ICAR's heart to be driving force on new campus
Plaza envisioned as activity hub

Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Anna Simon
CLEMSON BUREAU
asimon@greenvillenews.com

CLEMSON -- Clemson University trustees awarded a $4.8 million contract to a Greenville firm Monday to build the Collaboration Plaza at Clemson's International Center for Automotive Research.

It will be "a place where the public can come in and see and touch the latest technology," said Bob Geolas, CU-ICAR executive director.

The plaza will provide the main automotive and pedestrian access to the university's Carroll A. Campbell Graduate Engineering Center, BMW Information Technology Research Center, the Timken Building and privately developed buildings at the ICAR campus in Greenville, John McEntire, director of construction services, told trustees during a teleconference meeting.

It also will serve as a venue for outdoor events and will be the primary gathering area for what is called Technology Neighborhood 1 on the campus, which also includes CU-ICAR executive offices, a public display gallery and a parking structure, Geolas said in a later interview.

The plaza will be "the greatest representation" of a "truly collaborative spirit" at the heart of Clemson's vision for the campus, Geolas said.

"It will not only allow our partners to interact with each other but be a great showcase," Geolas said. "It is to foster and enhance the collaborative spirit that CU-ICAR is meant to support."

The $4.8 million project was awarded to Manhattan Construction's Greenville Office.

Grading is expected to start in April, with completion of construction targeted for August, Geolas said.

Funding for the plaza is part of a $6.4 million Research University Infrastructure Bond provided for the project that includes design and engineering fees and funding for enhancements, such as benches and tables and a sculpture.

University officials said Monday they anticipate an added $945,000 for the project. That money is expected from a $150,000 Greenville County Tax Credit, a federal Housing and Urban Development grant and a transfer of funds from a parking structure that adjoins the plaza site.

Plans for the added money are for some kind of special element that will be part of the plaza and become a symbol to represent the CU-ICAR campus, similar to the Tillman bell tower at the main campus or the old well at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Geolas said.

Possible plans include a tower or a sculpture that could be visible from Interstate 85, Geolas said.