NAVIGATE Building Solutions
January 23, 2026
On a bitterly cold day in St. Louis, Harris-Stowe State University marked a historic milestone—breaking ground on a $43 million, state-of-the-art STEM building that will transform the campus and expand opportunity for generations of students.
NAVIGATE Building Solutions is proud to serve as owner's representative for this landmark project. The new 82,000-square-foot facility will house modern laboratories, flexible instructional spaces, and collaborative learning environments designed to support academic programs, research initiatives, and hands-on learning. Beyond the campus, the project is expected to advance the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, helping connect students to quality careers within St. Louis’ growing STEM industry clusters.
The groundbreaking ceremony reflected the importance of the moment. Attendees heard powerful remarks from Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, President of Harris-Stowe State University; Mayor Cara Spencer; and NAVIGATE’s Todd Sweeney, along with other HSSU leaders and community partners, who spoke to the significance of the project and the collective effort required to bring it to this moment. Despite the cold temperatures, the atmosphere was filled with pride, excitement, and momentum—complete with the HSSU band and mascot celebrating alongside students, faculty, and community partners.
As St. Louis’ only historically Black university, Harris-Stowe continues to play a vital role in expanding access to education and opportunity. This new STEM building represents a pivotal investment in the university’s future—and NAVIGATE is honored to help guide a project that will leave a lasting impact on students, the institution, and the region.
