Air Force Real Property Agency selects developer for research and technology campus Published May 18, 2007 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Force Real Property Agency has announced the selection of Eglin Properties LLC as the highest ranked offeror for development of the Emerald Coast Technology and Research Campus. The campus will be located on 100 acres adjacent to the University of Florida's Research Engineering Education Facility located on Lewis Turner Blvd/North Poquito Road, Shalimar. Eglin Properties LLC, comprised of Hunt Development and Dick Corporation, will now enter the negotiation phase of the Air Force's first full Enhanced Use Lease (EUL). The Eglin Properties LLC proposal included integrating the present University of Florida Research Engineering Education Facility into a Research and Technology Campus and construction of Research/Development, Technology, and Office facilities; a conference center/hotel; student housing, restaurants and a child-care facility. Eglin Properties LLC vision for the campus will attract tenants conducting research in a wide variety of technologies, such as biotechnology, software and telecommunications, as well as established technology employers such as defense contractors. Their plan will focus on attracting high quality, high-technology jobs and generating new opportunities for fast-growing and innovative technology businesses to locate at the campus. "This is a great opportunity for both Eglin and the local community because the results of BRAC were to establish Eglin as one of three research, development, acquisition, test and evaluation weapons armament centers of expertise within the Department of Defense" said Bob Arnold, Chairman of the Eglin Mission Enhancement Committee. "This research campus will fuel, to a new level, the synergy needed for this capability to become a reality because it will bring in a central strategic beneficial location for the right technologies that will feed Eglin's mission while benefiting the community by creating additional high tech, high paying jobs." Under the Air Force's new Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) Program, Eglin Properties LLC will build the campus utilizing private investment funds and will lease space to prospective tenants. A lease fee for the property will be paid to the Air Force by Eglin Properties LLC with proceeds targeted for improving Eglin infrastructure, operations expenses, environmental restoration, and new facilities for the Air Force. The on-going environmental analysis must be completed before the lease document is signed. "Developments of this type hold great promise for the future of Eglin AFB in fostering growth and development needs of the community while ensuring the viability of current and future mission requirements," said Col. Dennis Yates, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander. The Base Project Officer is Mr Brian Brown, Eglin Mission Enhancement Office.