7/27/05 Contact: Mitch Emmons, 334-844-5964 (emmonmb@auburn.edu)
David Granger, 334-844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

MASTER PLAN, OTHER DETAILS BEING FINALIZED FOR AU RESEARCH PARK

AUBURN – Final work on a site master plan and the last details regarding placement of the first two buildings and other components in a soon-to-be research park at Auburn University are near completion.

Sasaki Associates Inc. of Boston, who developed the Auburn University master plan for future campus growth and assisted in conducting a research park feasibility study for AU in 2003, is making final modifications to a park site master plan for the placement of the first two buildings, parking areas, streets and park entry features. Paralleling master plan work is the development of construction drawings for park infrastructure and architectural drawings for the first buildings.

“Everything is proceeding appropriately,” said Syd Spain of AU’s Office of the Vice President for Research, who is serving as the executive director of the research park project. “We are at the point where groundbreaking is drawing near and there are many ongoing details related to the topography of the site and other design and infrastructure issues that are being completed.”

Groundbreaking is planned for late summer or early fall at the site, located at the intersection of South College Street and Shug Jordan Parkway. Construction plans call for the first of two initial buildings to be ready for occupancy in late 2006. A second building is planned to be ready for occupancy in early 2007.

In addition to providing space for companies that utilize AU technologies and researchers, the first phase of construction will contain incubator space for new and emerging start-up companies that form to commercialize Auburn research developments and its innovative materials, products and processes.

“Tenants in the research park will have a close association with Auburn’s research program,” said AU Vice President for Research Michael Moriarty.

AU’s Board of Trustees approved construction of the research park last October. Work is proceeding under the authority of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation using a private, non-profit developer.

Support for the project has been obtained in the way of a $10-million bond issue pledge from the state of Alabama and $5 million from the city of Auburn for infrastructure development.

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with nearly 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

For more information, contact Dr. Syd Spain, 334-844-6627.

# # #

july05:AU-aurp