By Shamona McClary

Kannapolis Citizen

After Dole Food Co. owner David Murdock unveiled his vision for the North Carolina Research Campus in downtown Kannapolis Monday, many asked how much is this going to cost and who will pay for it?

Murdock said eventually the entire project could cost $600 to $700 million.

He pledged to invest more than $100 million of his money, and the state will assist with more.

Already the state has committed $16 million in the 2006 budget to cover the one-time cost for equipment in the proposed buildings and new laboratories.

The state will also allocate an ongoing annual $25 million allotment to be shared among the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University for operating expenses. University of North Carolina System President Molly Broad also said the state system will provide competitive grants.

But Murdock also is expecting the county and city to chip in its share investment. Just how much remains unclear.

"There will be financial parts that have not been defined yet," City Manager Mike Legg said Tuesday after Murdock's announcement.

The billionaire businessman has not asked for any direct tax rebate incentives, such as the ones the city game Haas CNC Racing and Dell, but he would like for a portion of the taxes generated to go back into his facilities on the Research Campus.

"It's more of a partnership, not an incentive," Legg said. "He's not asking for money in his pocket from the city."

Legg explained the difference between past incentives and what Murdock wants to do is that it's not one company coming in and wanting to build a building. Legg said Murdock's project is immense and involves several entities.

Financial details and the city and county's roles remained undefined, but Legg said the two governments are willing to do what they can.

In the end, he said, residents will not suffer.

"There's nothing but positive that can come from this," Legg guaranteed.

When details are settled, Legg said the city will probably partner with the county and assist with services, such as utilities, water and sewer, streets or parking.

"We need to do what we do best," Legg said.

Legg estimated parking alone will cost up to $60 million, including an underground deck, which will be constructed below the front Core Lab building. The development plan also calls for above-ground parking decks.

"You're not going to drive around Loop Road and see big parking decks," Legg said. "They all will be hidden within the buildings."

Legg said the city may also take on the project of widening of N.C. 3.

Gov. Mike Easley promised Murdock that the road will be widened and extended about 2.5 miles to connect downtown Kannapolis with the Kannapolis Parkway.

This means that if Interstate 85 drivers got of on exit 60, they would be taken directly to the heart of the Research Campus.

Although, N.C. Hwy 3 is a state road, Legg said the city would probably sign a contract with the state, allowing them to receive the funding and build the road.

"We can do it quicker," he said.

Legg expects he expects the city and county roles will be established within the next two weeks.

Contact Shamona McClary at 704-797-4257 or smcclary@salisburypost.com.