BOND celebrates opening of SMAST at UMass Dartmouth

New Bedford, MA BOND celebrated the opening of the new University of Mass. Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST).

A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by members of the University, BOND executives, the project team and several dignitaries including: Robert Johnson, chancellor of UMass Dartmouth; Martin Meehan, president of UMass; William Keating, U.S. representative; Mark Montigny, state senator; Antonio Cabral, state representative; Jon Mitchell, mayor; and Patricia Filippone, executive director, University of Massachusetts Building Authority.

The new 64,500 s/f facility supports the largest marine science program in the UMass system. It features state-of-the-art laboratory facilities with marine and wave tanks and a seawater research facility. Expanded space for the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and dive gear program is also housed within the building. This new facility brings together faculty, students and the DMF community to engage in education, research and policy related to commercial fishing, coastal preservation, ocean observation and climate change.

BOND worked closely with architect, Ellenzweig; project manager, Hill International; DCAMM, UMBA and UMass Dartmouth to provide preconstruction and construction management services for the project. The new building consolidates the marine science program of the University into a comprehensive LEED Silver certified facility. The building opened on time for the fall 2017 semester.

“BOND is honored to partner with UMass on a state-of-the-art academic building devoted to the study of marine science and technology,” said Ken Johnson, BOND’s vice president of education. “This exciting new facility will play a pivotal role in advancing the impact of science at SMAST, the local and regional marine industries as well as equipping our next generation of marine scientists.”