This story appeared first in the Sunday edition of the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper.

At University Research Park 2, a ribbon of concrete curb curls toward the grove of hardy trees, and graders have smoothed out paths that will become the business park’s main roads.

Infrastructure work has begun at the Far Southwest Side site of what officials hope will become another engine of opportunity for the Madison area.

Even though building construction probably won’t start until 2012, the 270-acre site bordered by Mineral Point and Pleasant View roads and Highway M could eventually have as many as 10,000 employees, plus houses, shops and restaurants, and a total value that could top $400 million, said research park director Mark Bugher.

See Wisconsin State Journal story here.