Florida Construction News staff writer
Connor + Gaskins Studio joined STARability Foundation and community partners Monday to break ground on the nonprofit’s new campus at 2655 Northbrooke Drive, a milestone in expanding services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Southwest Florida.
The project will redevelop an existing 42,000‑square‑foot, two‑story building on a roughly five‑acre parcel into a modern, inclusive hub that will house classrooms, program areas, administrative offices, and specialized vocational and day-program facilities. Connor + Gaskins, the general contractor, is partnering with Stofft Cooney Architects, Lisa Kahn Designs, Architectural Land Design, and Davidson Engineering on the project.
A highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the Golisano Program Center, named for philanthropist Tom Golisano, whose $10 million in leadership gifts helped fund the campus. The new facility is expected to serve up to 1,000 participants annually, welcoming about 180 daily, and will eliminate the existing program waitlist. Currently, STARability serves more than 370 individuals each year.
The campus is part of STARability’s multi-phase master plan to expand life-enriching programs, including life skills training, vocational services, creative arts, health and wellness activities, and community integration initiatives. The project is described as “first-of-its-kind” in the region, reflecting STARability’s longstanding work in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Construction is now underway, with updates expected as the project progresses.
