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The '''Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex''' (BJCC, formerly the '''Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center''') is a sports, convention and entertainment complex located just north of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] downtown. It consists of a 17,000 seat arena, a 3,000 seat concert hall, a 220,000 square foot exhibition hall, a 1,000 seat theater and various banquet and meeting rooms and other facilities.
The '''Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex''' (BJCC, formerly the '''Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center''') is a sports, convention and entertainment complex located just north of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] downtown. It consists of a 17,000 seat arena, a 3,000 seat concert hall, a 220,000 square foot exhibition hall, a 1,000 seat theater and various banquet and meeting rooms and other facilities.


The interim executive director is [[Tad Snider]], serving after [[Jack Fields]]' contract was terminated in December [[2010]].
The executive director is [[Tad Snider]], who was appointed as interim director after [[Jack Fields]]' contract was terminated in December [[2010]] and was subsequently tapped for the permanent position.


[[Image:View of BJCC.jpg|thumb|center|575px|View of the BJCC from [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2]]. February 16, 2008]]
[[Image:View of BJCC.jpg|thumb|center|800px|View of the BJCC from [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2]]. February 16, 2008]]


==Development==
==Development==
In [[1962]] a group of architects met with area business leaders and volunteered to put together a master plan for Birmingham's central business district. A major element of that plan was a new "civic activities center" to include sports and performing arts venues and exhibition space. Leading the charge was [[Birmingham Symphony Association]] president [[Alexander Lacy]], who worked closely with the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority|Jefferson County Legislative Delegation]] during a special session to establish the [[Civic Center Authority of the Cities and County of Jefferson County]] (now called the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority) to construct and manage the proposed facility. Three special county-wide taxes totaling a projects $2.4 million per year were levied for the project. $250,000 per year was reserved to fund operating expenses while the rest could be used to finance a bond issue for capital investments.
In [[1962]] a group of architects met with area business leaders and volunteered to put together a master plan for Birmingham's central business district. A major element of that plan was a new "civic activities center" to include sports and performing arts venues and exhibition space. Leading the charge were [[Vincent Townsend]] of [[Operation New Birmingham]] and [[Birmingham Symphony Association]] president [[Alexander Lacy]], who worked closely with the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority|Jefferson County Legislative Delegation]] during a special session to establish the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority|Civic Center Authority of the Cities and County of Jefferson County]] (now called the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority). The authority would construct and manage the proposed facility.


With momentum growing behind the idea of constructing such a facility, architect William A. Briggs of Richmond, Virginia was hired to research the needs of probably users and to generate a detailed program report.
With momentum growing behind the idea of constructing such a facility, architect William A. Briggs of Richmond, Virginia was hired to research the needs of probable users and to generate a detailed program report. A $2.35 million federal "Urban Renewal" grant, awarded in December [[1965]], provided funds to undertake those studies and to begin acquiring land and paying designers and engineers.
 
Though the actual civic center was presumed to need a four-block area, nine blocks, between [[19th Street North|19th]] and [[21st Street North|21st Street]] and between [[8th Avenue North|8th]] and [[13th Avenue North|13th Avenue North]] were included in the study area. When the federal funding was announced, Townsend said that, "another link has been forged in the chain of reality toward that accomplishment of the finest cultural and convention complex in the entire country." It was hoped that the project could be completed in time for the city's centennial in [[1971]].
 
Three special county-wide taxes totaling a projected $2.4 million per year were levied for the project. $250,000 per year was reserved to fund operating expenses while the rest could be used to finance a bond issue for capital investments.


===Design competition===
===Design competition===
The enabling legislation required that the design of the center be generated through an open architectural competition conducted according to American Institute of Architects guidelines.  
The enabling legislation required that the design of the center be generated through an open architectural competition conducted according to American Institute of Architects guidelines.  


On [[June 22]], [[1966]] Lacy led a group of 50 officials from Birmingham and Jefferson County who hosted a press luncheon at the Hotel Plaza in New York City to announce the competition. All architects with a minimum of four years' registration in any state would be eligible to submit a design in the first phase, for which three months was alotted. Nearly 900 firms requested the project specifications and 277 submission were received for first-round judging. Each firm submitted two panels measuring 30" x 40". All of the entries were displayed in [[Municipal Auditorium]] the week of [[November 11]], [[1966]] while the 5-person jury examined them.
On [[June 22]], [[1966]] Lacy led a group of 50 officials from Birmingham and Jefferson County who hosted a press luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City to announce the competition. Any architect with a minimum of four years' registration in any state would be eligible to submit a design in the first phase, for which three months was allotted. Nearly 900 firms requested the project specifications and 277 submissions were received for first-round judging. Each firm submitted two panels measuring 30" x 40". All of the entries were displayed in [[Municipal Auditorium]] the week of [[November 11]], [[1966]] while the 5-person jury examined them.


