For part of March a line of concrete trucks moved in and out of CASNR's new Bayer Plant Science Building as construction workers put in place the building's first floor. Meantime, above them, workers continued to set the metal core of the building. During March's snowstorms, much or the building was wrapped in dark plastic sheets, but by Spring break warmer weather and blue skies returned to the Hub City. Eric Hequet, chairman of Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science, said construction remains on schedule and the building should be completed by the end of August. The project adds 21,122 square feet of new construction, and includes 2,440 square feet of renovation and exterior upgrades to the existing home of the university's Department of Plant and Soil Science. The building project is funded by donations to Texas Tech, including lead contributions from Bayer CropScience.

CONTACT: Eric Hequet, Department Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or eric.hequet@ttu.edu

0316NM15 / PHOTOS: N Martin