NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee State University is getting ready to break ground on a $90 million project that will house the Food and Animal Sciences and Environmental Sciences programs.

According to university officials, both "state-of-the-art" buildings were approved by the Tennessee State Building Commission in 2023. The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026 and will be located at the corner of Schrader Lane and Dr. Walter S. Davis Boulevard.

The facilities, which total more than 110,00 square feet, will reportedly include classrooms, laboratories, research centers, and administrative offices.

Officials provided a detailed breakdown of the amenities in the new facility, stating it will house:

• 36 faculty offices
• 23 research labs
• 17 teaching labs
• 4 classrooms
• A large multipurpose room
• Collaborative workspace and support areas

"These buildings will offer students hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for real-world careers in agriculture, science, and environmental sustainability," Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, said about the groundbreaking.

A groundbreaking for the facilities will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, and will include remarks from TSU administrators, faculty and community stakeholders.

"It's incredibly meaningful to witness this investment in TSU’s future,” said TSU interim President Dwayne Tucker. “This project underscores the state’s continued confidence in our university and the strength of our land-grant mission.”

The development comes after TSU restructured their agriculture program into five academic departments to "strengthen research and instruction."

To learn more about the university's agriculture program, click here.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/tsu-to-break-ground-on-new-90m-state-of-the-art-agriculture-facilities/