A special meeting of the Texas A&M system board of regents building committee included an update on what is the second most expensive capital project at the flagship campus.
Vice chancellor for business affairs Phillip Ray says the Aplin Center, that began at $50 million dollars, is now a $250 million dollar project.
Ray said when Arch Aplin III, A&M class of 1980 and the founder of Buc-ee’s convenience stores announced a $50 million dollar gift in June 2022, it was a public-private partnership. Since then, the A&M system took over the project.
Ray said an architect was hired three weeks ago and interviews were conducted two weeks ago with potential construction managers.
The center, among other things, will host programs in in hospitality, retail studies, and food product development that includes viticulture, fermentation processes, coffee, and food science.
The meeting was the first following the completion of remodeling the regents offices on the west side of the A&M memorial student center.
Click below to hear comments from Phillip Ray during the October 4, 2024 Texas A&M system board of regents building committee meeting.