The $375 million Wisconsin Institute for Discovery will turn the near west side of the UW-Madison campus into a cutting-edge nexus for integrated research, allowing the state to remain a leader in research areas across the academic spectrum.
This was the vision laid out at the Capitol Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle, UW System President Kevin Reilly and UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley. All spoke optimistically about the potential benefits an integrated facility will have for the state.
\While the Institute will be physically based in Madison, it will serve as a dynamic, interactive hub that fosters collaborative research among all UW institutions,"" Reilly said. ""Engineers, biologists, chemists, statisticians, medical researchers and their colleagues throughout the UW System will have access to the latest technologies and research support.""
The WID is a proposed 475,000-square foot facility that would encompass the trapezoidal block west of Charter Street and east of Randall Avenue, between University Avenue and Campus Drive.
The buildings currently occupying that space, including the Brodgen Building, where the psychology department resides, and the Physical Plant Building, which handles maintenance for the university, will be torn down.
Doyle touted the location as ideal because it lies in close proximity to nearly all of the disciplines that will be integrated in the WID, while Wiley explained why the integrated research facility is vitally important in keeping the state at the forefront of innovation.
""Biotechnology won't be able to take the next step without the computer scientists and the engineers and the nanotechnologists who make the tools they are using,"" Wiley said. ""Similarly, computer scientists won't be able to make the next step without understanding the applications that are demanded.""
No one will be taking any steps, however, if the building is not funded. Doyle proposed half the cost, or about $187 million, come from the state, with the other half privately funded. The governor is hopeful the State Building Commission will approve $19 in state money for Phase I of the WID construction at a Friday meeting.
Wiley told The Daily Cardinal he is hopeful construction can begin in two years or sooner, starting at Randall Avenue and moving eastward. He said in comparison to other proposed changes to campus, it is imperative this project move quickly due to the breakneck speed of scientific discovery.
""If you're not moving or you're standing still, you're actually losing ground,"" Wiley said. ""It's critically important to get it launched as fast as we can.\
