MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Vertical construction has begun at the site of what will be Mobile’s new entertainment arena. The first of the large steal beams are being put in place.
“I think a lot of people are excited about the new civic center — there’s a lot going on downtown with Brookley and with the I-10 River Bridge. And so this is another one of the tools in the tool kit and I think people are excited about the building,” said Fred Rendfrey, Downtown Mobile Alliance President & CEO.
The latest construction milestone comes a week after Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson gave us a bird’s-eye view of progress on the new 300,000 square foot arena. The mayor posting dramatic drone video in his latest news letter showing the first steal beams going up.
For locals it’s a sign of tangible progress on a project that aims to not only attract big concerts — but new business and hopefully lots of visitors.
“When I saw it I was actually surprised because it’s a lot faster than I thought it would have moved along. And I think that is exciting to actually see the progress because there is hope that there is something going on. That means we are going to get more business into town. I’m looking forward to the concerts and events that are coming because that is a nice sight to see — a structure in place — in that beautiful neighborhood,” said Leo Ferreira, Mobile.
The project sits next door to the new Army Corps of Engineers building and parking garage. And while the former Civic Center site may appear to be on a revival fast-track — it certainly did not happen overnight.
“To get to this point was the culmination of a lot of work behind the scenes — on design and putting it out to bid and the financing of it. So, to the public it just the beams being put in place — and the civic center being underway — but there was a lot of work to get there,” explained Rendfrey.
And there’s still a lot of work left to be done. Weather permitting — city officials hope the new arena will be open by Mardi Gras 2027.
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