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Research Park Strategic Vision Plan

THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH PARK THE STRATEGIC VISION

TO OUR COMMUNITY

We are grateful for your participation in the important process of envisioning the future of the University of Utah’s Research Park.  Your observations and recommendations are of critical importance in this process – thank you.   Please know — we have heard you.  We are redeveloping a vision for the Park which will reflect our collective goals and values.  Stay tuned and continue to IMAGINE with us.

Vision Icon Our
Vision Core Values Icon Our Core
Values Process Icon Phased
Planning Documents & Presentations Icon Documents &
Presentations

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A next generation innovation community

A diverse, compact, and amenity-rich walkable district next to a world-class university where emerging and established Salt Lake City innovators can live, work, and collaborate on some of the most critical issues we face now and in the future.

Our Vision for the Future

The Plan lays out an organizing framework for future transformation of Research Park in three major categories: Ecological Framework, Innovative Ecosystem, One U, One Community.

The Ecological Framework

Protect and restore
high value habitat

Create safe, comfORtable,
and Sustainable Streets

Establish a permanent
'HEART OF THE PARK'

The Innovation Ecosystem

Expand types of
Employment Spaces

Allow Housing
Development

Create a Research Park
Innovation Hub

One U, One Community.

Offer Access to
Everyday Needs

Unlock the potential for a
Transit Oriented Community

Revolutionize Campus Mobility
and Community Parking

Phased Infrastructure and Development Strategy

The framework includes priority actions designed to yield the highest quality sustainable urban development that delivers a unique identity, foster creativity, encourages cross-pollination among innovators and creates a strong sense of place.

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Improved intersection at Wakara Way and Chipeta Drive

Small mobility hub

Updating segment of Colorow in preperation for daylit spring

Private driveway redesigned / repaved for daylit spring and new open space

Move access road to Fort Douglas Cemetery to Tabby Ln.

TRAX Black Line: Airport to U

Large Main Campus Mobility Hub

South Davis BRT; Foothill BRT

Red Butte Creek Interaction Area

New pedestrian focused street to Red Butte Creek

Campus Circuit Redesign of Chipeta Way

The Arapeen Connector

Large UURP Mobility Hub

Social Spine plaza and cross streets

Green Spine trail and park from Wakara and Chipeta

Small mobility hub

New Street with ROW width for future LRT

New transit-only access poiny into UURP

Designated Transit and HOV-only lane on Foothill. New Foothill line, routes 9,13,17,21

East Village new streets

LRT Extension into UURP

Green Spine connection over RBC

Ped Street to Red Butte Creek

Wakara Way Redesign

Colorow Road Green Street

Red Butte Creek Trail Phase 1

Maker's District New Streets

Green Spine Park and Trail Connection to Matheson Preserve and This Is The Place

Pollack Road Redesign Connection into Fort Douglas

Red Butte Creek Trail Phase 2

Maker's Distrct Park

New Residential Streets Connection to Matheson Preserve

Why A Strategic Vision Plan? Why Now?

Established in 1968, UURP has provided a unique environment for entrepreneurial growth, job creation, and in-state productivity for decades. As UURP marks its 50th anniversary, it’s time for a new vision.

Salt Lake City’s economy
is growing rapidly
Population Growth Icon
Population: 1,218,800

7% GROWTH

over the last 5 years. As compared to 5% nationally

Job Growth Icon
Job Growth: 790,000

16.1% GROWTH

over the last 5 years. As compared to 8.5% nationally

Median Income Icon
Median Income: $67,900

18% higher

than national median As compared to 60% nationally

Regional Education Icon
Regional Education:

67% OF UTAHANS

attended college

Salt Lake City competitive industry
clusters align well with strengths
of the University
Information Technology Icon
Information Technology

School of Computing

Bio Life Sciences Icon
Health, Bio, Life Sciences

College of Pharmacy
Department of Biomedical Engineering
College of Health

Education

College of Education

Finance Icon
Finance

School of Business

University of
Utah Start Ups

Therapeutics & Pharmaceuticals: 30
Medical Devices: 22
Diagnostics: 14
Software: 10

Biotechnology: 7
Energy and Environment: 6
Hardware, Circuits, Sensors: 6
Healthcare IT: 6

Our Core Values

The future UURP will embody the following core values as we work towards a shared vision for the future of Research Park and the larger University.

core value icon 1

Establish a vibrant and interdisciplinary mixed-use environment

core value icon 2

Facilitate partnerships that will enable a dynamic innovation ecosystem

core value icon 3

Promote a compact and human-scale environment

core value icon 4

Lead with sustainable and resilient development and design strategies

core value icon 5

Prioritize multi-modal circulation to and through the campus

core value icon 6

Foster intentional University connections and build neighborhood relationships

The Planning Process

The UURP Vision Plan is the culmination of a nine-month planning process, guided by the UURP Core Team.
Two stakeholder groups guided the development of the plan throughout the process: the Executive Steering Committee and the Advisory Steering Committee.

Advisory Steering Committee

ARUP LABS
BioFire Diagnostics
Kem C. Gardner Institute
UURP Arch Review Board
Salt Lake CIty DOT
Salt Lake City RDA
University Sustainability
University TVC
Woodbury Corporation
Myriad Genetics

Executive Steering Committee

President's Office
Auxiliary Services
U Health
Planning Design Construction
Real Estate Administration

Our
Community

Greater Avenues
East Central/University Gardens
East Central
Yalecrest
Foothill/Sunnyside
Sunnyside East
East Bench

Phased Infrastructure and Development Strategy

The Vision Plan lays out an organizing framework for future transformation of the Research Park in three major categories: Ecological Framework, Connective Network and Innovation Ecosystem. This framework includes actions designed to yield the highest quality sustainable urban development that delivers a unique identity, fosters creativity, encourages cross-pollination among innovators, and creates a strong sense of place.

Ecological Framework
  • 1Protect the Intact High-Value Habitat
  • 2Implement the Red Butte Creek Strategic Plan
  • 3Daylight the Colorow Stream
  • 4Redesign Major Streets to Include Enhanced Green Infrastructure
  • 5Establish an Ecological Heart at the Center of Research Park
Connective Network
  • 6Plan a New, Healthy, Compact Street Grid
  • 7Create a Campus Circuit
  • 8Promote the Green Spine
  • 9Focus on the Social Spine
  • 10Reimagine Wakara Way
  • 11Prioritize Mobility Hubs and Transit Nodes
  • 12Implement a “Park Once”
    Strategy
Innovation Ecosystem
  • 13Allow Housing In Research Park
  • 14Expand Types of Employment
  • 15Establish an Innovation Storefront
  • 16Create a UURP Convergence Hall

How we will get there

Opportunity for Engagement

Upcoming dates and community involvement.

Submit Your ideas & Feedback

Research Park Vision Plan Contact Us
First
Last

The PRELIMINARY Vision Plan

Presentation to Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City (June 2020)

Community Forum Presentation (Postponed March 2020)

Presentation to East Bench Master Plan Group (June 2020)

Presentation to East Bench Community Council (August 19, 2020)