VCU to break ground on new engineering research building

Published May 29, 2018 by Paula C. Squires

The Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Engineering Research Building on Tuesday, June 5, at 9 a.m. on the northeast corner of Cary and Belvidere streets in Richmond.

City and university officials will attend and make remarks, including Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Michael Rao, president of VCU; and Barbara D. Boyan dean of the VCU College of Engineering.

The $93 million research building is scheduled to open in 2020. It will significantly expand the college’s laboratory capacity and serve as a collaboration hub for advanced research, economic development initiatives and hands-on approaches to engineering.

Richmond-based architecture firm Baskervill and Boston-based firm Goody Clancy have designed the 133,000-square-foot building, which is being financed by investments from the state, VCU and private support.

Altria donated an additional $1 million to support the Engineering Research Building’s makerspaces to enhance student creativity and experiential learning.