• Colorado State University held an April 24 topping-out ceremony for the ATLAS Facility, a two-story laser research building on the Foothills Campus.
• The project team completed the structural steel frame for the 77,626-square-foot facility, with participants signing the final beam before placement.
• The $150 million public-private partnership includes CSU and Marvel Fusion, with additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources.
• Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, and the university anticipates an official opening in 2027.
• The specialized interior build-out will include cleanrooms and vibration-sensitive labs designed for high-performance laser research.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State University marked a major construction milestone April 24 with a topping-out ceremony for the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science, or ATLAS, Facility, a project officials say will become one of the world’s most advanced laser research centers.��

The event recognized completion of the structural steel frame for the two-story, 77,626-square-foot building now rising on the university’s Foothills Campus near the Department of Atmospheric Science building. During the ceremony, faculty,��students��and staff were invited to sign the final beam before it was placed atop the structure, a longstanding construction tradition symbolizing progress and safety.��

“As the United States works to lead in areas like fusion energy and directed-energy technologies, facilities like this are essential,” said Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research at CSU. “ATLAS will serve as a critical testbed, bringing together academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation, strengthen energy security and ensure our competitiveness on a global stage. I’m grateful for our industry and federal partners who have been — and will be critical in making this vision for scientific progress a reality.

When complete, the ATLAS Facility is expected to house one of the most powerful laser systems in the world, supporting research in��fusion��energy,��medicine��and fundamental science. University leaders have said the project is intended to position Colorado State as a global hub for next-generation laser science and related technologies.��

The project is being delivered through a $150 million public-private partnership involving Colorado State University and Marvel Fusion, with��additional��support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other funding sources. The facility was developed by Tetrad Real Estate, designed by architecture and engineering firm SWBR, and is being built by McCarthy Building Companies.��

Ground��was broken on the project in fall 2024. Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, with an official opening��anticipated��in 2027.��

With the steel frame now in place, construction will shift to��enclosure��of the building exterior, followed by installation of mechanical,��electrical��and plumbing systems. Crews will then begin the specialized interior build-out��required��for high-performance research operations, including cleanrooms, vibration-sensitive laboratories and precision environments needed to support advanced laser equipment.��

Facilities of this type typically require stringent environmental controls to��maintain��stable temperature,��humidity��and air quality, while also minimizing vibration and electromagnetic interference that could affect experiments.��Those technical requirements often make research laboratories more complex than conventional academic buildings.��

University officials have said the ATLAS Facility will expand Colorado State’s long-standing leadership in laser and plasma science while creating opportunities for faculty recruitment, student��training��and industry collaboration. The project��also is��expected to attract visiting researchers and federal research partnerships.��

Fusion energy research has drawn increasing international attention in recent years as governments, universities and private companies pursue technologies that could provide large-scale carbon-free power. Laser-based systems are among several approaches under development to achieve controlled fusion reactions.��

Beyond research, the facility is expected to generate economic benefits for the Fort Collins region during both construction and operation. Large capital projects typically support jobs across the design,��engineering��and construction sectors, while new research infrastructure can create longer-term demand for technical talent,��suppliers��and related business activity.��

The topping-out ceremony also highlighted continued momentum on Colorado State’s Foothills Campus, which has become a center for research initiatives tied to engineering, atmospheric science,��energy��and technology.��

Once operational, ATLAS is expected to serve as a flagship asset for the university and a prominent addition to the state’s research infrastructure. Officials say the facility’s combination of scale, technical sophistication and partnerships could make it a significant contributor to scientific discovery for years to come.��

Get more weekly reports and timely updates by subscribing for free at��schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.

