The RTP Goes to the Movies

We, here at the Research Triangle Foundation have been on pins and needles with the excitement surrounding the opening of the new Iron Man 3 movie.  You see just about a year ago Marvel Studios camped out at the RTP Headquarters to build the set for Stark Industries and the office of Pepper Potts.   It took about two weeks of construction for two days of filming.  I felt so important coming to the office on film days because we were given special bracelets to wear to show that we “belonged” there.  We were part of the “in crowd”.  Of course we couldn’t wait until May 3rd to see if we made the cut or were left on the editing room floor.  Well, we’re in!

A few coworkers and I ventured out to see for ourselves and YEP, there is the RTP Headquarters, I mean Stark Industries on the big screen.  If you have ever visited the headquarters building there are particular items that are unmistakable identifiers.  From our deep, heavy, chunky front desk to our grand video wall, copper patina walls and custom leather chairs (all of which make an appearance in the film).  I was surprised however at just how many of the actors were in this particular scene.  There was, Gwyneth Paltrow (aka Pepper Potts), Jon Favreau (aka Happy Hogan), Guy Pearce, and James Badge Dale and lots of local extras.

Personally I think the best thing about the movie was that, as a surprise to us all, our own Conference Center Manager, Linda Rozet, who was imperative to this whole process was mentioned in the credits!  Way to go Linda R!  There it was in black and white scrolling up the big screen a thank you to “Linda Rozet and the Research Triangle Park“.  The Research Triangle Park is known all over the world and now we are also known in a little place called Hollywood.

*The burgeoning NC film industry brought created over 4,000 jobs and $376 million in spending in the state for fiscal year 2012.

We Must All Become Bearodactyls

I am not an event planner.

Coordinating people, answering 10,000 questions, juggling finicky speakers, and corralling late caterers: these are the things nightmares are made of.

I also hate public speaking. Sweaty palms, unflattering angles, stuttering, stage fright.

But I do both of these things anyways, out of love of a place. That place being North Carolina’s Triangle.

If you made our 180° event last week, you know exactly how inspiring that love can be.

You’d have felt the electric energy – that hungry, entrepreneurial spirit that manifested physically in the room. You’d have seen the bright eyes, the knowing grins of the audience. You’d have heard the crowd roar, at the very end, as emcee Will Hardison said, “Let’s show these people what there is to love about the Triangle” as he casually snapped a Vine video with his iPhone.

It was proof consummate that we who live here love our Triangle. And what’s not to love? The area is saturated with brilliant minds, brilliant research, brilliant achievements. And we still get to enjoy all of the benefits of a tightly knit community.

But while we’re busy stuck in books and solving all the problems, our competitors are wearing ironic black-rimmed glasses and skinny jeans, listening to Skrillex and generally being cooler than cool-flavored Doritos.

Plus, they’re marketing themselves accordingly – and that’s the crux of the matter.

Yes, Houston – we’ve got a marketing problem.

Because we’re sexy. We’re cool. AND we’re smart. There should be no competition.

We’ve got just as many hipsters as Brooklyn, and we’re just as bright as MIT or Stanford. In short: we should obliterate them all out of the water with our sheer amounts of epic. But when I went to SXSW, and mentioned RTP to a collective band of 100 interactive attendees, nary a lash was batted among the 20s and 30s set. They did not know what RTP is. Or what it has been.

We’ve become quiet in our works; and somehow, we’ve lost ourselves to an entire, implicitly-ironic generation.

This is a problem — and one that can be fixed.

But for that to happen – for that to really happen – we need to stop being shy, studious bookworms. We have to evolve past our comfort levels into dinosaur-class, disproportionately awesome entities capable of ruling the sky.

–

Our footage from March 19’s “180°: Entrepreneurship in the Triangle” isn’t online yet – but it will be soon.

And your best way to get your hands on it is to follow our Twitter, @TheRTP – and our YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRTPNC.

The bearodactyl is a noble concept created by @TheOatmeal.

The Official “ReImagine RTP” Town Hall Tally

It’s no secret that we’ve been looking for community input in regards to our plans for the Research Triangle Park’s redevelopment. Last week, over 50 RTP employees, from various companies, gathered at our headquarters building to brainstorm during the ReImagine RTP Town Hall Session.

What do people want the future Park to look like? Well, we’ve broken down notes from the evening so we could share them with the rest of the world.

