Governor Jay Nixon Praises Grand Opening of Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

July 1, 2009, St. Louis, MO – The new BioResearch and Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Plant opened on June 16 the first of three buildings at the new research park located at 1005 N. Warson Road in Creve Coeur. (Editor’s note: The acronym BRDG is pronounced “bridge”)

As a world-class facility designed to enhance collaborations at international center of plant and life sciences research, BRDG Park has been developed for plant and life sciences and clean-tech companies from the incubation stage to post-incubation stage. It is uniquely positioned to help tenant companies “bridge” the transition from innovative ideas to commercial success.

“BRDG Park puts the state of Missouri in the strongest possible position to attract new employers…help existing Missouri businesses grow, and to create the high-tech, high-paying jobs of tomorrow,” said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon in written remarks read on his behalf when inclement weather prevented his attending the event.

In addition to remarks from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, speakers included St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, William H. Danforth, M.D., Chairman of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Chairman of the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences; Zelema Harris, PhD, Chancellor of St. Louis Community College; and James R. Berens, President of Wexford Science+Technology, the privately-held real estate development and investment company developing the BRDG Park complex, which will ultimately encompass 450,000 square feet.

Located on the campus of the Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest plant science research institute, the first building is an 110,000 square-foot, four-story facility featuring state-of-the-art wet labs and office space. Already more than 60 percent leased, the building’s tenants include Divergence, St. Louis Community College Center for Plant and Life Sciences, Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, Monsanto, and Phycal LLC.

In addition to being situated at the national and international center for plant and life science research, in the heartland of American agriculture, BRDG Park is uniquely prepared to provide the Research + Resources + Relationships necessary to help fledgling companies span the transition from innovative ideas to tangible commercial businesses. Tenants will not only have convenient access to the Danforth Center’s technologically advanced greenhouse, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities, but also the intellectual capital of top research scientists.

“Building I at BRDG Park features a great mix of enterprises and innovative partnerships that will provide the kind of scientific synergy that will help companies grow, building on the strong plant and life science base in St. Louis,” said Sam Fiorello, President of BRDG Park and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Administration at the Danforth Plant Science Center.

According to Vicki Gonzalez, President and CEO of the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, a plant and life sciences incubator, BRDG Park not only offers a world-class facility, but also spaces that are designed to connect individuals to one another, as well as to their work. “These qualities are of special importance to incubation stage companies,” said Gonzalez.

One of the most unique features of Building I is the classroom and laboratory space that distinguishes BRDG Park as one of the only research parks to have an on-site bio-tech workforce development and training program. The St. Louis Community College’s Center for Plant and Life Sciences bio-technician training program, which has been recognized for excellence by the Missouri Biotechnology Organization (MOBIO), will create unlimited and innovative opportunities for collaborations between academia and industry.

Gaudreau, Inc., based in Baltimore, provided architectural, planning and engineering consulting. With more than 30 years of experience planning and designing facilities for science and start-up companies, Gaudreau has worked with Wexford on several previous developments, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) BioPark for early-stage to mature bioscience companies.

Gaudreau’s familiarity with science companies ranges from small start-ups to major institutions. This experience was important to Nidus, as well as to Divergence, Inc., which is relocating from the Nidus Center incubator, where it has outgrown its space, to the first BRDG Park building.

Sustainability was central to the design of Building I, despite the challenges of science labs that demand high energy use, Tarlton Construction constructed the BRDGPark 1 building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Core & Shell requirements, complying with all sustainable criteria in construction processes, design execution, and site management.

During construction, pipes and ductwork were protected to prevent contamination from dust or other materials. Trucks were washed off to keep local streets clean. Construction waste and trash were appropriately recycled where possible. The site includes retention ponds to contain stormwater. The structure is built on a concrete foundation, with structural steel framing and a mixture of masonry, flat metal panel and aluminum curtainwall veneer with custom aluminum sun screens.