Penn State’s Board of Trustees on Friday authorized the purchase of a property in Ferguson Township to be used for the Applied Research Laboratory’s land vehicle research program.
The university, which recently leased a portion of the space with an option to buy the entire facility, will purchase the 19,200-square-foot property at 3011-15 Research Drive in Cato Park from Leitzinger Properties for $1.625 million.
ARL’s military land vehicle program currently operates out of 4,600 square feet in part of two separate buildings: ARL West II in Cato Park and ARL West III at 450 Science Park Road. According to the university, a five-year Recapitalization Plan developed in 2018 considered expanding ARL West III at a cost of more than $2 million.
The Research Drive property, however, immediately offers the high-bay space needed for the continued growth of the program and ‘presents a more timely and cost-effective alternative to execute on this important aspect of the ARL capital plan.’
In 2018-19, research income for the land vehicle research program was $3.5 million but is projected to grow to $13 million by 2022, making the increased space ‘ critical and time-sensitive,’ according to the university.
The new facility will allow ARL to consolidate the program in one space adjacent to other supporting laboratories, including the sensor and system automation research labs.
Penn State’s Applied Research Lab was established in 1945 and is one of 15 U.S. Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers, providing research capabilities, developing new technology for national security applications, and providing technical advice to the defense department and other federal agencies. Last year ARL generated $269 million in operating revenue, an increase of 11 percent over the prior year.
ARL also will have a new executive director starting in December. The university announced last week that Allan Sonsteby, currently deputy executive director, will succeed Paul Sullivan, who served in the role for five years.
A national search led by a 15-member committee comprised of Penn State leaders, faculty, staff and members of ARL’s advisory board selected Sonsteby, who has more than 30 years of experience in research and development and research management.
He will oversee and coordinate strategy, research activities and operations for ARL, which is comprised of about 1,400 research faculty, staff and students.
Sonsteby previously was as a senior scientist and chief scientist for the U.S. Navy. He also served as chairman and U.S. representative for two NATO technical panels and received the NATO Outstanding Leadership Award. He holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from Penn State.
“I am truly humbled to be selected to lead this amazing institution, which has played a pivotal role in developing critical science and technology in support of our nation for nearly 75 years,” Sonsteby said in a news release. “The future of ARL is bright, and I look forward to leading ARL into the future.”
