STLCC-Meramec Breaks Ground on New Front Door to Campus

It was a moment several years in the making as St. Louis Community College at Meramec officially broke ground for two new buildings on Friday, Sept. 9, as part of the STLCC Transformed initiative.

Community members, business owners, and building partners joined College leaders, employees, and students for the event held on the campus quad—just north of what will become the Center for Emerging Technology (CET).

The two new buildings—CET and the Financial Services and Enrollment Center—will be built on the southern portion of campus, serving as a new “front door” along the highly traveled Big Bend Road.

“Each building will feature a variety of modernized, visible and welcoming spaces to study, collaborate and take a break—encouraging our students to spend more time enjoying the new facilities during and in between classes,” said Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., STLCC chancellor.

Both buildings will feature green roofs, innovative classrooms and the latest technology. They will be connected by updated green space and an accessible plaza designed for exploration and outdoor learning.

“These new buildings will transform the Big Bend Road corridor, but most importantly, they will positively impact our students for decades to come,” said Feleccia Moore-Davis, Ph.D., campus president and chief academic officer. “We will educate our students in state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories that support experiential learning and problem solving.”

Marilyn Bush, president of Bank of America St. Louis and the STLCC Foundation board president, spoke about the importance these new buildings will have in developing future workers for Missouri’s growing industries. 

“St. Louis Community College is one of our region’s most vital workforce partners,” she said. With the new facilities, reimagined programs, and industry partnerships, “students will graduate with the in-demand skills needed to confidently enter the workforce.” 

The first step of the transformation will be to demolish and remove three buildings on the campus: Business Administration, Communications South and the library. Once these structures are removed, the two new, three-story buildings will take their place. 

“This project is a true community effort,” Pittman said, thanking those from the region who helped pass Proposition R, an eight-cent tax levy approved by voters in the summer of 2021 to fund STLCC Transformed. Totaling nearly half a billion dollars, the STLCC Transformed project will allow the College to build six new buildings—two each at Meramec and Florissant Valley, and one each at Forest Park and Wildwood.

 

Center for Emerging Technology Highlights

Anticipated Completion: Summer 2025
Size: 80,000 square feet
Estimated Cost:  $46.5 million
Architect: Arcturis
Construction Manager: S.M. Wilson & Co.
Contractor: Clayco

Key Offerings:

• Several new and reimagined programs, including horticulture and game design and development.
• Expanded IT offerings, plus room to grow as new and emerging technologies evolve.
• An inviting and accessible green roof for studying and learning.
• New home for the campus library and Academic Success and Tutoring, offering students easy access to academic resources.

Financial Services and Enrollment Center Highlights

Anticipated Completion: Summer 2025
Size: 65,000 square feet
Estimated Cost:  $46.5 million
Architect: Arcturis
Construction Manager: S.M. Wilson & Co.
Contractor: Clayco

Key Offerings:

• One-stop shop for student services, including advising, financial aid and enrollment.
• Welcoming places to take a break between classes or study with a lounge area, private study bays and collaboration spaces.
• Modern, innovative classrooms and an entrepreneurial center offer business and accounting students hands-on learning opportunities and real-life experiences.
• Inclusive spaces to meet student, employee and visitor needs, including gender-neutral bathrooms, lactation rooms and meditation rooms.