University City Science Center

{{Advert|date=February 2010}} The '''University City Science Center (UCSC)''' is the first and largest urban [[research park]] in the United States. It was established in 1963 with its headquarters in the [[University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|University City]] neighborhood of [[Philadelphia]]. It provides technology commercialization resources to entrepreneurs, including [[business incubator|incubator]] space with fully equipped laboratories and “plug ‘n play” offices, and programs that nurture and sustain new technology businesses. 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. 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. == Location == The Science Center occupies approximately {{convert|2000000|sqft|m2}} of real estate along Market Street in West Philadelphia and is located near several major universities and research institutions including The [[Children's Hospital of Philadelphia]], [[Drexel University]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]], [[University of the Sciences in Philadelphia]] and The [[Wistar Institute]]. Its location facilitates academic collaboration and fosters participation in the region’s largest community of researchers. The Science Center’s newest building is [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] certified at the silver level and features one of the largest green roofs in Philadelphia. === The Port === [http://www.sciencecenter.org/resident-companies/list The Port] business incubators offer more than {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}} of laboratory and office space. The facilities are equipped with a plug ‘n play, state-of-the-art infrastructure, broadband connectivity and significant tax advantages. The Port is designed to accommodate the changing needs of emerging, fast-growth companies with fully equipped wet and dry laboratories, managed office space and office amenities, and access to an influential network. === Global Soft-Landing === The [http://www.sciencecenter.org/global-soft-landing Global Soft-Landing Program] facilitates international business in the U.S. by helping global companies establish themselves in local life sciences and information technology markets. Philadelphia offers a favorable location between the nation's regulatory/legislative center in Washington and its financial core in New York. Global Soft Landing provides international companies with the same amentities as offered by the Port. === QED Proof of Concept === The [http://www.sciencecenter.org/qed-intro QED Proof of Concept Program] is a funding and business development program for researchers at the Greater Philadelphia region’s academic institutions. The QED Program supports proof-of-concept R&D in early-stage life science technologies with perceived commercial potential. The QED Program integrates grant funding, business advice, market drivers and guidance to exit. === Quorum === When it is fully built, Quorum will create a center for entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the region to convene, interact, network and exchange ideas. A modular, “greet, meet, and eat” space will facilitate their ability to build knowledge and explore opportunities. The Satellite Quorum offers Science Center-supported programming at various events across the region. The [http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1857777&trk=anet_ug_hm iQuorum] integrates online networking tools. == Companies == As of September 2009, the Science Center business incubator has "hatched" 351 companies. Of these, 155 are still in business and directly employ 15,686 people in the Greater Philadelphia region. They include [[Centocor]], Neose Technologies, Integral Molecular, SEI, [[Bentley Systems]], 3-D Pharmaceuticals, BioRexis, Acuity, Morphotek, and many others. The work of the approximately 100 incubator and resident companies that currently call the Science Center home ranges from [[diagnosis|diagnostics]], [[therapy|therapeutics]], [[medical devices]], [[healthcare systems]], [[bioinformatics]], and [[cognitive science]] to information technology infrastructure, [[interactive media]], nano-scale imaging, novel materials and [[clean technology|clean energy technology]]. ==Land dispute== The Science Center filed a lawsuit on May 28, 2010, to stop the [[Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority]] from seizing two parcels of land in the 3800 block of [[Market Street]] in West Philadelphia. The Authority found the Science Center to be in default of an agreement about the two parcels of land in September, 2009. The Science Center contended in its lawsuit that current economic conditions had delayed redevelopment, saying that theapparent default was caused by an unforeseeable cause, and therefore should not be grounds for taking the land. == External links == * [http://www.sciencecenter.org/ University City Science Center home page] * [http://www.archives.upenn.edu/histy/features/upwphil/ucsc.html "Come to Where the Knowledge Is": A History of the University City Science Center] {{coord missing|United States}}