UT Regents Explore New Location for Future MD Anderson Campus

The University of Texas Board of Regents is considering a new location for the upcoming academic medical campus in Austin, Texas. Initially announced to be built on the site of the former Frank Erwin Center, the project will now explore an undeveloped UT-owned property located north of the main campus and near the Domain. This change in site evaluation was revealed during a board meeting on Thursday.

Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT Board of Regents, emphasized the significance of the medical campus, describing it as “one of the biggest projects of this generation.” He highlighted the ambition behind the project, stating, “We’re not just building an integrated academic medical center. We’re building a district for the future. For that reason, we’re looking at a larger site.”

The initial plan included constructing the new campus, which would house a location for the MD Anderson Cancer Center and an additional university medical tower, on the site of the demolished Frank Erwin Center. Despite this, Eltife noted that discussions with both UT Austin President Jim Davis and Peter Pisters, president of MD Anderson, have prompted the board to consider the North Austin site as a potentially more fitting option.

A design team will assess the viability of this new location to determine if it aligns better with the project’s goals. Eltife confirmed that the original site remains under consideration but emphasized the importance of evaluating all available options.

A representative from the University of Texas indicated that the timeline for the project remains unchanged. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2026, with the campus expected to open its doors by 2030. As planning advances, stakeholders are hopeful that the future campus will serve as a hub for academic and medical innovation, ultimately benefiting the community and advancing cancer treatment.

This potential relocation highlights the commitment of the University of Texas to invest in the health and well-being of the population, underscoring the importance of developing state-of-the-art facilities that foster research and education in the medical field.