The new $40 million Life Sciences II building, which will include laboratories for neurological research, is projected to begin construction next spring across from Pollock Halls and should be completed by January 2008.

The building will be constructed between the Shortlidge Mall and Bigler Road, adjacent to the first Life Sciences Building completed last July.

It will house research laboratories and offices in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences' Neurosciences Institute and the College of Health and Human Development.

Bernhard Luscher, co-director of the Neurosciences Institute, said Penn State's need for the research laboratories is long overdue.

"Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing areas of the life sciences in general," he said.

"Penn State has been behind in this whole development in the last 10 years, and we're trying to catch up," he said.

Luscher said about three years ago, during the construction of the first Life Sciences building, consultants from the Washington Advisory Group suggested Penn State increase laboratory space and faculty for neuroscience research.

As a result, Penn State decided to construct Life Sciences II building.

Luscher said neuroscience research includes exploring diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and fundamental problems like stress and other emotional issues.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said because life science is a growing field, the project has been in the works for years as part of Penn State's long-term master plan, and has just recently come to the table for planning.

He added that although the building's proposed location might interfere with Pollocks' recreational fields, officials have made a "significant effort" to ensure recreational space for students is relocated and not lost.

"We have plenty of space for intramurals," Kendig said.

"We're not insensitive to students' recreational needs by any means," he added.

Kendig said that although he could not comment on "the opinions and reactions of 42,000 students," he hoped they would understand the university's continuing efforts to maintain academic progress along with maintaining recreational needs.

Project Manager Lisa Berkey said definite construction plans have not been made since an architect was appointed last week.

She said she did not believe the new building would take recreational space away from Pollock fields.

"I don't think with this building we are going to lose recreational space," Berkey said.

Penn State's Board of Trustees on Friday appointed Rafael Vinoly Architects of New York and Perfido Weiskopf Architects of Pittsburgh to design the building.

The architecture team is the same one that designed the $58.5 million IST Building on Burrowes Road, which was completed in December 2003.

Berkey said at 90,000 square feet, the new building would be significantly smaller than the original Life Sciences building, which is 157,000 square feet.

She said the facility would help attract faculty to Penn State, adding that new faculty recruitment has already begun.

The construction of the Life Sciences II Building joins a slew of other science-oriented construction on campus, such as the Information Sciences and Technology Building on North Atherton Street and the new materials science building.

Kendig said that although the sciences are a current priority for construction, the university is "not neglecting liberal arts or other disciplines."

He said several current science buildings were constructed before new technology such as the Internet was introduced and the construction is necessary for Penn State to keep up with changing technology.