The city of Alabaster, Ala., has approved a bid of nearly $44 million to build a new library and recreation center, set to open in spring 2027. The project includes retail development and upgrades to infrastructure, aiming to revitalize the town's community hub.
City of Alabaster render
Construction on the city of Alabaster, Ala.’s new recreation center and library will begin summer 2025.
Construction on the city of Alabaster, Ala.'s new recreation center and library will begin summer 2025 after the city council put its stamp of approval on a nearly $44 million bid for the project during a meeting on April 14, 2025.
During the session, council members unanimously decided to award the contract to Clements Dean Building Co. in Wilsonville, Ala. for the construction of the city's new civic complex, which also will include retail development, the Shelby County Reporter noted.
"We're so excited to move forward with this plan to breathe new life into one of our most high-profile parts of town and finally have an opportunity to give our residents the recreation center and library they deserve," said Alabaster Mayor Scott Brakefield. "This will allow us to continue our vision of creating a true city center, including the police department, city hall, a senior center, entertainment options and a future recreation center and library."
The latter two facilities will be located near the intersection of Ala. Highway 119 and Thompson Road at the site of the old Thompson Intermediate School in Alabaster, a town located due south of Birmingham.
The city's new recreation center is designed to include multiple indoor courts, event and meeting space, an indoor walking track, a workout and fitness area and an outdoor pool and splash pad.
Plans call for Alabaster's new library to include nearly three times as much space as the current Albert L. Scott Library. The additional room will provide for greatly expanded collections and more space for library programming and community events.
Alabaster officials also have contracted for upgrades to be made to the intersection of Ala. 119 and Thompson Road to accommodate traffic to the future civic complex, including a new right turn lane on Ala. 119 and traffic signal improvements.
Work on the site of the recreation center and library began in January 2026 with the first phase of demolition on the old Thompson Intermediate School facility.
Phase two of the demolition will begin mid-late 2025 after the Alabaster City Schools Central Office moves out of the remaining half of the building and into its new facility on the grounds of nearby Thompson High School.
In addition to the new recreation center and library, another project is planned to be developed on the corner of Ala. 119 and Thompson Road. According to Brakefield, the city is in talks with developers to create a mixed-use facility on the property that would involve multiple businesses and complement the new recreation center.
The new civic complex and proposed retail development also will have ample on-site parking, according to the Reporter.
Brakefield told the local news outlet that if an appropriate plan is put in place, Alabaster officials hope to begin developing the project at the same time as the recreation center.
The city set aside $5 million in its fiscal year 2025 budget to begin building the new recreation center and library and also had an issuance of $80 million of bonds for their construction.
If the current projected timeline does not face any delays, Alabaster and the contractor anticipate the first two projects being completed in December 2026, which would allow the city to open the facilities in the spring of 2027.
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