USD Discovery District awards contract for infrastructure

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The USD Discovery District, an 80-acre contemporary corporate and academic research park under development in Sioux Falls, today announced it has awarded the contract for its initial infrastructure construction to Runge Enterprises, Inc. of Sioux Falls.

Ten bid proposals were submitted for the project. Runge Enterprises’ bid of $1.214 million was selected after the EDA, Discovery District and its civil engineer evaluated the bids on cost and other criteria. The project includes 2,800 feet, of the anticipated 11,000 feet, of roads and public utilities (water and sewer) that will allow for the first buildings on the site. Construction is expected to begin in April.

“This is an exciting initial milestone for the USD Discovery District,” said Rich Naser, Jr., President of the USD Discovery District. “It marks the start of physical construction–the result of years of planning–and the first step in creating an open and urban innovation environment in which to live, work and play.”

Infrastructure development is being funded in part by a $755,000 matching grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded late last year. Forward Sioux Falls and the University of South Dakota are providing local funds for the match through a 2014 general fund appropriation.

The roads being constructed, West Nobel Street and North Frances Avenue will provide the foundation of the urban landscape creating the “main” street and intersection for the entrance for the District. In addition, these streets open access to eight building sites.

On that front, a request for hotel development proposals was also distributed by the Discovery District earlier this week.

The planned innovation community, adjacent to the University Center in northwest Sioux Falls will provide access to research facilities and infrastructure for research business development, which will create new jobs, and foster collaboration for the commercialization of new technologies. At full build out, the direct economic impact is projected to include 26 privately developed buildings with facility construction value exceeding $314M and nearly 2,800 people employed by companies located in the District.

The USD Discovery District is a public-private partnership effort between the University of South Dakota, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the City of Sioux Falls, the Board of Regents and the business community through Forward Sioux Falls.

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About the Discovery District
The USD Discovery District is an 80-acre contemporary corporate and academic research park under development in northwest Sioux Falls. The goal of this urban innovation community is to provide access to research facilities and infrastructure for research business development and spur innovation-driven businesses in an environment for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. When fully developed, it will include an estimated 26 privately-developed buildings and nearly 2,800 people will work for companies in the District.

Anchors for the park include the Graduate Education and Applied Research (GEAR) Center including its pilot-scale cGMP facility, and USD’s Biomedical Engineering Program (BME). The District development is private-public partnership between the University of South Dakota, the Board of Regents, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Forward Sioux Falls and the City of Sioux Falls.

Photo cutline: Rendering of the USD Discovery District–West Nobel Street View, USD Discovery District bird’s-eye view at full build with initial infrastructure and existing buildings noted.

Source: USD Discovery District Master Plan.