Florida Construction News staff writer
Broward College has broken ground on a $46.1-million building that will expand its science, technology and nursing training capacity at its North Campus in Coconut Creek.
The 52,000-square-foot Building 55 will replace two existing buildings constructed in 1974 and 1988. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and increase instructional capacity by about 30 per cent.
The building will feature 10 science laboratories, four nursing labs, a health assessment room and a nursing classroom. It will also house an information technology hub with a cybersecurity lab, an artificial intelligence lab and a makerspace.
The project includes three additional teaching laboratories and a dedicated medical laboratory designed to integrate clinical instruction into the curriculum.
During the 2024-25 academic year, the North Campus Science and Wellness Department offered 249 science course sections, including 188 for STEM majors, serving more than 2,500 students.
Broward College Acting President Rabia Azhar said the project will help address demand for skilled workers in healthcare, science, engineering and technology.
“We are laying the groundwork for the future of healthcare, innovation, and economic mobility across Broward County,” Azhar said at the groundbreaking.
Jobs in medical laboratories and STEM fields are projected to grow by more than 10 per cent through 2032, according to the college.
Keynote speaker Ashley Meros, chancellor of the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Career and Adult Education, said the facility’s value will depend on how students use its resources.
“What we build today has the potential to change lives for generations,” Meros said.
Cody Kiess, president of CORE Florida, said the company was looking forward to the facility’s long-term impact on the region.
“We’re excited to see what this facility will do for generations to come,” he said.
