TMC Helix Park: Texas Medical Center Bio Research Campus

[bobruss]

Where does this stand as far as getting out of the ground. Would be built in stages.

[Urbannizer]

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/11/07/texas-a-m-board-oks-joining-tmc3.html

[j_cuevas713]

WOW! Huge news!

[Urbannizer]

UT Board of Regents Presentation on TMC3

 

http://videoportal.utsystem.edu/Mediasite/Play/a1c6287fb60b4b82baf9eaac781b354a1d

[OkieEric]

10 hours ago, Urbannizer said:

UT Board of Regents Presentation on TMC3

 

http://videoportal.utsystem.edu/Mediasite/Play/a1c6287fb60b4b82baf9eaac781b354a1d

 

Wow, that was great and very informative.  By far the most information that's been made public.  Pretty cool that apparently even Apple has some level of interest...  The big take away for me is that this all (obviously) hinges on UT's approval, which could hopefully come as early as November 27th

 

I'm not sure how you watch that video and not approve TMC3, but the regents had some good, legitimate questions

[monarch]

^^^ i'm lovin this TMC3 project......

[Twinsanity02]

The video is a bit long. Could someone summarize it? Would appreciate it.

[Houston19514]

The biggest news item in the video was that they plan to start construction of the double helix structure in 2018!

[CREguy13]

Pending UT approval, of course.  Really hoping the vote goes through at their next Board of Regents Meeting.

[Urbannizer]

 

 

[Timoric]

-

Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[CREguy13]

The TMC3 motion had unanimous approval for UT Health and MD Anderson to move forward on the Project.

[Avossos]

4 minutes ago, CREguy13 said:

The TMC3 motion had unanimous approval for UT Health and MD Anderson to move forward on the Project.

 

HOORAY!

 

Maybe UH and Rice could come in for a second phase to make it 6 institutions one day?

[OkieEric]

6 minutes ago, CREguy13 said:

The TMC3 motion had unanimous approval for UT Health and MD Anderson to move forward on the Project.

 

I guess I wasn't the only one listening (or trying to) listen in.  I had to listen to the motion a second time to ensure I understood it, with so many caveats listed.  Pretty exciting news, regardless

[CREguy13]

3 minutes ago, OkieEric said:

 

I guess I wasn't the only one listening (or trying to) listen in.  I had to listen to the motion a second time to ensure I understood it, with so many caveats listed.  Pretty exciting news, regardless

Agreed! With all of the conditions I had to go through it again as well, so you were not alone..

[monarch]

^^^ so very proud.....

[HOUCAJUN]

Will this facility ,from an architecture standpoint, be considered iconic?

[houstontexasjack]

4 hours ago, HOUCAJUN said:

Will this facility ,from an architecture standpoint, be considered iconic?

If the design becomes associated with the Medical Center at large, or even with collaboration between these institutions, then yes. Presently, I only think of the O'Quinn Medical Tower as being iconic for the TMC. I note that, in my view, the word "iconic" is overused these days to mean pretty much every thing that used to be "nice," or "excellent," or a number of other adjectives. 

[H-Town Man]

4 hours ago, HOUCAJUN said:

Will this facility ,from an architecture standpoint, be considered iconic?

 

If built as rendered, without being alessandrized. I am not sure who is paying for it. And did the UT thing come with any financial commitment?

[OkieEric]

I don't know if they post minutes of the meetings, but here is a paraphrased version of the motion:

 

"I move that the UT System Board of Regents authorize the Chancellor to work actively to assure UT system participation.....upon satisfaction of the following actions:

 

a.) Philanthropy is achievable

 

b.) In recognition of current financial challenges, condition participation on some "other entity" covering the cost of the helix, actively seek financial support from city of Houston and state of Texas

 

c.) Assure UT institutions are protected from potential situation of paying for non-usable space

 

d.) Seek legal opinion from AG if any questions remain...blah blah

 

e.) Secure commitment with selection of an experienced 3rd party for managing real estate development

 

f.) Document additional reviews and approvals as required for the planned construction of the new individual research buildings.  Board approval to be required to include costs in capital improvement plan...."

 

In particular, b.) doesn't sound like much of a commitment.  After listening yet again I'm not quite sure what to make of it...

 

[Avossos]

2 hours ago, OkieEric said:

I don't know if they post minutes of the meetings, but here is a paraphrased version of the motion:

 

b.) In recognition of current financial challenges, condition participation on some "other entity" covering the cost of the helix, actively seek financial support from city of Houston and state of Texas

 

In particular, b.) doesn't sound like much of a commitment.  After listening yet again I'm not quite sure what to make of it...

