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Medical center’s Not a month goes by without Dr. Edwin Cadman getting a visit from a U.S. or Asian company looking for space to rent for medical or biotechnology research.
benefits touted
UH Dean Cadman says the
proposed project would be a major
economic engine for the stateBy Rob Perez
Star-BulletinCadman, dean of the University of Hawaii medical school, normally has to turn them away.
But if Cadman has his way, that would change in a few years once a new medical school and biotechnology research center is built on state land in Kakaako.
Cadman told the Hawaii Community Development Authority yesterday that the proposed project would be a major economic engine for the state, creating jobs and attracting companies wanting to transform high-tech research into successful commercial enterprises.
The HCDA board endorsed the concept of the medical school project at yesterday's meeting.
Gov. Ben Cayetano is asking the Legislature this session for authority to issue $141 million in bonds to finance the design and construction of the project's first phase, which would take about two years to complete.
Cadman said the center would bring 1,100 to 1,300 jobs to Kakaako, with roughly half being new ones, including 40 new faculty positions. The center would generate about $56 million in new research support, Cadman said.
The UH dean believes the medical complex would become a magnet for small biotech companies. Such companies regularly come looking for space at UH, but Cadman said he has to turn them away because space isn't available. A limited amount of leaseable space in such high-tech hubs as Silicon Valley and Boston have prompted companies to look elsewhere, especially in communities with major research universities, Cadman said.
One possibility that UH is exploring is having a private developer put up a large building on the 10-acre campus and then lease space to small companies. One real estate executive said such a concept has potential.
Cadman told the HCDA board that he was "trying to line up as many investors as possible."
As part of the medical complex, UH is planning a small visitors' center that would feature virtual reality exhibits and a Hawaiian healing garden. UH looked at several potential sites, including Kapolei and Leahi, to relocate the Manoa medical school, but Kakaako was deemed the best fit. It would be built on a site adjacent to the Kakaako Waterfront Park.
At its meeting yesterday, the HCDA board also authorized the agency to begin negotiations with Adtech Inc., a high-tech manufacturer, for the lease of about five acres of state land near the proposed medical school site.
The company is interested in building a headquarters there.
Before negotiations can begin, however, the agency directed Adtech to meet with community groups that have questions about the company's plans for the site.