Photo: One of the many impressive American embassy projects developed by BL Harbert International.
By Troy Turner
The U.S. Army has awarded mega-contractor BL Harbert International LLC a nearly $46 million contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center and associated facilities in the company’s hometown of Birmingham.
The project has an estimated completion date of March 8, 2028. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is the contracting agency.
Birmingham serves as the home for multiple Army Reserve operations, ranging from special forces to chaplain services.
The center’s contract proposal called for construction of a 600-member Army Reserve Center in Birmingham, including land acquisition and construction of a 53,000-square-foot primary facility, and support facilities for storage, housing equipment, parking, vehicle areas, etc.
“Anti-terrorism Force Protection and physical security measures will be incorporated into the design, including maximum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle-unloading areas. Sustainability and Energy measures will be provided. Facilities will be designed to a minimum life of 40 years in accordance with DoD’s Unified Facilities Criteria including energy efficiencies,” the requirements stated.
BL Harbert International, among Alabama’s most notable firms, has become one of the U.S. government’s primary contractor/construction/development partners, including for major and often complicated projects for the military and for foreign embassy complexes that demand a wide range of security and mission-specific requirements.
The company reported having more than 10,000 employees working around the globe, and $1.5 billion in 2024 revenue.
Its winning bid for the Reserve Center was chosen from five submitted.
A lodging facility built by BL Harbert at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
Among other projects the military recently has contracted with BL Harbert:
–The Navy awarded the company a contract modification in late 2024 bringing to $220 million its award for work on a weapons generation facility in Louisiana and including other construction at Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, Louisiana.
–A $61 million contract for construction of a training complex at Fort Rucker.
The company also has a lengthy resume of civilian projects, including health care facilities and many other types of buildings; in addition to its impressive list of international projects with embassy compounds and consulates.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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