ALABAMA STATE EDITION
231
65
72 Florence
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Huntsville
20 Decatur
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565 59
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A Supplement to:
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431
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Gadsden
78 59 Anniston
20
Birmingham Bessemer
82 Tuscaloosa
65 280
20 82 Auburn
80
85
Selma
Phenix City
Montgomery
82
October 17 2012
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Vol. XXIV • No. 21
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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
Dothan
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Mobile
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Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Alabama State University’s Transformation Continues
Photo courtesy of David Campbell/ASU
The upper seating has been covered for inclement weather, giving the stadium a unique element.
By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
As a dramatic transformation of Montgomery, Ala.’s, largest four-year university continues, construction crews are putting the final touches on a state-of-the-art football facility. Hornet Stadium is among numerous projects underway at Alabama State University (ASU), as part of a five-phase, $600 million master plan projected to be completed in 2035. “There’s so much activity on campus, alumni who haven’t been here for a while are amazed by the transformation,” said Tommy Lawrence, program director, TCU Consulting, who is helping to oversee ASU construction projects. “The impact the new stadium is having on students, faculty, staff and the community is remarkable,” Lawrence continued. “I believe the number of applications for enrollment is the highest ever. There’s a huge economic impact not only for the city of Montgomery, but for the surrounding area and
even the state. “In regard to the stadium and what it means to students, alumni, players and friends of the university, they will for the first time in many years walk on to a competition field that is their home, and they can enjoy the benefits of their hard work and dedication. It is a beautiful facility second to none in this area. And due to the hard work of the university, design team, program manager and a professional contractor, the stadium will have been programmed, designed and constructed in 24 months. It will be on time and within budget. It’s been a tremendous team effort.” Rabren General Contractor is the prime contractor for the stadium. Since 2005, Rabren General Contractors has completed 10 projects at Alabama State totaling $120 million. Phase I of the stadium started in April 2011, according to Ron Anders, Rabren business development director who pointed out, “The most common and biggest challenges with stadium construction are the coordination and installation of
structural components, and precast seating. All of these items require detailed shop drawings, proper planning, hoisting strategies and excellent fabrication and delivery coordination.” Dealing with cast in place concrete seating and precast upper seating are among the challenges construction teams have faced, as they work to complete the highly anticipated facility, which is located adjacent to the north Hall Street entrance way and runs at a slight angle alongside I-85. The scoreboard end zone, nearest I-85, is situated facing to the northwest. The main entrance into the stadium will eventually be linked to a campus-wide pedestrian corridor. “The stadium has unique lower bowl seating effect with artificial turf,” said Anders. “The east end zone area serves as locker rooms, media, coaches offices and a recruiting lounge and office/locker space for other athletics on campus. The south sideline area consists of club lounge space and see ASU page 2