Regents Approve Several Construction Projects
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Thursday approved several construction items, including projects in Fort Worth, Bryan, Prairie View and San Antonio.
The Regents gave the OK to construct a second education building on Tarleton State University’s Fort Worth campus at a total cost of $66 million. Board members also authorized $7.7 million in infrastructure improvements – water, power, fiber and sewer – for the growing RELLIS Campus in Bryan.
“These projects are just two examples of how the proceeds of the Permanent University Fund benefit communities all over the state,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “Most people never realize how their communities are helped by the PUF.”
The Board also approved construction of a $32.5 million dorm for Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Currently, the campus – with a population of almost 7,000 – has only about 380 dorm beds and a waiting list for on-campus housing. The new project would add 340 beds.
Prairie View A&M University also will receive a new $11 million fire alarm system.
The Board also increased the construction budget for Texas A&M’s Bright Complex to $235 million, up from $205 million, much of which will come from gifts and licensing fees. The additional money will expand a new indoor football practice facility and academic support center. Locker rooms, player lounges and training rooms also will be remodeled.
The Regents also named the basketball court at Reed Arena after Gary Blair, who is retiring as head coach of the Texas A&M women’s basketball team after a collegiate coaching career that spanned more than four decades. He has coached at Texas A&M since the 2003-04 season.
Finally, the Board removed the interim titles to two AgriLife leaders. Dr. Cliff Lamb will serve as Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Dr. Rick Avery will be Director for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $9.6 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 153,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy.
Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
lcopelin@tamus.edu