Alabama Community College Announces New Construction, Renovation Project

The Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) campus in Phil Campbell, Ala., recently announced a $30-million construction and renovation project during a town hall community meeting, according to a news release. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2023 or early 2024.

The project involves the new construction of Patriot Plaza, which will connect the recently renovated Wallace Administration Building and the library. The facility will measure in at 5,400 square feet and act as a central, communal space for student life on campus, the news release reports.

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

Work will also include renovating about 60,000 total square feet around campus. A portion of the library (building 306) and building 307 will be converted into classroom and lab space and will also play home to the Associate Degree Nursing program. Building 305 will undergo renovations to gain more classrooms, office space, and a community meeting space, according to the news release.

“The expectations of our students and the way they take classes have changed a lot in the last 60 years. 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.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.