Douglas County commissioners today will consider approving a lease agreement with the Lawrence Douglas County Bioscience Authority for operation of the former Oread Labs building in west Lawrence.

The city and county last month approved issuing bonds to cover a $2.9 million purchase contract on the building near Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa Drive. A portion of the building will house Lawrence-based drug development firm CritiTech, which needs more space to expand.

The rest of the building will be used to attract promising biotechnology companies. The deal has not yet formally closed, and the lease agreement is another step in the process.

Commissioners will convene at 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. commissioners will discuss planning issues and goals for 2010.