California Construction News staff writer
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place today, Monday, June 23, for UC Riverside’s SoCal OASIS Park, a 39,000-sq. ft. structure on a 3.44-acre site near the university’s west entrance along University Avenue. The project, expected to be completed by spring 2027, marks the first major infrastructure investment under UCR’s broader SoCal OASIS initiative — Opportunities to Advance Sustainability, Innovation, and Social Inclusion.
The facility was designed by ZGF Architects, with Hensel Phelps serving as the design-build contractor. The project is being delivered through a progressive design-build model.
The park is designed to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and community members in one collaborative hub. It will include advanced research labs, flexible workspaces for startups, maker spaces, and event and training areas for UCR Extension programs.
“The park represents an anchor location for UCR collaboration with community, private sector, and local government partners,” said Rodolfo Torres, vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development. “It exemplifies our commitment to the creation of an ecosystem in the region based on research and innovation.”
SoCal OASIS focuses on six key areas: clean energy, agricultural technology, sustainable transportation, natural resource management, community health, and workforce readiness. The park’s location—close to both the UCR campus and the Southern California headquarters of the California Air Resources Board—was chosen to enhance collaboration and innovation across sectors.
“The park is envisioned to serve as a living laboratory where innovative startups, established companies, and researchers can test new technologies and products under real conditions,” said Rosibel Ochoa, associate vice chancellor for technology partnerships.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the structure will combine mass timber and poured concrete, and will feature Accoya wood paneling for both interior and exterior finishes. A shaded courtyard, pedestrian and bike pathways, and landscaped public space will connect the site to both the campus and downtown Riverside.
“This project brings together a synergy of research, learning, and knowledge that feeds on itself,” said Jacqueline Norman, UCR’s campus architect. “We wanted the design to reflect both the university’s values and its connection to the broader community.”
The facility replaces the former UCR Extension Center, which was recently demolished to make way for the new development. Once completed, the park is expected to serve as a hub for innovation, offering students new internship and employment opportunities, supporting entrepreneurs, and strengthening the region’s economic resilience.
