HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Two significant capital improvement projects at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are officially moving forward after receiving approval from The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, marking a major investment in both academics and athletics on campus.
The first project — a comprehensive renovation of the Bevill Center — will transform the 1988 building into a modern interdisciplinary academic and research hub designed to elevate UAH’s role as a leader in STEM-driven innovation. University leaders say the upgrades will help the campus remain competitive.
The renovated facility will house the Center for Cybersecurity Research & Education, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Office of Research and Economic Development. The goal is to create centralized, collaborative space that drives research partnerships and helps attract top-tier talent across the university. The Bevill Center renovation is budgeted at $47.6 million.
Alongside academic growth, UAH is also enhancing its athletics footprint with the construction of a new outdoor track and field complex — a major milestone for the Chargers.
Once complete, the project will give UAH its first on-campus running track, located west of John Wright Drive near existing athletic facilities. The complex is planned to include an NCAA-compliant 400-meter, 8-lane track with dedicated areas for jumping, vaulting, and throwing events. Support amenities will feature a press box, 500-seat bleachers, concessions, restrooms and new parking.
University officials say the venue will create long-term competitive advantages, allowing UAH to not only train at home but also host Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II championship events, bringing new visitors and economic benefits to Huntsville.
The track and field complex carries a construction budget of $15.4 million, bringing UAH’s total new investment in these two projects to more than $63 million.
Together, the improvements reflect UAH’s ongoing commitment to growth as the campus population expands and Huntsville continues to rise as a national hub for aerospace, defense and technology employers.
With construction momentum accelerating, students, faculty and the community can expect major visible changes to campus in the coming years as UAH boosts its role as a research-driven institution and enhances the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Originally reported by Ryan Fay in Yahoo News.
