Construction is well underway for the new Consolidated Scientific Research Facility at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point.

Site preparation began last fall and, during a tour of the building last week, project managers said that construction of the 62,000-square-foot structure is expected to be completed by the end of the year and be in use by early 2018.

At present, the building is about 40 percent complete, said Willie Harris, project manager for Barton Marlow, a Michigan-based company with a regional office in Richmond which is overseeing construction.

The new building is being built off Spencer Road near the Sea Water Lab close to the main entrance to the VIMS campus.

Mike Kershner, project manager for VIMS, said that two houses and a modular building—which all housed offices—had to be razed in order to clear space for the new facility. In addition, part of a parking lot was lost for the project.

The new, two-story building will provide spac...