The initiative is part of a NASA Ames Research Center's plan to develop NASA Research Park into a world-class, shared-use educational and R&D campus. As part of a comprehensive plan for the area, new laboratories, offices, classrooms, housing, auditoriums, museums, a training and conference center, open space, parking and limited retail facilities are envisioned.

The plan calls for NASA to partner with local communities, academia, private industry, non-profit organizations and other government agencies in support of NASA's mission to conduct research and develop new technologies. The research park land is entitled for 4 million sf of development and already houses dozens of private companies and about 10 university research facilities.

NASA Ames Research Center, was founded Dec. 20, 1939 as an aircraft research laboratory; it became part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. Ames, one of 10 NASA field installations, plays a role in virtually all NASA missions. It is home to some $3 billion in capital equipment, 4,000 research personnel and has a $775 million annual budget.