If you want to give us your feedback, consider taking the market survey over at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RTP_Employee_Survey.

And if you want to share your biggest ideas, we invite you to submit your story over at www.reimaginenc.com.

Digital

• A centralized, large “RTP as Information Times Square” – Hive/Hub Concept [i.e. an open, light, bright, community area with a massive screen ala TweetDeck/Twitter]. It runs a, social, RTP-area API w/feed from job search resources, local press, community groups. Constant, streaming, real-time input, news, events, from multiple “vetted” sources. But also includes a “column” for ongoing projects, experiments, research, etc; with the ability to pull hash-tagged projects/messages with a gesture from the main screen to a personal device, for actual detailed collab. Twitter meets Quora meets Kanban board.)
• Separate honeycombs/labs so that the collaborative element of the “hive” is not lost. Use this to find a common cause/project; and then group up in a separate side area – w/the latest digital acrouments.
• Noise cancellation pods for the busier areas.
• Include Concierge Screens – Drop presentations off wirelessly, have a quiet place to present – seamless networking inside, outside.
• Outdoor meeting spaces.
• A variety of workspaces – with appropriate, up-to-date infrastructures. Single/collaborative. New age and “oldschool” office amenities.
• Advanced lab space, shared spaces, for tests, experiments. Include cameras for coordination around the globe.
• Smart desks with digital interactives – ability to plan – digital sticky notes?
• Centralized calendar of events.
• Digital support for social/retail/pleasure – beyond business.
• Large, tech-friendly auditorium.

TLDR? We need constant information curation; and high-tech spaces that allow for agile, actionable collaboration, communication, testing, planning and delivery.

Public Activities

• Transportation; need to be able to move people around to get to activities.
• Shared bikes.
• Shuttles.
• Rickshaws/pedicabs.
• Corporate arena for challenges/events.
• Festivals
• Outdoor concerts
• Arts
• Scholarly events
• Food/Bev style events
• Farmer’s Market
• Golf Course
• Convention Center
• Outdoor Facilities
• Child care
• Fitness Club/Gym
• Schools
• Room for professional societies/associations/clubs
• Activities for children
• Common/public athletic facilities
• Career fairs.

TLDR? We need to be planning a whole lot of cool stuff, consistently.

Universities & Colleges

• Better connect the universities and the Park. Transportation is key.
• Light rail? Hours? Service?
• Extend bike and jogging trails to universities.
• Bike share. Interlocking.
• Trails w/signage and maps.
• Translational Center – physical place.
• Lecture space – shared curriculum?
• Branding for the region that includes all schools, not just the big 3.
• Incorporate international communities.
• Affordable/walking housing
• Accommodations for visiting researchers and professors.

TLDR? We need better integration and transportation.

Public Spaces

• Water features
• Green spaces
• Botanical gardens
• Community-supported agriculture
• Conference facilities
• Amphitheater
• Entertainment options
• A unique common area (Main Street)
• Variety of living options
• Physical ways to tie the universities to the companies in the Park.
• Golf or driving range
• Fitness/pool
• Places to congregate after work

TLDR? We want a variety of high-tech, community spaces.

Socializing

• Residential component
• Grocery store
• Arts/Recreation/Sports
• Co-op space w/multi-organizational use.
• Museum of Science and Technology – “Walk of Fame” – Incorporates place for universities to meet in RTP w/RTP Employees
• Schools
• Events, i.e. technology festival.
• Live music

TLDR? We want cool stuff to do.

Cities and Towns

• Want to enhance what our surrounding communities already do well. Arts/Culture, Nightlife.
• Unique lifestyle experiences.
• Fostering of dialogue between our companies and K-12 schools (career prep, mentoring, connecting education w/industry).
• Maintain green space/remain open to nature.
• Visibility of science/research, showcasing our accomplishments.
• Dining/services that convenient for RTP employees.
• “Innovation Main Street” – companies can house bus dev functions, showcase research. Retail aspects (Cree LED lights, BASF pesticides, IBM servers, etc.)
• “Pitch Days” – Open Mic Innovation
• Become a destination for international visitors. We already have lots of traffic from abroad as people visit our companies – we can build off of that.
• Need better connection to airport.
• Want a venue for music.
• Unique stores.

