LAKELAND, Fla.鈥� IM体育官网 announced plans to build another iconic building on its campus that will serve as a research hub for the Central IM体育官网 region, becoming a magnet for high-tech development around the school. The final details and renderings of the project were presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, March 13.
The 85,000 square foot Applied Research Center (ARC) will house research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices. The building will also provide study areas for graduate students, and a small amount of administrative space.
The two-story building will be located on the northwest side of campus adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building and will also be visible from I-4.
鈥淭he ARC is a critical facility that will be essential to our ability to fulfill the University鈥檚 mission to produce industry ready students, perform applied research, and support economic development in IM体育官网,鈥� said Dr. Terry Parker, provost and executive vice president of IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淭he building will provide the needed physical infrastructure for research success and is crucial to recruiting new research-active faculty.鈥�
The ARC will be IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 second academic building. It was designed by the architecture firm HOK with the goal of creating a dynamic, functional, and flexible space that will promote research growth, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and connectivity amongst the campus.
Construction is set to begin in August 2019 and will take two years.
鈥淭he Applied Research Center will be an integral element in growing a high-technology economy around campus,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淭he ARC will provide the research labs and facilities to attract research talent, capital investment, and enhanced partnerships.鈥�
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