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Old library becomes home for
scientific research |
By Jessica Greene
STAR-BANNER
OCALA - Although the old library was formally
granted new life on Tuesday, the building will
continue to facilitate growth and knowledge.
"Today is a dream come true for Ocala/Marion
County," City Manager Paul Nugent said.
Local officials, community leaders and one dog sat
and relaxed in a sunny open area that many
remember as being full of bookshelves, study
tables and whispering library patrons.
A ceremony Tuesday turned the building over to the
Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. IHMC
employs scientists to research how technology can
enhance human performance, and works closely with
private companies and agencies like the Defense
Department and NASA to create artificial
intelligence, robotics and sensory-substitution
technology.
The ceremony gave the nonprofit research group
keys to the building and a happy ending to its
three-year search for an Ocala location that
exhibited both functionality and character.
While there are still pieces of the downtown
revitalization puzzle that need to be placed, IHMC
will play a key role in bringing vitality to the
area, Nugent said.
As a child, Mayor Randy Ewers regarded the
building as a place to come and learn about
science and history, he told the small crowd.
"To think that IHMC is going to be here writing
history and creating science .Ê.Ê. the impact is
so much larger than anyone can really put their
finger on," he said.
One of the main reasons the group held out hope of
finding a facility in Ocala was the positive way
in which it was embraced by the community, said
Pam Dana, senior strategic adviser for IHMC.
Dana expressed IHMC's desire to utilize local
contractors where possible and the organization's
commitment to "maximize the environmental
efficiency" in renovation of the building.
The nonprofit's architect is finalizing plans, and
IHMC hopes to be up and running in six months to a
year, Dana said. IHMC has committed to employing
15 highly paid scientists and researchers, but
aims to expand its force as it grows within the
community, she said.
The City Council approved sale of the city-owned
building to IHMC for $1 million. The deal included
a $300,000 grant to fund some of the building's
renovations, and was supported by a $550,000 grant
from the county.
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