Construction has begun on Calhoun Community College's new $17 million student union, according to reporting from AL.com. The city of Decatur has issued a building permit for the two story, 29,800 sq. ft. facility on the school's U.S. 31 campus.
AL.com reports the project is the most expensive to launch in the Huntsville area since March 6. Since then, 11 projects valued at more than $1 million have received permits across the region. A total of 372 permits have been issued in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties with a combined value of $128.5 million.
Lee Builders of Huntsville is leading construction of the student union. The company's recent projects include the $28 million renovation of Joe Davis Stadium; ongoing work on the $70 million Champman and STEM Magnet Middle School; and the $13 million Ditto Landing event center.
According to Calhoun, the new student union is designed as a multifunctional hub that supports student life through dining areas, recreation spaces, meeting rooms and quiet study zones. It will also feature the campus's first commercial kitchen, which expands dining services and may support future culinary programs.
The building incorporates both contemporary and traditional design elements. A two story glass atrium will serve as the main entrance and central lobby. Outdoor areas with seat walls, canopies, planters and flexible gathering spaces are intended for year round use.
The first floor will include 17,475 sq. ft. of active space, such as a social lobby, reception area, coffee shop, bookstore and a large student common area that connects to the dining area and kitchen. The second floor will contain 12,330 sq. ft. of quieter spaces, including a library, study pods, a computer training area, staff offices and a flexible meeting room.
Goodwyn Mills Cawood provided architecture, civil and geotechnical engineering and landscape architecture services. Other firms involved include Jackson Renfro & Associates, MW/Davis Dumas & Associates, Slaton Designworks, Tucker Jones Engineers and Camacho Associates.
