The Scripps Research The Scripps Research InstituteInstitute

Palm Beach County Palm Beach County FloridaFlorida

Caroline KramerCaroline Kramer

ES/Pol 333ES/Pol 333

December 2005December 2005

BackgroundBackground

Scripps based in La Jolla, CaScripps based in La Jolla, Ca Looking to build new Biotech Research Looking to build new Biotech Research

Park….picked Palm Beach County, FLPark….picked Palm Beach County, FL Selected locationSelected location Mecca Farms Mecca Farms

Former Orange GroveFormer Orange Grove

Potential to be the most economically Potential to be the most economically beneficial to FL since Disney beneficial to FL since Disney

The IssueThe Issue

Mecca Farms is surrounded by several Mecca Farms is surrounded by several environmentally sensitive areasenvironmentally sensitive areas

Army Corps of Engineers only assessed 535 of Army Corps of Engineers only assessed 535 of the 2,000 acres for environmental impact prior the 2,000 acres for environmental impact prior to issuing a building permitto issuing a building permit

Violation of NEPAViolation of NEPA Florida Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club file Florida Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club file

lawsuit against Corpslawsuit against Corps District Court Judge Middlebrooks ruled to stop District Court Judge Middlebrooks ruled to stop

building until proper environmental assessment building until proper environmental assessment can be completedcan be completed

Current State of AffairsCurrent State of Affairs

TSRI OptionsTSRI Options Wait out lengthy EIS over Mecca FarmsWait out lengthy EIS over Mecca Farms Choose an alternative site Choose an alternative site

(Abacoa, Briger Tract, Florida Research (Abacoa, Briger Tract, Florida Research Park)Park)

Scripps has until Dec. 20, 2005 to Scripps has until Dec. 20, 2005 to decidedecide

Land Use of FloridaLand Use of Florida

Approximate Mecca

Location

Aerial Photo of Mecca Aerial Photo of Mecca FarmsFarms

Mecca Farms LocationMecca Farms Location                                 

Mecca Farms

Building DesignBuilding Design

Alternative Site Alternative Site ProposalsProposals

• Abacoa is much smaller location, decreases possibility of urban sprawl

•Briger Tract is across the street

•Adjoined to Florida Atlantic University

•Next to I-95, easily accessible (no new roads need to be built)

Florida's Opinion on TSRI location

27.04%

28.23%

29.07%

2.23%

6.09%

6.54%

Mecca Farms

Florida Research Park

Abacoa

Briger Tract

Multiple Campuses

Nowhere

Unofficial pole from www.palmbeachpost.com