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Legacy Arena

Enormous efforts on the part of city officials, businesses, and organizations have gone into making Legacy Arena Birmingham’s favorite entertainment venue. What began as an idea for a center of entertainment grew into a bridge between Birmingham’s government and businesses: the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority. Below, we highlight some of the most important events that define Legacy Arena’s history.

Legacy Arena’s Timeline

In the late 1950s, the citizens of Birmingham saw the need for a massive center for entertainment for their burgeoning Southern city. By the mid-60s, a group of architects conceived of “Operation New Birmingham”: a plan for what would come to be called the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. The plan called for the establishment of an Authority, which reflected a form of corporate governance growing in popularity during that time, due to its ability to get things done. To this day, the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority carries a local government’s mandate to conceive of new projects, along with the ability to wield corporate fundraising powers. 

Updates

Timeline

This Authority would be responsible for building the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. It took nearly two decades since its inception to build the BJCC, and here’s what it took to make it happen:

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  • 1957

    A Vision Grows

    A Vision Grows

    January 1, 1957
    1957-1961: The BJCC (originally known as the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center) was just an idea of small scope devised in the minds of citizens who saw the need for a massive new entertainment facility in the business district of downtown Birmingham.
  • 1962

    Operation New Birmingham

    Operation New Birmingham

    January 1, 1962
    A group of architects created plans for the BJCC–but there were problems. They needed right of way through two sets of railroad tracks, which called for their removal. Toward 1965, the architects revealed their plan to the public. Local government passed two pieces of legislation: the first created the Authority,..Read More
  • 1965

    The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority Sets To Work

    The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority Sets To Work

    December 1, 1965
    1965-1969: Originally, the BJCC stood for the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Only later would it be known as the Convention Complex. Act 547 decreed that the Authority be established for the purpose of building the BJCC., setting many events in motion: Board members installed on the Authority: the Mayor of Birmingham,..Read More
  • 1969

    The BJCC Authority Issues Bonds

    The BJCC Authority Issues Bonds

    January 1, 1969
    The Authority commences the sale of bonds for construction financing of the civic center. Simultaneously, builders broke ground for the BJCC’s Exhibition Hall.
  • 1974

    Ground Broken for the Colosseum

    Ground Broken for the Colosseum

    January 1, 1974
    Named after the famed Colosseum in Rome, ground was broken for the stadium that would come to be known as Legacy Arena. Just two years later, the Ice Follies would be the first show to grace the Colosseum. To follow were countless generational acts and epic contests, from John Denver..Read More
  • 1976

    Legacy Arena Opens Its Doors To The Public

    Legacy Arena Opens Its Doors To The Public

    December 1, 1976
    1976-2015: The first big musical act to hit Legacy Arena, John Denver packed the stadium with 19,000 tickets sold. Later that year, Elvis came for a stop on his last tour. But 1976 was only the first of over 40 years that’s seen the world’s greatest musical talent: In February..Read More
  • 2015

    Rebranded as Legacy Arena

    Rebranded as Legacy Arena

    December 1, 2015
    On January 1, 2015, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union agreed to sign a 5-year, $2 million deal to rename the Colosseum as Legacy Arena.
  • 2020

    Upgrades to Legacy Arena

    Upgrades to Legacy Arena

    February 1, 2020
    More recently, Legacy Arena has been undergoing renovations and expansion. The new and improved Legacy Arena will be available to the public once again in 2022. 

Legacy Arena is an extraordinary investment in Birmingham's future.

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