The City of Mobile is hosting a “Celebration of Life” on August 21 to recognize the start of the Mobile Civic Center’s demolition and celebrate the facility’s 60-year legacy.
On July 30, the Mobile City Council approved the demolition of the Civic Center’s arena, theatre and Expo Hall as part of a plan to construct a new, state-of-the-art entertainment area on the property and build out the rest of the site for future developments.
The City of Mobile will host a ceremony recognizing the start of demolition on Wednesday, August 21, at 10 a.m. Mobilians are invited to attend. The ceremony will highlight the storied history of the Mobile Civic Center, from iconic concerts to Mardi Gras balls and more. Guests are encouraged to bring their second-line umbrellas and comfortable walking shoes.
As the demolition starts and plans for the new arena move forward, find more information at https://www.cityofmobile.org/mobile-new-arena/. There, you can find the most up-to-date renderings of the future arena, answers to frequently asked questions, a timeline for the project and periodic updates about significant milestones. They have also set up a dedicated email for the new arena project to keep citizens and neighbors informed. That address is newarena@cityofmobile.org.
The City of Mobile’s Facebook Page wrote the below in honor of the 60 year legacy:
Mobile Civic Center
July 9, 1964 – Aug. 12, 2024
It is with a mix of emotions that the City of Mobile announces the demolition of the Mobile Civic Center. After years of dedicated service to her community, the iconic structure that has been a ‘dome away from home’ to generations of Mobilians is taking a final bow.
To liberally paraphrase William Wallace, “All buildings are demolished, but not every building lives.” For six decades, the Mobile Civic Center was a prominent example of a life well lived. A fixture in the community, she is the cornerstone on which countless memories were made. From legendary concerts by some of the world’s biggest stars and top-class theatre productions to packed Mardi Gras balls and local celebrations, the Mobile Civic Center has been a constant presence in the lives of Mobilians since 1964. We all have a story about her.
From the first time her doors opened, the Mobile Civic Center has played a starring role in Mobile’s unique Mardi Gras traditions. From the parades and balls to the reliable parking, she has accommodated generations of revelers no matter how they chose to “Laissez les bons temps rouler.” If walls could talk, hers would share tales of colorful tableaus, spectacular gowns and royalty itself — all in a permanent state of joyous disarray. Perhaps, some are glad that certain memories will quietly go with her.
In her prime, the Mobile Civic Center illuminated her stage for the likes of Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, the Jacksons, Stevie Nicks, Elton John and Mobile’s own Jimmy Buffett. She later served as the proud home of the Mobile Mysticks, USA Jaguars’ Basketball and the Revelers, Wizards and Seagulls. These and many other events over the years, like the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice and the Distinguished Young Women national finals, have always given Mobilians something to support and celebrate together.
However, our Civic Center wasn’t just about the glitz, glamour and glory. At her heart, she was a servant. When generations of graduates received their diplomas, they celebrated in her halls. When the world stood still during the pandemic in 2020, the Civic Center stepped up and, despite her age, played a critical role when the community needed her most.
In her golden years, loved ones watched as the Civic Center began to show signs of age. It happens to all of us. But despite her creaky floors, aging halls, unreliable climate control and potentially dangerous exterior facade, she continued to give of herself — performance after performance, dance after dance, night after night. Even after her final scheduled performance, she opened her doors one last time to pay a fitting tribute to the first Mobilians to ever grace her stage.
The Mobile Civic Center is survived by her beloved murals, Conrad Albrizio’s “Mardi Gras” and “Circus,” as well as generations of Mobilians who will carry her memory into countless celebrations in a new, state-of-the-art civic arena. In lieu of flowers, those who can are asked to come and celebrate the Mobile Civic Center at her final curtain call. Mobilians, friends and admirers from afar are all invited for a “Celebration of Life” at the Mobile Civic Center (401 Civic Center Drive) on Wednesday, August 21, at 10 a.m.