TLDR? We want a high-tech, cool, unique community that celebrates our accomplishments, connects us and provides a healthy work/life/play balance.

Open the Door, Get on the Floor, It’s Time to Walk the Dinosaur

The New Republic was one of the first publications to get an inkling of the scope of what we are trying to accomplish here at the Research Triangle Park. And its reaction, while largely positive, was not entirely so.

A particularly scrumtrulescent headline:  “Dinosaur Makeover: Can Research Triangle Park Pull Itself Out of the 1950s?” took a bit of a jab at us.

While it was as cromulent as any other headline, the implication for failure was certainly present. Or more specifically: was meant to be present.

Personally, I took the comparison to be highly flattering.

Dinosaurs evolved and were around for… well… awhile (not to get too scientific here). And if Jurassic Park is any indication, they are able to break down fences – and always find a way.

And much like the noble velociraptor, we are very much going to find our own path.

It starts with our Master Plan.

It continues with a state-wide, three week-long bus tour.

And it ends with you.

We invite you to help us evolve to the next level. Way, way beyond the 1950s. Let’s go to the 2050s – and beyond – and let’s do it now.

Talk to us on social media. Tell us what you want to evolve in to.

And let’s make it a reality.

Master Plan Update: Zoning Gives Room to Grow

RTP will begin to allow buildings closer to the street

The Research Triangle Park’s new Master Plan, set for unveiling on November 9th, has already generated a laundry list of implementation steps. On the heels of legislative changes approved over the summer, we are now in the midst of an overhaul of the zoning regulations that affect the Park.

On October 1, the Wake County Board of Commissioners gave its approval for revisions to their Unified Development Ordinance that deal with the RA (Research Applications) District, which is RTP’s zoning in Wake County. The main goal is to give more flexibility and increase development potential for existing Park businesses. Read more »

Fidelity Celebrates Anniversary in RTP

Congratulations go out this week to Fidelity Investments, celebrating 10 years of operations in the Research Triangle region!

Fidelity is a leading financial services firm with over $3.5 trillion of total assets under their administration. The company provides investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products to more than 20 million individuals and institutions. Founded in 1946, Fidelity is the nations’ largest provider of 401(k) savings plans. Their nationwide employment is 40,000, with over 2,000 employees in our region.

The company first established a local presence in 2002, when IBM signed an agreement with Fidelity to outsource their human resources services. The 10 years following have brought steady growth. Over time they began leasing space within the Research Triangle Park, while looking into land opportunities for building a major RTP campus. In 2011, Fidelity purchased the 676,000 sq ft Network Center campus, a cluster of 4 buildings formerly belonging to Nortel Networks. This presented an outstanding opportunity to repurpose and revitalize an underutilized property with a prominent RTP location.

Over the past year Fidelity has been hard at work upfitting the Network Center property and gradually expanding to fill the space. In their brief history as an RTP company, they have already become one of our top 10 largest employers. Eventually they will consolidate all of their Triangle region employment at this location, with room to grow. Fidelity also has a parking garage under construction onsite that will hold over 2,000 vehicles!

The arrival of Fidelity in RTP demonstrated a growing presence of financial services operations, allowing the Park to broaden its industry portfolio. At their RTP campus, Fidelity Investments sustains its competitive edge in the industry through continuous research, rapid adoption, and effective deployment of leading-edge technologies. They offer a training and development program for recent IT graduates, while also offering job opportunities in customer service, accounting, business consulting and more.

Click here to see a video highlighting the history of innovation at Fidelity. Some of their recent success stories include a new online trading platform and cutting-edge mobile brokerage apps. A timeline of innovations is also available here. Read more »

Envisioning RTP for Future Generations

A guest blog post by Bob Geolas, the new President & CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation

The Research Triangle Park in 1959

Growing up in North Carolina, I have always believed that our state was special, capable of achieving “big things” and destined to play a leading role on the global stage. It does not matter whether you were born and raised in North Carolina or moved here from somewhere else, we all seem to share this confidence in our state.

To me, this comes from our great Research Triangle Park and its history. A bold, even risky, proposition fifty years ago, North Carolina announced its intentions to build a cutting-edge research park in a scrub-pine forest in a state that ranked 49 out of 50. Despite all the challenges, it worked.

