The University of Connecticut in Storrs recently opened the George Leigh Minor Plant and Soil Health Center, a project that enhances the university’s ability to deliver research, diagnostics and agricultural support services across the state through its Jones Annex Lab Renovations project.
STV provided project management services for the effort, working closely with UConn Facilities and College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) stakeholders to coordinate phased construction, maintain ongoing research operations and align the renovation with program-specific needs.
The project – which encompassed an approximately 8,000-square-foot overhaul within the Jones Annex building – modernized and reconfigured laboratory space to support the CAHNR, improving the layout, infrastructure and building systems needed to support evolving research and diagnostic workflows.
“Delivering this project in an active research environment required careful coordination and phased execution,” said Angela Cahill, project executive at STV. “The result is a modernized facility that better supports UConn’s research programs and the practical applications they serve across the state.”
The renovation included demolition and abatement of outdated infrastructure to make way for new laboratory casework, high-performance fume hoods and specialized equipment supporting plant diagnostics and soil analysis workflows. The team also upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and integrated accessibility, lighting and building controls improvements to improve safety, environmental controls and operational efficiency for faculty, staff and students working in the space.
Because research activities continued during construction, the project was delivered under a construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) approach, enabling phased work and partial occupancy. This approach required continuous coordination between STV, UConn Facilities and CAHNR faculty to sequence work around active labs and ensure continuity of research and diagnostic services. The result are spaces that reflect both operational requirements and long-term program needs.
The George Leigh Minor Plant and Soil Health Center, located in the annex of the Roy E. Jones Building, supports residents, farmers and other industries through services including plant diagnostics, soil analysis and science-based solutions while also serving as a hub for research addressing agricultural issues in Connecticut and beyond. By modernizing the underlying infrastructure and lab environments, the project strengthens UConn’s ability to deliver timely, science-based guidance that supports agricultural productivity and sustainability across the region. Plant and soil sciences are a critical educational pathway that will shape the agriculture industry as it continues to evolve toward resilient and sustainable practices.
