en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Southern College of Optometry (SCO) has launched a $35 million campus expansion project aimed at expanding patient clinic services and upgrading student facilities. George Miller, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the college, stated that this is the largest campus expansion since 2012 and will be completed in two phases. The first phase plans to expand the capacity of The Eye Center by constructing an adjacent pediatric care clinic.
SCO currently enrolls over 500 students, and its Eye Center provides care to nearly 50,000 patients annually, including a large number of uninsured and underinsured families. Miller noted that the new dedicated pediatric care space will enable healthcare providers to treat more patients each year, addressing needs ranging from basic eye exams to complex eye diseases and injuries.
The project includes updating the entrance of the 11-story teaching building, extending the lobby toward the city street to increase natural light and campus visibility, while also featuring a new library, study areas, an outdoor terrace, a mezzanine, and a coffee shop. Construction began in early May 2026, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2028. The two phases will overlap for most of the project duration to minimize disruption to campus activities during the fall and spring semesters.
Miller stated that SCO has launched the "Greater Vision Campaign" to support design and construction, and has already secured over $7 million in grants and donations from donors and alumni. Hoar Construction serves as the contractor for the project. Project Manager Stephen Anderson noted that construction in an urban environment presents challenges such as tight spaces and limited access, requiring the team to schedule deliveries on time and use a large crane covering the entire building, as work can only be done from one side.
The construction team has completed the demolition of existing site elements, utility relocation, and large-scale excavation for the new building, and is currently preparing the building pad for the new academic and eye clinic expansion. Due to the special soil composition of the site, workers need to install compacted aggregate piles beneath each foundation to reinforce the ground. The new building will connect to two separate existing structures, requiring careful coordination to align structures, match floor elevations, and maintain weatherproof connections. Anderson stated that the most specialized part of the project is the building connections, while working closely with SCO at each stage to minimize disruption to the operational campus.