Today, RTP stands as a global brand, an innovation hot spot and economic engine for our country. Now, it is time for us to think big again for RTP and North Carolina. Throughout this year, we will begin launching a new development plan.

A vision for the Research Triangle Park of the future

This plan will embrace four principles:

• RTP should be highly collaborative – a place that brings people together in new dense, urban centers with amenities and services.
• RTP should be authentic to North Carolina -  representing modern design and quality work and living spaces.
• RTP should be inspiring - representing the excitement of the future in science, technology, arts and humanities.
• RTP should be accessible – affordable to new technology companies and those looking to grow and expand.

This will be an exciting time for our great Research Triangle Park and I am honored to represent such a special place. I hope you will join us as we begin to launch our next fifty years and the continued promise that is our destiny.

The Research Triangle Park: Plans for the Future

As most people know from past blog posts here, here, and here, the Research Triangle Foundation has been working diligently to ensure RTP is as ideal a home for innovative R&D companies in the next fifty years as it was in its first fifty years.  WRAL interviewed our new CEO, Bob Geolas, yesterday regarding our plans for the future of the Research Triangle Park.

As Bob very succinctly summarized in the video, ”RTP has played a transformational role in North Carolina. It’s going to continue to do that, and we’re excited about its future.”

We look forward to sharing more about the changes envisioned in the coming months.

Year in Review: RTP Expansions

RTI's Building O9, opened in 2011

It’s certainly been an eventful year for the Research Triangle Park.  There’s a lot we could talk about: grant funding and capital infusion, conferences and events, a new CEO for RTP.  But one of the most exciting topics has been growth and expansion over the past year. In 2011, over 750,000 sq.ft. of  new office and industrial space was announced by various Park companies. Several of these projects are now well into the construction phase, or even complete. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s been going on in 2011:

In September, Fidelity Investments purchased a group of four office buildings on NC Highway 54 formerly occupied by Nortel Networks. Fidelity is renovating the 676,000 sq.ft. of space, and will then consolidate its regional operations into one campus. This one purchase will go a long way towards reducing vacant space in RTP and rejuvenating its building stock.

Medicago held the ribbon cutting for its new $42 million, 97,000 sq.ft. facility in November. Breathing new life into North Carolina’s heritage, Medicago will produce influenza vaccines developed using tobacco leaves. Their cGMP facility has the capacity to produce more than 40 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine or 120 million doses of pandemic influenza vaccine per year.

RTI International, our flagship research institute, held its grand opening for Building O9 in April. The office facility is a 127,000 sq.ft. companion to Building O8, completed several years earlier. Both facilities have been certified LEED Gold. RTI is now looking into opportunities to develop greenhouse space and a biocrude pilot production plant, either in RTP or nearby.

Syngenta Biotechnology is reinventing a site on Davis Drive that was home to one of the Research Triangle Park’s first buildings. Read more »

Behind the Scenes at RDU

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport has received a lot of acclaim for the recent and very impressive redevelopment of Terminal 2, as well as their 2011 ranking as the most efficient mid-sized airport in the nation. So it was certainly a treat when myself and a colleague were invited to take an in-depth tour of RDU’s operations.

In some ways, RDU operates like a small city. The have their own governing board, fire and rescue station, shuttle buses, fleet maintenance, landscaping crews, energy plant and more. Managed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, RDU gets most of its revenue from parking. They aim to diversify their income sources in order to keep operation fees for airlines low. Other sources under consideration include selective timbering of the airport’s 5,000 acre property, and additional commercial development at Aviation Station (where the Sheetz gas station on Aviation Parkway is located).

Our tour started off  at the General Aviation Terminal, where Obama parks Air Force One when he comes to visit, and moved straight to the Emergency Services Building, which is responsible for firefighting, aircraft rescue, structural fire protection, and emergency medical services.

View of Terminal 2 from RDU's Control Tower

The highlight of the tour was the opportunity to climb the air traffic control tower, where the controllers direct planes as they take off and land. The name of the game for these employees is efficiency combined with a very important focus on safety. With 372 daily arrivals and departures and 9.1 million passengers flowing through the airport on an annual basis, it is very important to airport administrators that flights take off on time. Our tour guides went into great detail about the specific flight paths that are permitted to and from RDU, the required clearance between planes, and the strategies for handling severe weather situations. Each member of the control tower team has a specific role that keeps things running smoothly. Read more »