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PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - Officials with the University of Pikeville have announced a new construction site for their dental medicine building.

In a news release, officials said construction for the building will take place at the corner of Hambley Boulevard and Elm Street next to the Health Professions Education Building.

The decision was made after architects and engineers recommended the construction of a new building instead of attempting to partially demolish and remodel the Appalachian News Express building.

“As we worked with the architects and engineers it became apparent that a change in site was needed,” said UPIKE President Burton Webb, Ph.D. “Thankfully, we have an ideal location just down the street.”

The relocation plan also addresses concerns regarding parking.

The new Tanner College of Dental Medicine Building will occupy a portion of the parking lot across from Bears Tower, but it will be elevated to preserve as much parking space as possible underneath.

“The faculty and staff at the Tanner College of Dental Medicine are excited to be a part of the initiative to create a state-of-the-art dental clinic for the delivery of oral healthcare on the University of Pikeville campus,” said Dean Jill E. Keaton, DMD, MS. “This new facility will include the latest digital equipment, simulation laboratory and cutting-edge technology to allow the highest level of patient care and opportunities to collaborate with the other UPIKE health profession programs in medicine and optometry.”

UPIKE will welcome the first cohort of predoctoral dental students in June 2026 and will begin accepting applications in the summer of 2025, pending initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation.