The University of Minnesota broke ground on the $108.6 million Health Sciences Education Center on Tuesday. 

The center, located at the corner of Harvard and Delaware Streets SE, is expected to be completed in December 2019. Gov. Mark Dayton, University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler, University Regent David McMillan and former Minnesota Senator LeRoy Stumpf were among those in attendance at a kick-off event. 

The Education Center will provide academic space for students from the University’s six health sciences schools: the School of Dentistry, Medical School, School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Public Health and the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

The facility will provide active learning classrooms, a simulation center, the Bio-Medical Library and other student and visitor services. 

“This new facility will help Minnesota develop the next generation of world-class medical professionals, to meet our future health care challenges and improve the well-being of all our communities,” Dayton said in a press release.

The center is funded by $66.7 million from the Legislature, $33.3 million from the University and $8.6 million from TCF Bank Stadium bond proceeds.

The Phillips-Wangensteen Building, which will connect the Education Center to adjacent buildings, will also undergo renovations as part of the project.