Golden State Today

The Aggie Square development on the University of California, Davis' Sacramento campus is poised to make a significant impact on the region. Located on 11 acres near the UC Davis Medical Center, the project features over 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use space designed for research, education, and community engagement.

Chancellor Gary S. May described Aggie Square as “a platform for partnerships across the university, and with our city, our neighborhoods and innovative companies.” The project aims to foster collaboration between public and private entities while providing resources for startups and job training programs.

Aggie Square's concept was inspired by Georgia Tech’s Tech Square in Atlanta. Before assuming his role at UC Davis in 2017, May visited Atlanta with then-Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to explore similar opportunities for growth in Sacramento. "One strong benefit of a technology hub like this is that it provides companies with access to students and faculty for employment and research opportunities," May said in 2017.

The initiative has involved extensive community engagement since its inception. Over 90 stakeholder meetings have been held since 2018, addressing topics such as affordable housing and workforce development. These discussions culminated in the Community Benefits Partnership Agreement (CBPA), which includes commitments from UC Davis, Sacramento city officials, and developers Wexford Science & Technology.

An economic impact report from 2020 projected that Aggie Square would contribute nearly $5 billion annually to the local economy while creating 25,000 jobs. During construction alone, it has generated an additional $2.6 billion in economic activity.

New housing developments like Anova Aggie Square will provide accommodation options ranging from micro-studios to four-bedroom apartments. This spring, these units will be available first to university affiliates.

Wexford Science & Technology is leading the construction effort through private investment by leasing land owned by UC Davis. The university plans to occupy 60% of Aggie Square's space with tenants including its School of Medicine and Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

Additionally, Wexford's Connect Labs Sacramento will offer pre-built lab spaces aimed at life sciences and technology companies.

Follow Dateline UC Davis on X (formerly Twitter) for updates on this ongoing development.