SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) has selected general contractor Balfour Beatty to realize its vision for its new Pulaski K-8 School.  Working with architect Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Balfour Beatty will be coordinating with U.S. military personnel during the project given that the school site is adjacent to the Hunter Army Airfield.

Balfour Beatty’s tasks include converting space within the existing K-5 school to function as a media center and student health clinic.  The firm will also add over 40,000 square feet of new educational space to the reimagined school, as well as build out a gymnasium, administrative offices and classrooms.  Balfour Beatty will also be prepping new athletic fields for student use.

“We’re thrilled to expand Balfour Beatty’s industry-leading education construction footprint into the Savannah market through the delivery of Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s new Pulaski K-8 School,” Ronnie Hall, Balfour Beatty’s director in Savannah, said in a statement.

He added that his firm is excited to work with NuJack Companies on mentorship opportunities that can blossom even after the construction on the Pulaski school is astern.

Construction is envisioned to commence in May and is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2024-2025 school year.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for Residence Hall 2020, a facility that will help the school meet the increased demand of on-campus housing.

Plans for the new residence hall allow for more than 730 students to join the 2,880 students housed in UAB’s six other residence halls.

“Our undergraduate enrollment continues to grow, and the next phase of on-campus development and growth is ready to begin,” said John Jones, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs. “The need for this new residence hall sends a phenomenal message to our future students in that we continue to be committed to provide a robust university experience through our residence life opportunities. Providing a residential component where students live together on campus creates communities across undergraduate academic disciplines and fuels our collegial and creative environment and further enhances the overall student experience at UAB.”

The Residence Hall 2020 project architect is Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc. The general contractor is M.J. Harris Construction Services, LLC. The facility has been designed intentionally to ensure sustainability is a priority, and it will become UAB’s first LEED silver building.

The 231,000-square-foot residence hall will mirror the location of the New Freshman Residence Hall and will be built near the Campus Green on property owned by UAB — the south half of the block bordered by ninth and 10th avenues south and 16th and 17th streets. The U-shaped building will consist of dedicated study spaces, a storm shelter, multi-use office space, and a dining venue with three food vendors and seating capacity for 250.

“This is truly a win for our students,” said Marc Booker, director of Student Housing. “The residence halls play an integral role of providing transformational experiences for UAB undergraduate students as they pursue academic success and prepare for life beyond the campus. This new hall will enable us to serve, engage and retain more students than ever before.”

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