ROCHESTER — The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved plans to expand local university lab and classroom space in the Discovery Square complex.

The $10.38 million University of Minnesota Rochester expansion project is expected to start this summer, with new facilities available in the fall of 2027.

“This milestone represents far more than additional space,” UMR Chancellor Lori Carrell said in a statement announcing the Regents’ decision. “It reflects years of vision, advocacy and belief in what UMR can become and what we can achieve together. Expanding into Two Discovery Square strengthens our ability to deliver hands-on, immersive learning experiences and deepens collaboration with partners shaping the future of healthcare and innovation.”

The placement of lab classrooms in Discovery Square will allow for continued enrollment growth, while improving integration of the University into community efforts to enhance opportunities for experiential learning, research and talent development.

The planned expansion includes approximately 12,600 square feet of new and expanded lab, classroom and support space, including lab classrooms for microbiology, biology, chemistry and physics.

The project is being funded with nearly $4.7 million in local sales tax funds remaining from a 2012 approval and $3 million in state Destination Medical Center funds. The remaining expense will be funded by the university.

The expanded lab space is the first step in anticipated UMR growth.

The university is proposing to build two of its own spaces, one in the downtown core and another on property it owns near Soldiers Memorial Field Park. Carrell has said requests for proposals related to the projects are expected to be issued this year.

The downtown building is slated to be a centralized heart of campus, expanding instructional capacity with state-of-the-art classrooms, student support services and collaborative learning environments.

The planned Soldiers Field building is slated to create a student housing and recreation district, with Carrell noting students have voiced a desire for campus housing that is separate from their downtown classes.