Img 4773 Construction, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, Mobile Civic Center — Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson lost his voice planning today’s presser. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” kicked off Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s press conference, where he announced that he was taking a wrecking ball to the Mobile Civic Center. The 60-year-old building, a central hub for Mardi Gras balls & activities, will be replaced with a new + improved version.

“You wanted it, now you’ve got it” – Councilman Cory Penn

Mobile Civic Center And Vaccination Site. — The Mobile Civic Center is 50+ years old. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

The Civic Center has had its share of issues, especially in the past few years. It’s a 60-year-old building that was not growing as the city did. Most recently, the City Council approved nearly a quarter-million dollars to repair a brick siding that was potentially dangerous to people walking along the sidewalk underneath it.

“It became abundantly clear that building a new facility from the ground up was the most fiscally responsible decision.”
Bradley Byrne, Mobile Chamber President & CEO

And that fiscally responsible decision still has a $300 million price tag, paid for by partners, city funds + sponsorship opportunities.

More than a Civic Center

Dji 20240314 141716 101 Construction, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, Mobile Civic Center — Mayor Stimpson revealed renderings of the new Civic Center. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

The Civic Center will no longer be just a venue. The master plan includes utilizing the extra 16 acres of Civic Center land to build:

A Residential Community
A theater
A Parking garage (already in progress)
A Hotel
Mixed-use facilities

Live Nation & OVG Partnership

Img 4759 Construction, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, Mobile Civic Center — Two leaders in venue management + booking join forces for Mobile’s new Civic Center. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

“We will build a world-class entertainment facility that will be unrivaled along the Gulf Coast.”
Mayor Sandy Stimpson, city of Mobile

One big goal is to bring more live events to Mobile. We’re talking Disney on Ice, sports tournaments and concerts. To help with that, the city is now partnering with Live Nation – which handles booking artists like Chris Stapleton, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stevie Nicks, to name a few.

The city is also handing over management of the Civic Center to a new company – Oak View Group. They will manage the Civic Center, Convention Center & the Saenger Theater in Mobile.

The Civic Center will be increasing in capacity, now able to hold 10,000 spectators for whatever event is booked.

What about Mardi Gras?

Img 4763 Construction, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, Mobile Civic Center — What the Civic Center will look like when complete. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

The Civic Center is where many Mardi Gras krewes hold their annual balls. And, while they may not be able to do that until the new Civic Center is completed, Mayor Stimpson and the construction groups working on the new Civic Center kept Mardi Gras at the front of their minds. In fact, it was promised this afternoon that the construction would impact no more than two Mardi Gras seasons.

What’s next?

Dji 20240314 141815 574 Construction, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, Mobile Civic Center — Packed house for Mayor Stimpson’s announcement. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

July is when we will know if everything is going according to plan (and budget) and preparations will be made to demolish the Civic Center. If approved, construction could start as soon as August.

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