New York City received expressions of interest from 18 different academic institutions looking to construct and operate a new applied science and engineering research campus in the city.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to release a request for proposals this summer and select a winning bid by the end of the year. The RFPs will give more detail about design and financing plans.
The expressions of interest included plans “for hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment” and a large increase in the number of applied sciences and engineering graduate students in the city.
The Bloomberg administration plans to make a significant capital contribution to the development, which could be constructed on city-owned land.
A total of 27 institutions were involved in the initial RFP. The potential candidates include local and national universities as well as schools from England, Finland, India, Israel, Korea, and Switzerland.
“For New York City, it’s an opportunity to increase dramatically our potential for economic growth — a game-changer for our economy,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “The day when a new campus opens its doors is still far down the road, but the quality of the initial responses is an incredibly promising sign that it can and will become a reality.”
Initial plans include different types of science studies ranging from environmental sciences to neuroengineering. Along with laboratories, the developments would include classrooms, housing, and recreation areas.
