Overview of Cherokee Farm
The University of Tennessee proposes to develop Cherokee Farm as a state-of-the-art, technology-oriented research site with a specific mission of enhancing the University’s ability to impact economic development and to take advantage of unique resources and partnerships that can propel a national leadership position.
A planning committee chaired by UT Executive Vice President David Millhorn will provide input and direction for the development. Membership will include representatives from key constituencies, including UT Knoxville campus, UT System, ORNL, UT Institute of Agriculture, UT Medical Center, UT Health Science Center, city/county government, Knoxville Chamber, private sector business people and community residents.
The goal is to set aside everything that has been heard, thought or said and be open to Cherokee Farm as a revolutionary and spectacular idea.
An early step is to engage Robert Ivy, editor of Architectural Record, to present an overview of landscape and architectural design as represented on the best sites across the country. He will provide conceptual guidance as the University and the planning committee explore the site plan and design options.
It is anticipated that Cherokee Farm will be driven by a multifaceted emphasis on increasing University research, visibility and partnerships. In keeping with the UT Knoxville campus emphasis on green development and environmentally sound planning, with LEED certification being a key requirement.
It will be an extension of the Knoxville campus and add value to research already based there. It will allow all campuses to engage in high impact research. Mission-oriented activity is to come in the creation of new knowledge leading to new products. Research will facilitate translation of new discoveries into commercially viable products to stimulate economic development for Tennessee. This is expected to generate new partnerships and, in some cases, new commercial opportunities.
Conceptually, the site will house technology and research-oriented centers, funded by a combination of state and federal appropriations, and private partnerships. Identification of prospective partners is under way now, based on
prospects’ research focus and ability to contribute to interdisciplinary research, to fill research voids, and to provide funding for new construction.
Among University enterprises, researchers and initiatives of the UT Knoxville and Health Science Center campuses will be most heavily involved in work at Cherokee Farm, which also will encompass the UT-Oak Ridge Partnership. The University’s role in the management of Oak Ridge National Laboratory has greatly enhanced its research position, and creation of Cherokee Farm is expected to raise the University’s research stature nationally, and significantly, over the next five to 10 years. This will include UT Knoxville’s Research 1 status and the prospect of AAU membership for the University.
In particular, Cherokee Farm will be key to achieving the goal of national and international leadership in the application of basic and translational science and
engineering into new commercial activities – of benefit to the state and region. This unique campus also will be instrumental in recruiting new companies and jobs, and the creation of new and high-tech jobs for Tennessee.
The University is committed to assuring this facility is a signature development that blends aesthetically with the scenic environment along the Tennessee River and creates a stunning gateway to the Knoxville campus and community.
Greenfield status is vitally important and state of the art strategies and technologies will be employed to achieve sustainability and energy conservation.
