Anyone passing by Blackstone and Weldon avenues the past year couldn’t help but notice the modern gleaming new building rising from the ground.

It’s Fresno City College’s new Science Building, which officially celebrated its ribbon-cutting on Friday.

How big is it? 87,000 square feet and boasting labs 30% to 40% bigger than the college’s old science building.

How much did it cost? $87 million, with $79 million from State Center Community College District’s 2016 Measure C construction bond. An additional $5 million was from Fresno Unified, whose Design Science Middle College High School is on the campus, and $3 million from Fresno CC’s budget.

4,000 Students Will Learn in the New Building

Fresno City College chemistry instructor Dan Kwasniewski estimates that 4,000 students will take part in labs and instruction at the new building. That high number reflects the fact that the nursing and dental hygiene programs use the building in addition to biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics students.

“That’s 4,000 students learning the current modern techniques they need to succeed,” says Kwasniewski.

In addition, the Science Building serves as the “front door” to the campus — offering all who walk, bike, bus, or drive along Blackstone a glimpse of the possibilities awaiting those who enroll.