University announces construction

TAMPA — University of Tampa announced plans to construct a six-story academic building for its health sciences and graduate programs.

The red brick, precast concrete, metal and glass building will house the university's nursing program, graduate program offices, classrooms, labs, study spaces and faculty offices. The 90,000-square-foot building will be the school's largest academic building.

“With this facility we hope to strengthen UT's health sciences programs with state-of-the-art spaces, including simulation labs, an anatomy lab and all the latest health technology and equipment,” University of Tampa President Ron Vaughn says in a statement.

The building will be constructed on the campus' current intramural field. It's expected to be completed in fall 2018.

A second phase of the project, including an adjoining twin 90,000-square-foot building, is planned but a timetable has not been set. It will house academic programs related to technology and much of the university's administrative technology support systems. A three-story sky bridge linking the two buildings is also planned.

Construction will be funded through individual gifts and university funds.