Sabre Demolition Corp to demolish Mobile Civic Center

Mobile Civic Center. (PHOTO: Adobe Stock)

According to local media reports, Mobile City Council has approved a US$4.3 million contract for the demolition of the 400,000-sq-ft Mobile Civic Center, which over the past 60 years has served the community as a arena, theatre and expo hall.

The facility, which has been deemed as no longer fit for purpose, will be torn down to make way for a new US$300 million arena, that Mobile City Council says will cost just US$50 million more than it would to renovate the existing structure.

The authority said: “Over the last two years, Mayor Stimpson’s administration has evaluated multiple proposals to renovate the Civic Center.

“However, after an extensive assessment with leading industry architects, it became abundantly clear that building a new facility from the ground up was the most fiscally responsible decision.

“A renovation was projected to cost nearly $250 million, without knowing what additional expenses might present themselves during the project.

“Based on our current estimates, a new facility would cost an additional $50 million and would address many issues that a renovation of the Civic Center could not.

The development and design contract for the new arena was awarded to Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood (GMC) earlier this year, with Populous as the partner architect. Sabre Demolition Corp’s later secured it’s place on the project as a subcontractor.

GMC said: “Demolition should begin in August, and construction of the new facility would start in February of 2025.

“With a two-year construction timeline, the new Civic Center is estimated to open in time for the 2027 Mardi Gras season.”