Jefferson State and the City of Hoover announced plans recently for joint collaboration that will provide for a new building on the Jefferson State Shelby-Hoover Campus and an adjacent Hoover community park.

“This effort has been an excellent example of various groups working together to benefit the people of the community,” said Jefferson State President Judy Merritt. “The City of Hoover, the Shelby County Commission, and other officials have all worked wonderfully together to make this happen.”

Construction for the 120,000 square-foot facility is planned to begin in August and open in 2007. The new building will house additional classrooms, space for the expansion of Jefferson State’s nursing program, space for a new kitchen for the culinary arts program, and meeting space.

“Limited space and the continuous growth of the campus were the compelling reasons for purchasing land from the city of Hoover,” said Merritt. “We were in a position where we needed to expand, but we didn’t have the land to do it.”

Since its opening in 1993, student enrollment at the Shelby-Hoover Campus has increased from approximately 970 students to more than 3200.

Jefferson State will purchase approximately 11 acres from the city of Hoover, and the city will re-direct the money received from the sale into the development of a community park.

(Mouse over image and click for closer look.)

“This will be Hoover’s largest park,” said Mayor Tony Petelos. “With nearby parking at Jefferson State and Spain Park High School, the new park will be an excellent location not only for family gatherings, but for large community events as well.”