The new University of Illinois Research Park is more of an environment than a collection of buildings.  While the buildings give the research park definition, it is the expectation of new relationships, partnerships, and collaborations that give the park value.

"Frankly, real estate isn't the distinguishing attribute we have to offer.  What we offer is intellectual capacity—the leadership and excellence of faculty and students.  That's our comparative advantage," said David L. Chicoine, U of I vice president for economic development and corporate relations. 

"Companies that locate here are going to be interested in the research that's going on at the U of I—the creation of new knowledge, the generation of new technology, and the prospects of commercializing new technology," he said.  "We're going to see some new and different partnerships develop here and also at the U of I Chicago Technology Park."

According to Chicoine, two strategic goals underpin plans for the new research park: It should help the university continue to attract and retain the best faculty members and students working in high technology fields, and it should create economic development in the community and state.

"Those are not unrelated goals; in many ways, they are complementary.  Certainly, a more progressive private sector in the community offers more opportunities for faculty and family members and vice versa," he noted,  "and if faculty and students have an enriched environment in which to engage in academic pursuits that have an entrepreneurial component, or if they have an opportunity to work with corporations, then this campus becomes a more attractive place for them."

While the immediate impact of the research park is likely to be local, Chicoine pointed out that the long-term objective is to "grow the state economy."  That will occur as new, commercialized technology creates new industries, tax revenue, jobs, and wealth.

"The technology that comes out of campus research labs will yield real benefits," he said.  "Figuring out how to maximize those benefits for this community and this state is part of the challenge."

Groundbreaking for the south center research park took place in spring 2000, while the economy was strong.  Governor George Ryan's VentureTECH programs to support infrastructure and high-tech business and research projects were critical for jumpstarting the endeavor.  Although the economy is less robust now, the commitment to the research park remains strong, Chicoine said.

Technology is viewed as an engine of growth and development for Illinois, so it's even more important now to keep the focus on accelerating the strategic investment within the university to research and develop technology.

Certainly, today's economy creates a different environment for us in the short-term, but it's one of those twists we manage through.  The long-run, overarching objectives of technology-based economic growth are still very viable."

This Space for Rent

Three buildings are completed in the south center, groundbreaking is starting for the north center, and plans are in place for an incubator where new companies can commercialize innovative ideas.   

Director John B. Parks likened the pace to a galloping horse.

During the south center phase-one development of 18 acres, two multitenant buildings temporarily dubbed "Z" and "I" for their shapes were constructed, and Motorola, Inc., built its own building.  Phase two calls for development of a 20-acre tract in the spring, while phase three could bring development to 100 acres. 

In January 2001, the first tenant moved in and several companies followed over the summer.   Business interests include computer and electronic technology and biotechnology.  As anticipated, U of I students are working with every company.

"The ideas and potential are phenomenal," Parks said.  "A business can have its own building and a long-term lease.  Or we can put a business in a space as small as 1,000 square feet, arrange a short-term lease while they determine the scale of what they want to do, and then move them so they can grow and expand quickly.  That kind of flexibility is very appealing to high-tech businesses."

The north center will include about 10 acres near the Engineering Quad.  Such neighbors as the Beckman Institute, NCSA, and the Siebel Center for Computer Science will be assets to high-tech firms.  The site includes room for up to 750,000 square feet of development in two- and three-story structures. 

Designs for the incubator, intended for fledgling companies, call for modules that can be configured and customized to meet diverse needs of different science disciplines.  As important, the incubator program will offer business counseling, assistance with business plans, and other support services.  Some companies may graduate from the incubator to the research park.

"The incubator is critical for the entrepreneurial culture that is building here," Parks said.  "It will give faculty and students opportunities to explore the full potential of their research."

Poised for Leadership

Committed to the research park, the university provided a 50-year lease on the land, with an option to renew.  Fox/Atkins Development, L.C.C., is contracted to build 40,000 square feet per year and to start a new facility whenever available space is less than 20,000 square feet.

"It's an interesting model because it guarantees a program of development, and that's an advantage a lot of research parks don't have.  The university put resources into telecommunications, utilities, and other infrastructure, and the developers put significant money into the buildings—it's really a public-private partnership," Parks said.

With close proximity to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, as well as several Fortune 500 companies, the U of I research park is well positioned to be a leader in technology development in the Midwest, he predicted. 

"Technology drives this kind of research park, and we have it—in fact we've had a technology backlog.  Plus, we already have a tradition of strong relationships between business and the university," Parks said. 

"The other component that might have been missing before was public interest, and that's in place now.  The state's support through VentureTECH provided stability at a critical time," he added.  "A lot of people in business, the community, government, and the university are working to make this happen—we're here to stay." 

Although the U of I research park is a newcomer to the arena, it is making a strong showing. 

"In just two years, we're already at half the space of some research parks that have been in operation since the 1960s," he said.  "That's the kind of energy we have behind this research park."

And while Parks agreed with Chicoine that real estate is not the distinguishing attribute of the U of I research park, he noted that the south center offers beautiful sunsets—as well as great seats for summer fireworks.
—Tina M. Prow