We’re excited to introduce a new project currently under construction!

Construction of the Florida Gateway College STEM II building officially began on February 25 in Lake City, FL, following a ceremonial groundbreaking. As a two-story educational building, the Grace and Al Harter Center for Innovation will support STEM studies on the northwest side of FGC’s main campus. This project will play a key role in the lives of both staff and students by fostering the education of next generation scientists, nurses, and healthcare professionals in North Central Florida.

The groundbreaking ceremony was the perfect introduction of this project to the community. With attendees including FGC administrators, faculty, staff, and donors, as well as media and the public, this event highlighted the significance of the facility and set the stage for the lasting impact it will have on future generations of students.

This project follows the success and momentum of FGC’s STEM I project — the Quinn and Keith Leibfried Building — and will be completed in two phases. The scope of phase one entails a 9,763 SF building consisting of two classrooms, two faculty offices, and 10 nursing simulation rooms on the first floor, with shell space on the second floor for future build-out. The project also includes sidewalks and connections to existing utilities.

After remobilizing on the site in April, our team — including Project Manager Jacob Santoyo and Superintendent Jim McPherson — has rebuilt and re-compacted the building pad, poured the footings, and is now progressing through the process of installing underground utilities in preparation for the concrete slab pour.

The expected end date for this project is January 15, 2026, with the first phase being completed in Fall 2025, making the overall construction process a little over a year. We look forward to continuing with the build and providing timely updates on each step of the process!