| Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex | |
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 Exterior view of the complex (c.2011) | |
| Address | 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham,AL 35203-1102 |
| Location | Druid Hills |
| Owner | Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority |
| Operator | Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority |
| Inaugurated | 1976 |
| Opened | January 1972 |
| Renovated | 2009, 2019–2021 |
| Expanded | 2019–2021 |
Construction cost | $104 million ($892 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
Former names | Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center(1976–98) |
Classroom-style seating | 51(Forum Classroom E) |
| Banquet/ballroom | 2,900(Sheraton Ballroom) 1,780(East Ballroom) |
Theatre seating | 47,100(Stadium) 19,000(Arena) 2,835(Concert Hall) 1,000(Theatre) 275(Forum Theater) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 220,000square feet (20,000 m2) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 100,000square feet (9,300 m2) |
| • Ballroom | 40,522square feet (3,800 m2) |
| Website | |
| Venue Website | |
TheBirmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex (formerly known asBirmingham-Jefferson Civic Center) is an entertainment, sports, and convention complex located in the heart ofBirmingham, Alabama's Uptown Entertainment District. The Sheraton Birmingham and Westin Birmingham are located on the campus adjoining the convention center. Alongside over 220,000 square feet of exhibit halls, meeting space, and ballrooms, the complex features four entertainment venues: a stadium, an arena, concert hall, and theatre.
The Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center was designed byGeddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, the winner of what was, at the time, the largest open architectural competition ever organized by theAmerican Institute of Architects. The original facility was built between 1974 and 1976 for approximatelyUS$104 million. A.G. Gaston Construction Company, Inc. served as contractors.[2]
A critical component of the competition program was making a viable connection across the elevatedI-59/I-20 highway from the Civic Center facility to the existing administrative and cultural facilities surrounding Linn Park to the south. For several decades after the complex opened, this problem was not addressed. A proposal to create a park underneath the elevated highway was part of the expansion of the complex.
Multiple plans to expand the complex were presented before the final proposal was approved. An attempt by former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford to build a large domed stadium was unsuccessful. The BJCC authority purchased several parcels of land required for that expansion, but as of 2013, the project did not have major financial backing and lacked a clear design.[3] Former Birmingham Mayor William Bell expressed some interest in building a domed stadium, but on a smaller scale. TheAlabama Department of Transportation began a project to replace the agingI-20/59 elevated viaduct adjacent to the complex, involving the reuse of some right-of-way to improve interstate ramps, which was expected to temporarily interfere with plans to build a multipurpose stadium at the complex's current site. In 2013, the new viaduct was expected to be completed and reopened to traffic by January 2020;[4] work began in 2015 and on January 17, 2020, it was announced that the highway would reopen by January 21.[5]
Legacy Arena (formerly known as theBJCC Coliseum until February 1999 and theBJCC Arena until December 2014), seats 17,654 for sporting events, 19,000 forconcerts and 8,000 in a theater setting.[6] It has been the home to ice hockey, college basketball and arena football teams in Birmingham.[7][8]
It was home of theBirmingham Bulls of theWHA from 1976 to 1978 and another version of theBirmingham Bulls of theECHL from 1992 to 2001.[7] It was also home to theUABmen's basketball team starting in 1978 before the team moved intoBartow Arena in 1988. TheAlabama Steeldogs, anaf2 team, played in the arena from 2000 to 2007.
Currently, it is the home of theBirmingham Squadron in theNBA G League.[9]
In 2009 and 2017, the arena hostedDavis Cup tennis matches.[10]
The arena has hosted major concert tours,Disney on Ice,American Idol Live!, thePBRUnleash the Beast Series,Monster Jam,Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, ,WWE , and other events including trade shows.[6]
In 2023, the arena hosted the 1st and 2nd rounds of theNCAA March Madness Men's tournament.[11]
Construction of a newfootball stadium, located just east of the main complex, began on July 25, 2019 with grading work.[12][13] A ceremonial groundbreaking had been held on December 13, 2018. During construction, the venue was namedProtective Stadium via asponsorship deal with the Birmingham-basedProtective Life insurance company.[14] The 47,100-seat facility[15] opened on October 2, 2021 as the new home ofUAB Blazers football, withUAB's first game being a 36–12 loss toLiberty.[16] It served as the site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the2022 World Games. On June 4, 2022, country superstarGarth Brooks performed at the first concert ever held at the stadium.[17]
The 2,835 -seatBJCC Concert Hall was the home of theAlabama Symphony Orchestra before moving toUAB's state of the art Alys Stephens Center. Concerts and touringBroadway and family shows are also held here. It features an 84-foot (26 m)-by-88-foot (25.5-x-27-m) stage with a 24-foot-(7.3 m)-tall proscenium. Its grid height of 105 feet (32 m) makes the concert hall the tallest building in the complex. There is also a pipe organ at the Concert Hall, and backstage there are 2 chorus rooms and 12 dressing rooms, as well as two rehearsal areas and a VIP Reception Room.
The 1,000-seatBJCC Theatre is used for operas, ballets, and smaller concerts and stage shows, and is also home to theBirmingham Children's Theatre, the nation's largest children's theater. The theatre contains a 46-by-70-foot (14-by-21-meter) stage and a grid height of 58 feet (17.5 m). There are 2 rehearsal areas, 2 chorus dressing rooms and 6 dressing rooms, including a star's dressing room.
The 220,000-square-foot (20,000 m2) Exhibition Halls are used for Birmingham's largest trade shows and conventions. They are divisible into three smaller halls and can accommodate 1100 exhibit booths.
The complex contains 64 meeting rooms totaling 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) of meeting space, including a 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) ballroom that can seat up to 1,200 for banquets. The ten-story Medical Forum, with meeting space, a 275-seat theater, classrooms, conference space, and offices, is also located here. The adjacent 838-room Sheraton Birmingham Hotel provides a large ballroom and other convention and meeting facilities nearby. The 294-room Westin Birmingham Hotel within the Uptown Entertainment District provides more than 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and an additional 2,500 square feet of pre-function space.
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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33°31′26″N86°48′43″W / 33.524°N 86.812°W /33.524; -86.812