After languishing dormant for almost two years since the closing of financially failing Birmingham-Southern College, the sprawling 192-acre campus on the city’s west side has a new owner.
U.S. Homeland Security has agreed to purchase the property and make it the newest home of the U.S. Coast Guard, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The campus is slated to be utilized as a training facility for 1,200 recruits and 400 staff members, said the agency.
“Today’s announcement is further proof that this is the most exciting time to join the Coast Guard in 235 years,” Secretary Kristi Noem said in the announcement. “Thanks to President Trump’s visionary leadership and historic investment in the Coast Guard, the Service is shattering records across the board — including in recruitment. Last year’s recruitment exceeded 110% of active-duty enlisted goals, and the Coast Guard is on track to add 15,000 new members by 2028.”…