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• Tennessee��General Assembly approved $311 million recommended by Gov. Bill Lee for a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UT Health Sciences) in Memphis.
• The project totals $350 million and is planned as a 275,000- to 300,000-square-foot facility on Madison Avenue.
• UT Health Sciences said the building will support growth, including expanding the medical student cohort from 175 to 250 and the Physician Assistant Program from 30 to 60 students per year.
• The university said it must raise an��additional��$50 million in philanthropic support; construction is targeted to begin in late fall 2026, with substantial completion��anticipated��in 2029.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —��State lawmakers have approved $311 million in funding for a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at UT Health Sciences, a project university leaders say will expand training capacity and support statewide workforce needs.��

The funding, recommended by Gov. Bill Lee, supports a $350 million facility planned for the Memphis campus on Madison Avenue.��The Tennessee General Assembly approved the funding April 17 for construction of the new facility, which UT Health Sciences describes as a focal point for its Memphis campus and a major investment in health care education statewide.��

The university plans a 275,000- to 300,000-square-foot building on Madison Avenue, between the College of Pharmacy Building at 881 Madison Ave. and the site of the former Holiday Inn at Madison Avenue and Pauline Street.��

“This is a transformative step for UT Health Sciences, as well as for health and health care of the people of Tennessee,” Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, said, adding that the building is intended to serve as “a hub for training future health care professionals to practice collaborative, state-of-the-art care across Tennessee,” according to��.��

UT Health Sciences said the added space would allow the College of Medicine to expand its class size from 175 to 250 students per cohort. The Physician Assistant Program would also be able to grow from 30 to 60 students per year, the university said.��

Project leaders tied the investment to workforce projections. “This is an investment in continuing to meet the significant deficit in physicians and physician assistants in the state of Tennessee, with projections suggesting that there will be a need for 6,000 additional physicians in the state by 2030,” Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Raaj Kurapati said, according to��.��

Beyond classroom and simulation space, the university said the facility will support telehealth training and increase online educational opportunities for the College of Medicine and other colleges, with the goal of growing academic certificate programs and enrollment. UT Health Sciences also said the project is expected to bolster its response to rural health care challenges in Tennessee.��

As Tennessee’s only statewide academic health science center, UT Health Sciences said it expects the new building to enable the university to graduate an��additional��1,450 health care professionals practicing in various fields during its first five years of operation.��

The state’s allocation��represents��the lead investment, but UT Health Sciences said it must raise an��additional��$50 million in philanthropic support to complete the project. That total includes $39 million toward building costs, plus��additional��funding for specialized equipment and program support.��

UT Health Sciences said HOK conducted��a strategic��space inventory and developed programming for the building. The university has selected Memphis-based brg3s architects to design the facility in collaboration with HOK. After��remaining��state approvals are received, the university said it aims to begin construction in late fall 2026, with substantial completion��anticipated��in 2029.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by UTHSC News on April 17, 2026.��

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• Gordian’s 13th annual��State of Facilities in Higher Education��report puts the deferred capital renewal backlog at��$156 per gross square foot, up��8%��over the past year.����

• The report says capital investment funding for existing buildings is��73.5%��of��what’s��needed to prevent further backlog growth, with operating budgets��18.5%��below target.����

• Staffing pressure is also rising: the report says custodial coverage responsibilities are up��27% since 2007, with public institutions seeing steeper increases than private institutions.����

• Gordian points to strategic reinvestment,��benchmarking��and proactive maintenance as levers to stabilize backlogs and support long-term planning.����

GREENVILLE, S.C. —��Deferred capital renewal needs at North American colleges and universities climbed to��$156 per gross square foot, an��8%��year-over-year increase, according to Gordian’s latest��State of Facilities in Higher Education��report.����

The��Greenville, S.C.-headquartered company��said the data underscores continued underinvestment in existing buildings and warned that, without meaningful reinvestment, deferred needs are likely to continue rising.����

Gordian’s 13th annual report frames the sector’s growing backlog as the result of persistent funding gaps colliding with institutional change. The company said capital investment funding for existing buildings is at��73.5%��of what is��required��to keep deferred needs from expanding, and that operating budgets��remain��18.5%��below target levels.����

“This year’s findings reinforce what we hear daily from leaders across the higher education sector: without sustained and strategic reinvestment, institutions risk deeper operational challenges,” said Arul Elumalai,��President of Gordian, in a statement. “Our goal with this report is to equip campus decision-makers with the clear, data-driven insights they need to prioritize the right actions now.”����

Gordian said the analysis draws on its database of��43,000 campus buildings��representing��1.1 billion gross square feet��of space, which it uses to benchmark facilities conditions and spending patterns across North American higher education.����

Alongside capital constraints, the report also points to workforce strain. Gordian said the amount of space each custodian��is responsible for��has increased��27% since 2007, with larger jumps reported at public institutions compared with private ones.����

The report’s findings also highlight how structural underinvestment and rising deferred maintenance can restrict campus flexibility and push institutions toward reactive—often costlier—facility management, Gordian said. As a path forward, the company said campuses can use data-driven benchmarking, proactive maintenance��practices��and strategic reinvestment to help stabilize backlog growth and support long-term decision-making.����

“While campuses face continued pressure, there is genuine opportunity ahead,” said Pete Zuraw,��Vice��President of��Market��Strategy and��Development for Gordian, in a statement. “With reliable data and guidance from trusted industry partners, institutional leaders can make informed decisions that strengthen their facilities and position them for long-term resilience.”��

Gordian said it has published the report for more than a decade and collaborates with higher education societies including APPA, NACUBO and SCUP, adding that the report includes survey data and commentary from higher education leaders.����

This article is based on reporting originally published by Gordian on��April 8, 2026.��

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• The��San Diego Community College District’s��Saville Performing Arts Center Replacement project at San Diego City College��has moved into the schematic design phase.��
• The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new performing arts facility of about��28,000 square feet��designed for academic programs and community use.����
• Scope includes demolition, hazardous materials abatement, utility��relocation��and upgrades, plus site improvements including new walkways and ADA-compliant paths of travel.��
• The work is part of the Measure HH Bond Program, approved in November 2024, totaling��$3.5 billion.��

SAN DIEGO —��The Saville Theatre Replacement Project��at��, part of the district’s Measure HH Bond Program,��has��officially moved��from the programming phase into schematic design.��The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new,��approximately 28,000-square-foot��performing arts facility designed to support academic programs and community use.

The new center will be a modern, flexible venue capable of accommodating a range of performances and events, supporting both campus programming and broader community use.��The��programming��process brought together��faculty��and��staff��members, who��joined the��Design-Build team of����and����for��a series of workshops and discussions��to help shape the project vision, offering insights on��instructional needs,��room configurations, and��how��to best��support teaching,��learning��and live performance.����

Work��will include��the abatement, demolition, and removal of the existing Saville Theatre and the removal and replacement of associated site utilities and appurtenances in alignment with the campus’s Master Plan.��New construction of approximately 20,000 assignable square feet (ASF) includes a street-level lobby with Box Office, restrooms, and manager’s office. A��mew��main theatre will include 250–350 seats, including stage, orchestra��pit��and control room as well as a scene shop and costume shop. Other support spaces include rehearsal rooms, recording/editing��spaces��and dance studios.����

Planned exterior work also includes new walkways, sustainable landscaping and irrigation, signage��and ADA-compliant paths of travel��that will connect to a future outdoor��amphitheatre.��

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) on this important project,” said Ryan Nessen,��Senior��Vice��President��and California��District��Manager, according to��a press release from Sundt Construction.����

“This selection reflects the trust we have built over more than two decades and our commitment to delivering high-quality facilities that serve students and the broader community,” Nessen��added.��

Measure HH, approved in November 2024, is a��$3.5 billion��bond program that will provide��state-of-the-art��educational facilities, address long-deferred maintenance needs, and support accessibility and equity across the district’s colleges.��

The project team also includes structural engineering firm KPFF, civil engineer Latitude 33, and mechanical and electrical engineer MA Engineers/Johnson Consulting Engineers.��

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What You Need to Know��

• The project team marked a topping-out milestone for the Saban Center now rising in Tuscaloosa’s River District.��

• Plans call for a 118,000-square-foot complex on a 7.71-acre site along the Black Warrior River, with a 70-foot glass tower as a centerpiece.��

• Campus partners named include the State of Alabama STEM Hub, the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and IGNITE (formerly the Children’s Hands-On Museum).��

• Design/delivery partners cited include Steinberg Hart (with Davis Architects), Stone Building Company,��CambridgeSeven��and Theatre Projects.��

Learn More��

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Saban Center reached a key construction benchmark March 30 as crews and project partners celebrated the building’s topping out at the future STEM-and-arts��learning campus in Tuscaloosa’s River District.��

The facility, described as a first-of-its-kind campus combining science, technology, engineering and math with arts programming, is expected to open in 2027.��

The marble-clad complex is being designed by Steinberg Hart in collaboration with Birmingham-based Davis Architects, with Stone Building Company serving as general contractor. Newly released renderings depict a series of curved pavilions connected to a transparent central tower.��

“Saban Center is deeply personal to us—we’ve been involved every step of the way, working closely with the design team to shape a place where children of all ages can explore their curiosity and imagine what’s possible for their futures,” according to��.��

Renderings also show the building set into a natural slope on the 7.71-acre site, intended to reduce the perceived height at street level while creating a prominent landmark from the north. Project materials describe multiple outdoor approaches meant to position the campus as a public, inclusive destination for families and school groups.��

The exterior facade is planned to use locally sourced recycled marble from the Alabama Marble Mineral & Mining Company. Inside, the design team selected regionally sourced woods and metals as part of a sustainability approach that emphasizes local sourcing, material��reuse��and resilient construction.��

At the center of the complex, a 70-foot glass tower is expected to house an 18-foot illuminated globe described in project materials as a beacon for the evolving River District and a symbol of discovery and innovation.��

Led by Nick and Terry Saban and Nick’s Kids Foundation in partnership with the City of Tuscaloosa, the campus is being delivered through a public-private collaboration that also includes the State of Alabama, which plans to��establish��the State of Alabama STEM Hub on-site.��

Project leaders framed the building design as integral to the learning mission. “The design of the Saban Center reflects a shared belief that architecture can actively support learning and discovery,” according to��.��

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox also positioned the campus as a workforce-development asset, saying Saban Center “will be a catalyst for building Alabama’s future-ready workforce.”

This article is based on reporting originally published by Saban Center on March 30, 2026.��

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What You Need to Know��

• Lincoln Memorial University��hosted a��grand opening for its��Orange Park, Fla.,��health sciences campus,��on��March 23.����

• The��12-acre��site spans��about��130,000 square feet��across two buildings and will house osteopathic medicine and veterinary medicine programs.����

• LMU says the Orange Park location positions LMU-DCOM as the��first four-year medical school in the greater Jacksonville area.����

• The campus is slated to open in��fall 2026��in a newly renovated��85,000-square-foot��facility for a class of��100.����

Learn More��

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has expanded its health sciences footprint in Northeast Florida with an Orange Park campus that will house osteopathic medicine and veterinary medicine programs. The campus — which spans approximately 130,000 square feet across two buildings on 12 acres — is designed for interprofessional, clinically focused training, with inaugural cohorts expected to begin this fall. The university hosted a formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 23.��

In��an��announcement, LMU President Dr. Jason McConnell framed the expansion as a milestone for health education in the state. “The Orange Park campus represents a significant step forward,” according to��.����

The campus is home to the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) and the LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM) and��is intended to strengthen the regional health care workforce.��LMU also positions the Orange Park site as a regional medical education milestone. The location establishes LMU-DCOM as “the first four-year medical school in the greater Jacksonville area,” and that the program will mirror LMU-DCOM curricula offered in Harrogate and Knoxville, Tenn.����

LMU states that DCOM at LMU-Orange Park will offer the same four-year, full-time academic and clinical program as the Harrogate and Knoxville campuses,��and that the new campus is expected to��serve��a��class of 100.��The facility is designed to support innovative, clinically focused education and to strengthen the regional health care workforce.��

