The first facility will include high-tech classrooms,laboratories and offices along with a parking garage withapproximately 1,020 spaces. The university will use the top threefloors of the garage, and the additional five to seven parkingfloors will be sold to and used by the Harrisburg ParkingAuthority. The new facility is expected to accommodate theuniversity's programs and operations for at least five years. Asenrollment increases, it will have an opportunity to buildadditional Downtown space here, according to the governor'sspokesman.

The university of science and technology program integrates anaffiliated regional math and science magnet high school with abusiness incubator. It consists of two components that pair highschool students with potential high-tech careers. SciTech High,which opened in September 2003, prepares students, beginning in theninth grade, for a university curriculum in science, technology andengineering. The curriculum covers computer science, biotechnology,geographic and geospatial imaging, and premedical studies. SciTechCenter, projected to open in September 2005, eventually to beco-located with SciTech High, will provide space and support forstart-up technology companies.

Rendell notes that the funding would not only support theadvancement of education and technology in the state, but alsobring new capital for the region. A budget of $640 million in RACPfunding was approved by the state legislature in July 2004. It istargeted for the acquisition and construction of regional economic,cultural, civic and historical improvement projects throughout theCommonwealth.