Written by: Tiffany Westry
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University of Alabama at Birmingham officials held a grand opening today for the new UAB Police and Public Safety headquarters. The $8.2 million, 28,000-square-foot facility is located in the 1100 block of 14th Street South.
“This new facility provides a state-of-the-art space for police operations and room to accommodate continued growth of the department,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “It is tailored to the specific needs of UAB Police. It gives our officers and staff the room and resources they need to perform even more effectively as they continue maintaining a secure environment for all on campus.”
From left: Vice President for Financial Affairs and Administration Allen Bolton, Birmingham City Council President Valerie Abbott, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, Pam Benoit, UAB President Ray L. Watts, Associate Vice President & Chief of UAB Police and Public Safety Anthony Purcell, Deputy Chief of Police Zandral Washington, Deputy Chief of Police Marvin AtmoreThe ground floor of the facility includes a lobby area for public information and interaction with UAB police, a records storage area, evidence processing and evidence storage areas, patrol department staff offices, and an officer roll-call area. The floor also includes UAB Security Services staff offices, a breakroom, men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers, an in-house weight room, communication department staff offices, and a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency call center.
“The UAB Police Department is very excited to celebrate the completion of our new headquarters with the community,” said UAB Police Chief Anthony Purcell. “The previous building was built in the early 1970s. It served our department well, but it had seen its time. The new state-of-the-art facility will enhance our ability to provide the support and service our community deserves.”
The first-floor communication department serves as a storm shelter for officers and staff and allows for continuous operation of the emergency call center during severe or inclement weather.
The second floor is home to senior staff, administrative department, investigations department and training department staff offices. A conference room, breakroom and 1,500-square-foot training room for police department staff are located on the second floor. UAB police officers will also host public training courses in that space.