BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) - The sprawling Science Hall building at Canisius College is one-third of the way finished, college officials said Friday at a building dedication event.
About $40 million has been invested thus far, with anywhere from $20 to $40 million left to go, said John Hurley, president of Canisius College.
The four-story, 237,000-square-foot building, a former BlueCross BlueShield headquarters, was purchased by the college in 2008 and will become home to its departments of Computer Science and Mathematics, the Institute for Autism Research and the Dr. George E. Schreiner Pre-Medical Center.
Eventually, the departments of physics, chemistry, biochemistry, biology and the Institute for the Study of Human-Animal Relations will be housed there. The site purchase and project also included a three-level parking ramp with 1,350 spaces.
Hurley noted that the college moved to its current center-city location from downtown about 100 years ago, and has since grown to include 58 buildings on 72 acres.
"It's been a wonderful success story for us and we hope to continue our contributions to that neighborhood for another 100 years," he said.
He said the building will allow Canisius to fully take advantage of the "burgeoning life sciences sector in Western New York."
Mayor Byron Brown attended the event and praised Canisius' contributions to the surrounding areas, noting that the Science Hall project was minimally disruptive to neighbors.
"This new science center helps to support and reinforce the reputation of Canisius College as one of the premium colleges in the state of New York," Brown said.
