The University of Texas Board of Regents is reevaluating the location for the future academic medical campus at UT Austin. Initially, the site was designated to replace the now-demolished Frank Erwin Center, where the new campus was set to include an MD Anderson Cancer Center facility and an additional university medical tower.
During a meeting on October 26, 2023, Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT Board of Regents, described the medical campus as “one of the biggest projects of this generation.” He emphasized the vision for the development, 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 board is currently considering a previously undeveloped property owned by the university, located north of the main UT Austin campus and near the Domain. This potential site is under analysis by a design team to determine if it is more suitable for the ambitious project. Eltife noted that there has been significant dialogue regarding the project with Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, and Peter Pisters, president of MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The original site of the Frank Erwin Center, which remains an option, has already undergone demolition as part of the transition to the new medical campus. Despite the location changes under consideration, a representative from UT confirmed that the timeline for the project remains intact. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026, with an expected opening in 2030.
The proposed academic medical center is expected to have a substantial impact on healthcare education and services in the region. The integration of MD Anderson’s renowned cancer treatment facilities with the university’s medical research capabilities aims to foster innovation and improve patient care.
As discussions continue, the Board of Regents emphasizes the importance of selecting a site that aligns with the long-term vision for advancing healthcare and education in Texas. The outcome of this deliberation will shape the future landscape of medical services in Austin and potentially set a standard for academic medical centers nationwide.
