Saban Center names major partners: Coca-Cola, Alabama Power, Mercedes-Benz, UA

Though no ground has yet been broken, the Saban Center continues to pick up partners for its STEM hub and children's performing arts center, with five major team members announced Thursday morning: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, the Alabama Power Foundation, Mercedes-Benz, Parker Towing and the University of Alabama.

Earlier this month, the city of Tuscaloosa, with Nick and Terry Saban, whose foundation Nick's Kids is at the heart of the project, announced ties with the Alabama Department of Education that may pay as much as $25 million toward the project's $100 million cost. Gov. Kay Ivey also announced an additional $2.6 million per year in operating funds, at her state-of-the-state address in mid-March. Of the remainder, the city plans to pay about $55 million, added to private donations and other sources.

The Coca-Cola branch above is based in Birmingham. Mercedes-Benz has a long history with Tuscaloosa, since choosing the county for its first-ever U.S. car-manufacturing plant in the '90s. The Alabama Power Foundation supplements numerous programs around the state, from a $130 million trust. Parker Towing, one of the largest barge lines in the U.S., is based out of Tuscaloosa, as of course is the University of Alabama.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox joined Terry Saban for the video announcement, and UA head football coach Saban released a statement.

“Saban Center's mission of revolutionizing STEM and performing arts programs for children across the state would not be possible without the terrific partners we have added today,” said Terry Saban. “Thanks to their generosity, we are another massive step forward toward realizing our goal.”

More: The Saban Center: What to know about the interactive learning hub

“We’re honored to have these terrific partners join us in making our dream a reality,” said Nick Saban. “Their commitment to the families and residents of Alabama and beyond speaks volumes for the potential Saban Center has moving forward, and we cannot thank them enough.”

The project is currently in pre-design phases, which include Davis Architects and Volkert, Inc., studying space requirement issues, constraints and opportunities of the site, and cost versus budget issues. Then will come about 16 months of design, then time for bidding and awarding contracts, with construction expected to begin in August 2024, and completion expected by late 2026.

The Saban Center will be built on the 9-acre site across from the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, former home of The Tuscaloosa News building, at the corner of Jack Warner Parkway and Nick's Kids Avenue, downtown Tuscaloosa.

The center will offer immersive STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiences, and provide workforce development for educators. It's part of an overall strategy to encourage and improve STEM education throughout the state. The center will also house the Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre and the Children's Hands-on Museum, which will be rebranded as IGNITE.

“Coca-Cola is excited to be a part of the Saban Center which will undoubtedly continue to transform Tuscaloosa for generations to come,” said Mike Suco, president and CEO of Coca-Cola United, the Alabama-based company that includes Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola. “We are honored to join with the University of Alabama, other leading businesses, the city and state, and of course the Saban family, in investing in this innovative educational initiative."

"We are thrilled to partner with the Saban Center as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community," said Alison Phillips, spokesperson for Parker Towing Co. “We believe the Saban Center will be the leading institute for STEM education and performing arts for the state of Alabama. This collaboration will enable us to work together to build a brighter, more prosperous future for our community.”

“The University of Alabama is proud to collaborate with the Saban Center and the City of Tuscaloosa,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “The initiative will extend UA’s outreach to K-12 students as part of the Capstone’s teaching, research and service mission, and the Center will enhance STEM education in our state for children who will one day be professionals in our communities.”

For more information, see www.Sabancenter.org.

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Mercedes-Benz, UA and others announced as Saban Center partners