University of Oregon (U of O) officials has revealed the design for a new $1 billion science and research center, which will begin construction in the spring of 2018, according to KLCC.
Phil and Penny Knight, co-founders of Nike, donated $500 million to the U of O toward the center’s development and construction. And $50 million in state bonds will also fund the project, and the U of O board of trustees approved spending $225 million on it at a special meeting last week.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for early February on the $225 million, 160,000-square-foot first phase, along the north side of Franklin Boulevard between Onyx Street and Riverfront Parkway. Researchers and students are scheduled to move into the world-class facilities in early 2020.
In addition to providing a hands-on, world-class science experience, the Knight Campus also will provide students with professional development training in entrepreneurialism, communication and innovation. New programming will create opportunities for Oregonians to come to the UO to do research, to be trained at the cutting edge of scientific careers and to find jobs, many of which will be in Oregon.
