by John Stevens
October 27, 2009 9:01 AM
University of Delaware officials are anxiously preparing for a "transformational opportunity," assuming their purchase agreement for the 272-acre site (located just south of the main campus near the university's sports complex and agricultural lands) formerly occupied by the Chrysler Assembly Plant in Newark (DE) is approved by the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court in New York.
According to an October 26 posting on philly.com, U of D officials envision building laboratories and other science and research facilities (perhaps even a medical campus in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and several Delaware medical institutions.)
The focus on research is part of President Patrick Harker's vision for the University of Delaware. The school is a major research university that spends roughly $100 million on research projects (with the majority of those being federally-funded.) The university plans to boost its research in alternative energy, defense in cooperation with the U.S. Army and health as well as entering into more corporate partnerships.
"It's not enough that universities do research. You've got to do research with impact and make a difference in your community and region," said Scott Douglass, executive vice president and university treasurer.
This would be the campus’s largest expansion in its history, which extends back to 1743 when it was a small private academy.
To clean up the site, officials are looking at a 24-month timeframe, and the university has agreed to accept liability for any environmental cleanup; it is eligible for up to $1 million in state assistance, according to state environmental officials.
The university said it expects the campus addition will include classrooms and a residential facility for up to 150 medical, pharmacy, nursing, occupational and physical therapy students. They are also hoping to build a parking facility and other residential facilities on the property as well.