History

ILSB Planning Process

2003

• August 2003—programmer interviews and selection
• September 2003—programmer contract
  
• October 2003—Phase 1 interviews
  

2004

• February 2004—Phase 1 report submitted
• March/April 2004—Phase 2 interviews
  
• April 2004—University President Robert M. Gates announced that $100 million has been allocated to planning and constructing a Life Sciences Center. News release about the announcement.
  

• May 2004—Wrap-up interviews
  
• June 2004—Draft program, budget and schedule; site selection; Board of Regents meeting
• August 2004—University President Robert M. Gates speaks about the ILSB at Texas A&M University's 2004 Academic Convocation:
  

"An additional annual allocation of $12.5 million in "available university funds" (AUF), thanks to Interim Chancellor Benton Cocanougher and The Texas A&M University System, will allow us to proceed with a Life Sciences building, the largest and most expensive building ever constructed at A&M. The life sciences building will be a major addition to campus and keep us at the forefront of research and teaching in interdisciplinary subjects involving, at minimum, the Colleges of Science, Engineering, Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine."

• September 2004—Phase 2 report, final program, budget and schedule
• December 2004—Architectural/Engineering (A/E) firm selection

2005

• January 2005—Board of Regents Meeting and approval of A/E firm selection
• April 2005—A/E Contract
• August 2005—University President Robert M. Gates addresses incoming freshmen at Texas A&M University's Freshman Convocation:

"Before you graduate, in the most ambitious program of its kind in America, we will have expanded our faculty by 450 positions, further enhancing the quality of your education and your experience here. In just 30 months, we've already added 245 new positions - and we are filling those positions with scholars and teachers of the highest quality from all over the world. By a year or so from now, we hope to have begun construction on four new academic buildings and other facilities – construction valued at some $250 million."

• September 2005—University President Robert M. Gates speaks about the ILSB at Texas A&M University's 2005 Academic Convocation:

"Based on our conversations with the Texas A&M University System, the four academic buildings will be constructed more or less simultaneously, and the largest, the Life Sciences Complex, could be complete as early as 30 months from now. So, enjoy the tranquility of the campus this fall and winter. It’s not going to last much beyond that.

"The implications of our plans are, I think, national in scope. At a time when many political, business and academic leaders are decrying the decline of science and engineering in American higher education, Texas A&M is stepping forward with bold plans – and the resources to support those plans – to increase our science and engineering faculty by nearly 200 and to construct new science and engineering research and teaching facilities valued at more than $200 million. These investments will not only significantly enhance science and engineering research and teaching at Texas A&M, but will firmly establish us as a leader nationally in these critical areas so essential for America’s future growth, prosperity and competitiveness."

• October 2005—Preliminary design; design review

2006

• January 2006—Contractor selection
• May 2006—Begin detailed design process
  
• June 2006—Begin first construction package (underground utilities)
• September 2006—Begin foundation and superstructure construction package
  
• November 2006—Complete detailed design process
  

2008

• August 2008—Construction completed
• August 2008—Move-in and start-up