Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex

Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex
Rear view of complex (c.2014)
Address	2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N Birmingham, AL 35203-1102
Location	Druid Hills
Owner	Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
Operator	Comcast Spectra
Opened	1976
Renovated	2009
Construction cost	$104 million ($505 million in 2017 dollars)
Former names	Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center (1976-98)
Classroom-style seating	51 (Medical Forum Classroom E)
Banquet/ballroom	2,900 (Sheraton Ballroom) 1,780 (East Ballroom)
Theatre seating	19,000 (Arena) 2,835 (Concert hall) 1,000 (Theater) 275 (Forum Theater)
Enclosed space
• Exhibit hall floor	220,000 square feet (20,000 m2)
• Breakout/meeting	100,000 square feet (9,300 m2)
• Ballroom	40,522 square feet (3,800 m2)
Website
www.bjcc.org

The Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex (formerly known as Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center) is a sports, convention and entertainment complex located in Birmingham, Alabama. The Sheraton Birmingham and Westin Birmingham are located on the complex adjoining the convention center. Alongside numerous exhibit halls, meeting and ballrooms, the complex features three entertainment venues: an arena, concert hall and theater.

The Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center was designed by Geddes Brecher Qualls Cunningham, the winner of what was, at the time, the largest open architectural competition ever organized by the American Institute of Architects. The original facility was built between 1974 and 1976 for approximately US$104 million. A.G. Gaston Construction Company, Inc. served as contractors.

A critical component of the competition program was making a viable connection across the elevated I-59/I-20 highway from the Civic Center facility to the existing administrative and cultural facilities surrounding Linn Park to the south. No satisfactory solution to that problem has ever been carried out.

Part of Birmingham's "City Center Master Plan" envisions replacing the existing elevated highway with a below-grade corridor which would simplify interstate access to the downtown area, mitigate the noise and visual effects of highway traffic, and allow for a landscaped plaza to bridge over the highway. If carried out, this plan would finally create the connection between the BJCC and Linn Park.

Multiple plans to expand the complex have been presented. An attempt by former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford to build a large domed stadium was mostly unsuccessful. The BJCC authority has purchased several parcels of land required for that expansion, but the project still does not have major financial backing and lacks a clear design. Birmingham mayor William Bell has expressed some interest in building a domed stadium, but on a smaller scale. The Alabama Department of Transportation has begun preliminary work to replace the aging I-20/59 elevated viaduct adjacent to the complex. The project involves the reuse of some right-of-way to improve interstate ramps, which may interfere with plans to build a multipurpose stadium at the complex's current site.