Local biotech firm Recombinetics has signed a letter of intent to explore opening a swine facility at Elk Run, a planned biobusiness park in Pine Island.

That would make Recombinetics the first potential tenant announced at the development, which has experienced significant delays. The idea for Elk Run, was pitched four years ago, when developer Tower Investments wanted to turn a rural elk farm into a vibrant commercial center for biotech jobs. Since then, no structures on the property have been built. Officials blamed many of the delays on a sluggish economy.

Recombinetics genetically engineers animals for biomedical and agricultural purposes. CEO Scott Fahrenkrug said the letter shows both Tower and Recombinetics agree to explore the design and specifics of building the facility.

The $2.2 million facility would be 13,000 square feet and house about 100 sows, Fahrenkrug said.

"That's great news," said Abraham Algadi, Pine Island's city administrator. "Not just for us, Pine Island, but definitely the people who are going to be working there, on the structure itself and the jobs that will be created at Recombinetics."

The Recombinetics facility is different from what Tower had described as Elk Run's first building. It would be located in another part of the development, Fahrenkrug said.

The first building was described last year as encompassing 50,400 square feet. Then, the space would be split into 3,600 square-foot sections that would allow tenants flexibility on how much space they wanted to rent out. The construction deadline on the first building was recently extended to as late as February.

Does this mean that Tower might switch gears?

Geoff Griffin, Elk Run's project developer, did not immediately return a call for comment.