Site preparation has begun for the future Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) Center, the U of A's newest cross-disciplinary research facility.

This phase of work, officially called the Enabling Phase, will take place around the Nanoscience building and in Lot 71. Most of the construction is focused on adding utilities for the future institute and will include extending existing utility tunnels, extending electrical services for both the Nanoscience and new I3R buildings, providing chilled water to the site and clearing some of the existing utilities. The enabling phase will conclude with minor landscaping work prior to the official start of construction on the I3R facility.

Individuals who park in lot 71 will be affected by this project beginning with reduced parking followed by a full lot closure after the first of the year. Transit and Parking has already notified permit holders and provided options for alternative parking arrangements. Additional reminders will be sent to permit holders prior to the lot closing.

Occupants of the Nanoscience building are likely to notice a few impacts including noise and vibrations during the work. The work will also require some brief, scheduled power and hydronic outages, which will be coordinated to help minimize disruption.

Information regarding the official groundbreaking for the new I3R facility will be provided at a later date.

This phase of site work is tentatively scheduled to be completed this spring. Updates for the new I3R facility and other campus projects may be found on the Facilities Management website.

Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research

Funded by a grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, the new institute will provide the campus with cross-disciplinary research capabilities and improved resources for U of A researchers. The facility will focus on five areas that fall within the university's Signature Research Areas: food and technology, data science, materials science and engineering, bioscience and bioengineering research in metabolism and integrative systems neuroscience. The I3R building is tentatively scheduled to open in 2024.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.