The jury consisted of Max Abramowitz of the firm of Harrison & Abramowitz in New York, Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum in St Louis, architect John Carl Warnecke of San Francisco, Harold Burris-Meyer, an expert in auditorium acoustics, and John Fernald, an acclaimed theater director. Of the 277 entrants, only one, [[Fritz Woehle]], was local to Birmingham. Ralph Merrill and Nicholas Davis of Auburn, Douglas Baker of Montgomery, and Thomas A. Jones of Huntsville were the only other Alabama architects to compete. Eight finalists were announced on [[November 14]]:
The jury consisted of Max Abramowitz of the firm of Harrison & Abramowitz in New York; Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum in St Louis; architect John Carl Warnecke of San Francisco; Harold Burris-Meyer, an expert in auditorium acoustics; and John Fernald, an acclaimed theater director. Of the 277 entrants, only one, [[Fritz Woehle]], lived in Birmingham. Ralph Merrill and Nicholas Davis of [[Auburn]], Douglas Baker of Montgomery, and Thomas A. Jones of Huntsville were the only other Alabama architects to compete. Eight finalists were announced on [[November 14]]:


:'''Finalists'''
:'''Finalists'''
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* Emanuel Turano of New York, New York
* Emanuel Turano of New York, New York


Finalists were given six months to produce additional drawings and a model of the project, extending south to include [[Woodrow Wilson Park]] (now [[Linn Park]]) in order to show how they planned to connect the civic center to the existing municipal institutions on the other side of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]]. Judging of the final entries was begun on [[May 29]], [[1967]], with the winner announced the next morning at a breakfast hosted by Mayor [[Albert Boutwell]]. Convinced by Obata's strong recommendation, Qualls was selected as the winner with Rapson as first runner-up and Fitch as 2nd runner-up.<sup>1.</sup>
Finalists were given six months to produce additional drawings and a model of the project, extending south to include [[Linn Park|Woodrow Wilson Park]] (now [[Linn Park]]) in order to show the design's connection to the existing municipal institutions on the south side of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]]. Judging of the final entries was begun on [[May 29]], [[1967]], with the winner announced the next morning at a breakfast hosted by Mayor [[Albert Boutwell]]. With Obata's strong recommendation to the committee, Qualls was selected as the winner with Rapson as first runner-up and Fitch as 2nd runner-up.<sup>1.</sup>


In reviewing the architectural design of the new facility for ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine, [[Philip Morris]] said "The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center is a superb piece of architecture [...] Buildings are sculptural and powerful and the greatest bargain Birmingham ever got. The plaza between will be one of the notable plazas in the country."
In reviewing the architectural design of the new facility for ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine, [[Philip Morris]] said "The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center is a superb piece of architecture [...] Buildings are sculptural and powerful and the greatest bargain Birmingham ever got. The plaza between will be one of the notable plazas in the country."


===Construction===
===Construction===
[[Image:BJCC sign 1976.jpg|left|thumb|275px|The original BJCC sign in 1976]]
Quall's firm, Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, received the commission and produced the final construction documents. Construction of the Exhibition Hall began with a groundbreaking ceremony in July [[1969]] with dynamite marking the "explosion of creativity, energy, imagination and cooperation" responsible for making the project possible. The detonations were ceremonially set off by Senator [[John Sparkman]], Governor [[Albert Brewer]], Commission President [[Cooper Green]], Mayor [[George Seibels]] and Civic Center Authority chairman [[Alex Lacey]]. A prior luncheon featured a screening of the film "[[Renaissance in Birmingham]]" at the [[Municipal Auditorium]] exhibit hall.
Quall's firm, Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, received the commission and produced the final construction documents. Construction of the Exhibition Hall began with a groundbreaking ceremony in July [[1969]] with dynamite marking the "explosion of creativity, energy, imagination and cooperation" responsible for making the project possible. The detonations were ceremonially set off by Senator [[John Sparkman]], Governor [[Albert Brewer]], Commission President [[Cooper Green]], Mayor [[George Seibels]] and Civic Center Authority chairman [[Alex Lacey]]. A prior luncheon featured a screening of the film "[[Renaissance in Birmingham]]" at the [[Municipal Auditorium]] exhibit hall.
The first section to be completed was the North Exhibition Hall, which opened in January [[1972]] for the first [[Birmingham Boat Show]].


At the time construction began the total cost was estimated at $34 million. By the time it was completed in [[1976]] the total had grown to $104 million.
At the time construction began the total cost was estimated at $34 million. By the time it was completed in [[1976]] the total had grown to $104 million.


The electronic sign visible to [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] was the subject of some controversy. A local sign company negotiated to place advertisements on it in exchange for providing signage within the center. Members of [[AIA Birmingham]] lobbied the authority to eschew commercialization of the sign in order to preserve the architectural integrity of the complex. The sign was replaced with more sophisticated electronic marquees in [[1997]] and [[2010]].
The electronic sign visible to [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] was the subject of some controversy. A local sign company negotiated to place advertisements on it in exchange for providing signage within the center at no cost. Members of [[AIA Birmingham]] lobbied the authority to remove the ads from the sign in order to preserve the architectural integrity of the complex. The sign was replaced with more sophisticated electronic marquees in [[1997]] and [[2010]].
 
