Only on ABC-7: New $85 million research facility coming soon

A major expansion of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is in the works.

A facility twice as large as the existing campus is set to go up on the west side of the campus between Alberta and Alameda Avenues in South-Central El Paso.

In an exclusive interview with the chief operating officer of the university, Frank Stout told ABC-7 that the expansion is so early in the process, the university doesn’t even have renderings. But Stout said work will begin in a few months.

“The building will support research and education for all our schools,” Stout said. “That includes study areas, library, simulation-related activities, a small eating area and a conference area.”

The $85 million building will be 227,000 square feet, doubling the size of the two existing facilities on the campus. It will sit on the footprint of land along Concepcion Street between Alameda and Alberta, which is currently occupied by 30 commercial and residential properties.

ABC-7 saw that the properties were surrounded by chainlink fence. Signs posted on the fence read that the land was property of Texas Tech.

“We have had to use eminent domain in two cases,” Stout said, adding that the state-sanctioned method of acquiring private land for public use was used to take control of two business properties.

Stout pointed out that many of the buildings were already vacant.

“We’re trying to do our part to develop our community, including our local community here in our backyard,” Stout said.

Stout said the development will bring new jobs, from construction to building maintenance to faculty.
It will also present new opportunities for local students.

“We’re really focusing on the border, educating our students in health care for the border, and being able to provide for the next generation,” said Stout.

The research that will happen in the new building will also be geared toward health issues plaguing border residents.

“We have a huge program in breast cancer that we’re developing, and then diabetes and obesity which is certainly an issue for our community,” Stout said.

The university hopes the new research facility will be complete and ready for students by 2019.

UTEP also received $85 million from the state for medical research facilities and released its plans in August.