The University of Toledo’s latest state-of-the-art facility is ready to opens its doors.
UToledo’s College of Engineering will celebrate the completion of extensive renovations to its North Engineering Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. A reception with self-guided tours will follow until 2 p.m.
The renovations add 15 classrooms, 12 laboratories, a maker space and facilities for the Formula SAE Race Team to a formerly underutilized portion of the North Engineering Building. There are also collaborative spaces for engineering students to gather and learn.
“These renovations are an investment in our students and in the future workforce in northwest Ohio,” said Dr. T. Michael Toole, dean of the UToledo College of Engineering. “We designed this space to inspire innovation and collaboration in our students, and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do with it beginning next semester.”
The College of Engineering is based on the east side of Main Campus, in facilities that were originally used for research and development by Owens-Illinois. These include a high bay space in what is today the North Engineering Building, which Owens-Illinois had used as a pilot production facility.
The renovations retrofit this high bay with a second floor that brings its square footage to 62,320. Highlights of the new space include 15 new and modernized classrooms, which will replace those previously located in Palmer Hall; eight research laboratories, three bioengineering instructional laboratories and one computer instructional laboratory; a maker space outfitted with collaborative equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters and power tools; and dedicated facilities for the Formula SAE Race Team, which is a student organization that designs, builds and competes in national competitions with a Formula One-style racecar.
Renovations began in November 2021. The total cost is estimated at $22 million, with funds contributed by capital dollars through the state of Ohio, The University of Toledo and the College of Engineering.
With the completion of this project Palmer Hall is now set for demolition in June, making way for an academic quadrangle.
RSVP for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the College of Engineering event website.
