SANIBEL, Fla. (May 4, 2026) – Stevens Construction has started construction of the La Gorce Family Intern Village at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), announced Dan Adams, executive vice president/partner, Stevens Construction, Inc.
Located at 3341 Sanibel Captiva Road, the 7,700-square-foot La Gorce Family Intern Village will feature three buildings, each accommodating up to 10 students, researchers or conservationists working with SCCF and its neighboring environmental partners, including CROW Wildlife Clinic and the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. The buildings will be connected by a shared elevated deck, pavilion and grand staircase, creating a collaborative environment designed to support hands-on ecological learning.
“The La Gorce Family Intern Village is essential to our mission. It allows us to bring researchers, students, and conservationists back to the island at a moment when that work is more urgent than ever. After the storms, rebuilding wasn’t just about replacing what was lost, it was about creating infrastructure that supports long-term stewardship of this landscape. This project ensures that the next generation of environmental work on Sanibel has a place to live, learn, and collaborate,” said James Evans, Chief Executive Officer, SCCF.
Designed to withstand potential storm surge and support a long-life structural design, the buildings are elevated approximately five feet above FEMA’s base flood elevation and incorporate a range of sustainable features. The La Gorce Family Intern Village features an aluminum standing-seam roof, along with screened pavilions and porches designed to enhance outdoor usability. The selected materials were carefully chosen for their low maintenance requirements, durability, and long service life, ensuring long-term performance in a demanding environment.
As part of its construction management services, Stevens Construction spent nearly two years working with the client and architect to design the project in accordance with Sanibel building codes, SCCF’s sustainability and budget goals. The preconstruction team identified more than $200,000 in cost-saving suggestions.
The Stevens Construction team includes Nick Burkel, director of preconstruction; Evan Lopes, estimator; Mike Brooks, senior project manager; Tim McGlade, superintendent and Morgan Thie, project administrator. The project was designed by CO–G Architecture, with Amy Nowacki Architect LLC serving as the local architect. Quattrone & Associates is the civil engineer.