Several improvement projects are occurring at Alabama State University during the 2021-22 academic year, with the latest being the street and parking lots in front of William Hooper Councill Hall, George Hubert Lockhart Gymnasium and John W. Beverly Hall.
Jackson Street, which is the main thoroughfare to enter campus, is now known as Tullibody Drive, as the name changes at the corner of Jackson Street and North University Drive. The entrance leading to the checkpoint is repaved and is now awaiting the final spray paint process. The general operating fund covered the estimated $27,000 project fee.
Vice President of Facilities/Maintenance Operations Donald Dotson, who has led the effort on these projects, says the parking lots and repaving will wrap up within the next two weeks. Dotson claims this street “stood out like a sore thumb,” which is why he chose to focus on giving the pavement a facelift.
Even though few students utilize those parking spaces in front of those buildings, except when there is an event or activity in the Lockhart Gymnasium, students are happy to see the university improving its exterior.
Aeriyuna Robinson, a sophomore psychology major from Birmingham, Alabama, said the improvements “feel like the administration actually cares about its students.”
However, many students believe that more effort should be placed in the residence halls so that the residents of each residence hall can enjoy the comforts of everyday living.
“I would like to see more work done on the Jo Ann Robinson residence hall because the residents have had problems with the water being too hot or cold,” Robinson said. “I have been here for 14 days and have only taken three good showers on campus.”
Robinson would like to see the university add more cameras to the parking lots around campus because of the increase in “hit and runs recently.”
The university is responding to students’ complaints. During the winter break, Bessie Estell Hall’s flooring was replaced along with the roof. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall also received roof repairs, and the flooring in Martin Luther King Jr. Hall will be replaced during the summer of 2022.
Psychology student Da’Rayl Randon, from DeSoto, Texas, feels that the renovations are “well overdue.”
“After the insurrection, I feel the entire state of Alabama had their eyes on us to make the first move to completely remove ourselves from the Confederacy and its descendants, Randon said. “I’m glad that we are fixing the roofs of MLK Jr. Hall and Bessie Estell Hall; however, both dorms require renovation for health reasons.”
Randon believes the current renovations are great, but he feels the university should focus on adding more student housing. Specifically in areas surrounding the university that the city could buy out.
Dotson’s team is also replacing the HVAC units in Peyton Finley Hall while waiting on parts in order to repair the third elevator in C.J. Dunn Tower.
In the meantime, the university demolished the Gerard Street Apartments and the old white faculty houses and, according to Dotson, the university is working on clearing the basement in William Hooper Council Hall for future utilization; replacing the turf in front of the Houston Markham complex along with the track; paving the street in front of the president’s home and the parking lot in front of the Kilby Hall; and repairing the roof on Tullibody Hall.
“We believe in trying to have a first-class facility for first-class learning,” Dotson said.
Leah Richardson, a freshman from Tracy, California, thinks that the university “deserves to have nice facilities and nice buildings.
“We’re an HBCU that’s been around for a while, and as times start to change, we need to evolve,” Richardson said, “so that we can provide a better learning environment for our young black future educators and leaders.”
Richardson goes on to say that the “long overdue” renovations are often talked about but rarely done. She is “glad to see” the university is taking action.
Dotson also indicated that three years ago, mechanical work was being completed for John William Beverly Hall. Currently, documents are being drawn up for the inside of the building. Even though he indicates that the university is in the formative stages, funding is available for this project to take place soon.
Aesthetically, Dotson says the university is planning a transformation as they plan on trimming the trees to enhance the beauty of the buildings on campus. “I think the [trees] have not been maintained. So, they’re growing to a point where, sometimes, it’s taking away from the beauty of the campus because you can’t see some of the buildings.”
Ajeliyana Williams hopes the university will “continue to grow and modernize our campus.” Adding, “keeping the traditions of things is great, but new paint never hurts.”
Aside from the buildings on campus, there will also be lighting changes. The strip between George N. Card Hall and C.J. Dunn Tower leading up to Facilities I and II will be receiving new lights.