In this installment of the space and facilities update, we will highlight the school’s current major facilities projects and share what the Heersink Space and Facilities Committee is focused on, as year-end approaches. This article focuses on updates of projects nearing completion or just beginning but does not discuss all ongoing construction or renovation projects. In addition, the committee is collaborating with central leadership for a December meeting, where we will present the school’s five-year facilities growth plan.
The committee oversees school space and facilities, managing requests and implementing policies to optimize usage. A new "space portal" tool is being developed to prioritize and evaluate requests, providing detailed reports accessible to departmental leadership for monitoring projects. The portal is in final testing ahead of its school-wide release.
The committee is excited to share updates on the following projects:
Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences
The Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences building will house UAB Medicine and Heersink leadership, as well as key research units like the Precision Medicine Institute, the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Sciences, and several divisions in the Department of Medicine.
Construction began in 2022, with completion expected in 2025. The new facility will boost research capacity by 16%, attracting $100 million in grants, and will accommodate up to 75 investigators and their research teams. These additions will enhance UAB's research capabilities and continue advancing genomic and data science efforts.
This fall and winter, as the building goes through its final commissioning, the Heersink Space Committee will be finalizing plans for occupancy, funding, and density of occupants. Read more updates on this project.
Volker Hall
Volker Hall is undergoing extensive renovations, including updates to the atrium/lobby, lecture halls, and anatomy labs. The renovation project will feature a new street-level entrance from University Boulevard, modernized interiors, and advanced technology improvements. The atrium/lobby will receive a facelift to enhance visibility and aesthetics. Additionally, a 16th Street sky bridge will connect Volker Hall to the new Biomedical Research and Psychology Building.
The renovation is expected to be completed by 2025, improving the overall look and functionality of the building. Read more about the Volker Hall renovation project.
Biomedical Sciences Research & Psychology
This summer, Heersink and the College of Arts and Sciences held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $190 million Biomedical Research and Psychology Building.
Shortly after the ceremony, the construction team broke ground on the project. The team has already made significant progress, with concrete being poured and vertical work on the building starting this fall. Construction will continue over the next few years, with an estimated completion date of early 2027.
McCallum Basic Health Sciences
The McCallum Basic Health Sciences Building renovation is nearing completion, with phase three ready for use soon. The project revitalizes the historic building, creating a modern and collaborative research space. Floors three to nine house Heersink departments, while the second floor will be finished in November and then occupied by school departments. The entire renovation, including the lobby, is scheduled for completion by December 2024.