Alabama-based BL Harbert wins award through a competitive bid process; construction is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

(Mobile, Ala.)-Birmingham-based BL Harbert International has been awarded a contract through a competitive bid process for the construction of the 295,000-square-foot Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine building, the University of South Alabama announced today.

“This is an exciting time for the University of South Alabama,” said USA President Jo Bonner. “The growth of the Whiddon College of Medicine will allow us to educate and train more physicians and provide the instruction and lab space that match the high quality of training and research that are synonymous with a University of South Alabama medical education.”

The building will occupy a site along University Boulevard near North Drive and will complete a medical education hub on campus that includes the College of Nursing, the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, the Health Simulation Building and Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library.

The project is scheduled to be completed in late 2026. It will enable South to increase its annual medical student graduates from 80 to 100 with further expansion possible in the future.

“The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine serves as a beacon of light for innovative research and quality medical education whose mission it is to meet the healthcare needs of Alabamians,” said Dr. John Marymont, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “I would like to thank the hundreds of people across the entire University working tirelessly together to make this a reality.”

Site preparation began in June 2023 with utility and infrastructure. Demolition of Alpha Halls East and South is also included.

“As our site preparation phase wraps up, we are pleased to have awarded the contract to BL Harbert, and we are looking forward to partnering with them as a member of our team for the building construction as we take the next step in the delivery of this transformational project for our campus,” said Buck Kelley, USA’s chief facilities management officer.

The Whiddon College of Medicine is one of 158 accredited MD-granting institutions in the United States, and one of only two in the state. More than 1,139 of its graduates are practicing medicine in Alabama.

The new five-story building will house approximately 54,000 square feet of classroom and office space, a 16,500-square-foot anatomy lab suite, 92,000-square-feet of research labs and a 32,000-square-foot vivarium.

“We’re honored to work with the University of South Alabama on a legacy project that will significantly benefit our organizations,” said Dan Price, senior vice president of BL Harbert International.