Local leaders were on hand Wednesday as UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Aggie Square’s new launch headquarters on Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento. Aggie Square is an innovation hub planned for the university’s Sacramento campus.

Originally announced in February, the headquarters is home to Aggie Square staff, the UC Davis Office of Public Scholarship and Engagement, and technology specialists from IBM.

“This location may have a small footprint, but it represents a major step forward in our progress,” May said. “We’re able to keep the momentum going before we even break ground on the future Aggie Square.”

The ceremony kicked off a meeting of the Aggie Square Partnership Advisory Council. Steinberg updated the group on regional workforce training efforts and how UC Davis plays a leadership role in them. UC Davis Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph Hexter discussed “Quarter at Aggie Square,” a new initiative focused on undergraduate education. 

Aggie Square Planning Director Robert Segar described the university’s ongoing process selecting a real estate developer for the project. Four firms have been invited to submit proposals by mid-November, and the university will announce a partner in mid-December.

Construction for Aggie Square is planned to begin in mid-2021.