Construction Begins on USD Discovery District

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The USD Discovery District, an 80-acre contemporary corporate and academic research park under development in Sioux Falls, began construction today on the initial roads and utilities that will provide the foundation and main intersection for the district.

“We are excited to see the equipment rolling and the dirt moving,” said USD Discovery District president Rich Naser. “These first two streets will provide an urban landscape and modern ‘main street’ feel and to attract entrepreneurs, researchers, students and visitors for work, education and entertainment.”

The roads being constructed–West Nobel Street and North Frances Avenue–open access to eight building sites with the first anticipated project slated for development, a multi-tenant research facility, to be completed fall of 2018.

This initial 2,800 feet, of the anticipated 11,000 feet, of roads and public utilities (water and sewer) is being built by Runge Enterprises, Inc., The Sioux Falls-based contractor was awarded the contract for their bid of $1.214 million in March following a competitive selection process.

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 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.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday May 18, 2017 at the site adjacent to the University Center in northwest Sioux Falls.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with the many stakeholders who’ve made this once in a generation project possible,” added Naser. “The Discovery District is South Dakota’s first innovation community and exemplifies the spirit of collaboration we have in South Dakota and the result of public-private partnerships.”

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About the USD 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 University Center, 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.