Stanford proposes New York island campus

Stanford University has proposed a research and engineering campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City in an effort to create another high-tech hub a la Silicon Valley. If the school's plan - one of 18 submitted for four different city-owned sites - is selected later this year, it would be Stanford's only major campus outside of Palo Alto, and the first to bestow full graduate degrees.

The complex could cost as much as $1 billion, house up to 2,200 graduate students, 100 faculty members, as well as labs, offices and recreation facilities, university officials said.

"New York City is a place of innovation, creativity and a magnet for talent from around the globe, just as the Bay Area is," said Stanford spokeswoman Lisa Lapin. "The idea is - can Stanford be a catalyst for high-tech industry as it has been in the Bay Area?"

Stanford, whose proposal is boldly titled "Stanford University and New York City: Silicon Valley II," will face stiff competition from around the world. Colleges from Finland, India, Switzerland, Canada, Israel, England and Korea - not to mention Ivy Leaguers Cornell and Columbia - each responded to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's request "for expressions of interest."

The city, known for its finance, media and arts industries, is pushing to diversify its economy and boost its portfolio of technology firms. In December, Bloomberg solicited proposals for science and engineering centers for several sites, including the Navy Hospital Campus at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Goldwater Hospital Campus on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, several areas of Governor's Island and Farm Colony on Staten Island.

Lapin said Stanford chose to focus on Roosevelt Island - a 2-mile-long sliver of land in the East River between Manhattan and Queens served by a popular tram, not unlike a ski hill gondola - for its proximity to Wall Street's movers and shakers. The island has about 9,000 residents living mostly in apartments. The new high-tech campus would occupy property at the southern end of the islet.

More detailed architectural and financial plans are due from the applicants this summer. The city is expected to make a decision by the end of the year. If Stanford's bid receives the go-ahead, the school plans to open in fall 2015.