The Zurich Innovation Park’s special commission has supported the government's proposal with a large majority. With the votes of the SP, FDP, GLP, EVP and Mitte, the commission is applying to the cantonal parliament to approve the credit commitment of 97.45 million Swiss francs, according to a statement. Of this, 44 million francs will be granted as a loan, which will be written off if successful.
The Innovation Park in Dübendorf will be built in stages. The aim is to develop a lively and open city quarter that also serves as a center for research and development.
The special commission has also approved the proposal to secure the airfield's infrastructure as a strategic reserve. With a clear majority, it applied to the cantonal parliament to approve the planning loan of 8.2 million Swiss francs for the Dübendorf aviation airport project. This allows the government to draw up a preliminary project. On this basis, a decision will be made as to whether the government should take an active role in the airfield’s use for aviation.
Zurich Chamber of Commerce (ZHK) said it was pleased with the decision of the special commission. "The innovation park is indispensable for strengthening Zurich as a business and research location," it writes in a statement. It is a "central piece of the jigsaw with regard to improved networking between science and industry". ZHK continued that it is even more important that the deal can be implemented as quickly as possible in the political process, saying: "The ZHK hopes that the cantonal council will recognize the economic importance of the innovation park and move forward as quickly as possible."
