will have a huge impact on Woodlawn High School and the community it serves.
“Woodlawn has a rich history of excellence in academics and athletics,” Sullivan said. “We are pleased to have the support of the Board of Education on this project.”
The previous school board broke ground on the Woodlawn stadium project this summer. The acceptance of the bid by the current board on Tuesday is the culmination of the process that will clear the way for construction.
Dansby was present for that ceremonial groundbreaking and is pleased ground will be broken in earnest to begin this project.
“It’s much needed,” he said. “It’s gonna spark a lot of development in the community. It’s much needed. I’m excited. Super excited. It’s long overdue. I’m just happy that the board decided to move forward with this. It’s a beautiful thing, a beautiful thing.”
Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew in Epstein sex trafficking scandal, has died
The American-born Giuffre, who lived in Australia for years, became an advocate for sex trafficking survivors after emerging as a central figure in financier Jeffrey Epstein's prolonged downfall.
Justice Department revokes Biden-era protections for reporters in leak investigations
In a new memo, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ will allow for subpoenas, court orders and search warrants to get information and testimony from journalists.
Lil Wayne’s New Orleans Jazz Fest headlining set is a big moment for hip-hop artists
Lil Wayne will close out the main stage for the first time in his career Saturday — a feat that’s eluded most other rappers who’ve performed at the festival.
Government says – for now – it will restore international students’ status
International students had filed dozens of lawsuits after the government removed them from a database crucial for maintaining their legal status.
A Jewish baking tradition rises in the age of Instagram
Shlissel challah is a special loaf baked the first sabbath after Passover. We trace the modern route by which the bread has spread beyond the ultra-orthodox world to everyday Jewish bakers.
New senior staff announced as White House looks to ‘right the ship’ at the Pentagon
The defense department has announced new senior level positions after recent firings and resignations. But with Pentagon head Pete Hegseth under fire for missteps, the way ahead is still unclear.