 

 

TMC will  pay for the Helix and charge rent for it. UT doesnt want to allow anyway they will be charged for the helix. Liability concern. Smart to add a layer of protection from them.

 

This is so great for houston.

[Twitter1]

Great news!

 

This makes up for the UT Research Campus that failed

[urbanize713]

I would not say failed more like pushed away by politicians with horse blinders on but I digress.

 

It is great news that UT is heavily involved!

[KinkaidAlum]

This is actually MUCH better. This campus will be far more integrated with the existing TMC than the land UT bought. Win-win is how I look at it. 

[Houston19514]

40 minutes ago, KinkaidAlum said:

This is actually MUCH better. This campus will be far more integrated with the existing TMC than the land UT bought. Win-win is how I look at it. 

 

Only if you assume that they would have built on their land the same thing that (and no more than) than they are going to build here at TMC3.  While it is possible the UT System might have built medical research at their other property rather than invest in TMC3, it does not seem likely. One would expect they would want to keep their medical research facilities concentrated in one area.  

 

More importantly, there is no evidence to suggest that the other campus would have consisted of nothing more than the medical research facilities that will now be constructed at TMC3. Quite the contrary.

 

Houston's chasing away of that opportunity was a dark day in our history.  I hope Amazon doesn't hear about it.  ;-)  It doesn't particularly make Houston look like an open confident city that is eager to welcome all.

Edited November 30, 2017 by Houston19514

[monarch]

8 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

 

Only if you assume that they would have built on their land the same thing that (and no more than) than they are going to build here at TMC3.  While it is possible the UT System might have built medical research at their other property rather than invest in TMC3, it does not seem likely. One would expect they would want to keep their medical research facilities concentrated in one area.   More importantly, there is no evidence to suggest that the other campus would have consisted of nothing more than the medical research facilities that will be constructed at TMC3. Quite the contrary.

Houston's chasing away of that opportunity was a dark day in our history.  I hope Amazon doesn't hear about it.  ;-)  It doesn't particularly make Houston look like an open confident city that is eager to welcome all.

^^^ this!

[KinkaidAlum]

Dark Day?

 

Since that all went down we've seen UT system approve of the TMC3 plans, A&M make a huge commitment to their Health Science Center with an initial ground lease and plans for a new multidisciplinary research and education building, UH announce plans for a community medical school focused on primary care in underserved environments, and UH announce a new Institute for Data Science with help from the Governor's excellence fund.

 

But yeah, not open...

 

 

[urbanize713]

You missed Houston19514's entire point. Everything you mentioned is great but unless it's an exact replacement for what was pushed away it is a net loss. 

 

You can spin it which every way you want but the shortsightedness of some in this city pushed away what could have been another gem in our city's crown. Just as an example. 

 

" Mr Bezos  on top of all the great universities and institutions we already have the state's flagship university is building out a multidisciplinary campus to work closely with employers in the area to better prepare professionals for today's workplace. On top of that they will be adding to our city's already expansive research capabilities. "

 

As I said in my last post I am very glad to hear UT is heavily involved here. Any investment they bring to Houston is welcomed in my book. 

 

 

[KinkaidAlum]

1) You cannot assume all of the project mentioned above would have happened if UTH got off the ground

 

2) Do you know how the UT system works? It's very much a separate but not equal system. We were not going to get a UT-Austin, which is an amazing school with vast resources. We'd be getting a branch. They are NOT the same thing no matter how much a UTSA graduate tries to tell you they graduated from "Texas."

[j_cuevas713]

Houston is making big gains in the tech industry. So now we will have a medical research center, esports arena for gamers, and Post HTX for tech startups. This city is about to explode! We are literally the next big thing. So proud to be a Houstonian and support it through all the rough times. We're finally seeing the patience pay off. 

[monarch]

1 hour ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Houston is making big gains in the tech industry. So now we will have a medical research center, esports arena for gamers, and Post HTX for tech startups. This city is about to explode! We are literally the next big thing. So proud to be a Houstonian and support it through all the rough times. We're finally seeing the patience pay off. 

@j_cuevas713 we wholeheartedly AGREE with your very sentiments my pal.  however, if only AMAZON would have smiled down upon our fair city as well.  apparently, they must think that houston is the worst....

Edited January 19, 2018 by monarch

[j_cuevas713]

1 hour ago, monarch said:

@j_cuevas713 we wholeheartedly AGREE with your very sentiments my pal.  however, if only AMAZON would have smiled down upon our fair city as well.  apparently, they must think that houston is the worst....