In a statement, the institution also highlighted the��“One Health”��approach��that brings human and veterinary medicine together on one campus. “Bringing human and veterinary medicine��together… reinforces the importance of a One Health perspective,” according to��.����

For LMU-DCOM, Dr. James Toldi,��Campus��Dean for the Orange Park site, said the new campus is intended to support clinical training capacity. “We are creating meaningful clinical training opportunities,” he said in a statement.��

On the veterinary side,��the��LMU-OPCVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is structured as a three-year program emphasizing early clinical experience and a distributive clinical model.��The institution��also cited��planned partnerships, including with the Jacksonville Humane Society and Clay County Animal Services, to place students in community-based learning environments.����

“Bringing human and veterinary medicine together on one campus reinforces the importance of a One Health perspective��in��how we educate and serve,” McConnell said. “Orange Park allows us to extend that commitment into Florida in a meaningful and lasting way.”����

This article is based on information published by Lincoln Memorial University via PR Newswire on March 4, 2026, and on LMU’s DCOM at Orange Park program page.��

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TRENTON, N.J.��—��New Jersey Gov.��Mikie Sherrill delivered her inaugural budget address��earlier this month, outlining her��administration’s plan to��protect children’s futures��through a��$12.4 billion��investment in K-12 schools for FY 2027.

“My budget is focused on ensuring kids in New Jersey have access to the best education and brightest possible future,” said Sherrill. “The budget includes a record level of K-12 school funding, while acknowledging that much more work is needed to make sure students and taxpayers get the best return on our investment. It lays the foundation for future improvements – like stronger academic and mental health outcomes, shared services, and more efficient spending – to better support children from birth through graduation and strengthen schools statewide.”

The $60.7 billion budget includes a proposed surplus of $5.4 billion, while redirecting over 74 percent of the total budget back into New Jersey communities in the form of grants-in-aid for property tax relief, social services, and higher education, as well as state aid to schools, municipalities, and counties.

Among plans to increase affordability and increase government accountability, the budget prioritizes investing in education. Sherrill proposes a record breaking $12.4 billion for K-12 schools in FY 2027, the largest amount in state history and a $370 million increase over last year’s funding. The budget also includes a record $1.4 billion for Preschool Education Aid. Sherrill added that she looks forward to working with the Legislature to modernize and stabilize the school funding formula.������

In preparation for New Jersey’s first cell phone-free school year this fall, the proposal includes $125,000 for the new Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness in the Department of Health. The office will research and make recommendations to guide responsible use of social media platforms among youth. The budget also includes $500,000 for a new Social Media Research Center at one of New Jersey’s higher education institutions.����

An allocation of $15 million for high-impact tutoring — double the amount of FY 2026 m— would help nearly 100 more districts and 13,500 more students, with the goal to accelerate learning and address academic achievement gaps spurred by the pandemic. The budget would also provide 21,000 schoolchildren with free meals through the Working-Class Families Anti-Hunger Act.��

The announcement reflects a continuation of policy choices aligned with Sherrill’s goals to modernize and stabilize the School Funding Reform Act, which provide the blueprint for New Jersey’s state aid formula. The budget limits reductions in state aid to no more than 3 percent, which will prevent the loss of an additional $188.4 million for school districts. Without a limit to cuts, some districts have faced losses of up to 60 percent of their state aid in recent years. These limits on reductions are offset by a 6 percent limit on state aid increases, ensuring overall stability while recognizing the need for annual adjustments.

The New Jersey Department of Education will use a three-year average when determining local fair share, which is the amount of funding a local school district is expected to contribute toward its own budget based on its property wealth and income. Using a multi-year average minimizes year-to-year fluctuations.

To ensure state aid reflects the real needs of districts, the NJDOE will use actual special education enrollment numbers to determine funding levels, instead of the approach used in years past of relying on a statewide average for all districts. State aid allocations are available on .

