Currently under construction in Tuscaloosa's River District, the $120 million Saban Center will uniquely prepare students, educators and the workforce for the future. Work on the facility began last year and is scheduled to be completed in late 2027.
"The Saban Center was established to address a clear need for a holistic educational asset that connects academic learning with real-world career pathways for jobs right here in Alabama," Saban Center director Audrey Buck told Construction Equipment Guide. "It will serve as a hub for immersive STEM and arts experiences, professional development for educators and community engagement.
Buck said the Saban Center's integrated approach to STEM and the arts acknowledges that innovation and creativity are interconnected.
"By bringing science, technology, engineering, mathematics, performance and visual creation together under one roof, the campus invites learners to explore, experiment and make cross-disciplinary connections and spark children's interest in STEM. This broad, hands-on experience supports curiosity, builds confidence and connects exploration to future careers, a model that's rare in traditional educational settings."
Saban Center Foundation/City of Tuscaloosa photo
Former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry, have been deeply involved in shaping the physical design of the Saban Center and its purpose.
"The building's form and features reflect their personal vision for a space where education, creativity and community converge. They worked closely with world-class architects Steinberg Hart and Davis Architects to guide every aspect of the structure's form and function, ensuring that the architecture itself embodies inspiration, connection and lifelong learning.
"The architecture itself, defined by sweeping curves, a dramatic glass tower and an illuminated globe, is intended to serve as a landmark for learning and a beacon of possibility. Attention to detail in spatial design is critical to fostering experiences that spark curiosity and invite engagement."
Buck said the intentional choice to use Alabama-sourced materials, including locally quarried marble, reinforces the Saban Center's identity as a place that belongs to the state and reflects its natural beauty and heritage. Doing so supports local industry, strengthens community ties and roots the building in its regional context.
The project's August 2025 groundbreaking was attended by Gov. Kay Ivey, state officials, city leadership and community stakeholders.
Saban Center Foundation/City of Tuscaloosa photo
"It marked a pivotal moment in shifting the Saban Center from planning into construction," said Buck. "The celebration emphasized the project's long-term impact on education and workforce readiness, reflecting broad public support for the initiative. Construction is advancing on schedule, with community enthusiasm remaining strong.
"Observing the Saban Center transition from concept to construction has been both exciting and deeply meaningful for partners and the community. Each milestone, from design unveilings to the groundbreaking, reinforces the project's promise as a transformative educational and cultural asset for generations of learners across Alabama."
When asked by Construction Equipment Guide about the main concerns for crews, Stone Construction project manager Trent Price said one of the logistical challenges involved a large basement wall on the southern half of the project.
"This wall could not be backfilled until the Level 2 structural steel was installed and the slab-on-metal deck was placed and finished. As a result, the wall remained sloped back more than 22 feet for several months, and no work could begin around that portion of the building footprint.
"Another challenge has been ensuring that all building components align dimensionally around the multiple radii that define the Saban Center's structure. Stone Building and its trade partners addressed this by back-checking and confirming the radius layouts multiple times prior to placing and finishing the concrete walls that create these curved elements."
Saban Center Foundation/City of Tuscaloosa photo
In order to accomplish this, the contractor used GPS layout data provided by the civil engineer. Doing so made certain that all radius points were accurately established and maintained during construction.
Workers have already completed mass grading, along with drilled piers, the basement retaining wall, all slabs-on-grade, underground MEP rough-in and CMU installation for stair and elevator shafts. Recent activities have included metal stud framing, exterior CMU installation, structural steel and decking, elevated concrete work, MEP in-wall and overhead rough-in, and retaining wall waterproofing and backfill.
Remaining tasks include installation of the exterior marble veneer, completion of structural steel and TPO roofing. Installation of exterior and interior curtain walls and all interior finishes must also be addressed.
Multiple rain delays early in the project were mitigated by working additional weekends to recover lost time during the mass grading phase. During extreme cold temperatures in January, the team implemented specialized cold-weather procedures in close coordination with testing agencies and engineers to maintain quality standards for both CMU and concrete work.
One of the building's most dramatic features is its 70-foot glass tower. The globe structure is supported by structural steel columns and beams, with the openings infilled using curtain wall and glazing systems. The curtain wall and glazing will be field-measured after the structural steel is installed to ensure precise dimensional alignment prior to installation.
Price said placing the 18-ft.-diameter illuminated globe requires a great deal of focus, as well.
Saban Center Foundation/City of Tuscaloosa photo
"The globe will be fully assembled at the second-floor level. Hoistway winches and temporary rigging will then be used to lift and position the globe into its final location within the Galaxy Tower."
The Saban Center is being constructed on the former site of the Tuscaloosa News. The previous building had to be fully demolished, including the structure, foundations, press foundations and supporting deep pile foundations.
Approximately 10,000 cu. yds. of imported material was brought to the site as part of the demolition package to fill the basement void and achieve the proposed subgrade elevation for the building pad. In addition, the building package includes approximately 10,000 cu. yds. of on-site unclassified excavation.
Equipment being used to build the facility includes articulated trucks, bulldozers, large excavators, drill rigs, sheepsfoot rollers, 10,000-lb. and 5,000-lb. lulls, man-lifts, scissor lifts and crawler cranes. Primary materials include structural steel, concrete, CMU and marble.
The project is supported by public funds, private donations and strategic partnerships. The Poarch Creek Indians have invested heavily in the project, to ensure more students of all backgrounds have opportunities to discover their talents and reach their full potential.
Poarch Creek Indians Chair and CEO Stephanie Bryan told Construction Equipment Guide, "The Saban Center will create lasting opportunities for generations of young Alabamians and their families. The mission closely aligns with our tribe's values and hopes for the future, and we are honored to be able to contribute financially to this visionary project." CEG
