Renovation of an educational facility in McAllen, Texas. Completed plans call for the renovation of a educational facility.

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are soliciting statements of qualifications and proposals for the selection of a Construction Manager at Risk firm for the Repair and Renovation of the School of Optometry, in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth in the Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal. DEADLINE for Questions: May 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM Local Time via: online The School of Optometry at UTRGV aims to address the region's critical shortage of vision care while advancing research and treatment on the effects of diabetes on ocular structures. Through collaboration with the School of Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Memory and Aging Center, the program will integrate state-of-the-art research into its curriculum to tackle diabetes-related eye diseases, a major local health concern. The new OD program plans to enroll around forty students per cohort and employ twenty-one full-time faculty, combining research and clinical expertise. Students will receive comprehensive training in optometric specialties such as ocular disease, myopia management, vision therapy, and minor surgical care, including laser procedures, along with significant hands-on experience through approximately 1,500 supervised patient encounters, consistent with national benchmarks for excellence. UTRGV seeks approval to continue this project as an institutionally managed project, leveraging the expertise of our experienced senior planning and construction management personnel for successful delivery and management. The project location will provide both academic and clinical education to matriculating students to achieve the Doctor of Optometry degree. Academic space will be suitable for lectures, preclinic labs, vision science and medical labs, simulation space, faculty offices, anatomy and basic science labs, and library/study space. The clinic will have 31 examining lanes along with rooms for diagnostic instrumentation. An optical retail area will be suitable to accommodate patient frame and spectacle fitting. The program is progressing through the accreditation process and in hopes of taking the first cohort of 40 students in fall 2027.