SOUTH BEND — The new Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory is expected to put South Bend on the map as a research center for the high-powered engines used in airplanes, electric plants, and the oil and gas industries.
The laboratory also will likely spark more development in Ignition Park — the technology park platted on more than 80 acres of what was Studebaker's old manufacturing complex south of downtown.
South Bend officials announced their vision for Ignition Park in 2008 at a time when the property at Sample Street and Prairie Avenue was still filled with the remnants of Studebaker's decaying factories. The city, according to spokeswoman Kara Kelly, has spent about $40 million to buy land, tear down buildings, clean up pollution, install infrastructure and provide incentives for new development.
Eight years later, the land at Ignition Park remains mostly vacant, but city officials and local business leaders are optimistic about the park's prospects.
Data Realty, which moved into its 45,000-square-foot data center in 2012, was Ignition Park's only occupant for several years.
More recently, Data Realty has gained some neighbors as South Bend-based Great Lakes Capital has finished construction on two buildings — Catalyst One and Catalyst Two — that provide a total of more than 90,000 square feet for more tech firms to settle in at the park.
The Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory, which will occupy about 25,000 square feet of Catalyst Two, hosted an open house and ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon.
"Ignition Park is quickly becoming the vision that people talked about," Rich Carlton, president and chief operating officer for Data Realty, said Tuesday.