UNR seeks $68.5M in state bonds for Life Sciences building; donor gift contingent on state approval
November 14, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
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University of Nevada, Reno officials asked the Senate committee to authorize $68.5 million in bonding for a proposed 84,000-square-foot Life Sciences building that UNR says is necessary to expand training capacity in medicine, nursing, biotechnology and related fields.
President Brian Sandoval said the building would serve more than 4,000 students annually and that current laboratory and teaching space is functionally obsolete. He said the project is shovel-ready in that design work and an architect are in place, and that the university has already secured a $30 million donor commitment contingent on timely state approval. "The donor commitment is contingent on timely state approval and funding," Sandoval said.
Andrew Klinger, UNR vice president for administration and finance, told the committee the $68.5 million request represents roughly 50% of total project costs, consistent with historical state-university splits on state-funded projects. Senators asked about procurement processes, whether contractors have been informed about the project's project labor agreement (PLA), and bonding capacity. Tiffany Greenemeyer said the State Treasurer would not issue a current affordability letter until after the special session, which could delay bond sales until November 2026.
Committee members pressed UNR to coordinate PLA disclosure during contractor procurement and to confirm donor and matching funds. UNR reiterated its commitment to a PLA and said work could break ground in 2027 and open in 2029 if the bonding authority is approved.
President Brian Sandoval said the building would serve more than 4,000 students annually and that current laboratory and teaching space is functionally obsolete. He said the project is shovel-ready in that design work and an architect are in place, and that the university has already secured a $30 million donor commitment contingent on timely state approval. "The donor commitment is contingent on timely state approval and funding," Sandoval said.
Andrew Klinger, UNR vice president for administration and finance, told the committee the $68.5 million request represents roughly 50% of total project costs, consistent with historical state-university splits on state-funded projects. Senators asked about procurement processes, whether contractors have been informed about the project's project labor agreement (PLA), and bonding capacity. Tiffany Greenemeyer said the State Treasurer would not issue a current affordability letter until after the special session, which could delay bond sales until November 2026.
Committee members pressed UNR to coordinate PLA disclosure during contractor procurement and to confirm donor and matching funds. UNR reiterated its commitment to a PLA and said work could break ground in 2027 and open in 2029 if the bonding authority is approved.
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