University students and staff celebrated a midway milestone in one of the projects of the University’s central district plan.

Crowds gathered at the integrated science building to raise the last steel beam onto the building. Guests were welcomed to sign the beam hoisted onto the $117 million facility.

The building is equipped with new research space and labs that the University of Kansas hopes will allow closer interaction between students and faculty.

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little hopes to make a final impact on her students and bring recognition to the University of Kansas as a top public research university in her last year.

A residence hall, dining hall, parking garage, new student union and on-campus apartments will also be added to the central district project.