On Oct. 26, Homewood City Council approved Samford’s South Campus plans with a vote of 4-0. Samford plans to begin construction at the turn of the calendar year with a goal to open in August 2028.
The vote was called following community discussion at the Oct. 12 city council meeting where little pushback occurred.
The current plans include two six story buildings with 494 beds, 920 parking spaces and student retail spaces.
“Samford is one of the most consistently growing universities in the United States right now,” said Colin Coyne, the vice president for finance and business affairs at Samford University.
The dorms will house upperclassmen students as Samford wants to continue housing the freshman class as close to Central Campus as possible.
Plans also include space for more dining opportunities for students, a pool for building residents and new pedestrian trails.
When discussing the project with the City Planning Commission in August, Coyne reiterated that this project has nothing to do with last year’s Creekside Development. Much of the pushback regarding surrounding Creekside regarding fear of the environmental impact. Coyne hopes this new project will be awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in hopes to alleviate those concerns.
While conversations for a pedestrian bridge are ongoing, the current plan requires students to rely on the SamTram to cross Lakeshore Drive.
Plans for South Campus construction fit more broadly into Samford’s Fidelitas strategic plan launched in 2023.
Click here to see the complete plans for South Campus approved by the Homewood City Council
Story update: Oct. 27, 1:54 p.m.
Samford is no longer planning on including a swimming pool with the project.
“As the vision for South Campus has developed, we no longer anticipate a swimming pool as part of the project as we prefer year round open areas available to all students. We’re still planning the outdoor amenity set,” Coyne said.
Updated renderings are not yet finalized.
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