When the new Gateway Community College (GCC) opened its doors on September 4, 2012, it was the culmination of GCC President Dr. Dorsey L. Kendrick’s tireless efforts to bring state and local parties to the table to secure funding and outline a vision for a state-of- the-art facility that would uphold the ideals of sustainability - for the facility itself and, most importantly, for the burgeoning student population and surrounding community. The safe and timely completion of the project represents the cooperation, communication, and coordination of the CT Department of Construction Services, construction manager Dimeo Construction Company, Perkins+Will Architects, construction administrator Gilbane Building Co., city of New Haven officials, and trade contractors.

With a goal of creating a meaningful identity for the college and enhancing the surrounding urban neighborhood, the architectural firm Perkins+Will had to negotiate the task of creating a large facility, one that encompasses two city blocks, while creating an environment that would encourage transparency, openness, indemnity, and engagement. The construction site is made up of two parcels, one located north of the other, on 3.7 acres at 2-20 Church Street. The new campus includes two four-story buildings totaling 360,000 sf and a 600-car parking garage.