The mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, hopes to lure biomedical researchers and facilities to a proposed biomedical district in his city's downtown. And he's willing to do a lot to see his vision through.
"An expanded biomedical district would offer the opportunity for critical mass, which could help in recruiting companies and research groups to downtown."
"But the proposal faces significant challenges, too."
"First, it's long on vision but short on details for implementation. There are no cost estimates or financing. And there are indications that Maricopa Integrated Health Systems, which operates Maricopa Medical Center, one of the two hospital groups vying for the UA College of Medicine partnership, is leery about it."
"The mayor has said that he would be willing to explore using any tools available to the city, including eminent domain and tax credits, to help lure researchers, physicians and others to the area."
"Certain government grants could even be used to improve streets or to set up a rubberized trolley system that would take people from one end of the district to the other."
FULL STORY: Gordon proposes medical district
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