During a public meeting in the Student Union Building Addition of the Phil Campbell Caampus May 8, officials announced a building and campus renovation project for the Phil Campbell campus that is estimated to exceed $30 million.

The plans include a new building, Patriot Plaza, which will connect a newly renovated Wallace Administration Building (301) and library (Building 306). The Patriot Plaza will serve as the new centralized point of campus for student life.

NW-SCC President Dr. Jeff Goodwin said the infrastructure plan would include the construction of the 5,400 square foot Patriot Plaza and approximately 60,000 square feet of total renovated space on campus. Site work for stabilizing a retaining wall located at the back of campus is expected to start this summer; however, construction and renovation projects are anticipated to start in late 2023 or spring of 2024.

“It is past time for our facilities to resemble the amazing education that takes place inside our classrooms every day,” said Goodwin. “This campus is where community colleges started in our state and we want it to be the model for community colleges moving forward.”

“The expectations of our students and the way they take classes have changed a lot in the last 60 years,” he added. “Many of our courses are taken online and through dual enrollment. However, this plan will help us to give our Phil Campbell campus a nice modern look with upgraded technology while maximizing our space in a very efficient way.”

The new plan will turn much of the library (building 306) and building 307 into classroom and lab space which will largely house the Associate Degree Nursing program. Building 305 will be renovated to include office space, classrooms and a community meeting space. Current plans include eventual demolition of buildings 302, 303 and 304.

According to Alabama House Representative Jamie Kiel, it is great to see this investment being made in the local community college.

“I am so excited to see this plan come to fruition,” said Kiel. “It is so needed. The Phil Campbell campus was really special to me as a student here, and I can’t wait to see the newly renovated campus. I know that many students in Franklin County and across Northwest Alabama will have their lives changed here like I did.”