Planners at Oregon State University – Cascades have released a request for proposals for a developer to lead the development of the first phase of the campus’s future innovation district.
OSU-Cascades is seeking a strategic and long-term development partner to oversee the creation of a dynamic built environment that can help realize the university’s vision for the innovation district, attracting mature anchor and startup company tenants to collaborate with the university.
The concept of an innovation district at OSU-Cascades was initiated during a three-year campus planning process that began in 2013 and engaged more than 1,500 community members.
Since then, Rebecca Robinson, OSU’s associate vice president for economic development and industry relations, and the senior advisor for strategic initiatives at OSU-Cascades, and campus planners have collaborated extensively with community groups and regional, state and OSU economic development interests to plan for the district.
“Successful innovation districts bring together people, place and programs to achieve outcomes that are more than the sum of their parts,” said Robinson. “We’re excited to work with a team that will create a vibrant and welcoming sense of place, reflect the character of the region, and embrace OSU’s mission to serve Oregon communities through innovative-thinking and forward-looking inventions and solutions.”
The innovation district is envisioned to provide opportunities that advance research, commercial innovations and student experiential learning through collaborations with companies in industries that represent Central Oregon and the state’s economic and workforce priorities, as well as the academic and research expertise at OSU-Cascades.
OSU-Cascades will work with the selected developer to seek tenants in industries such as outdoor products, energy systems and biotechnology, and provide guidance for collaborating with researchers and faculty experts, and for offering student internships and research projects, and job shadowing.
The selected developer will lease land from OSU and design, build, finance, operate, maintain and manage up to five buildings and associated tenants.
Conceptual plans for the first phase envision laboratories, classrooms, work and meeting spaces, retail operations and market rate housing accommodations within the buildings, along with outdoor gathering and seating areas.
Proposals are sought by Sept. 11 and following a selection process, a signed agreement is expected by Aug. 2026. Proposals will include planned construction of the first two buildings, slated to start in early 2028, with a completion date in late 2029.
The 24-acre innovation district will be located on what was a county-owned and closed demolition landfill. Land remediation for the first eight-acre phase of the innovation district was completed in early 2024 and infrastructure, including parking, utilities and connections to the campus geo-exchange system, will be completed late summer 2025.
