College starts $5 million renovation

FORT MYERS — Florida SouthWestern State College is spending $5 million to renovate an aging science building on its Fort Myers campus.

The science building, known as Building H, will reopen in January, 50 years after it was first opened. The two-story building will undergo a two-phase renovation to allow instruction to continue on one floor while another is renovated.

“Building H was built in 1966 and has undergone minor projects over the years, but none to this level where the space has been completely gutted,” says Jim Osterling, construction manager and building official at Florida SouthWestern, formerly known as Edison State College, in a statement. “In the end, this will modernize a nearly 50-year-old building, from more energy-efficient air-conditioning and updated electrical systems to modern labs and classroom space.”

When the renovation is complete, the building will include new classrooms, a lecture hall, laboratories and faculty offices. Wright Construction is the general contractor leading the project, which was financed using state funds.