North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction crews have begun pouring the foundation for South Carolina State University’s new $54.7 million academic building, a project expected to be complete by fall 2027.
The 94,000-square-foot facility will replace the century-old Turner Hall complex. The site is located adjacent to Turner, the Student Center Plaza and Dukes Gymnasium, and across Geathers Street from the Engineering and Computer Science Complex.
Crews installed rammed aggregate piers, vertical columns that reinforce soil, in January. Ken Davis, associate vice president for facilities management, planning and construction, said steel erection is scheduled to begin in April.
Harper General Contractors is managing construction. The building was designed by Evoke Studios, whose architects also worked on the Engineering and Computer Science Complex.
The new academic building is part of more than $210 million in construction and renovation projects planned or underway on the SC State campus. Other projects include:
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Sojourner Truth Hall: A $25 million renovation of the 14-story residence hall, including fire suppression and alarm upgrades, elevators, HVAC, and code updates, serving about 400 students.
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Kirkland W. Green Student Center expansion: A $20 million project adding 40,000 square feet of student life space, including a cafeteria and bookstore.
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New 500-bed residence hall: A $50 million, 110,000-square-foot facility across from Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, expected to break ground in April.
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New library: A planned 50,000-square-foot library to replace Miller F. Whittaker Library, with groundbreaking expected this fall.
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Nance Hall renovation: A $15 million project for the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, starting in August.
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University Transportation Center: A $15.6 million project funded by federal and state sources for research, training, lectures and conferences, expected to begin this year.