Birmingham CrossPlex

The Birmingham CrossPlex is a $46 million indoor track and aquatic facility developed by the City of Birmingham as the centerpiece of the redevelopment of the Alabama State Fairgrounds near Five Points West. The facility's 200-meter hydraulically-banked running tack and 50-meter swimming and diving pool are used by high school and college teams for training and competition.

The CrossPlex facility opened on August 20, 2011. The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau has projected a $13 million economic impact for the venue's first year of operation, based on events which had been booked prior to opening. An additional warm-up pool, which would be usable by the public when not needed for events, was added soon later.

Origins

Shortly after taking office in November 2007 Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposed a large-scale redevelopment of Fair Park which would combine athletic facilities with residential, retail and entertainment facilities. The centerpiece of the redevelopment would be indoor track and swimming facilities. On April 8, 2008 the Birmingham City Council approved the use of $48 million in city funds to initiate construction.

According to the mayor's office, $29 million of the city's funding for the project would come from business license fees which were increased in the Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance. Those revenues were earmarked to service bonds for construction of a domed stadium, but that proposal has been delayed indefinitely. Other funding would come from money earmarked for schools in the Bell Plan (to be used for the athletic facilities), from an economic development fund created by a sales tax increase in the community revitalization ordinance, and from money budgeted to completed or inactive projects and previous allocations to the park.

The Birmingham International Raceway was demolished in 2009 as part of the redevelopment. In September of that year, the City Council approved $7.5 million in contracts to Davis Architects and Brasfield & Gorrie for design and construction management services.

In April 2011, as construction neared completion, the Alabama High School Athletic Association agreed to a five year contract to use the building for its state track meets and other events beginning in 2012. Birmingham-Southern College agreed to house their swimming and diving teams at the Crossplex in August 2011.

Major events

The Crossplex hosted the Division II track & field, swimming, diving and wrestling championships on March 3-9, 2013.

References

• Bryant, Joseph D. (April 8, 2008) "Birmingham council OKs Fair Park plans." The Birmingham News
• Bryant, Joseph D. (March 9, 2010) "AHSAA proposes to lease Fair Park track." The Birmingham News
• Tomberlin, Michael (June 25, 2011) "Birmingham Metro CrossPlex aims to boost city tourism." The Birmingham News
• Velasco, Eric (August 20, 2011) "Birmingham Crossplex opens with marching bands, fanfare." The Birmingham News
• Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (January 19, 2012) "Birmingham Crossplex opens to rave reviews." The Birmingham News