ORANGEBURG — South Carolina State University is moving forward with sweeping campus improvements as officials launch construction on a new academic facility that anchors more than $210 million in upgrades.
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Construction crews began laying the foundation Friday for the university’s $54.7 million, 94,000-square-foot academic building. The project marks a major milestone in a broader effort to modernize academic spaces and revitalize aging infrastructure across the main campus.
Steel for the new structure is expected to be erected as soon as April, with completion slated for fall 2027.
The new building will be situated adjacent to Turner Hall, the Student Center Plaza and Dukes Gymnasium. Once completed, it will replace the existing Turner Hall complex, creating updated classroom environments and expanded instructional space.
University officials say the facility is designed to support evolving academic programs, incorporate modern learning technologies and enhance student collaboration. The building’s footprint and location place it at the heart of campus activity, reinforcing its role as a central academic hub.
The academic project is one component of a sweeping capital improvement plan reshaping the university’s landscape.
In total, more than $210 million in construction and renovation projects are either underway or in various stages of design and approval on the main campus. These efforts include infrastructure upgrades, facility renovations and new construction aimed at improving both student life and academic performance.
The investment represents one of the most significant campus transformation initiatives in recent university history. Officials say the projects will not only modernize facilities but also strengthen recruitment, retention and research capacity.
Beyond the academic building, additional upgrades are expected to address deferred maintenance, improve campus accessibility and enhance shared spaces used by students, faculty and visitors.
University leaders have emphasized that long-term planning guided the development strategy, ensuring that new structures align with projected enrollment trends and workforce demands across South Carolina.
As construction progresses, students and faculty can expect phased updates and periodic adjustments around active work zones. Despite temporary disruptions, administrators say the long-term benefits will position SC State for decades of academic growth and innovation.
Updates on project milestones and related campus news are available through the university’s official website.
Originally reported by South Carolina Public Radio.
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