The University of Tampa will begin construction this spring on a new Science Center designed to expand science teaching and research on its downtown riverfront campus.
The facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2029.
A landmark academic investment in Tampa Bay
The five-story 153,000-sq-ft building is the largest academic facility investment in the University’s 94-year history.
University leaders say the project strengthens UTampa’s role in supporting Tampa Bay’s growing health care, biotechnology and science-driven business sectors.
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For Tampa Bay business leaders and employers, the facility represents a long-term investment in local talent development tied to some of the region’s fastest-growing industries.
Programs aligned with workforce demand
Located along the Hillsborough River, the building will house the departments of biology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as programs in forensic science and marine science.
It will also support allied health, computational science and environmental science coursework.
University officials say the goal is to prepare students for careers that increasingly intersect with Tampa’s business ecosystem including health care, research, sustainability and science-based entrepreneurship.
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“The Science Center is a transformative, forward-facing facility that represents a major step forward for UTampa’s science programs and for the University as a whole,” Provost and Chief Academic Officer Mike Stephenson said. “It will enhance our ability to attract talented students and faculty and provide a collaborative environment where teaching and research can thrive.”
Philanthropy and long-term vision
Construction is supported in part by a generational gift from the family of Dr. Stephen F. and Marsha Dickey, longtime University benefactors and namesakes of the Dickey Health and Wellness Center.
Dr. Dickey is a trustee emeritus and founder of Tampa-based Doctor’s Walk-In Clinic, placing the family’s investment squarely within the region’s health care and business community.
“The design reflects an understanding that science, technology and how we teach and learn will continue to evolve,” Dickey said. “This facility will strengthen the University of Tampa’s ability to attract high-quality students and faculty and will benefit the entire University community.”
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UTampa President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg said the project represents a defining investment in academic capacity and institutional impact.
“We are deeply grateful to the Dickey family for their longtime support of UTampa and their significant investment in this project, which will expand opportunities for our students and faculty and strengthen the University’s impact in the sciences for generations to come,” Dahlberg said.
Outcomes for students faculty and employers
Paul Greenwood, dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences, said the Science Center is designed to improve outcomes across the academic pipeline.
“This Science Center will make our students more competitive for internships, graduate school and employment while also enabling faculty to remain leaders in their respective fields,” Greenwood said.
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For Tampa Bay employers, the facility signals a deeper pipeline of science-trained graduates entering the local workforce over the coming decade.
Inside the science center
The Science Center will include twenty-five teaching laboratories and twenty-three research laboratories supporting genetics, microbiology, immunology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, marine biology and forensic science.
Additional features include four aquarium research labs three microscopy rooms a bioinformatics and computational sciences teaching classroom two tissue culture laboratories and advanced instrumentation facilities.
Architecture and Riverfront Integration
Architecturally, the west-facing side of the building will feature red brick to reflect UTampa’s historic campus.
The east-facing side will incorporate glass and contemporary angles to frame views of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa.
Three outdoor spaces are planned including a riverside garden adjacent to the West Riverwalk a shared entrance plaza with the Grand Center and Macdonald-Kelce Library and a quadrangle between the Science Center and the Cass Building.
Construction Timeline and Sustainability
HDR Architects is designing the building with Barr and Barr serving as the construction contractor.
The project is expected to pursue U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification and to incorporate sustainable, accessible design features.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held during the spring semester. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring.