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Juniata College Announces August Construction Start for 17the Street Gateway Project
(Posted July 21, 2026)
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HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Juniata College is proud to announce that construction of the highly anticipated 17th Street Gateway Project will officially begin next month.
Once completed, the facility will be the state-of-the-art home of Juniata’s nursing program, expand access to primary and specialty healthcare providers, foster regional economic growth, and offer a welcoming bridge to the Huntingdon community.
“This milestone marks a major step forward in Juniata’s collaborative effort to create a landmark structure designed to serve the College, the wider community, and the broader region for generations to come,” said Juniata College President James Troha. "We are entering this construction phase with an immense sense of responsibility and excitement."
By bringing healthcare providers and nursing education together under one roof, the Gateway Center offers a unique environment where patient care, workforce development, and community health are strengthened through collaboration.
The 17th Street Gateway Project represents one of the most complex projects in Juniata’s recent history. Bringing it to life requires coordination with six government agencies, each with its own requirements and approval process. Additionally, project organizers are working closely with over 25 distinct constituent groups, including dedicated donors, outside investors, neighbors, health professionals, and campus leaders.
"This project is complicated, and it has taken an incredible amount of administrative work behind the scenes to reach this point,” said Jim Watt, executive vice president at Juniata College. “However, by being deliberate and listening to our community, faculty, regional partners, and students, we are going to deliver a finished structure that everyone can be profoundly proud of."
Crews have already begun preliminary phases of the project, including emptying structures within the construction zone and disconnecting municipal utilities. As site preparation accelerates, college leadership and project partners are finalizing the ultimate design and operational decisions for the new structure.
The College is firmly committed to ensuring the new development respects both the environment and local heritage. This includes executing a meticulous plan to replace trees removed during clearing, designing the building's architecture to blend seamlessly with the natural Pennsylvania and Juniata landscape, and strictly adhering to the diverse regulations of its many investing constituencies.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.