About

This initiative will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities throughout the region, extending the university’s mission of teaching, research and service, preparing the workforce of today and building the workforce of tomorrow. The project is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina.

The Innovation District is located at the site of the former Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on Bodenheimer Drive, at the edge of the neighboring Nature Preserve. The first academic building included in the project’s first phase of development is the STEM Academic Building, which will include cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourage K–12 partnerships.

Phase one of the project also includes:

• The development of 156 faculty and staff housing units, which will help meet App State employees’ housing needs amid housing scarcity and cost inflation in Boone. The planned units consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations in five multistory buildings.
• A zero-carbon district energy system that will begin to transition campus away from steam power. App State has a long-established reputation as a leader in the renewable energy space, and the university is exploring renewable energy options that will establish a national example for sustainable energy solutions.

Subsequent phases will include additional academic and partnership spaces. Facilities under discussion include:

• Spaces for research, teaching, and demonstration.
• Workspaces for multidisciplinary projects.
• Renewable energy labs.
• Conference rooms.
• Exhibition and studio spaces.
• Housing.

The Innovation District will utilize expertise found in App State’s Appalachian Energy Center, Center for Appalachian Studies, Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics, Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

This project is described in App State’s Master Plan 2025 as “The Broyhill Innovation District” (page 87).

A conceptual rendering of what the STEM Academic Building at App State might look like once completed. Note, designs for the facility (formerly referred to as the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research) are still in development. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

This artist’s rendering presents a view of the STEM Academic Building from one of the gardens planned for the facility’s home, App State’s Innovation District. Note, designs for the building (formerly referred to as the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research) are still in development. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

This conceptual rendering depicts what the Phase 1 components of App State’s Innovation District might look like, once completed. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system is displayed at left. Solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies will power the district’s energy system. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

A conceptual rendering of an outdoor courtyard located between the multistory buildings that are under construction as faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District. This housing is part of the district’s first phase of development. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group

This artist's rendering depicts a design concept for faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District, as part of the project's Phase 1 development. Image courtesy of Radnor Property Group

Status

Construction work for the Innovation District’s first phase of development began in late July 2023, with the installation of erosion control fences and the removal of trees. App State’s targeted opening date for the district’s STEM Academic Building is 2026, with occupancy of the faculty and staff housing slated for 2025. The district’s energy system is expected to become operational in 2025.

Underground utilities (water, sewer, stormwater and fiber-optic cable systems) have been installed across the Innovation District site, and a retaining wall has been completed near the site of the district’s housing. Vertical construction is underway for the multistory buildings that will house App State faculty/staff.

Additionally, interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is ongoing in the building that will serve as a control center for the district’s zero-carbon energy system — currently referred to as the District Energy System (DES) Building. Upcoming work includes installing heat pump chillers and pumps within the DES Building. And the planning and development process will soon begin for the first wind turbine to be installed at the Innovation District site.

The university has selected development partners Radnor Property Group LLC (Radnor) and Harrison Street through a competitive solicitation process to deliver an integrated phase one development concept for the district.

Work to create the district’s master plan began in summer 2021, when the project’s planning committees — along with independent advisory firm Brailsford & Dunlavey — collaborated to establish the university’s strategic priorities for the district. A market research and demand analysis and an energy and utilities analysis for the project were also performed.

A steering committee was established to ensure the master plan for the Innovation District is informed by the latest information, market trends and input from the App State Community. App State Interim Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris and Hank Foreman, in his role as Vice Chancellor of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, led this team.

In August 2021, the university hired design, architecture and engineering firm Page to provide master planning services for the Innovation District. Working closely with Brailsford & Dunlavey, the firm held three listening charrettes in fall 2021 with departments across campus to refine the development concept for the district, which was finalized in December 2021.

