Past, Present & Future

Our History

Established in 1951 with significant growth since 1986, CBTP is a project of Cornell University.

1951

Cornell and the General Electric Company establish the GE Advanced Electronics Center, a research laboratory, at Cornell Airport. Cornell renovates a former aeronautical engineering laboratory, now known as 83 Brown Road, and leases it to GE for a 5-year term.

1956

Airport (548 acres) sold to Tompkins County for $324,388. Cornell retains surrounding lands.

 

1960

Completion of Langmuir Lab.

1964

GE announces it is leaving Research Park. University President Perkins addresses community concerns that the Park has not progressed. Cornell appropriates $25,000/year for 3 years to further the development of the Park, contingent on matching funds from the community. Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) Corporation assumes primary role of development of the Park.

1966

Cornell turns over control of 83 Brown Road to TCAD and the Park for leasing to outside tenants. The Bendix Corporation, the Park's first tenant since General Electric, leases 3,000 sq ft in 83 Brown Road (20,000 sq ft total in building) for research in aircraft instrumentation. AGWAY leases 2,500 sq ft in 83 Brown Road. Cornell moves its main computer operations to Langmuir Lab.

1967

Construction of new AGWAY research facility (777 Warren Road). Cayuga Associates (microwave electronics) leases 1,850 sq ft at 83 Brown Road (Les Eastman principal. Tenant is still in Center.)

1968

NCR leases 3,000 sq ft in 83 Brown Road. Bendix leaves Park because of "difficulty in managing a remote research effort."
Construction of 777 Warren Road completed.

1969

Construction of TCAD facility (61 Brown Road), 11,0000 SF.

1983

Department of Biological Sciences leaves Langmuir Lab. Space within the building leased to non-University tenants. TCAD withdraws from direct management of Park.

1986

Real Estate Department assumes daily management of the Park.

1988

March 15th - Cornell Board of Trustees approves the new Park Development Plan, permitting expansion of the permitted land uses in the Park to include office, residential, and limited commercial activities; completion of physical improvements; and changing the name to the Cornell Business & Technology Park.
Construction of 20 Thornwood Drive, 20,000 SF. Genexus established small business incubator in Park.
Construction of Thornwood Drive and main Park pond.

1989

Construction of 33 Thornwood Drive, 20,000 SF.
Construction of 579 Warren Road (Ithaca Community Childcare Center), 16,700 SF.
Construction of 10 Arrowwood Drive (Convenient Care Center), 6,000 SF.

1990

Construction of 55 Brown Road - 33,000 SF.
Construction of 767 Warren Road, 18,000 SF.

1992

Construction of 757 Warren Road (US Postal Service Center), 39,500 SF.

1993

Construction of 53 Brown Road (occupied by Claritas, Inc.), 23,000 SF.
Construction of 12,100 SF addition to 10 Arrowwood Drive.

1995

Construction of 22 Thornwood Drive (17,000 SF).
Extension of Thornwood Drive.

1997

Construction of 15 Thornwood Drive, 18,000 SF.
Construction of 20 and 22 Arrowwood Drive (total 18,600 SF).
Relocation and extension of Arrowwood and Brentwood drives.
Construction of Arrowwood storm-water retention facility.
Construction of 13,000 SF Surgery Center addition to 10 Arrowwood Drive.
Renovation and expansion of 61 Brown Road to 38,000 SF by CBORD.

1998

Construction of 10 Brentwood Drive, 13,000 SF.
Construction of 30 Brown Road for USGS, 23,000 SF.
Park entrance sign and pond pavilion constructed.

1999

Thornwood Drive fully extended. Eastern pond constructed.
Expansion of 22 Thornwood Drive for Kionix, 20,000 SF.
Construction begins on 106 room Marriott Courtyard hotel.

2000

Construction of 8 Brentwood Drive, 10,000* SF.
Marriott Courtyard hotel opens (Dec).

2001

Construction of 36 Thornwood Drive, 40,000 SF to house Kionix.
Construction of 10 Brown Road, 40,000 SF to house ADIC and AutoDesk.
Extension of natural gas and electricity east on Thornwood Drive.
9 Brown Road acquired by Ithaca Acquisitions & Development.

2003

Construction of 35 Thornwood Drive, 35,350 SF.

2005

Demolition of 83 Brown Road, 85 Brown Road. Ciabattas deli opens, serving breakfast and lunch to Park tenants.

2006

Construction of 19 Brown Road, 33,000 SF to house Advion.

Plans For The Future

Continue to encourage people and businesses in Cornell Business and Technology Park to be a part of something bigger, make a positive impact in our community, and leave the world a better place.

We invite you to work with us to facilitate passion for groundbreaking technologies and major innovations day in and day out and explore the endless possibilities for improving our community and the world, one small step or one small innovation at a time.