Texas A&M Central Texas Research Park Plan

Project Description

The Fort Hood Regional Economic Development Corporation (FHREDC), representing Texas A&M University-Central Texas and other partners working to develop an innovation ecosystem in the City of Kileen, sought to develop a sustainable University Research Park to accelerate the University’s research programs and capabilities. As ecological experts on a team led by Perkins & Will, Biohabitats helped integrate habitat and biodiversity protection, green stormwater infrastructure, and climate resilience into a Master Plan for the new Research Park.

After reviewing existing data and conducting field reconnaissance, Biohabitats prepared a memorandum documenting findings and recommendations for achieving resilience in the face of climate change, population growth, and future development. This, along with additional input from Biohabitats, helped the project team develop a draft concept plan. Emphasizing native ecosystems, green infrastructure, and restoration opportunities, the team generated maps for 3 focal areas that considered the ecological impacts of alternative design concepts. Biohabitats helped refine the plan, providing recommendations on best practices, design criteria, and metrics. This included a narrative with illustrations to describe approaches to sustainable design to support habitat protection and diversity, stormwater management, climate resilience, and the optimization of open space.

Biohabitats presented these recommendations to the project team and stakeholders to enhance their understanding of how sustainable design can mitigate the project’s ecological footprint while advancing their goals and vision.