In late January 2022, the Innovation District Working Group met with two design firms that have offered multiphased development concepts for a Zero-Carbon District, meaning the district’s buildings will be highly energy efficient and powered by carbon-free, renewable energy sources. This will not only lower the buildings’ environmental impact but also help make them more financially viable.

Designers were also asked to include faculty and staff housing concepts as part of their proposals — as one way to help address housing shortages that affect App State’s ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff.

In July 2022, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved the pre-development letter of intent for the district’s first phase, as well as App State’s pursuit of public-private partnerships (P3) agreements for the district’s housing and energy system components.

The university ceremoniously broke ground on the first phase of development for the Innovation District — beginning with the STEM Academic Building — on March 25, 2022.

In January 2023, App State received the board’s approval to enter into a ground lease with nonprofit corporation Beyond Owners Group, which is developing 156 multifamily, multistory residential units on the Boone campus through its partner firms. App State also received the board’s approval to enter into an agreement with Harrison Street Real Estate LLC, which is constructing and will operate the Innovation District’s zero-carbon energy system. This system will generate and distribute energy to support the district’s planned phase one buildings, including the STEM Academic Building and faculty and staff housing.

App State entered into a P3 agreement with Radnor Property Group and Harrison Street in September 2023 for the development of the district’s faculty and staff housing. Under this partnership, Radnor and Harrison Street are financing the housing project, and financing will be delivered under a 501c3 ownership structure to enhance affordability.

Vertical construction is underway for the Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District site, as shown in this Sept. 10, 2024 photo. Photo by Wes Craig

A street-level view of the construction that is underway for Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District. This image was taken Sept. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

This image, taken Sept. 11, 2024, shows the interior work taking place for the District Energy System Building at App State's Innovation District. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Aug. 13, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

Foundation work for the multistory buildings that will house App State faculty/staff at the university's Innovation District — part of the district's Phase 1 development — is shown in this July 2024 aerial photo. Photo submitted

This panoramic photo, taken July 15, 2024, shows the construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development, is visible near the top center of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction work at App State's Innovation District progresses on schedule, as shown in this aerial image taken June 19, 2024. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system — part of the district's first development phase — is shown at right in the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of June 19, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction work is underway for the Innovation District's energy system control building, as shown in this June 19, 2024, photo. Workers are pictured installing roofing panels to the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken May 16, 2024. The steel structural frame for the district's energy system control building is visible at right. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction work taking place at App State's Innovation District, located at the top of Bodenheimer Drive on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The structural steel frame is in place for the control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system, as shown in this May, 16, 2024, photo. Work to apply the exterior of the building will soon begin. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Workers are shown installing framing for the energy system control building at App State’s Innovation District in this photo, taken April 25, 2024. Appalachian State University photo

Construction is underway for the zero-carbon energy system control building at App State's Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. The foundation for the building has been set, and workers are pictured installing underground utilities for the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of March 12, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial image, taken Feb. 20, 2024, shows Phase 1 construction progress at the site of App State's Innovation District, located at the top of Bodenheimer Drive. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction progress at App State’s Innovation District, as of Jan. 30, 2024. Recent construction work at the site includes the drilling of geothermal wells, which is nearly 90% complete, as well as the installation of site utilities. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of the construction progress on Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District, as of Dec. 6, 2023. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The construction progress on Phase 1 of App State's Innovation District, as of Nov. 30, 2023. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial photo, taken Nov. 30, 2023, shows the construction progress on Phase 1 development of App State's Innovation District. More than 50% of the construction access road connecting Homespun Hills Road to Bodenheimer Drive has been installed and paved. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial photo, taken Oct. 26, 2023, shows the construction progress on the first phase of development for App State’s Innovation District. The project’s Phase 1 components — the STEM Academic Building, faculty and staff housing and a zero-carbon energy system — are slated for completion in 2025 (housing and energy system) and 2026 (STEM building). Photo by Wes Craig

