News Releases
Owens Receives State Funds to Advance Next Phase of Toledo-area Campus Transformation 
Posted on July 2nd, 2026
Owens Community College has received an Ohio Department of Higher Education loan totaling nearly $1 million to support the demolition of Health Technologies Hall and Bicentennial Hall, marking the next step in the college’s long-term vision to reduce operating costs and continue to ensure the campus aligns with the region’s educational, workforce and economic needs.
For more than five decades, Health Technologies Hall and Bicentennial Hall served as the center of healthcare education at Owens, preparing thousands of nurses and allied health professionals who now provide patient care throughout the northwest Ohio region. The five-story Health Technologies building quickly became one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Toledo-area Campus, crowned by the iconic Owens-Illinois “O” that was donated to the college in 1979.
The buildings’ role in educating future healthcare professionals concluded in 2025 when Owens relocated its nursing and health professions programs to the new Healthcare Education Center, a $27.8 million renovation and expansion of the former library and Audio/Visual classroom buildings. This modern, collaborative learning environment is designed to better prepare students for today’s healthcare workforce.
“These buildings helped shape generations of healthcare professionals and represent an important chapter in our history,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Owens president. “We honor that legacy while recognizing our responsibility to prepare the college for the future. Our students now learn in state-of-the-art facilities designed for modern healthcare education, and the state investment allows us to continue transforming our campus in ways that best serve students and our region.”
Constructed in 1974, Health Technologies Hall was built on the site of the Barn, a renovated farm outbuilding where Owens held its first classes starting in 1965. Bicentennial Hall, completed in 1976 as an addition to Health Tech, expanded nursing classrooms, laboratories and instructional space during a period of significant growth for Owens.
Following the relocation of healthcare programs to the Healthcare Education Center, Owens has continued to spend approximately $217,000 annually to maintain the aging facilities, even though they were closed to the public in 2025. The demolition project, thanks to the $991,495 Strategic Square Footage Reduction state loan, will eliminate those ongoing costs while supporting the college’s long-term sustainability efforts. The resources will be redirected toward other college strategic investments.
While plans for the site have not been finalized, college leaders see the area as an opportunity to enhance the work of faculty and staff. Long-term concepts under consideration include enhanced landscaping, a welcoming campus gateway and a signature Owens landmark that reflects the college’s identity while creating a memorable destination for prospective students and visitors. Any future improvements would be subject to additional planning, funding and fundraising before decisions are made and any development moves forward.
“As we look ahead, we have an opportunity to create a stronger sense of place from the moment someone enters campus,” Somerville said. “We want every student and visitor to immediately know they have arrived somewhere special.”
The demolition project is expected to occur in the fall, following project planning and coordination.
As Owens continues implementing its long-term campus vision, the redevelopment of this site represents another investment in creating a sustainable, student-centered campus positioned to serve northwest Ohio for generations to come.
Site History
1965 – Classes held in the Barn
1973 – Barn demolished to prepare for Health Technologies Hall
1974 – Health Technologies Hall opens
1976 – Bicentennial Hall opens
2025 – Health programs relocate to the Healthcare Education Center
2026 – State awards demolition funding