FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Francis Marion University continues to beef up its downtown presence with construction on a new $15.5 million dollar health and science complex.
The university broke ground on the building in April of 2014 and is expected to be completed early as this summer.
FMU Communications Director Tucker Mitchell says construction on the three-story building has been going smoothly.
The City of Florence demolished the 97-year-old Trust building in Downtown Florence in 2014 to make way for the new medical campus.
Tucker sent News 13 pictures on the inside of the building showing multiple staircases in place and appliances already installed.
The new building will serve up to 700 students but will serve roughly 350 students initially.
Tucker says the complex will offer students a relationship to hospitals just blocks away and will add to the redevelopment in Downtown Florence.
“We can kind of feel that growing , it’s a very exciting time, we think this is going to be trans-formative for the healthcare education in the area and physically for this space downtown,” Tucker mentioned.
Francis Marion University officials their hope is to open the doors this summer and have their first class of students starting in the fall of 2016.
The City of Florence, state and Drs. Bruce and Lee foundation are funding the multi-million dollar project.