HPM to Manage Major Upgrades and New Lodging Across Alabama State Parks

Alabama, August 13, 2025

News Summary

Birmingham-based construction and program management firm HPM has partnered with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to oversee construction, renovations and a $40 million water and wastewater program across multiple state parks. Projects include a 25-unit boutique hotel at Cheaha, five new lakeside cottages and campground upgrades at Wind Creek, and conversion of a Gulf State Park golf course into a 105-site RV resort. HPM will provide program and project management, preconstruction and field coordination for work at 11 parks. A $25,000 grant will fund prescribed-fire equipment to support habitat restoration and wildfire risk reduction.

Birmingham Firm to Manage Major State Park Construction and $40M in Water Projects Across Alabama

HPM, a Birmingham-based construction and program management firm, has partnered with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to oversee construction, renovations and a separate $40 million package of water and wastewater work at state parks across Alabama. The work spans projects at 11 state parks for building and renovation efforts, with water system projects covering 12 parks.

Top projects and scope

The program includes a wide mix of work from interior room renovations to new building construction and campground modernization. The most visible projects include a new 25-unit boutique hotel at Cheaha State Park with a small café and rooftop bar, newly completed lakeside cottages and campground upgrades at Wind Creek State Park, and a conversion of a Gulf State Park golf course into a 105-site RV resort featuring bathhouses, an administration building and a clubhouse with pool, splashpad and pickleball courts.

Services provided

HPM is providing program management, project management, preconstruction services and field coordination for the portfolio of projects. The firm is also overseeing the multi-park water and wastewater program valued at approximately $40 million, coordinating complex construction logistics and interfacing with state park staff and contractors.

Notable park work

Selected projects managed by HPM across the state include:

• Cheaha State Park (Clay and Cleburne counties): Construction oversight for a new 25-room boutique hotel with on-site café and rooftop bar.
• Wind Creek State Park (Lake Martin): Completion of five fully furnished 1,600-square-foot lakeside cottages, renovation of 72 campsites, expanded RV pads, 50-AMP electrical service upgrades and increased ADA accessibility. The cottages were marked with a ribbon-cutting in early August 2025.
• Gulf State Park (Baldwin County): Conversion of a golf course into an RV resort expected to produce 105 RV sites along with three bathhouses, an administration building and a clubhouse with pool, splashpad and pickleball courts.
• Lakepoint State Park (north of Eufaula): Renovation of 44 lodge rooms and broad aesthetic improvements.
• DeSoto State Park (Lookout Mountain, DeKalb County): Project management and coordination for a new pool house and guest amenities.
• Meaher State Park (Spanish Fort): A new 1,400-square-foot administration building with a check-in desk, staff offices and a visitor gift shop.
• Monte Sano State Park (Madison County): Site improvements including new sidewalks, interior renovations of 14 cabins, construction of two new bathhouses and conversion of three RV sites to ADA-compliant sites.
• Lake Lurleen State Park (Tuscaloosa County): A comprehensive renovation program that includes new bathhouses, a gatehouse, renovated boat piers, additional RV sites and a modernized playground.

Water and wastewater work

Separately, HPM is coordinating and managing $40 million in water and wastewater projects across 12 state parks. Those efforts are intended to improve utilities and long-term reliability for park operations and overnight guests.

Context and funding

The state parks division manages 21 state parks totaling more than 50,000 acres and offering recreational access from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian foothills. In recent years, ADCNR allocated over $218 million in 2024 for park improvements, and a 2022 bond issue valued at $85 million helped make several campground and lodging upgrades possible.

Conservation and prescribed fire grant

In addition to construction programs, the State Parks Division received a $25,000 grant from the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils to purchase prescribed-fire equipment. The equipment list includes drip torches, blowers, a chainsaw, hand tools, safety gear, signage, a branded trailer and a 130-gallon water tank with a specialized pump and hose. The new gear is meant to expand habitat restoration work, increase controlled-burn capacity, reduce wildfire risk and support partner suppression efforts. The controlled-burn program is also noted for benefits to native habitats and wildlife, and for helping control invasive plants.

Operational impacts

The projects aim to enhance the visitor experience, expand overnight and day-use access, and modernize park facilities. Park managers will continue to maintain reservations and guest services through the state parks online portal where campsites and lodging can be booked.

About the firms and officials involved

HPM is described as a leading program management firm with a portfolio that includes projects such as regional parks and major civic venues. ADCNR’s State Parks Division oversees day-to-day park operations and broader stewardship goals. The grant-making AARCDC operates through nine regional councils supported largely by volunteers and focuses on conservation and community development projects across the state.

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FAQ

Key project features at a glance

Park	Location	Project	Key features
Cheaha State Park	Clay & Cleburne counties	Boutique hotel	25 units, small café, rooftop bar
Wind Creek State Park	Lake Martin	Lakeside cottages & campground upgrades	Five 1,600-sq-ft cottages, 72 campsite renovations, 50-AMP service, ADA upgrades
Gulf State Park	Baldwin County	Golf course to RV resort conversion	105 RV sites, bathhouses, admin building, clubhouse with pool & splashpad
Lakepoint State Park	North of Eufaula	Lodge renovation	44 lodge-room renovations, aesthetic improvements
DeSoto State Park	Lookout Mountain, DeKalb County	New pool house	Enhanced guest amenities
Meaher State Park	Spanish Fort	Administration building	1,400 sq ft, check-in desk, staff offices, gift shop
Monte Sano State Park	Madison County	Site and cabin work	Sidewalks, 14 cabin renovations, two bathhouses, 3 ADA RV conversions
Lake Lurleen State Park	Tuscaloosa County	Park renovation	New bathhouses, gatehouse, boat piers, new RV sites, modern playground
System-wide	Statewide	Water & wastewater program	Approximately $40 million across 12 parks for utilities upgrades

For more information about state parks and reservations, consult the official state parks portal and conservation resources online.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• WBRC: Birmingham Firm HPM to Manage Major Upgrades at Alabama State Parks
• Wikipedia: Alabama State Parks
• ABC3340: Birmingham’s HPM Partners with ADCNR for Alabama State Parks Upgrades
• Google Search: HPM Alabama State Parks
• Outdoor Alabama: Alabama State Parks Expands Prescribed-Fire Capabilities Through Grant Award
• Google Scholar: prescribed fire Alabama state parks
• WHNT: New Cottages, Upgrades at Wind Creek State Park
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wind Creek State Park
• The Bama Buzz: Wind Creek Named 4th Best Value State Park
• Google News: Alabama State Parks upgrades