$90 million project to transform JCTC campus in downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A multimillion-dollar project will transform Jefferson Community and Technical College.

It's a project that goes beyond just students and staff at the school.

Crews are already hard at work starting construction on a $90 million facility that will serve as the new science center at JCTC.

In addition to the 40,000-square-foot center, the project, known as "Jefferson Rising," will have a green space and a parking garage that will have retail space on the ground level.

The science center was made possible by a $22 million investment from the state of Kentucky.

The green space will be second in size only to downtown Louisville's Waterfront Park. It will serve as a gathering space for students and staff members.

Because JCTC is a school with commuters, it will also serve as a place where students can hang out between classes.

Employees said the new facility will not only boost morale, but will be a great change for downtown.

"It doesn't just impact our faculty, staff and students. It really impacts the neighborhood and the community, and it's gonna change the look of our campus," Dr. Nickie Cobb, interim vice president of Academic Affairs. "We're the first turn off of Interstate 65, so as visitors come into our community for Derby and other events, they're really gonna see this vibrant community college."

A partnership with UofL and Norton, the project will also serve as an anchor for downtown's LOUMED district.

Work on the center is expected to be finished by next August.

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