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Nestle shows city plans taking shape
(by Sue Reid - January 11, 2012)
Nestle shows city plans taking shape
By SUE REID
Based on an invitation from Nestle USA officials, a special Solon City Council meeting was held Monday at the company's culinary center off Harper Road. Company officials presented the latest building concepts for a proposed new global research and development center.
Solon voters agree in November to rezone 18 acres owned by Nestle to allow for the construction of a 120,000- to 150,000-square-foot product technology center at the southeast corner of Hawthorn Parkway and Cannon Road.
Plans are for the facility to house a pilot plant on one story, an innovation center and a consumer testing center on two stories and offices and labs on three stories. It will be a state-of-the-art "green" facility, in terms of exterior and interior building design, said Roberto Rinero, head of research and development for Nestle.
"We are shooting for Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard," Nestle spokeswoman Roz O'Hearn said.
Mr. Rinero said the center will support Nestle's frozen and refrigerated food business, as well as other global brands.
Mr. Rinero, along with Rudy Verner, chief engineer for Nestle, shared "updated visions" of the building with five of the seven members of City Council in attendance. Also attending were Mayor Susan A. Drucker, Planning Director Robert S. Frankland, Economic Development Director Peggy Weil-Dorfman, planning commission chairman William M. Mazur and Law Director Thomas G. Lobe.
Mr. Rinero said it is Nestle's desire to build a research-and-development facility, not a factory. It will be exciting to have a global research center in Solon, he said.
Various views of the proposed building were shown as part of the presentation. Design elements include an interior skylight running the entire length of the building to bring natural light into the interior.
In other updates, Mr. Verner said Nestle began the process of obtaining approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last fall due to wetlands on the property and has received four bids for detailed engineering, which could cost in the $3 million range. Although the engineering is not yet complete, a typical project of this size and scope are in the $50 million to $60 million budget range, he said.
"The hope is to issue an order for detailed engineering at the end of this month," Mr. Verner said.
Plans are to begin construction in July, depending on the permitting process and obtaining city approvals, he said.
Nestle is expected to go before the city for its approvals following the engineering process, which could be in April or May.
Councilman William D. Mooney asked what other corporate approvals are needed for the building.
Mr. Verner said the project is in the company budget.
Ms. O'Hearn said the research-and-development leadership remains "quite interested in our plans for the expanding of the research center here in Solon."
Mr. Rinero and Mr. Verner update the company leadership in Switzerland regularly on the progress in Solon, officials said.
Mr. Mooney asked if other locations are being scouted for the building.
Mr. Rinero said no.
"We believe locating the product technology center here in Solon yields the most benefit to the worldwide organization," Ms. O'Hearn said.
Mrs. Drucker said following the meeting, "It secures the fact that the facility will actually be built here." She said one concern of some residents was whether the building will actually be constructed in Solon.
The presentation also showed the quality of what Nestle is proposing and the work that the company does, Mrs. Drucker said. "It will be a considerable asset to the city of Solon."
She said Nestle cares about how the surrounding residents feel about the project and will be looking for input and feedback moving forward.
"I'm excited about the project," Mrs. Drucker said. "I think it's wonderful for the city."
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