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Construction has reached a key milestone on the Northland Workforce Development Center, as JE Dunn Construction and project partners recently celebrated the topping out of the new facility. The event marked the placement of the final structural steel beam for the project, signaling��significant progress��on the 145,000-square-foot, two-story building designed to expand access to career and technical education across the Northland region.��

Prior to the��beam’s��installation, attendees��participated��in a traditional beam-signing ceremony, adding their names and messages to a steel beam bearing project and partner logos. The moment underscored the collaboration among the Platte County R-3 School District, partner school districts, project��stakeholders��and the broader community in advancing a shared workforce development vision.��

“This project is about creating opportunities and pathways for the next generation of skilled professionals in our region,” said Brad Hokanson, Project Executive at JE Dunn Construction. “Reaching the topping out milestone is a testament to the collaboration between the district, design team, and trade partners who are bringing this innovative learning environment to life.”��

The Northland Workforce Development Center is designed to support programs in skilled trades, manufacturing, health��sciences��and human services. Once complete, the facility will expand the capacity of Northland Career Center and its partners, serving both high school students and adult learners seeking industry-aligned training and credentials.��

Planned program spaces include flexible labs and classrooms, hands-on training��environments��and technology-rich areas that reflect real-world workplace conditions. Located in the Northland region of Kansas City, the project is progressing on schedule, with substantial completion targeted in 2027 and a summer opening��anticipated��following the structural milestone.��

“With support from the State of Missouri, local municipalities, businesses and industries, individual investors, and community foundations, we are making a long-term investment in the success of our students and the future of our region,” said Brian Noller, Executive Director of Business Services and NWDC Campaign Lead at Platte County School District. “The Northland Workforce Development Center will open doors to high-demand career opportunities, strengthen employers across the Kansas City area, and help ensure our community remains competitive for years to come.”��

JE Dunn is serving as construction manager for the project, working in partnership with the school district and design firm Clark & Enersen. The project team has emphasized safety, schedule��adherence��and coordination throughout construction, while��maintaining��communication with stakeholders and minimizing disruption to nearby facilities.��

The Northland Workforce Development Center��represents��a regional investment in workforce readiness, aligning educational infrastructure with evolving industry needs and supporting long-term economic development in the Kansas City area.��

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What You Need to Know��

• California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a final study assessing potential health risks from��recycled-tire��“crumb rubber” used as synthetic turf infill.����

• OEHHA reported no evidence of a��significant��risk of cancer or other health problems for athletes, coaches, referees, or spectators — including young athletes and toddlers.����

• The nine-year effort evaluated��35 fields��across California, analyzed��100+ chemicals, and included air sampling plus exposure research involving��1,000+ soccer players.����

• OEHHA said the findings may help inform California sustainability and waste-tire management goals as synthetic turf use expands statewide.����

Learn More��

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —��California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has concluded that crumb rubber infill made from recycled tires is not likely to pose a significant health risk to people who use or watch games on synthetic turf fields.����

In a March 5 press release, OEHHA said its final report found “no evidence of significant risk for cancer or other health problems” tied to crumb rubber exposure for players, coaches,��referees��and spectators, including young athletes.����

The assessment focused on crumb rubber, the small granules produced by grinding recycled waste tires and commonly used as��infill��between synthetic grass blades. OEHHA said the material helps keep turf fibers upright, adds cushioning and improves traction.����

“This study should ease concerns about the safety of crumb rubber use in synthetic turf fields,” said OEHHA Director Kris Thayer, “Athletes of all ages can use these fields without parents worrying about this commonly used material,” according to��.����

OEHHA said synthetic turf is widely used because it requires less maintenance, uses less��water��and can support play without rest periods. The agency cited more than 900 synthetic turf installations in California.����

The report was also framed as part of California’s broader waste-tire and sustainability efforts.

