07-26-11 Plan outlines first infrastructure for Ignition Park

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employment is expected to grow to 30 employees when the facility is expanded to 100,000 square feet. Data Realty has agreed not to seek any real property tax abatement. Projections of their annual taxes on the initial building are $273,000 per year. As part of the sales contract, the Redevelopment Commission will: • Bring a redundant power line to Ignition Park from the Kankakee substation at a cost of$100,000. • Support fapade enhancements to the Data Realty building to set an aesthetic tone for Ignition Park and meet the park's aesthetic requirements at a cost of$1.4 million, including a design fee of$77,500 for BSA Life Structures. • Provide a backup generator at a cost of$900,000 to Data Realty in exchange for 15 years worth of five data center equipment racks provided by Data Realty to the City and future Ignition Park tenants (valued at $1,080,000). "This is a very good deal for the City of South Bend," said Don Inks, director of economic development for the City of South Bend's Department of Community and Economic Development. "In many economic-development projects,there is a 15-to 20- year payback on bonds. In 3 to 8 years, we will have recouped 100 percent of our infrastructure investment in this site." Data Realty, a startup company based at Innovation Park at Notre Dame, announced in February that it will break ground this year for a Tier III data center serving small to mid- sized businesses in South Bend and throughout the Midwest. Construction may take about nine to 12 months. Ignition Park, together with the 12-acre Innovation Park next to the University of Notre Dame campus, constitutes South Bend's dual-site, state-certified technology park. Originally designated with 83 acres, Ignition Park is being expanded by City planners to incorporate as many as 140 acres of developable land near downtown South Bend. Located on the former grounds of legendary automaker Studebaker Corp., Ignition Park seeks to attract a variety of innovative companies, especially high-tech and research- based businesses. Some ventures under development at Innovation Park at Notre Dame are expected to put down roots and grow at Ignition Park. Ignition Park is generally bounded by Sample Street on the north, Lafayette Boulevard on the east, Indiana Avenue on the south and Chapin Street/Prairie Avenue on the west.