Florida Institute of Technology Research, Science and Technology Park
Introducing 100 acres of prime science/research park property
Designed to bring innovation and new business quickly to the marketplace
On Dec. 2, 2009, Melbourne International Airport and the Florida Institute of
Technology unveiled an innovative collaboration designed to enhance and expand
Brevard County's technology-research infrastructure and create jobs for the
Space Coast.
Through creation of the Florida Tech Research Park at the airport, Florida Tech
and the airport embarked on a partnership aimed at fostering economic
development and increasing the region's high-tech competitiveness.
Located on 100 prime acres within the larger Airport Industrial Park, the FTRP
incorporates existing airport tenants, including Florida Tech's Emile Buehler
Center for Aviation Training and Research, its Applied Research Laboratory and
the Florida Technology Research and Development Authority's Business Innovation
Center.
The FTRP pairs Florida Tech's top-tier research facilities with the airport's
world-class industrial park, which already is home to major corporations in the
defense, aerospace and high-tech industries, including Harris Corp., Northrop
Grumman, DRS, General Electric and L-3 Communications.
The FTRP's first phase envisions 10 major buildings offering up to 600,000
square feet of office/research space and as many as 3,000 jobs. Future phases —
an additional 500 acres of developable land is available — could boost space to
more than 1 million square feet and as many as 10,000 jobs.
The 20-year partnership intends to attract tenants from a variety of high-tech
industries that can benefit from the university's growing research facilities,
its faculty and graduate students.
The airport retains ownership of the property and leases sites directly to
tenants. The airport manages all leases and requires high architectural stands
for all new buildings. Private developers are encouraged to construct
speculative buildings in order to have leasable space available at all times.
A joint-use area covering approximately 25 acres at the park is envisioned for
development of facilities for experimental purposes, such as solar collection or
hydrogen production research. The area also may be used as a park amenity for
tenants.
Click here for additional details about the Florida Tech Research Park