BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Site work has begun for a new music building at Samford University. Gary C. Wyatt, Inc., of Birmingham has been awarded construction contracts, and the building should be ready for use by the fall 2006, according to Don. M. Mott, Samford's vice president for facilities.
The $8.2 million building was designed by Davis Architects, Inc., of Birmingham and will complement the University's award-winning Georgian-Colonial campus. Both the Wyatt and Davis firms have done other design and construction projects for Samford.
The 32,000-square-foot building will be part of a performing arts complex that includes Buchanan Hall, the current music building, and the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center. Centerpiece of the new building will be a 300-seat, state-of-the-art recital hall. Other planned facilities include rehearsal halls, studios, practice areas and instrument storage; faculty offices and teaching studios; and recording facilities.
"It is a great testament to our music faculty and to Birmingham as a serious music venue, that our instrumental music program has flourished," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts. "We have delighted in the surge of interest and participation in instrumental music and will be able to provide top facilities.
"The need for this facility has been acute for several years, and we made the decision to begin construction now, with the good hope and faith that Samford's generous friends and alumni will help us complete the funding soon," Corts added.
The music building is one of several projects included in Samford's multi-year campus improvement plan "The Promise for All Generations." More than $53 million in construction projects are planned during the next year, Corts said.
In progress are replacement of the heating/air conditioning/ventilation system in Robinson Hall and installation of field turf at Page Seibert Stadium. Other projects for this summer are a new 300-space parking lot south of Seibert Stadium and a new tennis center on the west side of the campus. Plans still are being finalized for a new fitness/wellness center and 6,000-seat arena.