by Tim Ruff and Rob White
Nishi Gateway partners and Sierra Energy are working together to facilitate the construction of a R&D innovation center as a component of the proposed Nishi Gateway project.
Sierra Energy — led by local entrepreneur, innovator, and UC Davis alumnus, Mike G. Hart — is a waste gasification and renewable energy company. Born from the UC Davis Big Bang competition, Sierra Energy is headquartered in downtown Davis and has R&D facilities in South Davis, expanding from ten employees to nearly 30 over the last 24 months.
Most recently, Hart joined forces with Tim Keller to create Area 52, a space for innovators to incubate ideas through the development of low-cost prototypes that can rapidly lead to seed-funding.
“Collaborating with the Nishi Gateway partners is a natural progression for cultivating innovative startups and economic growth here in Davis,” said Hart.
The Nishi property is positioned to become a dynamic mixed-use innovation district supporting downtown Davis with additional commercial and residential spaces, while providing additional research resources for UC Davis.
“Mike’s commitment to Davis as a start-up mecca is apparent in his efforts with Sierra Energy and Area 52,” says Tim Ruff, UC Davis alumnus and managing partner of Nishi Gateway. “I am thrilled to have Mike and his dynamic team championing the growth of emerging technologies and businesses in Davis and at the planned Nishi Gateway Innovation Center, 325,000 square feet of commercial and technology development space within the Nishi Gateway project.”
“Davis needs the Nishi Gateway Innovation Center’s R&D space in the pipeline to accommodate home grown businesses” Hart continued, “to provide additional housing for growing companies and to sustain our vibrant downtown.”
Hart sees Area 52 as the first step in fostering innovation by attracting new inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to the area with a space that provides them the necessary resources and tools to get established.
“Area 52 is already attracting new talent to the region, driving us to consider what the next steps are to keep our success stories here in Davis,” says Keller, UC Davis alumnus and founder of Area 52. “Nishi would provide the necessary space for companies to land upon emerging from Area 52 and UC Davis, enabling them to grow and stay for the long-term.”
The City of Davis is strategically aligned to develop, grow, and attract small businesses because it is host to UC Davis, a global leader in innovation and technology development in agriculture, medicine, veterinary sciences, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
“As a proud graduate of UC Davis, I am honored to join my fellow Aggies in putting words into action to ensure Davis steps up to become the innovation and research icon it should be,” said Davis city council member Rochelle Swanson. “As the home to UC Davis, I hope our community – which includes many Aggies — will also put words into action and pass Measure A.”
Measure A, an upcoming ballot measure in the City of Davis, will enhance this connection by linking UC Davis’ campus core and downtown Davis to the Nishi Gateway Innovation Center.
“The Nishi Gateway Innovation Center will help convert research from UC Davis and emerging
startups at Area 52 and Davis Roots into promising local businesses,” says Rob White, chief strategist for Sierra Energy and former chief innovation officer for the City of Davis.
By passing Measure A, the Nishi Gateway is expected to create between 1,500 to 1,800 local jobs and generate up to $385 million in annual economic activity.
“Because of its ideal location next to UC Davis and the close proximity to downtown, the Nishi
Gateway and its Innovation Center will deliver a modern innovation district adjacent to a global leader in academics and research,” says White.
“With an affirmative vote of ‘Yes on Measure A,’ the community will demonstrate its support for the local growth of tech companies aligned with UC Davis programs, while also supporting the incredible innovation and entrepreneurial efforts by companies like Sierra Energy,” Ruff continues.
Measure A, placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the Davis City Council, is endorsed by the Davis Chamber of Commerce, the Davis Downtown Business Association, and hundreds of Davis business leaders.
If approved, Measure A supports the growth of local companies like Sierra Energy, by providing the resources of space and workforce housing here in Davis.
Rob White re-emerges with another chance to save us. I’m excited about this part of the project – it definitely cements my opinion on Measure A. I just wish the space could be larger, but in light of the loss of MRIC, I think this is important.
Awesome news. This is something that is absolutely only doable if the puckered-up old people in town allow land to be used for economic development. Or the youth get out and vote to prevent their old puckered-up ways from prevailing again.
More traffic jams.
More jobs – oh but you don’t care because you have a job.
More city revenue
Nishi adds more to Davis with millions in traffic solutions with housing to prevent a new spike in student commuters, an additional access point to the university, the first project in the history of Davis to exceed the Beyond Platinum Bicycle Action Plan, an estimated 1500 jobs, millions in economic benefits to Davis and the region, and opportunities for companies and students coming out of UC Davis to stay in Davis.
Great news.
I think this juxtaposition of comments was quite entertaining.
Mike has his two “No” signs out on his business front lawn, and I have two “Yes” signs.
I think the “Yes” signs are much better looking!
I am starting to be swayed. The other thing (though I will still have to be diligent to be sure it’s correct) is if apartments will actually be market rate (from an earlier post), rather than ~$2400 for a 2 BR, then it will fill a need. As for traffic, I’m sick of people being unwilling to get out of their damn cars and then complaining about traffic. This is set up to really offer an opportunity for reducing the need for car transportation. The pollution issue still bothers me, even though I won’t have to be the one breathing it in such close proximity.