The University of Delaware announced on May 29 a strategic partnership with Delle Donne and Associates Inc. and Bancroft Construction Company, both Delaware-based firms, to develop a plan for phase one of UD’s 272-acre Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus in Newark, Del.
The STAR Campus, formerly Newark’s Chrysler Assembly Plant, was purchased by the University in November 2009. Beginning in fall 2010, 1743 Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University, oversaw millions of square feet of building decommissioning and demolition. As 85 percent of the materials were recycled, new partnerships were forged.
“Last fall, we announced eV2g — a joint venture with NRG to build electric cars — and just in April we broke ground with Bloom Energy, as it will be constructing its first East Coast manufacturing facility on the STAR Campus,” said Scott Douglass, executive vice president and University treasurer.
UD has entered into a ground lease agreement with Delle Donne and Associates Inc. and Bancroft Construction Company as development manager and general contractor, respectively, to identify and work with potential subtenants for occupancy.
Phase one focuses on the redevelopment of the existing former Chrysler Assembly Plant administrative building along South College Avenue and high bay space, on 15 acres of land. It will be remodeled and expanded, from 170,000 square feet to 230,000 square feet, to house the College of Health Sciences. Construction will begin this summer; the building is expected to open in January 2014.
This is part of the University’s overall “3 +1” strategy for the campus, which, in addition to life and health sciences, also includes energy and the environment, and national security and defense, as well as enabling transportation infrastructure, according to Mark Barteau, senior vice provost for research and strategic initiatives.
“We want to align our strategic priorities with opportunities,” said Barteau, who pointed out UD’s academic strengths as well as its strong research partnerships with the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biology, the BADER Consortium and others.
Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences envisions the campus as a health community for a healthy community.
“We have the opportunity to create a campus where you can live, work and be healthy,” said Matt.
Prospective tenants include the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance, UD’s Department of Physical Therapy and the Nurse Managed Health Center, as well as clinics and labs, biomedical and biotech companies, fitness facilities and outdoor trails.