Development projects designed to upgrade two of The Ohio State University facilities that train future educators and advance biomedical research and innovation are moving forward. Ohio State’s Board of Trustees on May 18 approved construction contracts for the College of Education and Human Ecology’s renovation of Campbell Hall and the College of Engineering’s new Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex (BMEC) Phase 2.
The $90 million, 125,000-square-foot BMEC Phase 2 is scheduled to open in September 2025. Phase 1, the Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, opened in August 2020. The Board of Trustees approved the final $76.4 million to move to the second and final phase of the BMEC, from design and demolition into full construction. The facility will be located at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and College Road.
“This project includes demolition of Watts Hall and renovates MacQuigg (Laboratory),” said Mark Conselyea, vice president of Facilities Operations and Development. “(BMEC) will improve building services and create an energy-efficient facility.”
BMEC’s first phase brought together the Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering departments. With the completion of the second phase, referred to as “The Gateway to Engineering,” BMEC will provide STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education-focused teaching labs, a new College of Engineering leadership suite and dedicated space for the Department of Electrical Engineering’s materials research group.
The board also approved the final $49 million for the renovation of Campbell Hall, a $61.2 million project located at 1787 Neil Ave.
“This supports the College of Education and Human Ecology’s educational goals and admissions by providing an updated space for collaborative work and a hands-on learning environment,” Conselyea said. “The project renovates 115,000 square feet of existing offices, research and computer labs, a teaching kitchen and classrooms.”
The College of Education and Human Ecology is renovating the century-old Campbell Hall with a combination of private donations, state-awarded funds and university funds. Construction began in February on enabling work and with full funds now approved, renovations are slated to begin in June, with the facility opening planned for June 2025.