PALM DESERT -- Nearly three years ago, entrepreneur Richard J. Heckmann donated $6 million toward construction of a University of California, Riverside campus in the desert.

A ceremony Wednesday attended by civic leaders and educators marked the long-awaited start of construction on the UCR Palm Desert Campus at Frank Sinatra Drive and Cook Street.

The two-building campus will include the Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management, named after the man whose vision -- and money -- helped get the project off the ground.

Joking about the time it took to get to the construction stage, Heckmann drew laughter when he told the crowd of more than 100, "One thing I’m happy about -- we didn’t have to name it the Heckmann Memorial Campus."

After receiving Heckmann’s contribution, the university had to secure additional funding, design and plan the campus, go through the local and state approval process and put the project out to bid.

On a more serious note, Heckmann talked about the increased educational opportunities in the valley for students.

"I really think kids in the valley are going to get a great break," he said. "They get to stay home and get an education they wouldn’t otherwise have had."

The two buildings will be built simultaneously and are scheduled for completion in March 2005.

University officials said the campus’ objectives will include:

Establishing the Heckmann center, which will focus on academic programs in entrepreneurship.

Developing a technology transfer center to stimulate new technology-based business start-ups in the valley.

Offering several advanced joint-degree programs that connect core UCR programs with management education.

"We hope to produce graduates with a sound knowledge of a discipline who are positioned to lead companies and institutions in key sectors, like the environment, hospital, the arts or nonprofits," UCR Chancellor France Cordova said.

The campus also will serve as a focal point for UC Riverside research in the area.

It was research that first brought the UC to the valley in the early 1900s when university scientists worked with valley pioneers to develop the agricultural economy.

The campus site is located just south of California State University, San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus on land the city of Palm Desert donated.

Cordova said the campus’ programs will not duplicate those at either California State University or College of the Desert.

"We each have our unique niche with our own strengths," Cordova said, adding the three institutions plan to work together to address higher education needs locally.

Palm Desert Mayor Robert Spiegel noted the city’s longstanding vision for higher education in the valley.

"We worked diligently to create the 200 acres for this campus," he said.

Campus timeline
A chronology of events leading up to the construction of the University of California, Riverside, Palm Desert Campus:

March 2001: Richard J. Heckmann contributed $6 million to the construction effort. The state of California contributed another $10 million for an educational facility. The city of Palm Desert donated 20 acres from a 200-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Cook Street and Frank Sinatra Drive.

April 2001-June 2003: Design and engineering; state and local approvals.

August 2003: Construction bids were opened but came in over budget. UCR officials reopened the bid process.

December 2003: Douglas E. Barnhart Inc. of San Diego began site grading.