==Coliseum==
[[Image:Davis Cup at BJCC.jpg|right|thumb|325px|View of the arena from the upper level during the [[2009 Davis Cup first round tie]]. Photograph by Kevin Stephenson]]
The arena, formally called the '''BJCC Coliseum''' seats about 17,000 for sporting events and up to 19,000 for [[concerts]]. The 22,400 square-foot oval-shaped arena floor measures 110' x 220' and is 75' feet from floor to ceiling. A four-sided center-hung scoreboard, designed by [[Daktronics]], measures 18' by 18' on each side. Also on each side is a 7.5'-by-8'8" ProStar 16.5mm video display. Backstage there are 2 locker rooms and 6 dressing rooms as well as a press room and a VIP Reception area. The arena can accommodate 8 trucks backstage--3 on truck docks and room for 5 more. The arena also contains several luxury suites and a press box.
 
In its first years the arena was home ice for the [[Birmingham Bulls]] of the [[World Hockey Association]] and was also the home court for the [[Samford Bulldogs]] and [[UAB Blazers basketball|UAB Blazers]] basketball teams before they moved to on-campus arenas. It later served as the home of the [[Birmingham Steeldogs]] arena football team. The coliseum also hosts major concert tours, [[Disney on Ice]], the [[Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus]], and other events, including trade shows, and
 
The BJCC has hosted four [[Southeastern Conference]] men's basketball tournaments between [[1979]] and [[1992]] and the [[1999]] [[Conference USA]] men's basketball tournament. It has also hosted the [[NCAA college basketball tournaments]] serving as first and second round host in [[1984]], [[1987]], [[2000]], [[2003]] and [[2008]]. The BJCC has been a regional site five times - [[1982]], [[1985]], [[1988]], [[1995]], and [[1997]]. It was also the site of [[WWE Armageddon]] 2000.


The BJCC was the host of the [[2009 Davis Cup first round tie‎]] between the United States and Switzerland on [[March 6]], [[March 7|7]], and [[March 8|8]], [[2009]].  The three day attendance total of 45,708 made it the most attended first-round tie in U.S. Davis Cup history. In the summer of 2009 the BJCC board spent $560,000 to install acoustic panels and screens in the arena to improve sound performance. Later that year the board approved $100,000 to upgrade the structural capacity of the ceiling in order to accommodate a performance by Miley Cyrus, but arena officials worked with the promoter to design an alternative rigging solution that did not require the modifications.
==Legacy Arena==
[[Image:Davis Cup at BJCC.jpg|right|thumb|425px|View of the arena from the upper level during the [[2009 Davis Cup first round tie]]. Photograph by Kevin Stephenson]]
{{Main|Legacy Arena}}
The Legacy Arena at the BJCC, formerly called the '''BJCC Coliseum''' seats about 17,000 for sporting events and up to 19,000 for concerts, with several luxury suites and a press box. The 22,400 square-foot oval-shaped arena floor measures 110' x 220' and is 75' feet from floor to ceiling. Backstage areas include locker rooms, dressing rooms, a press room and a VIP Reception area.


==Concert Hall==
==Concert Hall==
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==Exhibition Hall==
==Exhibition Hall==
The 220,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall is used for Birmingham's largest trade shows and conventions.  It is divisible into three smaller halls and can accommodate 1100 exhibit booths.
The 220,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall is used for Birmingham's largest trade shows and conventions.  It is divisible into three smaller halls and can accommodate 1100 exhibit booths.
The North Hall was the first to open in [[1972]]. The East Exhibit Hall opened in [[1992]].
As part of the [[2022 World Games]], the East Exhibit Hall hosted the [[Floorball at the 2022 World Games|floorball]] and [[Korfball at the 2022 World Games|korfball]] competitions; and, the North Hall hosted the [[Bowling at the 2022 World Games|bowling]] competition.


==Theater==
==Theater==
The 1,000-seat Theater is used for operas, ballets, and smaller concerts and stage shows, and is also home to the [[Birmingham Children's Theatre]], the nation's largest children's theater. The theater contains a 46-by-70-foot stage and a grid height of 58 feet.  There are 2 rehearsal areas, 2 chorus dressing rooms and 6 dressing rooms, including a star's dressing room.
The BJCC's theater opened in [[1974]]. It contains 1,000 total seats, but normally utilizes 800. When arranged for a proscenium stage 100 seats on either side are removed, and for a thrust stage, those are opened, but the first rows are covered with additional stage platforms.
 
The theater is used for operas, ballets, and smaller concerts and stage shows. The theater stage is 132 feet wide and 48 feet deep with a grid height of 58 feet. The proscenium is 28 feet tall by 70 feet wide. There are 2 rehearsal areas, 2 chorus dressing rooms and 6 dressing rooms, including a star's dressing room. The original construction included lighting capable of switching between 10 pre-programmed scenes.
 
A ''[[Birmingham News]]'' columnist enthused that the new stage would provide top-of-the-line facilities for the city's numerous amateur and academic [[List of theater companies|theater groups]]. In practice, the requirement of paying union scale to cast and crews made the BJCC theater inaccessible to most local groups. The [[Birmingham Children's Theatre]] was contracted early on as a house company for the new facility, which it has primarily shared with touring shows.
 
In September [[2020]] the [[Church of the Highlands]] began using the theater on Sunday mornings as its "Uptown Campus".


