Construction has begun on Clanton’s Civic Center that will be located on the campus of Jefferson State Community College on Highway 145 here.

Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver said Rives Construction of Irondale was awarded the construction contract recently, and foundation work on the project is underway.

Driver said the $10.25 million price tag on the building did not include furnishings.

“The City of Clanton is obligated for $11 million for the project,” Driver said, adding the city will pay its share of the cost over 25 years.

The 65,000-square foot building will house meeting facilities that will allow up to 1,800 people to attend banquets, trade shows or other functions. In addition, a 660-seat auditorium will be available for smaller meetings. Both meeting rooms will have a stage area.

“We have the sewer work completed to the campus and are working to complete the new water lines for the college and the civic center,” Driver said.

Located just north of the Jefferson State academic building, the center is a joint effort of the city and the college. “The school will provide needed staffing for the center,” Driver said. “Having a center here with available space for many meetings will give us options we have not had in the past.”

The facility will be available for civic meetings as well as to businesses and organizations that want to take advantage of Clanton’s location in the middle of the state for meetings, shows and other functions. The college will have daily access to the facilities to use for its programs as well.

The City of Clanton donated 65 acres on which the college campus and civic center is located. Mayor Driver said the city still owns 100 acres adjacent to the campus that could be used for expansion of the college or for other growth.