Bulldozers, backhoes and cranes dot the landscape, as crews in Tuscaloosa tackle roughly 65 active projects at the University of Alabama. The $575 million price tag includes a student well-being hub, a high-performance computing and data center and basketball renovations at Coleman Coliseum.
"Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for construction," Campus Development communications manager Jennifer Sumners told Construction Equipment Guide. "The increased project activity allows many improvements to be completed while campus occupancy is lower, reducing impacts on students, faculty, staff and visitors. These efforts include both large-scale capital projects and smaller maintenance and renovation projects."
The Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts is among the ongoing construction efforts at the Capstone. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the $177 million, 130,088-sq.-ft. facility is designed to enhance theater and dance, as well as opera. The Smith Center connects to the historic Bryce Main Building, resulting in a more than 300,000 sq. ft. combined complex.
Smith Performing Arts Center photo
"The faculty, staff and students who will use the facility are incredibly excited about its opening, and the opportunities it will create," said Sumners. "Excitement has also been building throughout the community, with many looking forward to attending events and performances in the theaters."
The building will feature a 350-seat drama theater; 450-seat dance theater; and a 250-seat studio theater designed to meet demands for performance space and seating capacity. It also will include a scenery shop, control rooms and rehearsal halls.
The project will connect to the Bryce Main building via a new lobby, providing two main entry and exit points for productions. Courtyards created between the buildings can also be developed to serve as support areas for outdoor venues.
M.J. Harris Construction Services LLC serves as contractor of the Smith Center. TurnerBatson Architects leads the design effort.
When asked by Construction Equipment Guide about the main concerns for crews, Hoar Program Management/University of Alabama Campus Development senior project manager, Austin Fisher. explained, "The primary construction challenges for the Smith Center are driven by the complexity of creating multiple specialized performance venues within a single facility. Each space has unique theatrical, lighting, audiovisual and operational requirements, while also requiring exceptional acoustic performance and isolation to ensure venues are both sound and light locked.
"The project also places a strong emphasis on accessibility, incorporating ADA-compliant features throughout the audience, performer and support areas at a level that exceeds what is commonly found in many performing arts facilities. In addition, the new center must be seamlessly integrated with an existing building that sits several feet higher in elevation, requiring careful coordination of building connections, circulation and accessible routes."
Smith Performing Arts Center photo
Together, these factors make the project one of the more technically complex and highly coordinated construction efforts on campus.
Fisher noted that several major milestones have already been completed on the Smith Center. They include the installation of the theatrical rigging systems and line sets in both fly towers, which are critical components for stage productions and venue operations.
"The seat wagon system is also operational, providing the flexibility needed to accommodate different performance and audience configurations. In addition, the building's mechanical system is operational. These accomplishments represent significant progress toward bringing the center's advanced theatrical and performance capabilities online."
Construction activity at the Smith Center is currently focused on several key areas as the project moves into its final stages.
"Crews are completing the building connectors between the Smith Center and Bryce Main, installing specialty wood wall panel systems in the dance theatre and drama theatre and constructing the architectural columns within the colonnade," said Fisher. "Interior finish work is also progressing throughout the facility, including the installation of various architectural and performance-space finishes that will help bring the center's venues and public spaces to completion.
"Upcoming work includes installation of the specialty basket-weave flooring in the performance stages and rehearsal rooms, completion of the courtyard areas with landscaping and EIFS finishes, installation of pavers throughout the colonnade and completion of the final high-end architectural finishes in the front-of-house spaces. These remaining activities are focused on the detailed finishes and exterior features that will help define the visitor experience and prepare the facility for occupancy and operation."
Heavy equipment needed to perform various tasks has included tower cranes, crawlers, excavators and dozers. Boom lifts, lulls, dump trucks and skid steers also have been spotted on site.
Smith Performing Arts Center photo
The Smith Center incorporates a variety of high-quality materials to meet both architectural and performance requirements. Chief materials include structural steel and concrete for the building framework and EIFS for exterior wall systems, specialty wood paneling and millwork within the performance venues. Acoustical assemblies designed for sound isolation and high-end interior finishes throughout public spaces also are required, along with specialty flooring systems for performance and rehearsal areas, as well as stone, concrete and paver elements in the exterior courtyards and colonnade.
Fisher said the elements have had a minimal impact on construction progress.
"Since work began in June 2024, the project has experienced relatively few weather-related disruptions. Careful planning and coordination by the project team have helped maintain progress and keep the project on schedule despite normal seasonal weather conditions."
Despite road closures and the unavoidable noise, school officials are grateful for the contractors, subcontractors, vendors and other partners whose hard work plays a vital role in the success of the many projects taking place across campus. The Smith Center is no exception.
"Watching the project progress toward completion has been rewarding for both the university and the project team," said Sumners. "Years of planning, collaboration and dedication have culminated in a facility that will serve the campus community and enrich the university experience for years to come." CEG
