New Civic Center design work hits 60% completion as deadline for demolition approaches

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The planning phase of a new civic center is coming along as the city is looking to an upcoming vote for the demolition of the current 60-year-old building, according to officials.

Mobile Mayor Stimpson said the design work for the new Civic Center is 60% complete while construction drawings are 50% complete.

The total price tag for the demolition of the current civic center and the construction of the new facility is $300 million. The bi-monthly status meetings, according to Stimpson, don’t raise any red flags on pricing.

“We know of nothing at this point in time that is going to change the budget,” Stimpson said. “It had a large enough contingency built into it so there was always that comfort.”

The city council is expected to vote on the demolition of the civic center in mid to late July. Until then, Stimpson said engineers are fact-checking their own work before plans are presented to the city council.

“Before they go to the city council, they want to make rock-solid sure that they are spot on,” Stimpson said.

Stimpson said that if approved by the city council, demolition is still on track for Aug. 1.

Meanwhile, construction has started on the nearby U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building, which is in the Civic Center parking lot on Claiborne Street.

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