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   from the issue of November 29, 2007

     
 
  Concept plan includes space for university, private sector research

Innovation park plan unveiled

 UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

UNL's proposal for converting State Fair Park into a research park is on the table.

 
INNOVATION MODEL - Chancellor Harvey Perlman discusses the concept plan for the Nebraska Innovation Park with NET Radio reporter Avishay Artsy...
 INNOVATION MODEL - Chancellor Harvey Perlman discusses the concept plan for the Nebraska Innovation Park with NET Radio reporter Avishay Artsy following a Nov. 19 news conference. The plan includes as many as 17 new research buildings and 1.6 million square feet of developed space. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.

Unveiled Nov. 17, the Nebraska Innovation Park concept plan outlines space for 17 new research buildings and 1.6 million square feet of developed space that would allow university and private-sector research partnerships.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman said the tentative plan - which is modeled on successful existing national research university public-private partnerships - would be an investment in the future of Nebraska.

"This is an opportunity for Nebraska to do something really significant for the future economy," Perlman said during a Nov. 19 news conference. "It's not an opportunity that arises very often. And, it's not something that we will be able to do 30 years down the road.

"We must decide if Nebraska is going to participate in a modern economy or not."

Along with expanded research space, the concept plan also includes a 75,000-square-foot wellness center, 30,000 square feet for retail space, garden areas, and outdoor recreation fields, including tennis and volleyball courts.

The plan shows expanding the Devaney Sports Center and preserving the Icebox (home to the Lincoln Stars hockey team). Also preserved as State Fair legacy buildings would be the Industrial Arts Multi Purpose Building and the 4-H Education Center.

"Both the 4-H and Industrial Arts structures are historic buildings that we believe need to be preserved," Perlman said. "We would like to continue to use the 4-H building for future 4-H educational needs."

The cost of Nebraska Innovation Park would be shared by the university and private business. Perlman said the university would pay for a third of the cost, with the remaining two-thirds paid by private business.

"I know it would be a big pot of money," Perlman said. "But, we believe a research and development center would pay for itself. This is workable in the state of Nebraska."

Public-private sector models have succeeded in Silicon Valley, in North Carolina's Research Triangle and at Omaha's Peter Kiewit Institute.

"Is there something about Nebraska that makes it impossible to work here? I don't think so," Perlman said.

At UNL, a $10 million investment into the construction of the Beadle Center has generated more than $100 million in new research funds since it was built in 1995. If the same model of success is applied to the Nebraska Innovation Park, the state could see a $1 billion return in 10 to 12 years.

Furthermore, Perlman said UNL has been approached by several private companies in the past year, each looking for ways to move onto campus or partner with university researchers.

"A lot of interest is going to be expressed confidentially until we make this a reality," said Prem Paul, vice chancellor for Research. "Once it gets going, I have no doubt we'll get interest. Companies want to be where the action is."

Before the concept plan can move forward, the Nebraska Legislature will decide on the future of State Fair Park's 251 acres. The Agriculture Committee has scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 14, and committee chairman Sen. Phil Erdman of Bayard has said members will have a recommendation ready for the full Legislature by Dec. 15.

Possible new locations for the State Fair include property at 84th and Havelock streets in Lincoln or other Nebraska communities.

CONCEPT PLAN - The Nebraska Innovation Park concept plan includes preserving two State Fair Park structures - the Industrial Arts Multi Purpose...
 
CONCEPT PLAN - The Nebraska Innovation Park concept plan includes preserving two State Fair Park structures - the Industrial Arts Multi Purpose Building and the 4-H Education Center (sites 10 and 11) - as State Fair legacy buildings. In total, about 60 percent of the 251-acre State Fair Park is outlined for development in the plan. The remaining 40 percent is below flood plain levels. Not pictured is an existing university support building to the west.

 


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NEWS HEADLINES FOR NOVEMBER 29

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