Samford University is continuing the expansion of its Birmingham campus. The school is set to construct a brand new residence hall for first year students and create hundreds of additional parking options. The total cost for the new projects is an estimated $188 million.

Beck A. Taylor, President of Samford, shared what the new hall and the 600 new parking spots at the North Deck will mean for the university and its student population.

“The plans approved by our Board of Trustees represent an exciting chapter in Samford’s growth and development,” said Taylor. “When completed, we anticipate every bed in the new facilities will be filled on opening, and importantly, Samford will once again reach our goal of housing 75% of our undergraduates on campus.”

Taylor believes that the new projects will help Samford to establish itself among Christian universities .

“These new improvements will strengthen our educational mission and help us to realize our vision to be the school of choice among national, comprehensive, Christ-centered universities.”

“Samford’s best days are ahead.”

Alumni and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Judge Karon O. Bowdre, called the plans for the residence hall that will house 513 beds and more parking a “necessary step forward.

“The addition of these residence halls will ensure we can continue to provide our students a nurturing environment for learning on a beautiful residential campus.”

There will also be new upper division residence halls which will have a total of 140 beds.

Construction on the projects will begin immediately and are scheduled to be completed for the start of the fall 2025 semester.

The university’s cafeteria also received major renovations, and it’s new recreation, wellness, and athletic complex is expected to open in the fall next year. Over the last ten years, major campus renovations related to academic or learning facilities have totaled $110 million.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.