Well we still need to build POST HTX and TMC3 first for there to be a true takeoff in the tech industry, BUT we are so damn close and it's exciting. 

[Twitter1]

From @Urbannizer in 2015

 

Edited February 27, 2018 by Twitter1

[HoustonIsHome]

Is that oz?

Where is that?

[houstontexasjack]

12 hours ago, Twitter1 said:

From @Urbannizer in 2015

 

Oh, good. The Hindenburg will finally make it to Houston in 2035.

[AREJAY]

http://www.tmc.edu/news/2018/03/presidents-perspective-planning-green-space-outdoor-activity-tmc/

 

Quote

But what we’re most excited about is completion of the initial design phase of TMC3, our new city center which will be a true “live, work, and play” environment. It marks the first time in our history of more than 70 years that we’re developing one campus to support multiple institutions.

The TMC3 campus—dubbed the “double helix” for its design that evokes the shape of a DNA molecule—stretches nearly 30 acres and will serve as the nerve center for collaboration and interaction. The base floor of the campus consists of three plazas filled with trees and vegetation, as well as restaurants, retail, commercial and entertainment space to support the community throughout the day and evenings.

The second floor contains shared laboratories so that member institutions can work together with each other and alongside industry experts.

The top of the double helix will be a park that rises 60 feet from the ground and features regular programming. We’ll provide the community with amenities such as walking and running trails, bocce courts, yoga, tai chi, chef gardens, reading hammocks, children’s education gardens, and more. The “helix” park will also bridge across to the bayou greenway system which will provide access points to the entire Houston community.

The campus and park will be beautiful, but that’s not the reason we’re building them. These amenities are essential if we want to attract and retain the millennials who will go on to become the intellectual cornerstone of our medical city.

We are just beginning our journey to transform the Texas Medical Center, and we will continue to work closely with our partners. I’m confident that before long, I’ll see something totally different when I gaze out my window across our bustling medical city.

William F. McKeon
President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center

 

[OkieEric]

UT Regents set to discuss (and potentially vote) on TMC3 again on Monday, March 19.  Not much info in Agenda

[CREguy13]

Unless I missed something (tuned in at the very end of webcast) all of the items that were needing to be further addressed from the November 2017 meeting were approved, all of the regents were in favor, and the project is moving forward.  Can someone else confirm if I missed anything?  Otherwise, we'll likely see an article soon.  Outstanding news.

[CREguy13]

18 minutes ago, CrockpotandGravel said:

Was there an estimated start date?

There was not a date mentioned.  There was a motion on the floor and it was passed unanimously.  In the middle of the motion, one of the regents made a comment for the record of their deepest appreciation to Marc Watts for working with the regents and helping this project come to fruition.  Marc is currently the chair of the Greater Houston Partnership, so clearly a lot of people were active in making this happen.

[OkieEric]

8 hours ago, CREguy13 said:

Unless I missed something (tuned in at the very end of webcast) all of the items that were needing to be further addressed from the November 2017 meeting were approved, all of the regents were in favor, and the project is moving forward.  Can someone else confirm if I missed anything?  Otherwise, we'll likely see an article soon.  Outstanding news.

 

Exactly how I heard it as well...  I even heard $ mentioned.  I’m a bit surprised not a single news article yet as this was really (as I understand it) the final hurdle for this to move forward

[marstrose]

Item No. 3-B addressed by  Chairman Foster:

 

Motion that the UT BOR approve participation in the proposed TMC3 project in Houston with UT Houston, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and the UT institutions as follows:

 

1. Participate in the proposed collaborative space or the double helix portion, a research translation campus in Harris County along with BCM and TAMU in TMC on terms to be agreed by the parties and reflecting revised written documents including a comprehensive governance agreement signed by the parties.
2. Authorize and allocate $73 million of university funds to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in order to support the institutions approved capital improvement projects while also enabling this institution to pay in full the combined allocated prorated allocations for the development and construction of the collaborative space.
3. Commit to work collaboratively with the Texas Medical Center, TAMU and BCM with the objective to design, develop and construct research facilities for UTMD Anderson Cancer Center and/or UT Health Science Center Houston, within or adjacent to TMC3, consistent with the plans and objectives discussed among the parties contingent on UT System BOR approval and adequate funding.
4. Authorize the Chancellor in the presence of the UT Institutions and the Vice Chancellor and the Chief Govt. Relations Officer and Governmental Relations Officers with UT Intuitions to work with state and local elected officials to assure appropriate state and local investment in and support for the collaborative space of the TMC3 project.
5. Require the completion of all necessary reviews and approvals to assure that the framework for financing of the collaborative space as well as the financial obligations of UT Institutions meet all necessary and appropriate legal and constitutional requirements.
6. Require the recruitment and hiring of an experienced real estate developer subject to reasonable approval by the parties to plan oversea and execute the construction of the collaborative space.
7. Require the recruitment and hiring of an experienced CEO for the project with the experience and involvement with biomedical technology development and active in the industry partnerships and not currently an employee of any of the parties subject to reasonable approval by the parties.
8. Delegate authority to the Chancellor followed by the review and approval by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Executive Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and Executive Vice Chancellor for General Counsel to execute documents necessary to affect this action. 

