University of North Alabama Breaks Ground on Nursing School
By Aziza Jackson
FLORENCE, Ala. — University of North Alabama (UNA) officials broke ground on the site of the new Laura M. Harrison Hall that will house the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions.
The UNA Board of Trustees met in July for a special session to approve the bid for the new building of just under $19 million by Consolidated Construction out of Huntsville. Local firm Create Architects will serve as the design team for the project.
Dr. Ross Alexander, UNA vice president for academic affairs and provost, said the building has been worth the wait.
“This important project took a little longer than anticipated to launch,” said Alexander. “But it’s the exact building we need to facilitate growth, support students and maintain the tradition of excellence in the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. It will also be a picturesque addition to our beautiful campus.”
According to The Flor-Ala, the first floor of the facility will be 16,148 square feet, and will have two 72-seat classrooms, two 72-seat computer labs, 16 faculty offices and a large study lounge in the center of the building.
The second floor will reportedly be 15,983 square feet, and will have two 72-seat classrooms, 19 faculty offices, a dean’s suite that includes a conference room and file room, and a large study room in the center of the building.
Two wings will be dedicated to the third floor. The first dedicated wing will reportedly be used for the basic skills lounge with 16 bed stations. The second wing will reportedly be used for medical simulation labs with eight simulation rooms, two debriefing rooms, two control rooms, one medical dispensing room and a nurses station.
The 55,729-square-foot basement of the facility will reportedly house all of the utility equipment for the building such as heating, air conditioning, fire pump, electrical distribution and technology distribution. The basement will be 8,364 square feet.
The proposed completion date for construction is Dec. 26, 2019.
A report from The Flor-Ala contributed to this story.