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A festive grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting was held May 2 for Aggie Square, the $1.1 billion innovation center for UC Davis that has been eight years in the making.
City, regional and UC Davis officials were on hand for the much-anticipated event, which was held amid speeches, tours of the multi-story building, balloons, DJ music and a block party. The innovation district will bring cutting-edge research and technology to the Capital Region in a brand-new building filled with laboratories for both UC Davis staff and outside researchers.
“Today’s opening celebration marks a major milestone for UC Davis as Aggie Square becomes the region’s newest innovation district. It’s where the brightest minds from UC Davis, industry leaders and startups will come together and spark collaboration and innovation that will benefit our region and the world for generations to come,” Chancellor Gary S. May said.
Guests to the grand opening were able to tour the facility, from its research labs to classrooms and a sprawling lobby filled with mural art.
After seven years of planning and construction, Aggie Square in
Sacramento was opened to the public on May 2. (Photo by Judy
Farah)
Also open now is ANOVA Aggie Square, a residential building offering 190 apartments to support the innovation community and a 1,550-stall parking garage.
According to UC Davis officials, Aggie Square will result in $1.92 billion in total economic output regionally and $2.32 billion statewide. Economists estimate that more than 12,000 jobs will have been created related to the construction of this site, with 3,200 permanent jobs expected after the project is complete. Aggie Square was designed by ZGF Architects.
“Aggie Square is more than a collection of new buildings; it’s a place where research, business and community come together,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty. “Today’s event marks the start of Sacramento’s next chapter in life sciences, technology and opportunity.”
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