STAR Campus takes shape—research and innovation will be enhanced
The first phase of developing UD's STAR Campus will be a redevelopment of the former Chrysler administration building into a health and life sciences research and teaching center.
Proposed improvement of the Newark Train Station could facilitate future Amtrak and passenger train service.
STAR Campus takes shape at former Chrysler site
Construction is under way for a health
sciences building at the University's
Science, Technology and Advanced
Research (STAR) Campus—just the first
phase of a long-term development plan for
the site of the former Chrysler auto
assembly plant.
UD purchased the 272-acre site in south
Newark, Del., in late 2009 after Chrysler
ceased manufacturing there. The
acquisition of the site is the largest ever
expansion of the Newark campus.
In a recent town hall meeting, the
University announced a "3+1" strategy for
developing the site into a campus where
academics, innovation, research and
partnerships will thrive.
The strategy focuses on energy and the
environment, national security and defense,
as well as health and life sciences plus
enabling transportation infrastructure.
With the first phase of the STAR Campus
development focusing on the former
Chrysler administration building, which will
be utilized for health and life sciences, Kathy
Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences,
said she envisions this campus as a health
community for a healthy community.
"In phase one, our vision is to create an
innovative and comprehensive signature
campus that advances how we build a
strong health care workforce and create
healthy communities to meet the growing
state, regional and national demand for
health care professionals," Matt said. "It will
be an opportunity to provide health care to
the community in tandem with student
learning."
Bloom Energy servers
[Photo: Evan Krape]
While the STAR Campus has been a
construction site for the last two years,
Scott Douglass, UD's executive vice
president and treasurer, explained that the University has already hosted numerous
events on the campus and forged
partnerships that will have a permanent
home there.
"Last fall, we announced eV2g—a joint
venture with NRG to build electric cars—
and in April we broke ground with Bloom
Energy as it will be constructing its first East
Coast manufacturing facility on the STAR
Campus," Douglass said.
Bloom Energy servers convert natural
gas, biogas or liquid biofuels such as
ethanol to electricity through an electrochemical
reaction, rather than combustion.
Bloom's fuel cells are significantly more
efficient; carbon emissions and water use
are drastically reduced; and harmful air
pollutants are virtually eliminated.
Development of the STAR Campus will
start along South College Avenue and
continue to move inward on the site,
according to Andy Lubin, UD's director of
real estate. The timeline for phase one
anticipates opening the new health
sciences building in January 2014.
Newark Train Station to be improved
with $10 million federal grant
Newark Train Station development plan
[Photo courtesy of WILMAPCO]
The award will improve the
Newark Train Station into a
multi-modal hub, while
maintaining or even expanding
the operations in the adjacent
freight rail yard, and will serve
as a transit-oriented
development catalyst for UD's
STAR Campus. The new station
will improve passenger safety with grade-separated access to the new platform, will
advance Americans with Disabilities compliance and will allow for new SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority)/DART (Delaware Area Rapid Transit)
ticket windows and vending machines.
The completion of this project could facilitate future Amtrak and passenger train
service (including to southern Delaware areas that are not currently served) and allow
expanded commuter rail service for both Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania
while maintaining existing freight operations.
The Newark station was selected for funding by the U.S. Department of
Transportation in a competitive evaluation process that took into account the potential
for the project to improve mobility, boost economic growth and reduce environmental
impacts.
WILMAPCO (Wilmington Area Planning Council), the lead sponsor of the project,
requested a $10 million grant as part of the $26 million project to construct the
redesigned station. The project is also funded by the State of Delaware, University of
Delaware, City of Newark and New Castle County. A second phase of this project, which
will further improve both freight and passenger travel, is currently proposed, and
officials are working to identify public and private funding sources.
"This project will help put us on a faster track for economic growth while protecting
and improving our quality of life. It will connect us to other cities in the region and
further positions Delaware as an ideal place to live and to do business," said Delaware
Gov. Jack Markell in a statement. "From our federal delegation to our engaged local
officials, and from county to campus leaders, so many people came together to make
the case for these improvements."
"This funding will enable and enhance the infrastructure progress of the STAR
Campus, strengthening the connection of Newark to cities along the East Coast and
creating jobs and economic development opportunities for the state and region," said
UD President Patrick Harker.
