Coverage by BBSNews.

BBSNews - 2003-07-30 -- A comprehensive plan to transform part of the former Naval Air Station Moffett Field, Calif., into the NASA Research Park has been named winner of the 2003 General Services Administration Achievement Award for Real Property Innovation. Moffett Field is also the site of NASA's Ames Research Center (ARC).

NASA has a bold new vision for the 21st century. In the heart of Silicon Valley, NASA is developing a world-class R&D campus: the NASA Research Park. NASA Artist Rendition.

An independent panel of four judges selected ARC's development plan from 49 entries submitted by 21 federal agencies and departments. Awards will be presented Oct. 9, during a ceremony at the American Institute of Architects in Washington. A $10,000 cash award and a plaque will be presented to members of the ARC development team.

"NASA is very pleased to receive this major government-wide award. The NASA Research Park will benefit both NASA and the nation," said ARC Director G. Scott Hubbard. "We have developed this outstanding plan to transform part of a former Navy base into a world-class, shared-use R&D and education campus with universities, industry and non-profits. The benefits will be huge, in research, development and educational programs and in cost recovery for the operations of our facility. To be recognized as a federal government leader in innovation is a great way to get started toward our goal," he said.

"We're excited to be receiving this prestigious national award," said Trish Morrissey, director of planning for NASA Research Park, a 213-acre development project that is the cornerstone of the ARC development plan. "This award reflects the dedication and hard work of each member of the NASA Development Team."

The NASA Research Park will be located in the heart of Moffett Field and will enable research collaboration in astrobiology, information technology and nanotechnology, as well as educational programming in science, technology, engineering and math. A lease was signed with Carnegie Mellon University in Jan. 2003 for the university's west coast campus.

Ames' planning partners include the University of California at Santa Cruz; San Jose State University; the Foothill and De Anza Community College District; the National Center for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; the California Air and Space Educational Foundation and the Girvan Institute.

The development plan includes provisions for the restoration of approximately 600,000 square feet of historic buildings, the addition of 2.1 million square feet of new construction (education facilities, office and research and development space and housing), and the demolition of approximately 560,000 square feet of functionally obsolete structures.

The plan is divided into four areas: the Ames campus (234 acres); NASA Research Park (213 acres); Bay View (95 acres), and Eastside/Airfield (952 acres). The NASA Research Park and Bay View components of the plan would result in a total of 4.5 million square feet of renovated and new buildings.

Total development cost of the NADP is expected to be $1 billion, including infrastructure upgrades and replacements, as well as building renovation and construction. While NASA will directly fund any facilities constructed within the Ames Campus for agency use and occupancy, partners will be responsible for the rehabilitation of existing buildings and construction of new facilities for their own use and occupancy.

For information about the project on the Internet, visit:

http://researchpark.arc.nasa.gov

For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov