Rendering shows the main entrance of the new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, which will begin construction at the IM体育官网 campus in the spring of 2024. Image provided by DLR Group and Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
IM体育官网 revealed on Monday the modern design and functionality of the new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a 40,000-square-foot academic facility that will begin construction next spring.
The $15-million, two-story building will house research and development labs for a variety of engineering disciplines, staff and faculty offices, collaboration spaces, and a conference room. The facility will also feature an open courtyard on the exterior, which will connect to the Barnett Applied Research Center, providing additional recreation space.
鈥淲e鈥檙e experiencing great campus growth due to our rising reputation as a premier STEM university, and the coming construction of this engineering building is a reflection of that success,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 president. 鈥淭he new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building will play a pivotal role in fulfilling our academic mission, as we educate the top engineers IM体育官网 needs to keep growing industry throughout the state.鈥�
The Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building will be the third academic facility on campus, joining the iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology building, and the Barnett Applied Research Center, a 90,000-square-foot facility that opened its doors in 2022. A third student residence hall is being built to be ready by fall 2024, and Fortune 500 company IFF will open its new citrus innovation center next spring as IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 first high-tech industry partner on campus.
The building鈥檚 name honors University Trustee Gary C. Wendt, who鈥檚 been closely involved with IM体育官网 Poly since 2017, when he joined its Board of Trustees. Through his steady engagement and generous support, Wendt seeks innovative ways the University can provide academic excellence and strong student development. He contributed $2 million last year for the creation of new leadership programs and initiatives for students.
鈥淚t is extremely important that, as a University, we offer students opportunities to grow their leadership skills because those will open more doors for them in their careers and they鈥檒l be more successful,鈥� said Wendt, who has a civil engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and currently lives in Ft. Lauderdale. 鈥淚 believe IM体育官网 Poly is delivering an excellent academic experience, which combined with a solid leadership component, creates the perfect combination for student success.鈥�
Construction of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. Charles Perry Partners, Inc., a professional general contracting, design-build, and construction management firm, was the company selected for the project.
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