In a recent discussion with Greg Partch, associate director for UC Davis' Design and Construction Management, he shared some of the frequently asked questions — and answers — he gets about the Aggie Square project. 

While the Aggie Square website has many detailed answers, here is some fundamental information about the overall design, construction and management of the project. 

Question: Why is Aggie Square a public-private partnership (P3) rather than a capital project? 

Answer: Public-private partnerships are the collaboration between private sector businesses and public institutions that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects. UC Davis has used P3's successfully on student housing and hotel projects. The university will develop P3's when a private sector partner brings specialized expertise to help implement university goals.

In the case of Aggie Square, our developer partner, Wexford Science and Technology, brings experience and expertise developing university-based innovation districts that include space for private industry and community partners.

The Wexford team will privately finance the design, construction and operation of the buildings at Aggie Square.

Q: If Wexford is the contractor, what is UC Davis' role in design and construction?

A: Wexford serves as the project’s developer. Wexford and its team of architects, engineers and contractors were selected by the university in 2019 through a competitive process. The Wexford team will finance, design, and build the laboratories, classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, housing, and public spaces that make up Aggie Square. 

A collaborative team of UC Davis staff from the Davis campus and the Sacramento campus will work closely with Wexford throughout the design process to shape the university spaces in the buildings, and to shape the public spaces and architectural character of the project. 

Additionally, UC Davis and UC Davis Health staff continue to work with potential university programs to ensure the new buildings are prepared to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty researchers and our community partners. 

Q: What does it mean that Wexford will “manage” the Aggie Square buildings?

A: Wexford will lease the land for Aggie Square from The Regents of the University of California. Once the buildings open, Wexford will lease spaces to the university, private industry and community organization. Wexford will serve as property manager, meaning they will be responsible for repairs and maintenance to the buildings (with tenants responsible for their leased areas).

To dig a little deeper, here are more details about the Phase 1 Plan, architectural renderings and developer partner Wexford Science and Technology.