Howard University in Washington, D.C., is constructing a center that is dedicated to researching health disparities.
The aim of the National Research Center for Health Disparities — which will be next to the school’s college of medicine — is to attract pharmaceutical companies and biomedical research organizations that are focused on treating chronic illnesses, especially those that affect communities of color, reports The Washington Post.
The 260,000-square-foot research facility will have a laboratory and an office building, and 430 apartments for researchers, faculty, graduate students and the general public.
In addition, there will be 40,000 square feet of neighborhood-oriented, street-level retail space and two outdoor plaza spaces for university and community events.
The National Research Center for Health Disparities will be privately developed and funded, and Howard has selected a team of private real estate development firms to build the center.
