By: SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MOBILE, Ala. — Several major development projects across the City of Mobile are expected to be completed in 2026, signaling a significant period of growth and investment for the Port City.
Among the projects nearing completion are the new Mobile International Airport terminal at the Brookley Aeroplex, the Africatown Welcome Center, and ongoing renovations at Cooper Riverside Park, according to Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis.
“This is in addition to the steady progress we’ll be making on Mobile Arena and other city facilities, including new community centers at Taylor Park and on Dauphin Island Parkway, and a much-needed new home for our Animal Services Department,” Cheriogotis said.
Mobile International Airport
The largest project underway is the $362 million Mobile International Airport terminal at Brookley Field (BFM). The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) announced that the project is currently under budget.
Originally estimated at approximately $381 million, the project’s cost was reduced after the Airport Authority identified savings during a detailed cost review. Officials said rebidding the interior build-out resulted in lower prices, bringing the total cost down.
Construction of the new terminal is expected to be completed by August 2026, with commercial passenger flights scheduled to begin in November 2026, marking a major shift for Mobile’s air service.
Africatown Welcome Center
The $5.1 million Africatown Welcome Center is also expected to be completed in 2026. City leaders say the center will provide an educational and cultural space for visitors to learn about the legacy of Africatown and the story of the Clotilda, the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States.
The project is part of the city’s broader effort to preserve Africatown’s history while supporting its future development.
Cooper Riverside Park
Renovations are underway at Cooper Riverside Park to expand public access to Mobile’s waterfront. The project includes improvements to the park’s bulkhead, erosion repairs, and an expansion of approximately 60 feet along the water’s edge. Completion is expected by summer 2026.
Looking ahead
“These are the kinds of major projects we want to see in the City of Mobile,” Cheriogotis said. “But to do these kinds of big things, we’ve also got to get the basics right.”
He added that the city will continue investing in public safety, including adding more first responders, improving crime prevention strategies, and ensuring residents feel safe throughout Mobile’s neighborhoods, parks, and downtown.