U.S. Coast Guard Establishes Training Center at Former Birmingham-Southern Campus
The U.S. Coast Guard has officially commenced operations at the former Birmingham-Southern College campus, holding its inaugural graduation ceremony for the Leadership and Management School. Twenty-nine Coast Guard members completed the first course at the newly designated Training Center Birmingham-Southern. The federal government acquired the 192-acre property in March, and the Coast Guard began operating there in June. Currently, 10 to 15 buildings are in use, with plans for further construction and development to expand the training facility's capacity. U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, whose district encompasses the campus, has actively supported the Coast Guard's presence, viewing it as a significant opportunity for sustained investment in the property and the surrounding community. The college closed in May 2024 after 168 years, leaving the campus's future uncertain until the federal acquisition.