A Puerto Rico-based university will consolidate and expand its local offerings in the Inventa Towers in downtown Silver Spring.

Ana G. Méndez University has agreed to lease 28,500 square feet of space in the former Discovery headquarters and plans a May 2020 opening, according to a press release from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.

The university currently employs at its Wheaton location 26 people who will move to Silver Spring. The institution plans to add about 12 more fulltime employees.

AGMA also has taken about 16,500 square feet of “swing” space in the building to use between now and its May opening.

AGMU dates back to 1949 and currently operates on four main campuses and 22 university centers in Puerto Rico, Florida, Maryland and Texas.

Its curriculum features dual Spanish/English language model offering associate, bachelor and master degrees in 30 different subjects.

MCEDC began working with the university in the spring of 2018 to find space to consolidate its educational facilities with the president’s and government affairs office in Washington, D.C., according to the release.

“It is gratifying that Ana G. Méndez saw the opportunity to expand here in the county,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in the announcement. “AGMU graduates are assets to our economy, and I am looking forward to having more of their talented students becoming a part of our local workforce.”

Owner Foulger-Pratt has begun renovating the Discovery building, which it rebranded as Inventa Towers. Photo by Mike Diegel.