UT System approves renovation of Brownsville Visual Arts Complex and new Marine Ecosystems Research Facility in Port Isabel


  Thursday, February 20, 2025
  Community, Around Campus, Announcements, Academics

By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – FEB. 20, 2025 – To boost its research and academic infrastructure in Cameron County, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has secured more than $60 million in new projects approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

On Thursday the Board of Regents approved two significant UTRGV projects aimed at fostering regional growth: a $39 million repair and renovation of the Brownsville Visual Arts Complex, formerly the Longoria Elementary School, to accommodate the School of Art and Design, and the construction of a $21.5 million Port Isabel Marine Ecosystems Research Facility. Both projects are expected to be completed in 2026.

“This investment not only strengthens our infrastructure but also reaffirms our commitment to serving the needs of our students and the broader community,” said Bailey. “These initiatives are pivotal for the future of Texas as they prepare our students to become the next generation of leaders and contributors who will drive progress in our state and beyond.”

Bailey emphasized that upgrades to the Brownsville facility are a significant step toward providing art and design students with a dedicated space, reducing UTRGV’s reliance on leased facilities, as the program currently operates out of Rusteberg Hall. Located two blocks from the campus, the 4.24-acre property includes existing buildings totaling 45,852 square feet. The Board of Regents authorized the purchase of the former elementary school, which closed due to declining enrollment, in February 2024.

The newly approved Port Isabel Marine Ecosystems Research Facility will be a key asset for environmental and marine studies, enhancing UTRGV's leadership in coastal sciences. Spanning 14,500 square feet, the facility will feature seven research labs, graduate student workspaces, and administrative areas, all built to withstand harsh marine conditions. Currently, programs in the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences operate out of five portable research buildings that are nearing the end of their lifespan.

“By significantly enhancing our facilities for marine science, we are not just providing vital resources for research and education; we are empowering our students to tackle pressing environmental challenges head-on,” said Bailey. “At the same time, our commitment to art and design equips them with the creative skills essential for thriving in future careers.”

To learn more about UTRGV, visit www.utrgv.edu.

 



ABOUT UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.