City leaders today joined UC Davis and developer Wexford Science & Technology, LLC to inaugurate Aggie Square, a $1.15 billion innovation district designed to expand research, create jobs, and support the Sacramento community.
Held at the newly completed Phase 1 site, the event welcomed community members who toured labs, classrooms, public spaces, and art installations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches and an open house highlighted the day’s activities and reflected the partnership that led to the project’s development.
“Today’s opening celebration marks a major milestone for UC Davis as Aggie Square becomes the region’s newest innovation district,” UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May said. “Aggie Square is a reality thanks to the dedicated efforts of thousands of people from the university, the city of Sacramento, our neighboring communities, Wexford Science & Technology and the hardworking builders and contractors, all of whom have helped bring this vision to life.”
“Aggie Square is more than a collection of new buildings; it’s a place where research, business and community come together,” said Mayor Kevin McCarty. “Today’s event marks the start of Sacramento’s next chapter in life sciences, technology and opportunity.”
Aggie Square, located next to the UC Davis Health campus, is a partnership between UC Davis, the City of Sacramento and Wexford Science & Technology, LLC. Planning began in 2017 to create a space where university researchers, private companies and community organizations could work side-by-side.
The first phase includes 767,000 square feet of labs, classrooms, housing and a 1,550-stall parking garage. Additional phases are planned to support future growth in life sciences, technology and education.
Community benefits and City investment
Aggie Square was shaped through a Community Benefits Partnership Agreement unanimously adopted by the Sacramento City Council in 2021 after more than 90 community meetings. The agreement commits over $60 million to new affordable housing and housing stabilization efforts in the areas around Aggie Square as well as additional resources for workforce development, youth programs and neighborhood improvements.
The City of Sacramento also established an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD), redirecting $30 million in future property taxes generated by Aggie Square back into the project to fund infrastructure and community priorities. Additionally, 20% of the property tax revenue from the project will be used for affordable housing in the area.
“Our goal from the beginning was to make sure Aggie Square created real benefits for the neighbors who live here,” said Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra, who represents the district. “We are building more housing, creating better jobs, and providing new opportunities for young people to stay in our neighborhoods.”
New business partnerships
During the ceremony, UC Davis Chancellor May announced two new partnerships that will bring more businesses to Aggie Square. UC Davis and Wexford Science & Technology, LLC are partnering with FLANN Inc., a South Korean company that will help early-stage Korean life science firms establish a presence in Sacramento. The Wexford Connect Labs at Aggie Square will host up to 10 companies at a time.
UC Davis also announced a new relationship with HM Venture Partners, a healthcare venture capital firm that will work with university leadership to attract more biotech and medtech startups to the site.
“These partnerships show that Sacramento is becoming a place where global companies want to do business and invest,” McCarty said.
Economic impact
Aggie Square is expected to generate nearly $2 billion in economic activity in the region and create more than 12,000 construction and 3,200 permanent jobs. Early tenants include research programs in biomedical engineering, cancer research, and veterinary genetics.
As Aggie Square continues to grow, city and university leaders said the project will strengthen Sacramento’s position as a center for research, education and economic opportunity.
