Officials with Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources announced today that groundbreaking ceremonies for its new Bayer Plant Science Building Expansion will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday (Apr. 29) at 2709 15th St. in Lubbock (see map). Tech's Board of Regents approved the $13 million project last December.

"The new addition represents a huge step forward for the Department of Plant and Soil Science and the college as a whole," said Michael Galyean, dean of the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. The building is expected to be completed in May 2015.

Galyean noted that the new building is vital to the continued growth of our research and graduate education programs in the department, and the increased space will allow for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of other departments as well.

In technical terms, the new facility will run north-south from the west end of the current Plant Sciences Building and connect at the second floor. The expansion, which adds 20,490 square feet, will continue the Spanish Renaissance architecture which will tie Plant and Soil Science in with the historic parts of campus.

The semi-enclosed courtyard will have the feel of a cloistered Spanish garden. The building project is being funded through donations, Texas Research Incentive Program and Higher Education Assistance Funds.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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