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land had been owned by Decisions Investments, whose
president, Texas billionaire Ed Bass, spent more than
$200 million building Biosphere 2 as a self‑sustaining
environment for humans 20 years ago. The site attracted
global attention in 1991, when eight people were sealed
inside to conduct a two‑year experiment in self‑sufficiency.
Columbia
University began managing the complex in 1996 and
later pledged to expand research and programs there.
But Columbia pulled out in 2003 as part of a lawsuit
settlement with Decisions Investments.
Pinal
County officials have approved plans to build 1,500
new homes and a resort hotel on the land.
The
University of Arizona has been eyeing the facility
as a laboratory for large‑scale climate experiments,
and last year was negotiating to acquire the Biosphere
2 as part of the sale. The university now hopes to
lease the terrarium, said Joaquin Ruiz, dean of the
College of Science.
Pinal
County Supervisor Lionel Ruiz, whose district includes
the Biosphere 2 land, said the development
will be good for the area but must be approached cautiously
and be well‑planned.
“I
don’t want to see just a whole bunch of rooftops from
Tucson all the way to Oracle,” he said. “We want to
see sustained communities and some open spaces and
wildlife corridors. Like anything else, if they come
in with proper plans, it’ll make it a plus.”
Ruiz
said he supports the UA taking over the Biosphere
2 and maintaining it as a laboratory.
In
a statement, Bass said he is “hopeful that CDO will
have success in attracting significant institutional
participation in Biosphere 2 for research and educational
purposes.”
The
purchase announcement said the Biosphere 2 facility
will remain open for tours and will continue
to be used for educational and research uses.
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