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MORGANTOWN - The West Virginia University Board of Governors has taken an initial step toward the construction of a new Health Sciences Center education building.
During its Sept. 11 meeting, the board approved a project budget for the design phases of what's anticipated to be a 120,000 square-foot standalone facility, "to support the continued growth of Health Sciences education by providing modern instructional environments, collaborative student spaces, simulation space, and flexible academic space to meet current and future program needs."
The project design will be completed in two phases.
Phase One, to be completed by January 2027, will include programming and conceptual design and will establish the project scope considering the development of a comprehensive space program, the evaluation of potential building sites, conceptual design options, preliminary cost estimates and a project schedule.
The second design phase will include full design and preconstruction services and is anticipated by December 2027.
The total design cost is budgeted at $9 million.
Currently, the total anticipated project cost is approximately $90 million. The university is looking to complete construction by July 2029.
Funding for the project will be split three ways.
The state has committed $30 million, and an additional $30 million is expected to be secured through federal congressionally directed spending. The balance of the project will be supported through a combination of university funding and private philanthropic contributions.
In other news, the BOG approved the second phase of renovations for the WVU School of Dentistry.
The project, currently budgeted at $21.7 million, is being supported through a $15 million federal appropriation from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
After the completion of Phase One in June 2026, which included relocating dental clinics to the Health Sciences Center, Phase Two will renovate approximately 29,152 square feet of clinic space on the first floor of HSC North and South.
Key areas to be modernized include clinic space for endodontics, periodontics/prosthodontics, oral surgery, general practice residency, along with resident rooms, the dean's office suite, and a new reception area at the school's main entrance.
Construction is expected to run from February 2027 to June 2028.