NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Construction on a massive new bioscience tower broke ground in New Haven Monday.

The building is part of the Downtown Crossing Project, which is in its third phase following construction on South Frontage Road.

The project is a massive, multi-phase plan to turn the old Route 34 highway into a pedestrian-friendly business hub.

The 10-story tower will house research labs and office space for Yale University, Biolabs, and the headquarters of Arvinas, a biopharmaceutical company.

As part of the project, New Haven Alders and city officials worked with the developer to create classroom space for city high schoolers inside the building. There will also be scholarships for Gateway Community College and Southern Connecticut State University students, and 25% of the construction jobs will be set aside for city residents.

“Doing it in a way that is inclusive of everyone,” said Mayor Elicker.

“There is no achievement gap. There is an opportunity gap. And this program will give our students a lot of opportunities for moving forward,” said New Haven Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Iline Tracey.

The new tower is set to be completed in the summer of 2023. Officials project up to 1,000 permanent jobs and are hoping for three times that many indirect jobs as a result of the anticipated economic boost.

“We will have raised the expectation for what can be achieved in a public-private partnership,” said developer Carl Winstanley.

“You’re building off this ecosystem starting with the kids, starting with high school students, making sure they get that opportunity if they want to follow their dreams in life sciences, in biosciences– they do it right here in New Haven,” said Governor Ned Lamont at the groundbreaking.