Construction progress on the first phase of development for App State’s Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken Sept. 28, 2023. The three components of Phase 1 — the STEM Academic Building, 156 units of faculty and staff housing and the district’s zero-carbon energy system — are slated for completion in 2025 (housing and energy system) and 2026 (STEM building). Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, third from right, is joined by members of the North Carolina General Assembly for the Innovation District groundbreaking ceremony, held March 25 at the top of Bodenheimer Drive. Pictured with Everts, from left to right, are Rep. Kelly Hastings, Rep. Jason Saine, Sen. Ralph Hise, Sen. Deanna Ballard and Rep. Ray Pickett. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, is joined by local and state government officials for the Innovation District groundbreaking ceremony, held March 25 at the top of Bodenheimer Drive. Pictured with Everts, from left to right, are Boone Mayor Pro Tem Edie Tugman, Boone Town Council Member Becca Nenow, Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle, Rep. Ray Pickett, Watauga County Board of Commissioners Chair John Welch, Blowing Rock Council Member Melissa Pickett, Watauga County Manager Deron Geouque and Sen. Deanna Ballard. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, is joined by University of North Carolina Board of Governors member C. Philip Byers, fourth from right, and members of App State’s Board of Trustees for the Innovation District groundbreaking ceremony, held March 25 at the top of Bodenheimer Drive. Pictured, from left to right, are trustees Jeff Chesson, Scott Lampe, John Blackburn, Vice Chair Mark Ricks, Chair Kimberly Shepherd, James Reaves, Tommy Sofield and Jimmy Barnes. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for App State’s Innovation District, held March 25 on top of Bodenheimer Drive. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, far left, delivers remarks at App State’s March 25 groundbreaking ceremony for the Innovation District project, located on top of Bodenheimer Drive. More than 75 members of the App State Community and town, county and state government attended the event. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Appalachian State University leadership and faculty break ground on the university’s Innovation District project, located on top of Bodenheimer Drive. Pictured during the March 25 ceremony, from left to right, are Geroge Baldwin, executive director for corporate and foundation relations; Dr. Lee Ball, chief sustainability officer; J.J. Brown, vice chancellor of student affairs; Dr. Neva Specht, vice provost for faculty policies and development; Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, provost and executive vice chancellor; Chancellor Sheri Everts; Dr. Zach Murrell, professor in and chair of App State’s Department of Biology; Hank Foreman, chief of staff and vice chancellor of external affairs and strategic initiatives; Dr. Michael Madritch, interim dean of App State’s College of Arts and Sciences; and Jane Barghothi, vice chancellor of university advancement. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Pictured March 25, Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, App State Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jeannine Underdown Collins, left, and Foundation Board of Directors member Bo Henderson take part in the ceremonious groundbreaking for the university’s Innovation District project, located on top of Bodenheimer Drive. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This aerial photo, taken June 13, 2022, shows the future home of App State’s Innovation District project. The site is located atop Bodenheimer Drive. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

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How is it funded?

The Bodenheimer Drive property has been designated as millennial campus space since 2015. This gives App State the flexibility to develop the property with private sector firms, issue bonds or lease the space.

In the FY 2021–22 biennial budget bill signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 18, 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly allocated $54 million in non-recurring funds to begin work on the Innovation District project, beginning with the STEM Academic Building. App State’s Board of Trustees authorized an additional $7.5 million in funding for the facility project at its March 24, 2023, meeting, to allow room for any potential inflationary adjustments. The additional funding was approved by the UNC System Board of Governors during the board’s April 2023 meeting.

The district’s faculty and staff housing and zero-carbon energy system are supported through public-private partnerships (P3) that do not rely upon state funds, or any capital from the university.

Who will benefit?

Students who will become tomorrow’s solution-makers, as well as the community, state, region and beyond who are served by the increased student engagement with research, creativity, innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

App State can produce more graduates in the critical workforce areas for North Carolina — identified in the UNC System’s strategic plan as STEM, health sciences, K-12 education and emerging workforce areas — who are capable of addressing the needs of the world.