On December 24, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Science Research Park (SPARC) project in Kips Bay, Manhattan, has officially entered a substantial development phase. This project, jointly promoted by the state, the city, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and the City University of New York (CUNY), aims to transform the existing Hunter College Brookdale campus into a world-class innovation hub integrating public health, life sciences, and education.
With a total investment of over $26 billion, the project includes around $16 billion in public funds and over $10 billion in private investment. Officials estimate that over the next 30 years, SPARC will bring approximately $42 billion in economic output to New York City, create more than 15,000 jobs, and provide over 2 million square feet of research, teaching, and industry space, serving thousands of students and researchers.
Hochul stated at the press conference that the Kips Bay Science Research Park will become a vital engine for New York’s life sciences ecosystem, ensuring that groundbreaking medical advances are born in this city. Adams added that SPARC will transform the entire neighborhood into “the most advanced destination for life sciences and health industries,” creating numerous high-paying job opportunities in New York and solidifying its position in the global life sciences field.
The SPARC project was initially announced in October 2022 by the state, city governments, and CUNY. According to the plan, the demolition of the existing campus is expected to begin in February 2026, with construction of the new campus set to commence in 2027. The project was approved by the New York City Council through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) in February 2025, paving the way for full-scale construction.
As part of the overall blueprint, the “Innovation East” development project at 455 First Avenue will replace the old public health laboratory with a new life science center. The current lab will be relocated to a modern facility in Harlem, with related engineering projects scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 and plans to demolish the existing building starting in 2026.
CUNY President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez mentioned that SPARC will integrate the teaching and research capabilities of Hunter College and the School of Public Health into one campus, establishing a “campus-to-work” pathway from public schools and universities to the life sciences and medical health industries. This initiative aims to cultivate the talent needed for the future of New York.
State and city officials view this project as a landmark endeavor for post-pandemic urban reconstruction and industry upgrading. In response to the shortcomings exposed in the public health system and healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, New York is increasing investments in life sciences and public health infrastructure to attract research capital and high-end talent, reshaping the city’s long-term economic growth potential.
With the launch of the Kips Bay Science Research Park project, New York hopes to further solidify its position against life science hubs like Boston and San Francisco, aiming to transform this campus located in the East Side into a new global landmark for public health and life science innovation.