Is there a new update on Samford University’s campus projects? We found out

In March of this year, we let you know about a community development project that Samford University had in the works. But in June, the university announced that the project had been cancelled.

This left some people—Samford students, alumni and Homewood residents in particular—wondering what would happen next. Will the project turn into something else? Is it scrapped altogether?

Now, there’s a new update: the university is in talks with city government and community partners to adjust its plans, according to the BBJ.

Samford’s Creekside Homewood “put on hold”

Samford University’s campus has had a lot of work done in the past couple of years. Arguably, Creekside Homewood was one of its biggest proposals.

Here’s a quick timeline:

• March 2025: Plans for Creekside Homewood announced
• April 2025: Samford revamps Creekside development plan to protect salamanders + watershed
• June 2025: Samford cancels Creekside development to focus on campus projects

“We’ve used this opportunity to step back, go back to the drawing board and begin conversations with city constituents and citizens about what they need and want from private development in Homewood.

While we’re having a lot of those conversations, there’s nothing imminent and we’re not planning in the next month or two of bringing something to a more formal approval process.”

Samford President Beck Taylor told the BBJ

The proposed “Creekside” was designed to be a walkable and livable “town square” for Homewood residents. But plans were quickly brought to a hault when the team withdrew its application to the Homewood City Council and opted to focus on campus projects.

Campus projects that include:

• $85M recreation center, unveiled in October 2024
• New residence halls + additional parking, completed in August 2025

Each of these projects is part of the larger Samford Horizons Campus Master Plan, a set of campus improvements that responds to the university’s sustained growth in enrollment.

These additions help Samford keep up with its continuous growth, both on campus and for its students. (The university recently earned 3 national rankings from The Wall Street Journal!)

But for now, there are things to look forward to—whether it be new student spaces, programs or renovations—Samford’s got a lot of fun things coming.

Stay tuned here for more updates on this project. Get more Birmingham news like this when you sign up for our free newsletter.