Alabama approves budget for modernization of stadiums



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By Ed Enoch
Editor

The budget for Bryant-Denny Stadium improvements has exceeded $ 100 million, while the University of Alabama's operating budget for the coming year is expected to reach $ 1.1 billion.

The University of Alabama System has approved the operating budgets of its three campuses and the increased costs of the stadium project as part of a long program on Friday.

The AU will start operating with a budget of $ 1.1 billion for fiscal year 2020 in October. The budget for the next fiscal year provides for a 5% increase in revenues and an increase in expenditures of 4.8% over the current fiscal year.

The budget includes $ 9.8 million for merit increases of 2.25% and promotions, $ 2.7 million for end-of-school allowances, and $ 5.9 million for graduates. increase in ancillary services and $ 1.9 million for new faculty and staff with associated benefits.

The budget also includes $ 3.6 million for mandatory cost increases such as software licensing, pensions and health insurance, $ 5.8 million for scholarships and student aid and $ 4.3 million for debt service.

The budget of the University of Alabama for Birmingham for fiscal year 2020 is $ 1.41 billion, against $ 1.32 billion currently. The operating budget for the University Hospital is approximately $ 2 billion for fiscal year 2020. The operating budget for the University of Alabama at Huntsville is $ 244.4 million, compared to $ 235 million for the University of Alabama. millions of dollars now. The operating budget of the system for fiscal year 2020 is $ 21.8 million.

Trustees increased the Bryant-Denny Stadium upgrade budget from $ 92.5 million to $ 106 million on Friday. The council approved the budget revision after construction bids were higher than expected in August. Work remains on track to begin after the 2019 season and finish in time for the 2020 season.

The board also approved two new projects that will affect the areas around the stadium.

Directors have prepared a $ 3.5-million project to restructure traffic on Colonial Drive from University Boulevard to Paul W. Bryant Drive.

"This road has been very poorly used in recent years," said Matt Fajack, vice-president of financial affairs, about the stretch of road where most retirement homes have been renovated in recent years.

The project will allow buses and cyclists to travel north and south, while standard vehicle traffic will remain one way. The project will also add pedestrian lighting.

The changes should improve traffic in the region, said Fajack. The project also includes the installation of static and removable terminals that will be used for vehicle control at home football matches without disrupting pedestrian traffic.

Directors also approve plans for a $ 1.5 million project to move satellite dishes and existing antennas located adjacent to Reese Phifer Hall on the site of the AU Police Tower, at the east end of the campus, along Campus Drive, and give way to the old communication tower.

The room is near the northeast corner of the stadium.

"This will free up valuable real estate," said Fajack.

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