 

This motion is premised on the finding that the actions of required by the Board and the motion approved on 11/27/17 and attached have been satisfied to the extent necessary to support this further authorization. Motion concluded.  

 

Results: Majority in favor, one in opposition.

[OkieEric]

Governor, Turner, TMC officials to announce new project

https://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Texas-governor-Greg-Abbot-Houston-Mayor-and-med-12857083.php

 

Quote

Gov. Greg Abbott, Mayor Sylvester Turner and officials from the Texas Medical Center are expected to announce new details Monday afternoon about TMC3, a collaborative medical research campus slated for 30 acres between Brays Bayou and Old Spanish Trail.

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by OkieEric
add quote

[wilcal]

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/04/23/photosnew-timeline-revealed-for-1-5b-texas-medical.html?ana=twt

 

Quote

The Texas Medical Center Corp., which operates the largest medical center in the world, has unveiled an updated timeline on its potentially $1.5 billion expansion for its newest campus.

Groundbreaking for TMC3, the new campus, is expected to begin in 2019 with completion slated for 2022. The collaborative research campus is expected to involve five founding institutions as medical centers across the world continue to seek collaboration between major corporations and research universities.

The new campus alone is expected to have a $5.2 billion impact on the city of Houston and create a projected 30,000 new jobs. The campus is located south of TMC's current footprint in what is now mostly a parking lot between Old Spanish Trail and South Braeswood Boulevard.

"This project itself, I think, is one of the most transformational things that will ever happen to the Texas Medical Center," said Bill McKeon, president and CEO of TMC. "This will really set the cornerstone of how we do things in the future."

 

A lead architect and developer have not been selected for the project, but TMC has been working with Gensler and Hines in the initial phases of the project.

The 30-acre campus is expected to include roughly a 1.5 million-square-foot shared research space among the founding institutions: TMC, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. It's a first time these institutions will have built and shared a space of this scale in the TMC.

TMC3's centerpiece, resembling the double helix shape of a DNA strand, will be a multi-story building across most of the 30-acre area. The structure is expected to feature core laboratories, restaurants, retail and commercial space. TMC reversed its land covenants, historically designating its property as a nonprofit sphere, to become a for-profit area similar to its innovation institute. The labs are expected to be dedicated to genomics, imaging, drug screening along with conference and educational space.

Another visible part of the campus expected to be built is the 60-foot-tall elevated park, which will be open to the public. The 18-acre park is planned to have gardens, walking and running trails and views of downtown Houston. Landscape architect James Corner, who designed the High Line in New York, will be designing the park.

Finally, the new campus will feature a 19-story TMC Hotel and Conference Center. The hotel is expected to have 410 rooms, and the conference center is planned to encompass 50,000 square feet. A flag has not been selected for the hotel, McKeon said.

"We've been approached by many major flags," McKeon said. "Our data shows we could go without a flag, which is pretty impressive. Or we may choose to go with one if we meet the right partner."

The financials

McKeon hesitates to slap a $1.5 billion price tag on the entire project as costs are expected to change between now and completion in 2022.

But here's the plan for costs, at least for now.

The cost for the collaborative $250 million helix, sitting at roughly $600 a square foot, is expected to be shared among TMC and its founding institutions. TMC is putting around $40 million into the project with each founding institution contributing about $36.45 million.

Outside of the helix, the individual buildings for each founding institution will be funded by that institutions themselves. TMC3's land is valued at roughly $120 million.

The hotel, which will be separate from the member institutions, is expected to be funded through a private developer and TMC through a ground lease. Majestic RealtyCo. is the developer and has been a part of projects such as LA Live, an entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles.

TMC expects to complete its construction documents, in addition to hiring a development team, over the next 12 to 15 months. The project's financial close is expected to be November.

Why delayed

The long-awaited campus has faced delays for the project after executive turnover at several of the institutions involved.

