Miles College signs purchase agreement to acquire Birmingham Southern campus

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WBRC) – Miles College announced Wednesday that it has signed a “purchase agreement” to acquire Birmingham-Southern's 192-acre campus.

“We are very excited to take this next step with Miles College,” said BSC President Daniel B. Coleman. “We were hoping to find a buyer whose mission aligns with BSC's mission to educate young people for lives of community service and meaning, and whose presence on the Hilltop will also benefit the surrounding communities that have been such good neighbors to BSC for more than 100 years.”

Miles President Bobbie Knight says this purchase agreement allows the college to take “significant steps.”

“It is clear that institutions like Miles College continue to serve as powerful engines of economic growth and opportunity. For generations, Miles College has been a cornerstone of progress in our community. This opportunity is a significant next step in our vision to elevate our college, campus and community.”

“I am excited about Miles College and the Bush Hills neighborhood as well. The legacy of academic excellence will continue in this historic community with the arrival of a prestigious HBCU. I am so optimistic that Miles will join the growing community,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.

According to Miles College, the acquisition of the BSC campus will enable academic programs, research and innovation to flourish in an environment with local and global partnerships.

According to Coleman, the partnership agreement between the two schools does not refer to Birmingham-Southern itself, but to the land and buildings.

“The purchase agreement relates to the physical property – land and buildings – but not to the college itself. BSC will continue to operate as a legal entity during the remainder of the wind-down period, which will also include the completion of a number of business matters.”

According to the press release, Birmingham-Southern will work with the Alabama Attorney General's office to develop a proposal for the college's endowment and then seek judicial approval of the plan, as required by state law.

“We expect this process will take many months or even years, and we will be in touch with our foundation contacts as soon as we know more,” Coleman said.

Knight says Miles is working on the next chapters and pursuing partnerships for the future.

“We are carefully and thoughtfully planning and curating our next chapter to provide our students with tools and resources that will give them the greatest opportunity for success,” Knight said. “At the same time, we are positioning our professors and stakeholders to drive research and innovation that will lead to groundbreaking products and services. We have attracted partners to join us in forming a Centers of Excellence Consortium, and we are pursuing partnerships, including with the City of Birmingham, to achieve the best possible outcomes for all involved.”

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