Tech Park Future Begins This Year

The future park is located between Woodward Avenue, I-94 and the LodgeFreeway. The project is being built by private developers in partnershipwith the university."We're trying to do this in conjunction with spurring the creation ofsupporting residential, retail and supporting offices for companies thatwould locate here," Bell said. "It should be a place where people want tohang out, live and work."

He added that the university is spending about $18 million to renovate the formerGeneral Motors Corp. Creative Services facility, a 100,000-sf building, intowhat will be called the TechOne Building. The building was donated by GM.

Bell said the building will include his offices, wet and dry laboratoriesand spaces such as conference rooms where collaborative endeavors can begin.Asterand Inc., a bio-technology firm now based in university-owned buildingsin Detroit, will be the first tenant of TechOne, he noted.

"They're a life sciences company that deals with human tissue, with researchcenters around the globe. They have 35 employees, venture backing, and arelooking to occupy 10,000-sf," Bell said.Plans also include a technology-orientated university preparatory highschool, that should be complete by this Fall, Bell said. TechOne will openin the Fall as well.

Acrosst the street, construction will begin soon on the NextEnergyCenter, supposed to accelerate the development of the alternative energyindustry.The center will be built on a site bounded by Woodward Avenue, LodgeFreeway, I-94 and the Grand Trunk Railroad tracks. The new 40,000-sffacility will include laboratory space, business incubator space,collaborative meeting space and other features to support the alternativeenergy industry.

Major components of the initiative include developing programs in powerelectronics, alternative energy, fuel cells, industry support services andfuture accelerator programs.Bell said he hopes the plans for the park, located within WoodwardTechnology Corridor Smart Zone, are successful in bringing companies andresidents downtown.

"I would love it if in 10 years you walk around this neighborhood and seefive companies that have graduated from incubator programs and are thrivingfirms, employing more than 200 employees. And nearby, retail uses and thehigh school are fully supporting the residential buildings," Bell said.