Center at Northeastern University
What currently is nothing more than a parking lot will
soon see a truly spectacular facility built on the Northeastern
University campus. This visually striking building aims to break
ground next month on this stunning, architecturally genius design
of a facility that will cost $225 Million to build.
To be used as a science and engineering research
building, this project joins the long line of other universities in
Greater Boston who are also investing heavily in real estate
development. The growing attraction to these majors of study is a
massive reason that the Northeastern President, Joseph E. Aoun,
deems that such a significant investment will pay off. Nationwide,
the past five years has seen the amount of students graduating with
a bachelors degree in these fields grow by a staggering 19%.
Looking to Northeastern in particular, the past seven years has
even seen the University recruit over 387 tenured and tenure-track
faculty, all while their annual research funding has more than
doubled. Furthermore, the next five years should see Northeastern
University grow its faculty base in these specific studies by over
300 individuals. Ultimately, the need for more research space that
can compete with institutions all throughout the country has become
more apparent than ever.
Aoun commented in an interview that, We look at
problems and opportunities in our society and ask, How can we make
an impact? Society needs to focus on these domains. The facility as
a whole will encompass 220,000 square feet and will be built on the
aforementioned existing parking space, which covers a 3.5-acre
parcel along Columbus Avenue and next to the Ruggles MBTA Station
in Roxbury. It will result in the creation of 630 construction
jobs, in addition to 700 permanent faculty and staff jobs once it
is complete. To be six-stories, this development should open for
classes in the fall of 2016 and will feature the very best in lab
space with cutting-edge technology and scientific equipment,
classrooms, offices for graduate students and faculty, a large
atrium, and a beautiful 280-seat auditorium.
A lead researcher, Jason DeWitt, shared that, Students have been
gravitating toward science and engineering because of the
perception that these fields provide more job security than other
fields. Well, it is evident that Northeastern is paying attention
to this trend, and for good reason. Applications are already
predicted to skyrocket as the completion of this educational hub
nears. Boston is still leading the way in higher education and all
of the recent news about these local institutions continuing to
invest and give their students the very best opportunity to learn
and succeed is certainly commendable.
More Information: The Boston Globe