FT. WORTH, TX — City Council approved an interlocal agreement that spells out the general terms and conditions the city and Texas A&M University will follow in helping to develop the proposed Texas A&M campus in downtown Fort Worth.

Councilmembers approved the agreement that will go before the Texas A&M Board of Regents in February. The agreement includes the city’s commitment to form a Research & Innovation Local Government Corp. that will oversee a large portion of the A&M campus.

The Research & Innovation Local Government Corp., also approved by the council, will be responsible for the Research and Innovation Building, Gateway Conference Center, and a campus plaza.

Under the agreement, Texas A&M commits to designing and building the Law and Education building, and other things to support the campus development.

“Texas A&M is a premiere university system, and this expansion in downtown Fort Worth will be home to incredible opportunities for life-changing workforce development and world-changing research," Mayor Mattie Parker said. "I am excited to continue to partner with Tarrant County to usher in this exciting new wave of development and accelerate the path toward opening the doors of Aggieland North.”

The Research & Innovation Local Government Corp. will enter into an agreement with a developer to design, construct, lease, and manage the Research and Innovation and Gateway Conference Center buildings. The buildings will be occupied by Texas A&M and private corporations seeking to use the education, research, and workforce training assets of Texas A&M.

Using a Local Government Corp. accelerates the construction of the 3.54-acre campus, being touted as the Texas A&M System Research and Innovation Hub.

A developer is expected to be selected in early 2023. The campus is planned at the south end of downtown near the existing A&M Law School. The Innovation Hub will be an opportunity for economic development and growth.

Fort Worth and Tarrant County have each pledged $2 million to the Fort Worth Tarrant County Innovation Partnership, which will serve as the point of contact for all involved in the project.

The new nonprofit group will work to spark a vibrant innovation district that creates partnerships between Texas A&M, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, corporate tenants, and entrepreneurs.

Their work will include assistance in securing local and regional philanthropy, marketing, and development of the campus and surrounding area.