==Other facilities==
==Other facilities==
[[Image:BJCC postcard.jpg|left|thumb|375px|Postcard view of the BJCC]]
The complex contains 64 meeting rooms totaling 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 16,000-square-foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,200 for banquets.
The complex contains 64 meeting rooms totaling 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 16,000-square-foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,200 for banquets.
A full-service restaurant is located in a glassed-in atrium in the BJCC's interior courtyard. It operated in the 1980s as "[[The Restaurant|The Restaurant at the Civic Center]]".


The ten-story [[Medical Forum]], with meeting space, a 275-seat auditorium, classrooms, conference space, and offices, is also located here.
The ten-story [[Medical Forum]], with meeting space, a 275-seat auditorium, classrooms, conference space, and offices, is also located here.
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The adjacent 838-room [[Sheraton Civic Center Hotel]] provides a large ballroom and other convention and meeting facilities nearby.
The adjacent 838-room [[Sheraton Civic Center Hotel]] provides a large ballroom and other convention and meeting facilities nearby.


==Future==
The [[Uptown]] entertainment district, financed with $57 in public bond money backed by the city's lodging tax, opened in [[2013]]-[[2014]], providing an open air "plaza" area along with an array of new restaurants to augment the Convention Center. The district is anchored by the 303-room [[Westin Birmingham]] hotel. A [[TopGolf]] location opened near Uptown in [[2017]].
There are plans for a major expansion of the BJCC itself to increase and upgrade the exhibition facilities and construct a new [[domed stadium|covered multi-use stadium]]. Commitments to fund these plans were curtailed by political backlash against using public funds to construct a domed stadium. The [[2006 general election|2006 election]] installed a [[Jefferson County Commission]] that promised not to support the full expansion plan. Accordingly the BJCC authority has begun shifting its priorities toward expanding convention space and developing an entertainment district without the multi-use stadium. After support for a smaller arena emerged, the board asked its consultants to project the costs and benefits of a 40,000 seat covered multi-use facility that could be configured for football.
 
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
==Parking==
The BJCC has several parking lots and decks in the vicinity, most of which are operated by the BJCC.
 
* P1: [[BJCC 9th Avenue Parking]], 100 spaces
* P2: [[BJCC 19th Street Parking]], 48 spaces
* P3: [[BJCC 11th Avenue Parking]], 22 spaces
* P4: [[BJCC East Parking Garage]], 250 spaces
* P5: [[BJCC 22nd Street Parking Deck]], 1,500 spaces
* P6: [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2]] (a.k.a. Boutwell Parking Deck), 1,600 spaces
* P7: [[BJCC East Parking]], 353 spaces
* P8: [[BJCC Lot 8]], 157 spaces
* P9: [[BJCC Lot 9]], 288 spaces
* P10: [[BJCC Lot 10]], 120 spaces
* P11: [[BJCC Lot 11]], 60 spaces
* P12: [[BJCC Lot 12]], 90 spaces
* P13: [[BJCC Premier Parking]], 250 spaces
* P14: [[BJCC West Parking]], 190 spaces
* P15: [[BJCC Lot 15]], 900 spaces
 
From the early 1970s to [[2014]], there were also 750 free public parking spaces under the [[I-20/59 downtown viaduct]] across the street from the BJCC.
 
==Expansion proposals==
In the early 2000s, the BJCC made plans for a major expansion of the facility to increase and upgrade the exhibition facilities and construct a new [[domed stadium|covered multi-use stadium]]. Commitments to fund these plans were curtailed by political backlash against using public funds to construct a "domed stadium". The [[2006 general election|2006 election]] installed a [[Jefferson County Commission]] that promised not to support the full expansion plan. Accordingly the BJCC authority began shifting its priorities toward expanding convention space and developing an entertainment district without the multi-use stadium. After support for a smaller arena emerged, the board asked its consultants to project the costs and benefits of a 40,000 seat covered multi-use facility that could be configured for football.
 
Meeting in Salt Lake City in February [[2007]] the Civic Center board, including Birmingham mayor [[Bernard Kincaid]] and [[Jefferson County Commission]] president [[Bettye Fine Collins]], voted unanimously to pursue a $505.5 million expansion which would include $380 million for a 40,000 seat arena which could be used to provide 175,000 square feet of exhibition space. Other projects included in the package of plans included $17 million for land purchases, $10.5 million for additional parking facilities, $10 for improvements to infrastructure, $6 million for upgrades to existing facades, $5 million for a new skywalk to the existing arena, $2 million for refurbishing of the existing arena, and $75 million to pay off current debts.
 
The Commission was unsuccessful in lobbying the Alabama legislature to affirm and extend the [[Jefferson County occupational tax]] which had been challenged in court. Without being able to rely on that source of funds, the county could not pledge its support.
 
Part of Birmingham's 2003 "[[City Center Master Plan]]" envisioned replacing the existing elevated highway with a [[City Center interstate lowering|below-grade corridor]] which would simplify interstate access to the downtown area, mitigate the noise and visual effects of highway traffic, and allow for a landscaped plaza to bridge over the highway. If it had been carried out, this plan would have created the connection between the BJCC and Linn Park which was envisioned as critical during the original design competition. Ultimately the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]] went forward with replacing the interstate bridge with a taller structure with fewer access ramps.