Former TMC CEO Dr. Robert Robbins said in December 2016 that the project was expected to break ground in late 2017 or early 2018. But Robbins stepped down from his position in early 2017 and was replaced by McKeon, who formerly served as COO at the TMC. Other leadership changes included Dr. Ronald DePinho stepping down as president of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in March 2017.

"It was really more of those transitions that we really reset the table in the last six or eight months with all the new leaders in place," McKeon said. "That takes time. We would rather do this properly with all the right people around the table than do it just for speed."

Overall, TMC employs about 110,000 people and has a roughly $20 billion GDP.

 

[wilcal]

From the author's twitter: 

 

Quote

The project has been in the works for years, but one thing to note outside of the new timeline details and financials ... TMC3 will have a 60-foot elevated park. By HBJ's internal calculations, that will be the largest hill in Houston.

 

lol

[wilcal]

Chronicle's article is out:

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/TMC3-takes-major-step-toward-collaborative-biomed-12857850.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS Sharing Button&utm_medium=social

 

Quote

A sweeping medical research campus being planned for 30 acres of Texas Medical Center land will establish Houston as an international hub for biomedical innovations and bring together four of the city’s powerhouse research institutions, officials said Monday afternoon.

 

The project, called TMC3, will be a collaboration between the TMC, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

 

The project marks the first time the founding institutions have built and shared space on a major scale in the Medical Center, officials said during an event announcing new details about the ambitious health care and real estate project.

“The TMC3 campus will establish Houston as the Third Coast for life sciences, attracting the best scientific minds from around the globe,” Texas Medical Center President and CEO William McKeon said Monday. “With researchers working hand-in-hand alongside industry titans on this new campus, the Texas Medical Center as a whole will further advance its position as a preeminent global player in life sciences.” 

McKeon was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, Mayor Sylvester Turner and leaders from the participant health-care institutions at Third Coast, the upscale restaurant atop the John P. McGovern Commons building in the heart of the medical center.

The project, in the works since at least 2015, initially will include a $250 million research center with restaurants, bars, green space and an enormous plaza resembling a double helix, a nod to the medical description of a strand of DNA. The 3 in TMC3 is for “third coast.”

The so-called Helix building will span nearly the entire length of the 30 acres and comprise 125,000 square feet of collaborative research and lab space and another 125,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

It will be topped with an elevated park with gardens and trails designed by New York’s High Line landscape architect James Corner. It will be open to the public.

The acreage is between Brays Bayou and Old Spanish Trail between Bertner Avenue and Cambridge.

The Helix structure will be funded in part by TMC and the institutions.

The Medical Center, which owns the land, now being used for parking, is providing $40 million for the project. The other four founding institutions will contribute $36.45 million.

Maureen and Jim Hackett, former Anadarko Petroleum CEO, will launch a philanthropic campaign to fund the park. The Hacketts recently gave $20 million to create a local mental health policy center.

Officials say that over time, each institution will have its own separate building and that private industry will also set up facilities there. Researchers, they say, will pioneer advancements in therapeutics, medical devices, regenerative medicine, genomics, and data science, among other areas.

The site could ultimately comprise 1.5 million square feet of building space.

The research facility will have a shared form of governance, with each institution representing one vote.

In addition to the Helix building, Los Angeles-based Majestic Realty will finance and build a 19-story hotel with 410 rooms and 50,000 square feet of conference space.

Decades-old TMC covenants prohibiting commercial space have been removed from the project to allow private businesses.

TMC officials expect construction on the Helix building to start next year with an opening slated for 2022. A request for proposals will be released to secure development and design firms.

A late 2017 economic impact study from Silverlode Consulting cited estimated annual impact of the project is $5.2 billion. The TMC cited the report but said it would not releasing the study publicly.

“The new 30-acre research campus will provide our top medical minds with the resources to remain at the forefront of the health care industry. This cutting-edge facility will not only generate thousands of jobs, but it will solidify Texas’ position as an international leader in biomedical research,” Gov. Greg Abbott said, thanking the founding institutions for being part of the project.

6

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by wilcal

[houstontexasjack]

Here's the TMC press release:

 

http://www.tmc.edu/news/2018/04/tmc3-a-new-era-for-the-texas-medical-center/

 

Fantastic to see this moving forward, along with additional park space for the city.

 

 

[AREJAY]

[thatguysly]

For me, this is the most exciting project in Houston in the 10 years I have lived here. I think it elevates the city so much and solidifies Houston as the medical research center in the county.

[Reporter]

Yes. Screw Amazon!

[j_cuevas713]

This really does elevate Houston on a new level.