West Virginia’s ambitious plan to consolidate most of its state laboratory services into a single, modern facility is moving forward on schedule, with a tentative opening expected in 2028.
State lawmakers got an update Tuesday during the Joint Standing Committee on Health meeting at Stonewall Resort, where representatives from ZMM Architects and Engineers and the General Services Division shared the latest progress on the Consolidated State Laboratories Facility.
Ground was officially broken on the project in April 2024 at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston. The $250 million facility will be a massive 288,000-square-foot building, bringing together nearly all of West Virginia’s major lab operations under one roof.
A Hub for State Services
The new building will house labs from several state agencies, including:
- The Department of Health’s Office of Laboratory Services
- The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
- The Division of Labor’s weights and measures office
- The West Virginia State Police forensics lab
In addition, Marshall University and West Virginia University will have lab space within the facility, helping foster collaboration between academia and state agencies.
The only major lab not joining the consolidation is the Department of Agriculture’s lab, which will move to the West Virginia State University campus in Institute.
“This will be a Department of Administration-owned building, and we’ll manage it just like we manage the Capitol,” said Robert Kilpatrick, director of the General Services Division.
Careful Planning, Complex Design
Design work for the project began in early 2024, but collaboration among agencies and experts started more than 15 months ago. ZMM Architects is leading the design and coordination, working with multiple teams to bring the complex vision to life.
“We’ve involved over 100 people across small groups to give their input,” said Jen Wood, ZMM’s chief marketing officer. “This ensures we’re building something that meets the real needs of every agency involved.”
With 95% of design documents completed, the project is nearly ready to move into its bidding and construction phases. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2026 and take approximately two years, aiming for a summer 2028 grand opening.
Staying Ahead of Delays
Despite the complexity of the project, Kilpatrick said the team has taken steps to prevent delays.
“We’ve spent over a year working through the unknowns,” he explained. “We’re building on a flat site, so we don’t expect to uncover hazardous materials or run into surprises that would delay construction.”
The detailed planning has allowed the project to stay on an expedited schedule, with confidence that things will move smoothly once construction begins.
A Major Investment in West Virginia’s Future
The Consolidated State Laboratories Facility marks one of the most significant investments in public infrastructure in recent state history. It reflects West Virginia’s commitment to upgrading its core services, improving efficiency, and fostering collaboration across departments and universities.
When complete, the facility will be a central hub for public health, safety, and scientific research, serving as a symbol of innovation and preparedness for decades to come.
