Research Triangle Park A Plan for the Next 50 Years Bob Geolas, President & Chief Executive Officer May 14, 2012
Founding Vision A highly ambitious "big bet" that served as a catalyst for assembling and aligning the knowledge resources and business climate attributes to create opportunities for the people of North Carolina.
Competitive Pressures RTP faces competition due to several factors. International Competition Competing American Clusters Shifts Within the Innovation Economy Development of Newer Research Parks What would people like to see more of? Provide convenient opportunities for lunch or business meals outside the corporate cafeterias, and a venue for an after-work drink. Create a visible university presence, potentially through continuing education Would like to see sustainability embraced throughout RTP Like the idea of public transit More access to venture capital and support for small businesses 3
Enduring Strengths The decades long presence of major research and technology employers and the significant investments they have made in the Park will ensure that RTP remains a significant economic player well into the future. Strong Work Force Pastoral Environment Legacy and Momentum
Development Challenges RTP faces challenges that could not be foreseen 50 years ago. The rapid pace of change in the research and global market make it critical that the Park plan for the next 50 years to remain a dynamic engine of growth for the region & state. Aging Building Stock Limited Amenities Use Restrictions Changing Workstyles Regional Congestion/Limited Transit Lack of Cohesive Identity Limited Available Sites/Leasable Space
Goals & Planning Principles
Market Objectives Retain Existing Tenants The goal of the Master Plan is to create an environment that will allow RTP to continue to be an economic driver for the innovation economy. This goal will be achieved by maintaining the Park’s attractiveness to existing tenants and owners, facilitating opportunities for existing companies to expand on site, and broadening the Park’s appeal to additional types of companies, including those not historically found at RTP. Retain Existing Tenants Attract Broader Range of Tenants Continue to Attract Large Companies
Planning Principles A number of initiatives can help the Park retain existing firms and remain attractive to new users, including: More Density, More Nature Clustered Development 21st Century Amenities Sustainability
Master Plan
Business Support Cluster Land Use Spectrum The Master Plan recommends tiered density controls and a broader range of permitted land uses within the Park to introduce more compact, research-based development with a diverse range of product types in select areas. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDED DEVELOPMENT Mixed Use Center Business Support Cluster Research Cluster Greater Intensity Enhanced Flexibility
Roads The existing RTP road network has considerable capacity to support the level of additional future development envisioned in the Master Plan. Extension of highway network Existing Park roads able to support growth New pedestrian-scale road network at clusters
Transit An important part of the Plan is integrating transit planning to identify more sustainable ways of accessing the Park. Coordinate with regional transit planning Initial goal: multi-modal hub at new commuter rail station Longer term: LRT alignment supporting development clusters
Natural Systems An over-arching goal is preserving and enhancing the natural stream corridors to promote an even greater biodiversity within RTP to give the Park a strong sense of continuity and identity. Preserve / enhance stream corridors Reinforce ecological continuity Integrate with cluster planning
Landscape The Master Plan envisions park-wide landscape enhancements in both developed areas and natural areas. Define and reinforce roadway landscape character Establish priority gateways Establish priority roadway landscape investments
Guided Development Areas
Mixed Use Center This cluster provides the greatest range of amenities and uses to support research and creates a new sense of a heart for the Park. Research is core land use Mix of retail, residential, hotel and education Shared open spaces
Park Center This development, at Park Center, reflects a goal of leveraging the location of this site near major regional arterials to create an office/commercial hub in support of Park companies. Business support cluster Regenerate and renew Increase intensity Restore natural systems
Research Cluster This development reflects a goal of creating a critical mass of research businesses sufficient to foster development of transit and amenities around a natural core, with access to a planned mixed-use center and residential cluster adjacent to the Park. Research focus Amenity core Increase intensity through infill Integrate natural systems
Realizing the Plan Input from Park companies Multiple projects, phased over time Regulatory changes Collaboration with partners: owners, government, developers 19
Thank You Bob Geolas, President & CEO The Research Triangle Park www.rtp.org | rooks@rtp.org