Auburn University leaders formally broke ground this week on the Jordan-Hare North project, the largest capital project in Auburn Athletics and Jordan-Hare Stadium history.

“The Jordan-Hare North Project demonstrates how Auburn can thoughtfully invest in facilities that enrich campus life while supporting excellence in athletics,” Auburn University President Dr. Chris Roberts said. “It is an example of how we can build spaces that serve multiple purposes, bring people together in meaningful ways and enhance the Auburn experience for current and future students.”

“Auburn has always been defined by a commitment to progress while remaining true to who we are. This project embodies that spirit. It honors our history, serves our current students and positions the university for an even stronger future.”

The project will take until the spring of 2029, and a seven-level, 300,000-square-foot structure will add more than 3,000 new and expanded premium experiences to Jordan-Hare Stadium’s north end zone.

“The Board of Trustees is proud to support a project that advances the university’s mission while creating lasting value for all,” Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Jimmy Sanford said. “It reflects our confidence in the trajectory of Auburn University and our commitment to providing facilities that support excellence in every aspect of campus life. Ultimately, this groundbreaking serves as a pivotal moment in our history and demonstrates that when we invest in our facilities, we invest in our people.”

Director of Athletics John Cohen talked about the school’s long history of upgrading Jordan-Hare Stadium and referenced a major turning point for the University in 1977 after Shug Jordan retired — a renovation to the grand old venue would wind up altering the course of Auburn history.

“In 1977, after Coach Jordan had retired and was serving on the Board of Trustees, the Board faced a big decision whether to expand Jordan-Hare Stadium by adding an upper deck to the west side, Cohen said. “The vote was controversial. As David Housel tells the story, ‘We weren’t filling up what we had.’”

“With the fate of the expansion in the balance, Coach Jordan said, ‘Having great confidence in the future of Auburn football, I cast my vote, Yes!’”

“With Coach Jordan’s support, the vote passed and the West Upper Deck opened in 1980. Under Coach Pat Dye’s leadership, thanks to Bo Jackson and so many others, those new stands quickly filled to capacity. And the rest is history.”

Cohen described every renovation to Jordan-Hare as a vote of confidence in the future of Auburn Football, and that is what the program is doing right now.

“The Jordan-Hare North project not only shows confidence in the future of the football program, but also confidence in the future of Auburn University,” he said.