Groundbreaking Set For South Bend Aviation Facility
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOfficials will mark the beginning of construction on a $12 million project Wednesday morning at the site of the former Studebaker plant in South Bend. One of the two buildings planned at Ignition Park will house the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Facility, a large gas engine test laboratory that is a collaboration among the university, General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) and several other partners. October 14, 2014
News Release
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Department of Community Investment will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of two multi-tenant office buildings at Ignition Park at the intersection of Franklin and Stull Streets on Wednesday, October 15 at 10:30 am.
Great Lakes Capital will initially construct two buildings at the proposed Ignition Park campus with a minimum guaranteed investment of $12 million, providing 86,000 square feet of space. One of tenants will be the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Facility, a laboratory that will focus on research and testing related to the types of massive gas turbine engines used by commercial and military aircraft, power plants, and the oil and gas industry.
“It's a great time to invest in South Bend's future,” says Brad Toothaker, managing partner of Great Lakes Capital. “This project enables South Bend, the University of Notre Dame, and other businesses to expand their reach in the fields of research and development.”
The buildings are part of the second phase of the proposed high-tech campus.
“With this campus we're creating an innovation community that enhances knowledge sharing among companies, which helps them all grow and improves the quality of life,” says Scott Ford, Executive Director of Community Investment. “The investment flowing into this cutting-edge environment brings good jobs and fuels economic development.”
Ignition Park has completed the first phase of its infrastructure. Data Realty, a Tier III data center, is up and running in a $15 million building completed in 2012. Data Realty began at the business incubator that is the other half of South Bend's dual-site technology initiative – -Innovation Park at Notre Dame.
“These multi-tenant buildings will be a magnet for additional companies to Ignition Park,” says Common Council President Oliver J. Davis. “It's a major investment in South Bend’s economic future.”
In all, Ignition Park encompasses 84 acres of city-owned land on the grounds of the former
Studebaker plant, offering more than three million square feet of space.
“Ignition Park's development is in keeping with the original vision to develop a premier regional
address for high-tech businesses involved in flourishing industries,” says Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
“The latest growth reinforces Ignition Park's place as a hub for the new economy, and more
importantly, brings with it dozens of high-paying jobs.”
Source: The City of South Bend