The University of Maine Presque Isle will be starting construction this spring on a new research greenhouse for its agriculture program, with the building work being done by Presque Isle-based contractor PNM Construction.
At a breakfast meeting Wednesday, UMPI leaders outlined the year-old agricultural science and agribusiness bachelor’s of science program and the plans for a new research greenhouse to be built adjacent to Gentile Hall.
The B.S. program is the first new bachelor’s program launched at UMPI in more than 20 years, and the new greenhouse will be the campus’ first new building since the construction of Gentile Hall in 2006.
The 2,400 square foot greenhouse will cost $935,000, and be named after Don and Linda Zillman. Don Zillman was a former president of UMPI and he and Linda donated $100,000 to the project.
Deborah Roark, UMPI’s executive director of university advancement, said that PNM Construction of Presque Isle will be the project’s general contractor, and Turner-based Dirigo Architectural Engineering designed it.