Proposed Building in Winston-Salem, N.C., Research Park Will Boost Development.

Byline: M. Paul Jackson

Apr. 10--When business and city officials unveil plans for the proposed research and development building at the Piedmont Triad Research Park next week, it would signal a big step in the park's development.

A big, expensive step.

Costs for the new building and an adjacent parking deck -- the park's first major expansion in years -- could total $70 million, adding more office space, biotechnology businesses and research programs.

Most of the building will be financed by Wake Forest University Health Sciences, as the research park continues to lean on the university's school of medicine for its development.

The project is the first step in the park's previously announced plan to expand from 10 acres to 180 acres over the next 30 years, Richard Dean, the president of Wake Forest University Health Sciences, said yesterday.

The park also been touted as a welcome long-term addition to the city's tax base -- but its partly non-profit status could make it difficult for the city to receive tax revenue from its …