ConocoPhillips’ ambitious plan to open its first building in the sprawling, 432-acre Louisville campus by 2012 is looking at a slowdown.
The Houston-based energy giant, which bought the former StorageTek and Sun Microsystems site off U.S. 36 last year, initially said the first phase would be completed by 2012.
Earlier this year, the date was pushed to 2013.
The site would house an energy research and development center and a global training facility, employing more than 7,000 people in 20 years, the company has said.
Mary Manning, the company’s general manager for global real estate and facilities service, blamed the weak world economy for injecting uncertainty into the project timeline.
“We initially said we hope to open the first building in 2012,” Manning said last week. “We don’t know that. I’d say we are being cautious and conservative.”
On whether construction would begin in 2010, as per the original plan, Manning said: “I wouldn’t even comment on that. Like everyone else, we are hoping for a rebound in the economy and have an opportunity to re-assess our plan.”
ConocoPhillips has said it could take 20 to 25 years to fully build out the site.
However, its plan for “deconstruction” in 2009 is underway at the site, Manning said.
The deconstruction effort includes recycling materials such as concrete from torn-down buildings for later use in roadbeds.
Also, the company recently hired St. Louis-based HOK, formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, among the world’s largest architect firms, to develop a master plan for the site.
Louisville Mayor Chuck Sisk said he and other city officials regularly communicate with ConocoPhillips executives, and he is not disappointed with the company’s uncertainty.
“The economy will have its impact,” Sisk said. “If the first building opens in 2012 or 2013 or 2015 — that’s a decision they need to make.
“Louisville is not spending money in anticipation of the ConocoPhillips campus. Our capital budget is not based on the building coming online in 2012.”
Gargi Chakrabarty: 303-954-2976 or gchakrabarty@denverpost.com
