University City Science Center

University City Science Center
Established 1963[1]
President and CEO Stephen S. Tang, PhD[1]
Location University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Address 3711 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Website www.sciencecenter.org

The University City Science Center (UCSC) is the first and largest urban research park in the United States.[2] It was established in 1963, within the demolished Black Bottom neighborhood of Philadelphia, now known as University City[3]. It provides technology commercialization resources to entrepreneurs, including incubator space with fully equipped laboratories and “plug ‘n play” offices, and programs that nurture and sustain new technology businesses.

An independent 2009 study reported that graduate organizations and current residents of the University City Science Center’s business incubators have created more than 15,000 jobs that remain in the Greater Philadelphia region today and contribute more than $9 billion to the regional economy annually.[4]

Location

University City Science Center on the Avenue of Technology

The Science Center operates a 17-acre campus of 15 buildings along Market Street in University City, West Philadelphia. The center is located near Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Wistar Institute. All but one building have been constructed in accordance with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.

History

The Science Center has engaged in formal business incubation since it opened its first shared facility in 2000,[5] followed by the Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Center for Technology Advancement in 2006[5] and its latest facility in 2009. The Port business incubators offer 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2) of laboratory and office space. The facilities are equipped with a plug ‘n play infrastructure, broadband connectivity and tax advantages. The Port targets emerging, fast-growth companies, providing them with fully equipped wet and dry laboratories, managed office space and office amenities, and access to the Science Center's network.

Launched in 2011, Quorum is a center for entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the region to convene, interact, network and exchange ideas. A modular, “greet, meet, and eat” space facilitates their ability to build knowledge and explore opportunities. The Satellite Quorum offers Science Center-supported programming at various events across the region. The iQuorum integrates online networking tools.

As of September 2009, the Science Center business incubator has helped launch 351 companies.[6]

According to University City Science Center: An Engine of Economic Growth for Greater Philadelphia, which was prepared by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, graduate firms that remain in the Philadelphia area produce $4.2 million in state income taxes and $22 million in Philadelphia city wage taxes every year.[7]

On May 28, 2010, the Science Center filed a lawsuit to stop the Philadelphia Development Authority from seizing two parcels of land in the 3800 block of Market Street when the Authority contended that the Science Center was in default of its development agreement in September, 2009.[8] The Science Center argued in its lawsuit that current economic conditions had delayed redevelopment, constituting an unforeseeable cause of the apparent default, and therefore should not be grounds for taking back the land. The dispute was ended in April 2012, when the two organizations amended the redevelopment agreement to allow more time for the Science Center to complete the development of its campus.[9]

In August 2012, the Science Center announced it was to begin development of its next parcel, a 272,700-square-foot building at the northeast corner of 38th and Market streets, to house outpatient medical facilities, ground-floor retail, and office and lab space for startup and growing companies.[10]

Ownership

The center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with 31 regional shareholders:[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Space & Support for Start-Up and Established Companies. Sciencecenter.org. Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  2. ↑ Archived October 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "The Long and Troubling History of Penntrification in West Philly."
  4. ↑ "University City Science Center's impact $9B, study says". 2009-09-14.
  5. 1 2 The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Tech incubator opens to fanfare. Thedp.com (2000-10-20). Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  6. ↑ University City Science Center counts its hatchlings
  7. ↑ Life-Sci Shops, Local Economy Boosted by Philly’s University City Science Center | BioRegion News. GenomeWeb. Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  8. ↑ Russ, Valerie (2010-05-02). "Science center cites economy in bid to keep its land from city". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia Media Holdings, LLC. Archived from the original on 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-03. The science center, based at 37th and Market streets, has filed a lawsuit to block the RDA from seizing control of two undeveloped parcels on the center's West Philadelphia campus.
  9. ↑ "Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Science Center end dispute".
  10. ↑ "Science Center to construct building near Penn".
  11. ↑ Shareholder institutions

Coordinates: 39°57′24″N 75°11′49″W / 39.956775°N 75.196945°W / 39.956775; -75.196945

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