On its way toward becoming one of the nation's leading research universities, the University expanded the Fontaine Research Park Wednesday night, with the approval of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.
The office space contained within the park will increase from 389,000 square feet to 495,000 square feet with the addition of newly constructed buildings.
Officials said they hope the expansion will cause the continued growth of the University's research programs.
The University ranks as a Category One Research University, which signifies that the University is in the top tiers of research institutions, University President John T. Casteen III said.
The Fontaine Research Park, run by the University of Virginia Foundation, offers a place for businesses to collaborate with University faculty and staff, Foundation Chief Executive Officer Tim Rose said.
"A lot of the businesses focus on the Health Sciences Center and the School of Engineering," Rose said.
The focus on the Health Sciences Center parallels the University's push in health science research.
"Most of our research programs are in the health sciences, and also most of the growth in our programs is there," Casteen said.
He said the research park also increases faculty research opportunities, student internships, donation of equipment to the University and the hiring of University graduates.
The request to the county for more square footage of development came when the Foundation found space on the side of a hill for a building, he added.
Rose said the new building may be used for research space for the Medical School, although the exact use of the land is still in discussion.
If a new laboratory building is built, the average cost per square foot runs $200 to $300, he said.
The Board accepted the request for additional development 6-0 Wednesday night "with proffers," Board Chairman Charles Martin said.
"Proffers" refers to a list of items the Foundation agrees to in exchange for the additional development, Martin said.
Among the most significant requirements for the additional growth is the addition of one traffic lane on Fontaine Avenue for a total of five lanes, Rose said. The Foundation also will construct a pedestrian connection from Fontaine Avenue into the research park, he said.
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