Local high-tech and biolife companies are looking at SRQ TechPark, a “green” office-laboratory-warehouse space, at U.S. 301 and

Tallevast Road

in Manatee County.

Broker-developer Anthony Mazzucca of Sperry Van Ness-Blackburn Point Group is courting companies that prefer high-ceilinged, hurricane-resistant buildings, loading areas and lots of parking. “We will try to bring in people who complement things that are being done at Ringling College, computer animation or industrial design,” he says, “and also artists who need space with a lot of [electrical] power for things like welding.”

Letters of intent are in hand from several potential tenants, says his colleague, Cynthia Bishop, to either lease or purchase much of Phase One—a 26,400-square-foot office-flex building set to break ground in May. Eventually, the 27-acre park will encompass an additional four buildings: a 15,000-square-foot, two-story office building; two 56,000-square-foot office-flex-warehouse buildings; and another 26,400 office-flex building, plus one hotel pad and two retail pads. Rental rates range between $12 and $18. To help lure the “very diverse, creative group of tenants” he’s looking for, Mazzucca also has created an outdoor eating area with Wi-Fi access.

Mazzucca is pursuing LEED Gold certification for what he calls the region’s first “greentech office park.” Among the eco-friendly features: solar-ready suites with skylights, low thermal e-glass and an ultra-efficient HVAC system.

The Martin Architectural Group designed the modern, concrete and stainless steel shell. Lehigh Construction is the project manager.