Reviewed by: Mary Helene Hall
City of Mobile to build new $6.3M animal shelter on I-65 service road
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The City of Mobile and Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis are moving forward with plans to construct a new Animal Services Facility, which will cost approximately $6.3 million. The project will expand capacity for pets as well as provide a more functional home for staff and volunteers who support the department’s work.
This new animal shelter will replace the city’s current and outdated facility that was originally constructed in 1967 on Owens Street.
In order to avoid starting from scratch on the project’s construction process, the City of Mobile purchased the 5.5 acre property and building that previously housed Trinity Broadcasting Network for $855,000 last month.
The new location will be along the I-65 service road. By moving the animal services from downtown to a centralized portion of the city, more citizens will have better access.
In a Mobile City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 28, a construction contract for the facility was won by Rogers & Williard, Inc. Although the Rogers & Williard’s proposal was the low bidder at $6.3 million, the City has previously budgeted approximately $10 million to renovate and add to the building. These funds will remain with the project to cover any unexpected costs that arise during its renovation.
Keep reading to learn more about what the new Mobile animal shelter will feature!
Mobile Animal Services Facility’s features
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis has been sending updates and expressing his excitement for the animal services project in his email newsletters. With Roger & Williard’s proposal came alternatives for a walkway, shade structures and other amenities.
The new Mobile facility will include:
- A dedicated adoption area
- Improved customer spaces + a lobby
- An on-site clinic with an attached surgical suite
- Expanded kennel capacity
- 120 double-sided kennels, accommodating even large-breed dogs
- Epoxy flooring to improve sanitation
- Multiple outdoor play yards for animal enrichment
“Right now, our Animal Services staff and volunteers do incredible work every day in a facility that doesn’t match the standard they set themselves. This new, improved facility will provide a much better working environment and create a more inviting experience for the visitors who are adopting pets and supporting this mission.”
Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis in an April press release
