LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville announced a new building that will serve as a hub for engineering, education, research and student life on campus.

In a news release, UofL said the four-story building would cover 114,000-square-feet and sit right behind the J.B. Speed School of Engineering complex on Eastern Parkway. The facility will include classrooms, a makerspace, lab facilities and room for events and student engagement.

The $90 million project is funding with $65 million from the state and $3 million in private donations. An ongoing fundraising campaign is underway to secure the rest of the needed funding.

“UofL has long led the charge in driving innovation, economic growth and providing students with the education and experience they need to succeed in the real world,” said President Kim Schatzel. “With this new state-of-the-art building, we accelerate those efforts, creating bold new opportunities for our students, researchers and the Commonwealth.”

The new space will support the university’s efforts to recruit Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics graduates to the state.

“Extending Kentucky’s record-breaking economic momentum depends on our ability to innovate and strengthen our workforce,” Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said. “This new investment and partnership with UofL shows our commitment to being a destination for talented people and businesses looking to succeed in the key industries of the future.”

The building will also house a number of research labs aimed at providing hands-on learning opportunities, developing new technologies and collaborating with the tech industry. That includes UofL’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, which is working to advance research in solar, biofuels and energy storage, efficiency and materials.

According to UofL, Louisville is home to around 2,400 manufacturing firms, with a total workforce of over 82,500. The new building will help spur breakthroughs and attract talent for the growing sector.

“Louisville is poised for enormous growth, and UofL research and graduates are a key part of our ongoing and future success,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville.

Construction for the new facility is already underway and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025, in time for the Speed School’s centennial celebration. Found in 1925, the school has an enrollment of over 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees across eight engineering disciplines.