Meeting in Salt Lake City in February [[2007]] the Civic Center board, including Birmingham mayor [[Bernard Kincaid]] and [[Jefferson County Commission]] president [[Bettye Fine Collins]], voted unanimously to pursue a $505.5 million expansion which would include $380 million for a 40,000 seat arena which could be used to provide 175,000 square feet of exhibition space. Other projects included in the package of plans include $17 million for land purchases, $10.5 million for additional parking facilities, $10 for improvements to infrastructure, $6 million for upgrades to existing facades, $5 million for a new skywalk to the existing arena, $2 million for refurbishing of the existing arena, and $75 million to pay off current debts.
A private developer, Performa Entertainment Real Estate of Memphis, Tennessee, was contracted to develop land djacent to the BJCC as an entertainment district, tentatively called [[The District]], a $50 million development which would begin construction as early as Fall [[2007]]. Another private developer had once announced plans to build a major new luxury hotel adjacent to the BJCC regardless of the outcome of the expansion plans for the public facility.


The Commission was unsuccessful in lobbying the Alabama legislature to affirm and extend the [[Jefferson County occupational tax]] which has been challenged in court. Without being able to rely on that source of funds, the county could not pledge its support.
After taking office in November [[2007]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] won support from the [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]] for his [[Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance]] which included doubling business license fees in the city to fund a $500 million bond issue for construction of a domed stadium. Although he had campaigned on the possibility of building a dome in the western part of the city, he told the BJCC authority and the [[Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce]] that the downtown site was best. After the measure passed, he announced that the downtown site was unsuitable for a large-scale development and that land owned by [[Milton McGregor]] near the [[Birmingham Race Course]] on [[John Rogers Drive]] would be better. At the same time he indicated that the city's annual $3 million payment to the BJCC, used to finance existing bond debts, would be redirected to a new authority which would operate his proposed dome. Langford's efforts failed to come to fruition.


Part of Birmingham's "[[City Center Master Plan]]" envisions replacing the existing elevated highway with a [[City Center interstate lowering|below-grade corridor]] which would simplify interstate access to the downtown area, mitigate the noise and visual effects of highway traffic, and allow for a landscaped plaza to bridge over the highway. If carried out, this plan would create the connection between the BJCC and Linn Park which was envisioned as critical during the original design competition.
===2016 Master Plan===
In August [[2016]] the BJCC Authority unveiled a new master plan from Populous which included a [[BJCC stadium|45,000 seat open-air stadium]] adjoining the complex north of the [[Uptown]] district. The design allowed for expansion to 55,000 seats and would serve the [[UAB Blazers]] and the [[Birmingham Bowl]]. The projected cost for the entire renovation project was nearly $300 million, of which $174 million was projected for construction of the stadium.


A private developer, Performa Entertainment Real Estate of Memphis, Tennessee, was contracted to develop land djacent to the BJCC as an entertainment district, tentatively called [[The District]], a $50 million development which could begin construction as early as Fall [[2007]]. Another private developer had once announced plans to build a major new luxury hotel adjacent to the BJCC regardless of the outcome of the expansion plans for the public facility.
In his [[2017 State of the City address]], Birmingham mayor [[William Bell]] alluded to a $200-225 projected cost for an open air stadium and a $450 million-plus cost for an enclosed stadium, which he would prefer. He hoped to secure a public-private partnership to finance the project and said that an announcement could be expected "fairly soon."


After taking office in November [[2007]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] won support from the [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]] for his [[Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance]] which included doubling business license fees in the city to fund a $500 million bond issue for construction of a domed stadium. Although he had campaigned on the possibility of building a dome in the western part of the city, he told the BJCC authority and the [[Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce]] that the downtown site was best. After the measure passed, he announced that the downtown site was unsuitable for a large-scale development and that land near the [[Birmingham Race Course]] on [[John Rogers Drive]] would be better. At the same time he indicated that the city's annual $3 million payment to the BJCC, used to finance existing bond debts, would be redirected to a new authority which will operate his proposed dome.
The BJCC Authority projects being able to cover an additional $10.7 million per year for debt service for improvements. The [[Jefferson County Commission]] voted in January [[2018]] to commit to $1 million a year for 30 years as its contribution to debt service on the proposed new facility. New Birmingham mayor [[Randall Woodfin]] requested that the City Council commit $3 million a year for 30 years as an investment in revenue-generating infrastructure. The [[Birmingham City Council]] approved that proposal in March. [[UAB]] and corporate partners have also committed $4 million a year, part of which includes leasing the stadium, along with sponsorship deals and naming rights. On July [[2018]] a [[2018 BJCC bond issue|$300 million bond package]] was issued to fund construction of the new stadium, expected to open in [[2021]], and arena upgrades, expected to be completed in [[2022]].


==Notes==
==Notes==
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==References==
==References==
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/1965-12.htm Federal money approved: Civic center backers applaud fund OK]" (December 1965) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Glover, William (December 31, 1968) "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p0cmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n_4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1105%2C29052 Birmingham Area Seeks to Improve Image with Performing Arts Center]'' Associated Press
* Glover, William (December 31, 1968) "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p0cmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n_4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1105%2C29052 Birmingham Area Seeks to Improve Image with Performing Arts Center]'' Associated Press
* Adams, Les, editor (1969) ''Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center National Architectural Competition''. Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
* Adams, Les, editor (1969) ''Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center National Architectural Competition''. Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
* Roberson, Peggy (July 1969) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CivicCenter-1(7-69).jpg Civic Center gets to start with bang]" ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Roberson, Peggy (July 1969) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CivicCenter-1(7-69).jpg Civic Center gets to start with bang]" {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Haarbauer, Donald Ward (1973) ''A critical history of the non-academic theatre in Birmingham, Alabama.'' PhD dissertation. University of Wisconsin.
* Morris, Philip (October 1975) "Here's Looking at YOU, Birmingham: Commentaries on Design and Land Use." ''Birmingham'' magazine. Vol. 15, No. 10, pp. 17-22
* Morris, Philip (October 1975) "Here's Looking at YOU, Birmingham: Commentaries on Design and Land Use." ''Birmingham'' magazine. Vol. 15, No. 10, pp. 17-22
* Geddes, Robert L. (1986) ''Principles and Precedents: Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham.'' Process Architecture No. 62.  Tokyo: Books Nippan. ISBN 4893310623
* Geddes, Robert L. (1986) ''Principles and Precedents: Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham.'' Process Architecture No. 62.  Tokyo: Books Nippan. ISBN 4893310623
* "Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 18 Mar 2006, 21:03 UTC. 18 Mar 2006, 21:39 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Birmingham_Jefferson_Convention_Complex&oldid=44404914]
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Birmingham_Jefferson_Convention_Complex Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex]." Wikipedia - accessed March 18, 2006
* Williams, Roy L. (January 8, 2008) "BJCC can survive, official says." ''Birmingham News''
* Williams, Roy L. (January 8, 2008) "BJCC can survive, official says." {{BN}}
* Huebner, Michael (September 8, 2008) "BJCC completes $11 million concert hall makeover." ''Birmingham News''
* Huebner, Michael (September 8, 2008) "BJCC completes $11 million concert hall makeover." {{BN}}
* Solomon, Jon (March 9, 2009) "Birmingham tennis fans, passion help city score in hosting Davis Cup." ''Birmingham News''
* Solomon, Jon (March 9, 2009) "Birmingham tennis fans, passion help city score in hosting Davis Cup." {{BN}}
* Poe, Kelly (August 17, 2016) "New BJCC master plan includes open air stadium, Legacy Arena upgrades." {{BN}}
* West, Ty (January 11, 2017) "Bell likes the idea of larger, enclosed stadium facility at BJCC." {{BBJ}}
* Edgemon, Erin (January 9, 2018) "Jefferson County to commit $30 million to downtown stadium." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (January 31, 2018) "Birmingham mayor asks council to pay $90 million on downtown stadium." {{BN}}
* "[http://medium.com/@bhamcitycouncil/a-comprehensive-q-a-regarding-the-proposed-bjcc-stadium-project-e9c41cab434d A comprehensive Q&A regarding the proposed BJCC stadium project]" (February 5, 2018) Birmingham City Council - accessed February 6, 2018


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 20:34, 17 July 2022

BJCC logo.png

The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC, formerly the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center) is a sports, convention and entertainment complex located just north of I-20/59 downtown. It consists of a 17,000 seat arena, a 3,000 seat concert hall, a 220,000 square foot exhibition hall, a 1,000 seat theater and various banquet and meeting rooms and other facilities.

The executive director is Tad Snider, who was appointed as interim director after Jack Fields' contract was terminated in December 2010 and was subsequently tapped for the permanent position.

View of the BJCC from Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2. February 16, 2008

Development

In 1962 a group of architects met with area business leaders and volunteered to put together a master plan for Birmingham's central business district. A major element of that plan was a new "civic activities center" to include sports and performing arts venues and exhibition space. Leading the charge were Vincent Townsend of Operation New Birmingham and Birmingham Symphony Association president Alexander Lacy, who worked closely with the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation during a special session to establish the Civic Center Authority of the Cities and County of Jefferson County (now called the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority). The authority would construct and manage the proposed facility.

With momentum growing behind the idea of constructing such a facility, architect William A. Briggs of Richmond, Virginia was hired to research the needs of probable users and to generate a detailed program report. A $2.35 million federal "Urban Renewal" grant, awarded in December 1965, provided funds to undertake those studies and to begin acquiring land and paying designers and engineers.

Though the actual civic center was presumed to need a four-block area, nine blocks, between 19th and 21st Street and between 8th and 13th Avenue North were included in the study area. When the federal funding was announced, Townsend said that, "another link has been forged in the chain of reality toward that accomplishment of the finest cultural and convention complex in the entire country." It was hoped that the project could be completed in time for the city's centennial in 1971.

Three special county-wide taxes totaling a projected $2.4 million per year were levied for the project. $250,000 per year was reserved to fund operating expenses while the rest could be used to finance a bond issue for capital investments.

Design competition

The enabling legislation required that the design of the center be generated through an open architectural competition conducted according to American Institute of Architects guidelines.

On June 22, 1966 Lacy led a group of 50 officials from Birmingham and Jefferson County who hosted a press luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City to announce the competition. Any architect with a minimum of four years' registration in any state would be eligible to submit a design in the first phase, for which three months was allotted. Nearly 900 firms requested the project specifications and 277 submissions were received for first-round judging. Each firm submitted two panels measuring 30" x 40". All of the entries were displayed in Municipal Auditorium the week of November 11, 1966 while the 5-person jury examined them.

