Following up on the completion of its new $67 million Interdisciplinary Science Center in late 2020, Eastern Washington University is in the midst of renovating its old Science Building in a two-phase project expected to exceed $110 million in value.

Construction on the $54 million first phase of the renovation began nearly a year ago and is set to be complete late this year. EWU is seeking $58 million from the state for the second phase.

“We’re hoping the Legislature will provide capital funding to finish the project,” says Dave Meany, EWU’s media relations director. “We will find out this spring.”

Phase I involves 78,000 square feet of interior space, leaving roughly half of the 148,000-square-foot, 45-year-old building open for student access.

Leone & Keeble Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the first phase of the project.

Shawn King, associate vice president of facilities and planning, says Phase II will be put out to bid next winter if funding is approved, and construction tentatively is expected to begin in spring 2024.

Integrus Architecture PS, of Spokane, designed both phases.

King says the two-story Science Building, which is one of the largest buildings on campus in terms of square footage, consists of four wings “connected in a big square with an unrenovated courtyard in the center.”

The 45-year-old building is located at 1175 Washington, near the center of EWU’s Cheney campus, just southwest of—and next to—the two-year-old 101,300-square-foot Interdisciplinary Science Center.

In all, the renovation project will entail a complete renovation of the Science Building’s interior, including its mechanical and electrical systems.

All rooms will be remodeled to provide classrooms, office space, and research labs, King says.

The renovations will make the building more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

The Science Building will complement the new Interdisciplinary Science Center, which houses mostly instruction laboratories, King says.

Integrus designed that building as well. Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane, served as the contractor on that project.