Classes and Construction Planning Now in Session: Universities Continue to Invest Millions to Bolster Research Capacity

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Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--On any given day, in any given state, odds are good that a major research facility is being planned or under construction on a university campus. A recent analysis of Industrial Info's Pharmaceutical Tracker - Online Database randomly pulled five such projects in various stages of planning--but not yet under construction--across North America. Without regard to cost or size for inclusion in the selection, the sample projects are a good illustration of what kind of life-science buildings are being constructed by universities. The five projects are worth a cumulative $263 million, with an average total investment value (TIV) of an impressive $52.5 million.

With state budgets scrambling for dollars, it is somewhat remarkable to see so many large projects move forward and have a better-than-average chance of beginning construction within the next few years. With state dollars not readily available, a number of schools are actively seeking and successfully landing private financing. The reasons and design behind many of the projects are varied, yet all tend to follow several common themes.

When universities prioritize a discovery project, they often turn to collaborative research environments that allow multiple disciplines (i.e. biology, engineering) to work together in an open setting. Most large universities also will have an incubator or accelerator facility somewhere on campus or in planning, in an effort to draw nascent life-science companies that will grow in place.

A look at the U.S. East Coast finds Tufts University planning for the $90 million first phase of a science and manufacturing campus in North Grafton, Massachusetts. Plans call for the eventual build-out of 700,000 square feet of space geared to life-science, medical and pharmaceutical companies. Construction could begin in 2017.

In the Midwest, Iowa State plans to build a $53 million, 115,000-square-foot Advanced Teaching and Bioscience Research building. The project includes a further expansion and renovation to an existing science building on campus. The university hopes to begin construction in mid-2016.

A bit further north, the University of Minnesota is planning a $6 million Bee Research Laboratory and hopes to begin construction next month. The project will add a 10,000-square-foot research laboratory that will focus on bees.

Heading further south, the University of Texas at Brownsville is planning a $54 million academic research building. The 140,000-square-foot building will house research instruction serving biology, chemistry, environmental studies and other related disciplines. If funding is approved, the project could start later this year.

On the West Coast, Loma Linda University has hopes to invest $60 million on a Health Center for Discovery Research Building. Still in early the planning phases, the project is part of the school's 2020 Vision program, and would focus on interdisciplinary preventative and wellness genetic research. Construction is not expected prior to 2017.

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