University of New Hampshire hosts beam-signing ceremony with Gilbane Building and Stantec

Durham, NH The University of New Hampshire marked a construction milestone of the new Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping with a traditional beam-signing ceremony on July 13.

Funded in large part through federal awards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute for Standards and Technology totaling over $25 million, plus institutional investment, the 70,500 s/f building will house the Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping, as well as the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center. This new construction will support cutting-edge research, applied training, and technical assistance in ocean mapping, while expanding opportunities for experiential learning.

The building will also include 35,000 s/f of high-bay space to accommodate the growing number of industry partners seeking to collaborate with UNH, advancing engagement with businesses in New Hampshire and beyond. With construction led by Gilbane Building and designed by Stantec, it is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

“This building is a clear example of where UNH and the state of New Hampshire have developed sustained leadership and distinction,” UNH president Elizabeth Chilton said. “We are grateful to our federal and industry partners who have helped make this work possible.”

Since 1999, NOAA and UNH have collaborated under a cooperative agreement that created the NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center and the parallel UNH Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. As a result of this partnership, UNH is now a global leader in ocean floor and coastal mapping, which is essential for safe navigation, national security, protection against natural disasters, and more. Since its inception in 1999, the center has mapped more than a million square kilometers of ocean floor, discovered shipwrecks, helped the federal government respond to natural and manmade disasters, and pioneered the use of autonomous vehicles to map and collect data from the ocean floor.

“This Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping represents the very best of what happens when federal agencies, industry leaders and premier academic institutions unite,” said Nicole LeBoeuf, the assistant administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “This building milestone brings us one step closer to a modern hub of innovation that will transform how we map our waters and train the hydrographic leaders of tomorrow. NOAA is thrilled to see this vision taking shape on the UNH campus.””

The Center of Excellence is the first step toward realizing the broader vision for the Edge Innovation District. This developing project would integrate research, office, housing, education, and hospitality space into a vibrant mixed-use community. Conversations are ongoing about this long-term opportunity with the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees, a potential development partner, the Town of Durham, and industry collaborators.

“The University of New Hampshire has long worked with NOAA to advance critical research – and I was proud to secure funding that will further that partnership with the creation of this new cutting-edge research facility,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “By creating a training ground for ocean mapping experts, the project will both contribute to scientific innovations with real applications at NOAA while also adding new jobs to our coastal economy.”

The centuries-old tradition of signing a significant structural beam creates a time capsule of sorts, recognizing and commemorating those whose effort and energy brought the project to fruition.

“Today’s event celebrates a significant milestone and the many people and partnerships helping bring this project to life,” said Justin MacEachern, Vice President, Gilbane Building. “Gilbane is honored to support the growing ecosystem of academic and industry collaborators in the UNH community who are committed to exploration and preservation.”