On April 18, 2008 ground was broken to begin the construction of the new, state-of-the-art $43 million Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building which represents the largest single investment in South Los Angeles in the past 25 years. 

The two-story, 63,000-square-foot building will be located adjacent to the University’s main administration building in South Los Angeles, and is expected to be completed by spring 2009. The scientific research facility will encompass state-of-the-art space for laboratory, clinical research and support functions for the College of Medicine and the College of Science and Health. It will also house the nursing school, named in honor of Mervyn M. Dymally, the renowned California Assemblyman and former State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. Congressman.

The building is funded through a $43 million bond offering issued by the California Educational Facilities Authority. The Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bonds carry strong long-term ratings of “Aa1” and a short-term rating of “VMIG 1” by Moody’s Investor Service, a leading bond rating agency. The California Educational Facilities Authority has established an agreement with the University for the loan of proceeds from sale of the bonds.

“We are grateful to the National Institutes of Health and the State of California through the University
of California system for millions of dollars of support for this new teaching space for CDU’s Mervyn S. Dymally School of Nursing, and facilities for our nationally renowned research program. This bold initiative will enable CDU to continue its resurgence — in style,” said CDU President and CEO Dr. Susan Kelly.