The jury consisted of Max Abramowitz of the firm of Harrison & Abramowitz in New York; Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum in St Louis; architect John Carl Warnecke of San Francisco; Harold Burris-Meyer, an expert in auditorium acoustics; and John Fernald, an acclaimed theater director. Of the 277 entrants, only one, Fritz Woehle, lived in Birmingham. Ralph Merrill and Nicholas Davis of Auburn, Douglas Baker of Montgomery, and Thomas A. Jones of Huntsville were the only other Alabama architects to compete. Eight finalists were announced on November 14:

Finalists
  • Marvin Fitch of Chicago, Illinois
  • James Martin Harris of Tacoma, Washington
  • B. J. Hoffman and Hanford Yang of Devon, Pennsylvania
  • John S. Mill of Los Angeles, California
  • George W. Qualls of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Ralph Rapson of Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Elvin Riley of Berkeley, California
  • Emanuel Turano of New York, New York

Finalists were given six months to produce additional drawings and a model of the project, extending south to include Woodrow Wilson Park (now Linn Park) in order to show the design's connection to the existing municipal institutions on the south side of I-20/59. Judging of the final entries was begun on May 29, 1967, with the winner announced the next morning at a breakfast hosted by Mayor Albert Boutwell. With Obata's strong recommendation to the committee, Qualls was selected as the winner with Rapson as first runner-up and Fitch as 2nd runner-up.1.

In reviewing the architectural design of the new facility for Birmingham magazine, Philip Morris said "The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center is a superb piece of architecture [...] Buildings are sculptural and powerful and the greatest bargain Birmingham ever got. The plaza between will be one of the notable plazas in the country."

Construction

The original BJCC sign in 1976

Quall's firm, Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, received the commission and produced the final construction documents. Construction of the Exhibition Hall began with a groundbreaking ceremony in July 1969 with dynamite marking the "explosion of creativity, energy, imagination and cooperation" responsible for making the project possible. The detonations were ceremonially set off by Senator John Sparkman, Governor Albert Brewer, Commission President Cooper Green, Mayor George Seibels and Civic Center Authority chairman Alex Lacey. A prior luncheon featured a screening of the film "Renaissance in Birmingham" at the Municipal Auditorium exhibit hall.

The first section to be completed was the North Exhibition Hall, which opened in January 1972 for the first Birmingham Boat Show.

At the time construction began the total cost was estimated at $34 million. By the time it was completed in 1976 the total had grown to $104 million.

The electronic sign visible to I-20/59 was the subject of some controversy. A local sign company negotiated to place advertisements on it in exchange for providing signage within the center at no cost. Members of AIA Birmingham lobbied the authority to remove the ads from the sign in order to preserve the architectural integrity of the complex. The sign was replaced with more sophisticated electronic marquees in 1997 and 2010.

Legacy Arena

View of the arena from the upper level during the 2009 Davis Cup first round tie. Photograph by Kevin Stephenson
Main article: Legacy Arena

The Legacy Arena at the BJCC, formerly called the BJCC Coliseum seats about 17,000 for sporting events and up to 19,000 for concerts, with several luxury suites and a press box. The 22,400 square-foot oval-shaped arena floor measures 110' x 220' and is 75' feet from floor to ceiling. Backstage areas include locker rooms, dressing rooms, a press room and a VIP Reception area.

Concert Hall

Main article: BJCC Concert Hall

The 2,700-seat Concert Hall hosts concerts and Broadway-style productions and is the home of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra pops series. Built in 1973 with 3,000 seats, an $11-million renovation was completed in 2008 to update seating areas, circulation spaces and backstage equipment.

Exhibition Hall

The 220,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall is used for Birmingham's largest trade shows and conventions. It is divisible into three smaller halls and can accommodate 1100 exhibit booths.

The North Hall was the first to open in 1972. The East Exhibit Hall opened in 1992.

As part of the 2022 World Games, the East Exhibit Hall hosted the floorball and korfball competitions; and, the North Hall hosted the bowling competition.

Theater

The BJCC's theater opened in 1974. It contains 1,000 total seats, but normally utilizes 800. When arranged for a proscenium stage 100 seats on either side are removed, and for a thrust stage, those are opened, but the first rows are covered with additional stage platforms.

The theater is used for operas, ballets, and smaller concerts and stage shows. The theater stage is 132 feet wide and 48 feet deep with a grid height of 58 feet. The proscenium is 28 feet tall by 70 feet wide. There are 2 rehearsal areas, 2 chorus dressing rooms and 6 dressing rooms, including a star's dressing room. The original construction included lighting capable of switching between 10 pre-programmed scenes.

A Birmingham News columnist enthused that the new stage would provide top-of-the-line facilities for the city's numerous amateur and academic theater groups. In practice, the requirement of paying union scale to cast and crews made the BJCC theater inaccessible to most local groups. The Birmingham Children's Theatre was contracted early on as a house company for the new facility, which it has primarily shared with touring shows.

In September 2020 the Church of the Highlands began using the theater on Sunday mornings as its "Uptown Campus".

Other facilities

Postcard view of the BJCC

The complex contains 64 meeting rooms totaling 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 16,000-square-foot ballroom that can seat up to 1,200 for banquets.