“Protecting public health is our top priority, and California is committed to making sure waste tires are managed safely so they don’t litter communities or pose risks to residents,”��CalRecycle��Director Zoe Heller said, according to��.����

To evaluate potential health impacts, OEHHA tested 35 synthetic turf fields across the state, selecting both older and newer sites and including locations from each of California’s climate regions. The agency collected multiple samples from each field to address variation in source materials��and also��took air samples during active field use and when fields were idle.����

OEHHA said it assessed more than 100 chemicals that could pose a risk, a broader scope than prior studies that reviewed fewer compounds. The agency coordinated with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to simulate sweat and digestion as part of��identifying��chemicals people could potentially contact.����

OEHHA also worked with researchers from UC Berkeley and the University of Arizona to examine how soccer players may be exposed — including through skin contact,��inhalation��and incidental ingestion. The team surveyed more than 1,000 soccer players ages 7 to 71 about play habits such as sliding and diving, and recorded games and practices to quantify field contact. Because goalkeepers tend to have the most contact with the surface, OEHHA said goalie data were used to estimate risk for players. The analysis also considered toddlers who might crawl on turf.����

In its risk characterization, OEHHA reported no acute risk for athletes, referees,��coaches��or spectators, including toddlers. In most cases, the agency said risks of sensory irritation, cancer, reproductive��harm��or effects on a developing fetus were “negligible.”����

This article is based on reporting originally published by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on March 5, 2026.��

��

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What You Need to Know��

• Elwyn held a groundbreaking Feb. 6 for a new school on its Media, Pa., campus as part of its master campus plan.��

• The facility is expected to be completed in August 2027, with plans to welcome students in fall 2027.��

• Elwyn said the school will support two curriculum tracks, including programming for students with complex behavioral needs and for students working toward greater independence.��

• Elwyn has��allocated��$45 million for construction and design, with financing provided by KeyBank.��

Learn More��

MEDIA, Pa. —��Elwyn, a nonprofit human services organization, has launched construction on a new school intended to reshape the organization’s educational and therapeutic space for children with disabilities.��

The organization marked the start of work Feb. 6 with a ceremonial groundbreaking attended by elected officials, community partners,��staff��and students.��

The project��marks a milestone in��Elwyn’s��master campus plan, with the organization approaching its 175th anniversary next year.��

“As we look ahead to our 175th anniversary, it’s thrilling to break ground on the New Elwyn School,” said Charles S. McLister, Elwyn president and CEO, according to��. “This project will set an example of what the future of education can look like for children and adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.”��

, a full-service architecture, planning, and interior design firm, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of the new��, a $45 million, 80,000-square-foot PreK–12 facility��located��at the heart of Elwyn’s 260-acre historic campus in Media, Pennsylvania. The new school is the first phase of Elwyn’s $100 million redevelopment plans for the campus.��

Designed in collaboration with Elwyn and an integrated design-build team, the new school will serve 260 students across two curriculum tracks: those with complex needs requiring intensive clinical support with onsite residential care and those building toward greater independence.����

“This project is about more than designing a school building; it’s about reimagining what a learning environment can do for students who have traditionally been underserved by conventional design,” said��Mayva��Donnon, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Partner at KSS Architects. “Every design decision is rooted in how��the space��will support students’ growth and independence. KSS is honored to partner with Elwyn by designing a campus that will champion inclusion and innovation for future generations.”����

The building is organized into learning neighborhoods that scale the environment to the individual student experience, offering calming, supportive spaces with direct views of nature using materials drawn from the character of Elwyn’s historic rural campus. A universal design framework rooted in neurodiversity informs every aspect of the plan, from intuitive wayfinding and biophilic design features to restorative spaces and integrated assistive technology. This approach fosters independence, wellness, and a genuine connection to place.��

Sensory rooms, decompression areas, and life skills kitchens complement classrooms and therapy spaces. Specialty program spaces, including music, art, a career discovery lab, and a gymnasium, support holistic student development. The result is a school that is both clinically informed and design-forward: a place where every detail, from the layout of a classroom to the materials on the walls, is grounded in how the space will help students feel, function, and thrive.��

Elwyn has��allocated��$45 million for the new school’s construction and design, with KeyBank providing financing. Elwyn also��identified��Haverford Development Partners as development and construction partner, with Haverford and North Star Construction slated to build the school.��The building is��anticipated��to be completed in August 2027, with plans to welcome students in fall 2027.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by Elwyn on Feb. 6, 2026.��

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