The presidents of Arizona’s three state universities outlined their vision yesterday to the Phoenix City Council for a new building to house collaborative research efforts. The building would be the second to be constructed at the new downtown Phoenix bioscience campus.
The proposed Arizona Biomedical Collaborative (ABC) building would be constructed at the Phoenix Bioscience Center at Copper Square, next to the headquarters of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, which is slated for completion in late 2004. Arizona State University has appropriated $10 million to the building project, and the University of Arizona has pledged $17 million. NAU has committed to leasing space at the facility.
ABC will serve as the coordinating site for clinical research among the three universities and the state’s major hospitals. Its charter was approved at the April meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents.
The building would be a key component of the downtown biosciences campus, which will include space for classroom instruction, laboratories, and clinical research.
ASU President Michael Crow mentioned a plan to expand ASU’s adjacent downtown campus to accommodate 12,000 ASU students, with the capability for student housing included as a component. NAU President John Haeger cited the university’s long-term presence in the Valley, adding that 3,000 additional NAU students could be accommodated. UA President Peter Likins said his university hopes to eventually expand its medical school presence at the biosciences campus.
“We made a long-term commitment to education,” said Phoenix Vice Mayor Greg Stanton, quoted in the Arizona Republic. “And we made what really was a true choice to emphasize that commitment when we passed on the football stadium.
“I think it is going to go a long way toward achieving our goal of a vibrant downtown.”
For more information:
“3 state universities tout plan for joint Phoenix biomedical campus,” Arizona Republic, 10/01/2003