Update: Among the speakers at today's dedication: UT-Austin President Bill Powers, Dell Medical School Dean Dr. Clay Johnston, and State Sen. Kirk Watson, who helped lead the push for the medical school.
“Make no mistake. Today isn’t just about three new buildings on our skyline," Sen. Watson said. "Our community will be different – healthier and stronger – thanks to this project we’re launching today."
Johnston said that the school's launch offers the chance to design everything from the ground up.
"We have a responsibility to take advantage of our newness, to test out different ways of doing things that could become models for the rest of the country."
Original story (10:08 a.m.): The University of Texas at Austin kicks off construction of its new Dell Medical School today.
In 2012, Travis County voters approved raising property taxes to help pay for the medical school and teaching hospital, which will offer community medical services.
The UT System Board of Regents has approved a $334 million dollar plan for construction. The Seton Healthcare Family has committed $295 million to a new teaching hospital – the Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas – to replace University Medical Center Brackenridge. Here's an overview of the partnership.
Construction will remake the Red River corridor; it has already closed a potion of Red River Street opposite the Frank Erwin Cetner – which itself is demolished in later phases of construction. The first medical student class is expected in 2016.
Today’s kickoff event starts at 10 a.m. at the school’s future site, near Red River and 15th Street. View a rendered flyover of the Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas:
http://youtu.be/T_riRTlh8QU
