Tuning up for success

Scottsdale “SkySong” center promises innovation, economic dynamism

The new ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center is gearing up to be an important new economic generator and civic amenity in Scottsdale. The dynamic center will be a home for a diverse set of tenants: ASU units, large multi-national corporations, small and medium-sized technology companies, and arts and culture organizations, among others. These tenants will build a culture of innovation to advance the regional economy, according to university officials.

Construction on the 1.2 million square foot project began in March, after a festive late January ground-breaking ceremony. Tenants are expected to move in during the first quarter of 2007.

The center, which will feature distinctive architecture, including a 120-foot-tall shade structure known as “SkySong,” is envisioned as a global focal point for cross- disciplinary collaboration, technological innovation and entrepreneurial ventures. Physically, it will embody an urban environment with high-tech commercial office space, displays of ASU’s most innovative technologies, multimedia-enriched pedestrian areas, retail space, restaurants and community outreach programming. The university will locate its entrepreneurial training and technology transfer units at the center, in addition to some of its community outreach programs, globally focused initiatives, and technology education and research programs.

“This center is not a traditional research park, nor a business park, nor a university campus; it is a hybrid of all three,” said ASU president Michael Crow. “This center will become home to activities and organizations that stimulate new forms of commerce, research, technology, art, education and economic development.”

The genesis of the center came from the “Which Way Scottsdale?” report released by ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy in 2003, which noted that the city was “behind the curve in hooking into” cutting-edge, technology-based industries. The report suggested the Los Arcos Mall location, at the southeast corner of Scottsdale and McDowell roads, as a potential site to spur such activity.

With the previous failure of a number of plans to rebuild at the site, ASU, the ASU Foundation and Scottsdale officials reached an agreement in May 2004 to buy and develop the site. Scottsdale acquired the 42-acre site and is leasing 37 acres to the ASU Foundation, while also being responsible for more than $40 million in infrastructure upgrades at the site.
For information, visit http://www.skysongcenter.com/.

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