University of Arizona To Break Ground On New Research Building

TUCSON, AZ — Construction of the University of Arizona's new $85 million, three-story Applied Research Building, or ARB, will begin on Tuesday, June 29, university officials announced.

To mark the beginning of construction, the university will hold a groundbreaking ceremony that morning, which will include remarks from University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, College of Engineering Dean David Hahn and Steward Observatory Assistant Astronomer Ewan Douglas.

The 89,000-square-foot facility, located at the southeast corner of East Helen Street and North Highland Avenue, will be the future home of the university's research that advances the fields of applied physical sciences and engineering. It is expected to be completed in Jan. 2023.

The Applied Research Building will allow for new research capabilities with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and will house several interdisciplinary university programs in one location.

The ARB will be dedicated specifically to research programs related to the "Grand Challenges" pillar of the university's strategic plan. According to university officials, the grand challenges fall into areas such as space exploration, artificial intelligence, the environment and disease prevention.