Activity in and around the University of Kentucky’s long-standing high-tech research park will be picking up over the next few years. And it won’t necessarily all be found in laboratory or office settings.
New residents will become part of the landscape on the Coldstream Research Campus. A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday signaled the official start of construction for the 260-unit residential village Fifteen51. Research Campus Director George Ward said the applicable phrase is a place to live, work, play, and innovate.
“We have 2200 employees currently and we need more places for lunch, more places for coffee, more places for people to bump into each other and converse and hopefully come up with great new ideas,” said Ward.
Ward said builders of a core office and lab space facility have indicated they will do another similar structure once the first is occupied. Plans call for residents to begin moving in Fifteen51 next spring.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton noted the city has 250 acres open for development on or near Coldstream. She added the Fifteen51 residential village will make the research park more attractive to high-tech companies. Council Member Josh McCurn said he sees the new residential development as a kickstart for further commercial activity on the research campus.
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