Tucson bio-park moves forward

April 13, 2007

By hammersmith

Flinn staff reports

The establishment of the University of Arizona’s Arizona Bioscience Research Park on Tucson’s South Side has moved another step closer to reality.

The development, which will complement the UA Science and Technology Park but is closer to campus and entirely bio-focused, will occupy the area bounded by South Kino Parkway and Park Avenue, Interstate 10 and East 36th Street.

“The project is the result of recognition by the University of Arizona of the need for a facility closer to main campus that could support research as well as faculty start-up companies and other research enterprises,” said Molly Gilbert, director of public and media relations at the UA office of economic development.

Capping off two years of negotiations among various stakeholders, the City Council voted 6-1 to rezone the 350 acres needed for the project and has waived the city’s ban on so-called “big-box” stores.

The latter move was necessary to development plans for a portion of the area along the southern fringe of the property.

With that piece in place, all that remains is for UA to complete its land swap with KB Home, in which the university will exchange a 124-acre parcel for 65 acres near the South Kino Parkway. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the swap last year.

The development plans call for 32 buildings totaling of 3.1 million square feet, 2.4 million square feet of which will be office and laboratory space. In terms of overall land use, 24 percent will be devoted to lab space, with 19 percent going to offices, 10 percent to hotel and conference area, 7 percent to educational space and 6 percent to residential areas.

The remainder will go to open spaces and roads.

Gilbert says that, while they have no confirmed occupants at this time, they remain hopeful that C-Path will be their anchor tenant.


More information:

City OKs S. Side big box, retail center,” Tucson Citizen, 03/28/2007

OK for big box key to exciting South Side site,” Tucson Citizen, 03/29/2007

Artist rendering of Bio Park