A&M International's Phase III Project Initiated

Project initiation for the next stage of Texas A&M International University's development, Phase III, began December 17 as University officials met with representatives of the firms selected to lead the projects.

University officers and A&M Facilities Planning and Construction representatives discussed the facilities' design process, construction, schedule and budget with project architects in two meetings held at the University in Bullock Hall 101.

Aguirre Corporation of Dallas and Sepulveda Associates Architects, Inc. of Laredo were selected project architects for the Student Development Center and Intramural Complex respectively by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents earlier this month.

The Student Development Center, supported by a generous $5 million anonymous donation, and the Intramural Complex will further enhance the University's campus, University president Dr. Charles Jennett said.

"This is an exciting time for our University. We are looking forward to bringing these projects on line and providing facilities to expand student life functions, augment our dynamic learning environment and provide greater dedicated student events and sports programming consistent with a University setting," Dr. Jennett said.

The Student Development Center and the Intramural Complex are the cornerstones of the University's Phase III expansion which will add in excess of 230,000 square feet to the campus site at a construction cost of approximately $41 million.

Aguirre Corporation is headquartered in Dallas. Recent projects have included the new Student Service mall at Eastfield College, Dallas; a new student high school in the Dallas Independent School District and new technology buildings at Northlake College and Eastfield College for the Dallas Community College District.

Sepulveda Associates Architects, Inc. is Laredo-based. Recent projects have included involvement in A&M International's University Village student housing, the Fort McIntosh Park and Recreation Complex, L. J. Christen Middle School Library Complex, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Youth Center and the United Independent School District School Service Center.

Other Phase III initiatives include the completion of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Collection, construction of a Fine Arts Center, Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade and additional infrastructure.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at 326. 2180 or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 268.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu