The University will not house the nation’s next bio-defense lab, reports Wednesday showed.

The Department of Homeland Security picked Manhattan, Kans. to get the $451 million lab designed to study diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, the Associated Press reported.

“I’ve not heard anything officially from the Department of Homeland Security, but the evidence seems overwhelming that the project will go to the Manhattan, Kansas site,” the University’s Vice President for Research David Lee said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Lee said he believes Athens is the best site for the facility and maintained his pride in the University’s campaign.

“I’m proud of the campaign that we ran,” he said. “I feel like we ran pretty much a flawless campaign.”

DHS officials refused to comment pending a formal announcement when contacted by The Red & Black.

The final Environmental Impact Study will be released Friday, at which time DHS is expected to make a formal announcement. The University was one of five locations competing, including Butner, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas; Flora, Miss.; and Plum Island, N.Y.

The level four National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility would have gone on South Milledge Avenue if the University received the bid. But the co-founder of the anti-NBAF group For Athens Quality of Life did not mourn the loss.

“We are relieved, first of all, and delighted, second of all,” said Grady Thrasher in a phone interview Wednesday. “The site the university had put up for this thing was just not appropriate from an environmental and community aspect, so we’re glad a choice other than Athens has been made.”

The DHS recommendation does not cement the deal for the lab’s construction, which will not be finalized until 30 days after the EIS is published.

The selection could face legal challenges as well from locations that were not selected or opposition groups against the lab’s construction.

If lab construction plans continue on course without opposition, the facility could be completed by 2015 to replace the existing level 3 facility at Plum Island, N.Y.