UCF’s push for Sanford Burnham gains traction
After two years of failed negotiations, Sanford Burnham is closer than ever to getting its wish to leave Orlando.
The two local governments and a development company that created a $300 million incentive package to help bring the medical research institute to Lake Nona a decade ago are close to completing plans to start negotiations with the University of Central Florida, which wants to take over Sanford Burnham’s facility.
Their intent is laid out in a memo listed as an agenda item for next week’s Orange County Commission meeting. The document is signed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and an executive from Tavistock. It awaits Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ signature.
Since UCF presented its plans to county commissioners in January, and after Florida Hospital withdrew its proposal for the site, the three local stakeholders have separately
expressed their support of UCF’s plans.
If signed by Jacobs, they can officially start negotiations with UCF about taking over the Sanford Burnham facility in Lake Nona.
“This memorandum is a result of that effort as these initial discussions move into negotiations with UCF to help continue that mission,” the city’s press secretary said in a statement. “The City is actively working with the other local funding parties to further ensure the research at the Sanford Burnham Facility continues.”
Jacobs and Tavistock did not respond to requests for interview, but they have previously expressed their support for the UCF proposal.
“We are delighted and honored to have this opportunity to move forward with our plans for an academic cancer research and treatment center,” said Dr. Deborah German, UCF medical school dean. “We are working to finalize plans for a center that will serve our patients, providers, students and taxpayers.”
The California-based research institute drew up contracts with the state, city, county and Tavistock to receive the incentive package in 2006. In exchange it promised 303 jobs.
By the time the institute’s intentions to leave Florida were revealed two years ago, it had reached 87 percent of its jobs goal. Bound by its agreements, it had to hand over its operations to another entity and have all the stakeholders’ approval to do so.
Twice, first with University of Florida and then Florida Hospital, deals failed.
The state, which pitched in $155 million to lure Sanford Burnham, eventually decided to end its agreement with the institute earlier this year by collecting more than $10 million in unused equipment funds.
UCF is planning to create a comprehensive cancer research and treatment center at the 175,000-square-foot facility, with a focus on basic and translational research. The university is bringing in three partners:
Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute, which is Hospital Corporation of America’s cancer research division;
Provision Healthcare, a network of cancer centers and developer of next-generation proton beam therapy;
Alter+Care, an Illinoisbased development and investment company to establish and fund the project.
If Jacobs signs the upcoming memo, negotiations with UCF will begin for a 20-year or longer lease of the property. That includes unanimous agreement on terms for the appropriate use, operation and maintenance of the facility and paying rent, according to the memo.
Orlando, Orange County and Tavistock provided matching funds to that of the state, including the land. Orange County holds the property lease.
“We are pleased to see that the process is moving forward and we will continue to provide assistance to UCF as they finalize their proposal for consideration by the funding partners,” said Sanford Burnham spokeswoman Deborah Robison.