It's an unfortunate way to make a point, but after months or years of doing all of the work involved to prepare for multi-million dollar construction projects, several are being placed on hold. The reasons have nothing to do with the real estate side. Research, properties, infrastructure, and preparation are all in place leading up to the projects.
However, outside funding concerns are the cause of the "hold" on several projects. I'm constantly preaching to my clients, students, and connections about doing plenty of research with an eye toward the entire picture. You have to ask, "What could go wrong?" and it always helps to have a develop an alternate and/or exit strategy in preparation.
Several large universities are placing construction projects on hold, and it is due to cutbacks in federal research funding. That has nothing to do with real estate, but everything to do with spending millions of dollars on planning, construction, and personnel. What happens next?
Those in charge at these universities will soon be faced with major decisions which impact their bottom line, the density of campus, and the lives of personnel. Research funding for the current projects may or may not return. The properties earmarked for these projects continue to be subject to property taxes and maintenance costs, even if empty or still vacant land. Does the school look into another project or opportunity which utilizes the current available space?
That is not for us to answer. What is interesting is to see how these university officials react within the next 12 to 18 months. The point is that they have already done their real estate research and know exactly the building they can have, access and safety, infrastructure, parking, and so on. This situation provides millions of reasons to prepare for any and every eventuality in real estate.
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