USD Discovery District Master Plan

Although the District is focused on the development of its 80-acre site, the Master Plan included the conceptual vision and infrastructure strategy for the complete 252-acre property, including the University Center and USD Research Park. Existing facilities on site were leveraged and included as part of the program, infrastructure, and amenities to provide a continuous engagement of incubator, research, and innovation activities.  The plan focuses on three binding elements: the Framework, the Activity Corridor, and the Open Space Network while providing further guidelines for parking strategies, zoning, and design.

• The Framework guides the future development of the district locating development and non-development areas.

• The Activity Corridor establishes a sense of place activating a collaborative environment between labs, classrooms, and other uses engaging interactions between researchers, students, faculty, staff, and neighboring community.

• The goal of the Open Space Network is to contribute to the wellbeing and environmental character of the District while enhancing the quality of life of researchers, students, and visitors.

The Discovery District is located in the northwest area of Sioux Falls and is easily connected to various South Dakota’s academic institutions serving as a beacon for innovative research and entrepreneurship in the region. The vision for the Discovery District combines a deep contextual understanding of its place, the relationship with leading academic institutions and private-sector companies. As a result, this Master Plan serves as the guiding vision of a highly-attractive environment for fostering science and innovation by achieving the following goals:

• Leverage Existing Assets

• Establish an Integrated Place by Connecting People and Spaces

• Integrate Development Flexibility

• Grow University of South Dakota research capacity, resources, and talent

• Foster entrepreneurship through a robust incubation program

Services:

• Master Planning

• Site and Landscape Architecture Design

• Capital and Grant Funding Writing/Materials

• Stakeholder and Community Engagement Facilitation

Ana served as the landscape architect for the project while employed at Perkins&Will.