Erie Expands Nursing Campus with $2 Million Upgrade

The Erie Center for Arts & Technology is boosting its campus at 650 East Ave, adding a new wing to the former Wayne Park Baptist Church building. This $2 million upgrade will house the UPMC Jameson School of Nursing and bring modern facilities to the area. Build, a nonprofit linked to Hamot Health Foundation, bought the church property in January. Build’s mission is to clear hurdles that stop people from getting affordable education and training that matches job markets. The expansion is a concrete step toward that goal. The new space will feature two high‑tech simulation labs, a 50‑seat lecture hall and offices for admissions and financial aid. Students will also benefit from extra parking behind the church, a need that has grown as enrollment rises. Construction on the parking lot started in late March and will keep going into spring. Renovations of the former church annex are slated to begin later this month, with interior work set for completion by early fall.The church community will still hold services in the sanctuary and use the fellowship room. Meanwhile, the expanded ECAT campus will serve as a hub for nursing students and others pursuing careers in health care. Laura Guncheon, the interim director of ECAT and executive director of Build, highlighted that investing in career pathways can improve overall community health. “Economic stability is a core driver of health outcomes, ” she said, adding that building skills programs addresses the root causes of health challenges. Since its start in 2019, ECAT has offered free adult career training and after‑school arts programs for teens. It also runs construction trade courses, all housed in the former Wayne School building acquired from the Erie School District in August 2019. The expansion reflects a broader effort to strengthen Erie's eastside by creating educational opportunities that lead to stable jobs and healthier lives.