Construction workers will break ground for the new Human Services building at 11 a.m. Thursday, though construction will not begin until this summer.

The building will be located in the Thomas Hall parking lot between Klehm and Thomas halls. The building will consolidate four different departments, including Health Services, the Counseling Center and Career Services on the first floor and the communications disorders and sciences department’s speech, language and hearing clinic on the second floor.

Construction is set to begin this summer, but Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations, said Wednesday the ground breaking came early so everyone could celebrate the new building.

“We wanted to give students the opportunity to actually see the ground break on the new Human Services Center,” she said.

The original location for the building was an expansion on the existing Health Services building at Seventh Street and Hayes Avenue, but that structure will have to be demolished along with the counseling center to make room for the expanding Doudna Fine Arts Center, Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, said Wednesday.

“We felt this was the most convenient location for the students,” he said. “This spot is centered where the students’ population is located.”

Cooley estimated cost for the building at $6.7 million, but bids will be taken until the architect puts finishing touches on the blueprints.

Because the building will take up most of the parking in Thomas parking lot, plans are underway to expand the S lot across from Thomas over the summer.

Interim President Lou Hencken, Student Body President Hugh O’Hara and four representatives from the relocated departments will be present at the ground breaking and free refreshments will be served.

“It’s due to their generous support through their fee dollars that this building is possible,” she said.