UAlbany to Play a Key Role in Pataki�s Redevelopment of Harriman Campus

With University at Albany President Karen R. Hitchcock and other dignitaries at his side, Gov. George Pataki announced on April 3 that the W. Averell Harriman State Office Building campus will be redeveloped into a world-class research and development technology park. The plan will use both public and private sector investment to create millions of square feet of new state-of-the art space and will focus on attracting high-quality, high-tech jobs and generating new opportunities for fast-growing and innovative technology businesses to locate at the park.

�The transformation of the Harriman Campus will provide opportunities for researchers and entrepreneurs to work together right here in the Capital Region, attracting technology businesses and building new industries to create high quality, high-tech jobs for the 21st century,� Pataki said. �This exciting new plan will provide a driving force for investment in the Albany area leading to the development of cutting-edge technologies and innovative new products, while producing exactly the kind of opportunities that will help keep our college graduates right here in upstate New York.�

Pataki said the city of Albany, the University at Albany, and the state are all working together to �move forward and meet the challenges of the 21st century intelligently. And those visions are completely synergistic.� UAlbany is a key player in the Harriman Campus plan.

The high-tech announcement was made in the stately Red Room of the Capitol building, with its stained glass and rich paneling.

Pataki said it makes sense to use state offices, such as those on the almost 50-year-old Harriman Campus, to �revitalize our communities.�

Pataki noted that UAlbany, through the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM) and the Life Sciences building under construction, has taken �enormous steps to become a leader in research and development, not just in pure academic research but working with other companies through our Center of Excellence to develop high-tech jobs and research capabilities for the 21st century.�

The governor said that with a roughly $60 million investment from the state, �we can leverage almost a quarter of a million of private research and job development money to expand the Harriman research and development high-tech park.�

The plan paves the way for private investment at the campus to renovate some of the aging facilities and to develop new office space for private tenants. The plan projects a 10- to 20-year build-out that will generate approximately 8,000 new private sector jobs and provide for 1,000 state jobs to remain on the campus in new cost-efficient and environmentally friendly office space. It is expected that the plan will result in significant private sector investment and long-term economic benefits for the larger Capital Region.

Hitchcock said: �The University at Albany is greatly looking forward to playing a key role in the creation of a vibrant research and development technology park on the Harriman Campus in partnership with OGS (the Office of General Services) and ESDC (Empire State Development Corporation). We applaud Governor Pataki�s vision and support for the kinds of University-business relationships which drive high-tech development in the new economy. This redevelopment of the Harriman Campus offers tremendous opportunities to expand, in a major way, the kinds of research and scientific disciplines that will greatly advance the economic vitality of Albany, the Capital Region, and the entire state.�

Hitchcock said Governor Pataki�s Centers of Excellence Program has been a key factor in the resurgence in economic development across the state. The Harriman Campus�s success lies in linking up University at Albany research faculty with colleagues in industry to enhance the practical application of research to business innovations.

�When you co-locate all these people under one roof, you have a new and productive synergy, which equals new discoveries and, ultimately, new businesses and new jobs,� Hitchcock said. �The University at Albany is pleased to be a part of this initiative.�

The campus will target a mix of tenants conducting research in a variety of technology areas.

Businesses working with technology developed at UAlbany or using the many resources available at the University will also be targeted. Collaboration with UAlbany�s students, faculty and research facilities will attract tenants seeking a research park environment in which to conduct business.

In answer to questions from the press, the governor, Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, Assemblyman Jack McEneny, and OGS Commissioner Kenneth Ringler Jr. said the move will place formerly tax-exempt state property back on the tax rolls. In addition, rather than just open up the property to individual businesses for purchase, the Harriman property will be marketed as a campus in order to attract the types of high-tech businesses that provide higher quality jobs.

Hitchcock explained that startup companies at CESTM and UAlbany�s East Campus ultimately require more space as they become more and more successful. �The Capital Region has companies that need places to continue to grow,� she said.

One recent example of this was the graduation of Cyclics Corp. from the University�s East Campus.

There are nearly 10,000 state employees at the Harriman Campus. The state�s presence on the campus will be gradually scaled back as employees move into new or renovated office space throughout the Capital Region. The Department of Transportation is scheduled to move to Wolf Road in late 2003 and, in early 2005, the Department of Civil Service will relocate to the renovated Alfred E. Smith building in downtown Albany.

REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR HARRIMAN CAMPUS