“This is a critical phase in the Genomics project, and the safety of UAB faculty, staff, students, and patrons is paramount,” said Lamar Zuiderhoek, director in Facilities Planning Design & Construction. “This area is a major connector for the research and hospital areas, and we don’t take this closure lightly. While we would love to keep this open for convenience, it is not feasible at this time.”

To ensure safety and maintain pedestrian passageway, a covered walkway will be constructed for pedestrians to safely move between 19th and 20th streets south.

Pedestrian access to the entrance of the School of Dentistry (SOD) will remain open for patients and staff, including the accessible entrance on the right side of the building. Limited street parking will also remain available for patients. However, no through traffic will be allowed.

The building was announced in December 2020, with funding from the state, county, city,  philanthropy, Heersink School of Medicine, and UAB Health System. The project will renovate the existing research building to encompass 145,000 square feet of new computational research, research support, office, administrative and scientific collaboration and meeting spaces.