UNCG Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan and UNC System President Erskine Bowles
take part in the ceremonial ground breaking and ribbon-cutting at the
South Campus of the Gateway University Research Park.
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 5-17-07
Gateway University Research Park, a partnership between The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University, broke ground for the first building at its South Campus on Wednesday, May 16.
“Breaking ground for this facility is a monumental event that reflects the future of this region,” said John Merrill, the research park’s executive director. “Gateway University Research Park is making history through its joint collaborative efforts with two dynamic universities within a geographic region that’s poised for phenomenal growth in research.”
The ground breaking, on Lee Street across from Barber Park, comes on the heels of the research park’s announcement of its new name, new board and $250 million master plan. When fully developed, the research park is expected to add $50 million per year to the regional economy, according to officials at the two universities.
“This is the realization of a dream that I’ve had for at least the last five years,” said UNCG Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan. “I remember when we started talking about the future of Greensboro and Guilford County and people came up with all kinds of ideas on what we needed – at the top of my list was a bustling, thriving, intellectually driven research park.
John Merrill, executive director of the Gateway University Research Park.
“It’s taken us a while to get there, but we’ve done it right. We set the stage today for the beginning of an innovating, exciting series of projects and programs that will tap the talents of faculty staff and students at North Carolina A&T and UNCG. Their energy and their creativity will serve as a magnet for others that want to work with them and want to tap their expertise to be part of a thriving enterprise.”
The ground breaking included a virtual video tour of the South Campus and remarks from UNC System President Erskine Bowles, UNCG Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan, NC A&T Chancellor Lloyd Hackley, Chief Arlen Lancaster from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and J. Edward Kitchen, chairman of the Gateway Board.
“The Greensboro of the future is here. It will be spurred on by the combined brain power and state of the art facilities that will soon dominate this park,” said UNC President Erskine Bowles. “With these two universities, I believe that we have an obligation to lead the Triad into the 21st century. That’s why I’m so excited, so enthused and so energized by the potential of this research park, and particularly the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.
“The world is seeing explosive growth today in commercialization of nanotechnology, and we will have all of the assets right here in Guilford County at the Gateway University Research Park to participate in that explosion. I fully expect to see new technologies, new patents and new companies come forward in this park, and that will create a vital new economy right here in the triad.”
Gateway University Research Park is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit entity created to manage and operate the research and economic development partnership between the two universities. The research park will attract and retain educational, corporate and community service agencies which advance scientific and educational research. For more information, visit www.GatewayURP.com.
The research park consists of two campuses. The North Campus, off U.S. 29 near the Reedy Fork mixed-use development and Bryan Park, has eight buildings with about 140,000 square feet of space. The South Campus, on about 75 acres near Lee Street and I-40, will have research facilities among scenic landscaping, pedestrian-friendly walkways, sculpture gardens, an amphitheatre and an auditorium.
