University of Florida Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Marineland, FL
Starting in 2021, the JBPro team had been working alongside architect, Lord Aeck Sargent to design and permit a new Marine Research Institute Building and Sea Turtle Research Center and Hospital for the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience campus in Marineland, Florida. With a stunning backdrop of the Matanzas estuary, the $41 million expansion amounts to over 38,000 gross square feet with 12 new state-of-the-art laboratories including specialized research and educational spaces that will help to meet growing research and conservation demands.
For the project, JBPro provided civil engineering services in close coordination and collaboration with the University of Florida Planning, Design, and Construction Department. Our civil team designed the stormwater collection and management system, site sanitary sewer and potable water system improvements, exterior site fire lines issues, and permitted the water and wastewater connections with the local utility provider. As part of a larger design team, JBPro worked closely with the MEP engineers to depict primary and secondary electric services and communication services for the facility. Additionally, to support the project progression from design to construction, JBPro also provided in-house topographic surveying and construction services.
“This was one of the most interesting projects we have had the pleasure to work on. We are extremely proud of how this project turned out and excited for all of the future students and researchers who will have the opportunity to utilize the building.” – Tim Boehlein, PE, LEED – Project Manager
In late 2025, construction wrapped up on the new building and research facilities. JBPro is proud to support projects like these as they serve a critical role in advancing scientific research and educating the community about ongoing environmental efforts in sea turtle conservation.
Photography credit: Danny Sandler for DPR Construction (All rights reserved)