The M Building on Santa Fe College’s Northwest Campus is set to receive significant improvements thanks to a $2.5 million appropriation included in the state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 28.
Constructed in 1976, the M Building is home to SF College’s visual arts programs and serves roughly 2,500 students each year, according to a press release. College officials said modern instruction has been limited by the building’s original configuration and current condition. The appropriation will create more collaborative, flexible teaching and training spaces that meet current student needs and build capacity for future development.
“We thank our entire legislative delegation for their support of this appropriation, which will revitalize a critical academic facility. Our delegation continues to be unwavering advocates for the college,” SF College President Paul Broadie II said in the release. “We especially appreciate [state] Rep. Chad Johnson and Sen. Stan McClain for sponsoring this project and for their hard work to get it over the finish line.”
Broadie also credited the faculty who were involved for articulating their vision for the future of the facility.
The project is being completed in two phases. Phase 1, funded through an initial $1.27 million investment by SF College, is scheduled to begin in the fall. That work will include relocating the print shop, where students receive hands-on knowledge in the latest techniques and technology. Construction is expected to receive approval from the SF College’s District Board of Trustees in the fall and be finished by summer 2027.
The release said planning is underway for Phase 2 of the project, which is being funded by the state appropriation. This work will include a fabrication lab and a renovated 3D studio and wood shop providing students with more opportunities for learning and experimentation, the release said.
Future phases of the project are expected to include renovated restrooms, reconfigured classrooms, gallery and lab space, new studio space, and upgrades to circulation and outdoor areas used for instruction.
The building also will enhance other academic programs, including Graphic Design and Digital Media, the release said.
Mario Mutis, an associate professor at SF College, said the renovated space would allow for proper instruction of 3D Design, Sculpture and Special Topics, which currently are taught in a small, combined space, and would encourage more ambitious projects, in addition to improving safety.
“I will be able to teach more complex building techniques considering that the space will allow it,” he said in the release. “The renovation also will strengthen student recruitment and retention by providing a professional quality learning environment that reflects current practices.”
Kyle Novak, director of Cultural Affairs for SF College, said students will have the opportunity to take courses that bolster workforce development efforts and expose them to lucrative professions in the field.
“These renovations represent an important step toward a broader transformation of our facilities,” Novak said. “As future phases are completed, students will benefit from modern academic spaces designed to support experimentation and technical growth. The updated facilities will create new opportunities for students to engage with other students and faculty members across disciplines while being innovative in the development of their technical skills.”