News
October 21, 2025

McCarthy Breaks Ground on $94M San Bernardino Valley College Project

ConstructionOwners Editorial Team

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Amid a turbulent period for higher education construction, McCarthy Building Cos. has officially broken ground on San Bernardino Valley College’s new $94 million Student Services building, a project designed to modernize and consolidate key student support functions on campus.

Courtesy: Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

The new 104,000-square-foot, three-story facility will serve as a central hub for student engagement, featuring administrative offices, conference rooms, and a wide range of student-focused services — including equity and counseling centers, health and wellness programs, enrollment services, tutoring areas, and collaborative learning spaces. The building will also house a veterans’ center and a main directional desk for visitors.

The project, which replaces the college’s former liberal arts building, is being developed with a strong commitment to community impact. The construction team has pledged to hire at least 50% of its workforce locally, ensuring that the economic benefits of the project remain within the region.

“We are excited to partner with San Bernardino Community College District and SBVC by constructing a building that is essential to student life and connection,” said Sarah Carr, vice president at St. Louis-based McCarthy, in a statement. “The building will provide a modern and consolidated location for supporting student success.”

Design and construction partners include CannonDesign (New York City), AECOM (Dallas), and SafeWork (Anaheim, Calif.). Together, they are pursuing LEED Platinum and Envision Gold certifications — two of the highest benchmarks for sustainability and environmental performance in construction.

The Student Services facility will incorporate energy-efficient systems, water-saving technologies, and sustainable materials to meet California’s ambitious green building standards. The college aims to create a facility that not only supports students but also reflects its environmental responsibility and forward-looking campus vision.

The timing of the project is especially significant: San Bernardino Valley College will mark its 100th anniversary in 2026, and the new building is seen as a major investment in its next century of service.

Courtesy: Photo by Thomas Kinto on Unsplash

For McCarthy, the project reinforces its growing footprint in the higher education sector, even as many universities nationwide face fiscal uncertainty. Federal funding challenges under President Donald Trump’s administration, particularly those tied to diversity and equity initiatives, have placed several higher ed projects on hold, according to a U.S. News & World Report tracker.

While some institutions — such as Yale University — have paused construction amid funding uncertainty, others, including the University of Virginia and the Los Angeles Community College District, continue to advance new facilities.

McCarthy leaders say they are focused on building lasting partnerships with colleges and universities that share their commitment to sustainability, access, and innovation.

“The higher education market is a strategic priority for McCarthy,” said Amanda Corbet, vice president of business development, in an email to Construction Dive. “We will absolutely continue to pursue more higher ed projects, as this is a great market for us and closely aligned with our strengths in complex, mission-driven facilities.”

Corbet added that McCarthy’s approach to campus development will remain “intentional and driven by partnerships,” emphasizing sustainable delivery methods and “right-fit opportunities” that align with each institution’s educational mission.

Construction of the Student Services building is expected to wrap up by Spring 2027, with occupancy planned shortly thereafter. Once complete, the facility will stand as a key component of San Bernardino Valley College’s transformation — a space built not just to serve students today, but to prepare the campus for the challenges and opportunities of the decades ahead.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.

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