After four months of vacancy, the former Birmingham-Southern College will soon have a new owner: The Magic City’s own Miles College.

The Board of Trustees for both institutions unanimously voted to enter a purchase agreement following a letter of intent submitted by Miles College shortly after the 168-year-old Birmingham-Southern College closed its doors on May 31, 2024.

Miles College takes next step to acquire Birmingham-Southern College campus

Earlier this year, Birmingham-Southern College closed its doors for good after failing to acquire the support needed to sustain the 168-year-old liberal arts institution.

Since the college’s closing on May 31, 2024, the future of its 192-acre campus on the northwest corner of Birmingham has been up in the air.

Two Alabama HBCUs—Alabama A&M and Miles College—expressed interest in purchasing the property. However, Alabama A&M ended its bid in July, choosing to focus on its main campus in Huntsville.

Now, Miles College and Birmingham-Southern College have signed a purchase agreement to transfer ownership of the campus.

“I’m excited for Miles College and I’m equally excited for the Bush Hills neighborhood. The legacy of academic excellence will continue in this historic community with the arrival a respected HBCU. I am so optimistic to see Miles join the community as it grows.”
Mayor Randall Woodfin

Birmingham-Southern College Campus. Photos by Jacob Blankenship via Bham Now — Munger Hall at Birmingham-Southern College. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Founded in 1898, Miles College is a private HBCU located in the city of Fairfield—a short, 10-minute drive from the Birmingham-Southern College campus.

“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 lift our college, campus and community.”
Bobbie Knight, President, Miles College

Birmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman is pleased to take the next step towards finalizing the agreement with Miles College.

“Our hope has been to find a buyer whose mission paralleled BSC’s mission of educating young people for lives of service and significance, and whose presence on the Hilltop would also benefit the surrounding communities who have been such good neighbors to BSC for more than 100 years.

With its roots in the Methodist tradition of service and its commitment to preparing young people for lives of leadership, Miles College fits that description. We will continue to work diligently with President Bobbie Knight and her team to ensure a smooth pathway to closing the sale.”
Daniel Coleman, President, Birmingham-Southern College

Want to know more about the history of Birmingham-Southern College and its struggle to remain in operation? Check out these past Bham Now articles.

1/31/2023 — Alabama needs Birmingham-Southern College. Here’s how you can help save it.
2/21/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College generates $97.2M for Alabama, independent study finds
3/21/2023 — 24 founders of technology-related companies support Birmingham-Southern College
4/6/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees votes to remain open
6/7/2023 — Bill designed to help BSC and other Alabama colleges now law
11/14/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College receives support from United Methodists, private donors
11/28/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College to receive $5M in loans from The Magic City
12/12/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College changed his life. Now this student is fighting to save the school
3/26/2024 — BREAKING: Birmingham-Southern College to cease operations in May
6/24/2024 — REPORT: Miles College negotiating possible purchase of BSC campus
7/11/2024 — Alabama A&M ends effort to buy BSC campus, shifting focus to the main campus
8/6/2024 — BSC enlists NYC real estate brokerage firm to help sell campus

What this means for Miles College

The acquisition of Birmingham-Southern College’s 192-acre campus will allow Miles College’s academic programs, research and innovation to thrive in a collaborative environment with local and global partners:

The National Science Foundation recently tapped Miles College to lead a $3M collaborative grant with Howard University, Tennessee State University, Morgan State University and Winston Salem University.
Miles College recently launched the 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth with two cohorts of local + national entrepreneurs and corporate partners.

“We are carefully and thoughtfully constructing and curating our next chapter to provide tools and resources for our students to have the highest possible opportunity to succeed. While at the same time, we are positioning our professors and stakeholders to drive research and innovation that will lead to transformative products and services.

We have secured partners to join us in creating a consortium for Centers of Excellence and we are pursuing partnerships including with the City of Birmingham to frame the best possible outcomes for all involved.”
Bobbie Knight, President, Miles College

While Miles College will purchase the physical property, Birmingham-Southern College itself will continue to exist as a corporate entity while completing the closing process.

According to Miles College’s press release, the process to finalize the purchase could take many months—or even years—to complete. Stay tuned to Bham Now for the latest updates on this developing story.

How do you feel about Miles College purchasing the Birmingham-Southern College campus? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!