A full-service restaurant is located in a glassed-in atrium in the BJCC's interior courtyard. It operated in the 1980s as "The Restaurant at the Civic Center".

The ten-story Medical Forum, with meeting space, a 275-seat auditorium, classrooms, conference space, and offices, is also located here.

The adjacent 838-room Sheraton Civic Center Hotel provides a large ballroom and other convention and meeting facilities nearby.

The Uptown entertainment district, financed with $57 in public bond money backed by the city's lodging tax, opened in 2013-2014, providing an open air "plaza" area along with an array of new restaurants to augment the Convention Center. The district is anchored by the 303-room Westin Birmingham hotel. A TopGolf location opened near Uptown in 2017.

Parking

The BJCC has several parking lots and decks in the vicinity, most of which are operated by the BJCC.

From the early 1970s to 2014, there were also 750 free public parking spaces under the I-20/59 downtown viaduct across the street from the BJCC.

Expansion proposals

In the early 2000s, the BJCC made plans for a major expansion of the facility to increase and upgrade the exhibition facilities and construct a new covered multi-use stadium. Commitments to fund these plans were curtailed by political backlash against using public funds to construct a "domed stadium". The 2006 election installed a Jefferson County Commission that promised not to support the full expansion plan. Accordingly the BJCC authority began shifting its priorities toward expanding convention space and developing an entertainment district without the multi-use stadium. After support for a smaller arena emerged, the board asked its consultants to project the costs and benefits of a 40,000 seat covered multi-use facility that could be configured for football.

Meeting in Salt Lake City in February 2007 the Civic Center board, including Birmingham mayor Bernard Kincaid and Jefferson County Commission president Bettye Fine Collins, voted unanimously to pursue a $505.5 million expansion which would include $380 million for a 40,000 seat arena which could be used to provide 175,000 square feet of exhibition space. Other projects included in the package of plans included $17 million for land purchases, $10.5 million for additional parking facilities, $10 for improvements to infrastructure, $6 million for upgrades to existing facades, $5 million for a new skywalk to the existing arena, $2 million for refurbishing of the existing arena, and $75 million to pay off current debts.

The Commission was unsuccessful in lobbying the Alabama legislature to affirm and extend the Jefferson County occupational tax which had been challenged in court. Without being able to rely on that source of funds, the county could not pledge its support.

Part of Birmingham's 2003 "City Center Master Plan" envisioned replacing the existing elevated highway with a below-grade corridor which would simplify interstate access to the downtown area, mitigate the noise and visual effects of highway traffic, and allow for a landscaped plaza to bridge over the highway. If it had been carried out, this plan would have created the connection between the BJCC and Linn Park which was envisioned as critical during the original design competition. Ultimately the Alabama Department of Transportation went forward with replacing the interstate bridge with a taller structure with fewer access ramps.

A private developer, Performa Entertainment Real Estate of Memphis, Tennessee, was contracted to develop land djacent to the BJCC as an entertainment district, tentatively called The District, a $50 million development which would begin construction as early as Fall 2007. Another private developer had once announced plans to build a major new luxury hotel adjacent to the BJCC regardless of the outcome of the expansion plans for the public facility.

After taking office in November 2007 Birmingham mayor Larry Langford won support from the City Council for his Birmingham Economic and Community Revitalization Ordinance which included doubling business license fees in the city to fund a $500 million bond issue for construction of a domed stadium. Although he had campaigned on the possibility of building a dome in the western part of the city, he told the BJCC authority and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce that the downtown site was best. After the measure passed, he announced that the downtown site was unsuitable for a large-scale development and that land owned by Milton McGregor near the Birmingham Race Course on John Rogers Drive would be better. At the same time he indicated that the city's annual $3 million payment to the BJCC, used to finance existing bond debts, would be redirected to a new authority which would operate his proposed dome. Langford's efforts failed to come to fruition.

2016 Master Plan

In August 2016 the BJCC Authority unveiled a new master plan from Populous which included a 45,000 seat open-air stadium adjoining the complex north of the Uptown district. The design allowed for expansion to 55,000 seats and would serve the UAB Blazers and the Birmingham Bowl. The projected cost for the entire renovation project was nearly $300 million, of which $174 million was projected for construction of the stadium.

In his 2017 State of the City address, Birmingham mayor William Bell alluded to a $200-225 projected cost for an open air stadium and a $450 million-plus cost for an enclosed stadium, which he would prefer. He hoped to secure a public-private partnership to finance the project and said that an announcement could be expected "fairly soon."

The BJCC Authority projects being able to cover an additional $10.7 million per year for debt service for improvements. The Jefferson County Commission voted in January 2018 to commit to $1 million a year for 30 years as its contribution to debt service on the proposed new facility. New Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin requested that the City Council commit $3 million a year for 30 years as an investment in revenue-generating infrastructure. The Birmingham City Council approved that proposal in March. UAB and corporate partners have also committed $4 million a year, part of which includes leasing the stadium, along with sponsorship deals and naming rights. On July 2018 a $300 million bond package was issued to fund construction of the new stadium, expected to open in 2021, and arena upgrades, expected to be completed in 2022.

Notes

  1. Morris-1975

References

External links

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