New Development on the Way?

[Green Cookie Monster]

http://www.statehornet.com/campus/new-development-may-be-on-the-way-says-president-gonzalez/article_979e81b4-669e-11e2-9516-001a4bcf6878.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This article says that soon there is to be something big taking place by the stadium. Gonzalez was mum on specifics, but the 'new development' could be a new arena, a new stadium, student housing or technology park.

Gonzalez says the 'new development and change' will cause some people to be 'uncomfortable'.

I can only surmise, that the uncomfortable folks will be the pea brained myopic academic types who don't understand that to fund academics you gotta have money. And sports/recreation pays money.

Interesting to see if this go-around will actually spring wings.

Anyone have any scoop info??

 

[SDHornet]

During the speech, Gonzalez did not elaborate on this potential development, but when asked about it afterwards, he said it could be anything from more student housing to a new event center to even a renovation of the football stadium itself. Gonzalez said a new event center could bring in a significant amount of retail revenue, assuming the operating cost was not too high.

The plans are still in the early stages, and a task force including both faculty and off-campus investors has been gathered to examine and approve what the development will be. Regardless, Gonzalez said the primary focus will be to make it environmentally friendly.

He wasn’t specific because most likely no one knows what it will be yet. My guess is an events center as that would benefit the university as a whole and it’s obviously the most needed facility. A Hornet Stadium renovation is wishful thinking imo, and aside from amenities (bathrooms, concessions) it’s not really needed so long as we are at the FCS level. They did have plans to pursue a new student housing development on the parking lot south of Hornet Stadium so that might be an option as well but we won’t know until fall 2014 approaches. The major component alongside determining what specific facilities are needed will be the rallying of the alumni base and getting monetary pledges from private donors. If that doesn’t happen this time around, the end result will be the same as the last events center effort.

Per the Athletics Strategic Plan:

3. Develop a comprehensive multi--‐purpose arena plan that includes costs, revenue options, a feasibility study, land siting, and facility programming by spring 2014

4. Complete a facilities audit and master plan for Athletics as part of the University master plan projected to be completed by fall 2014

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

If things weren't going positively for the 'ghost projects' then I doubt he would have even mentioned them as an option. I can only hope that this time around a public campaign is organized with benchmark goals.

FCS is a dead-end. The only way programs will survive above D2 cost limitations is to be FBS. Sac is a Top 20 media market which is more important than tradition, records, facilities, attendance, so if we want to grow or slowly see an erosion of what we have now, a move to FBS is our only future hope.

 

[SDHornet]

I agree with both points…however the death of the WAC as a football conference sealed everyone’s (western FCS programs) fate as far as an FBS move was concerned. A move to the WAC a few years ago would have had disastrous consequences. The only shot at FBS is a move by a significant group of programs coordinated to happen all at the same time…and I don’t think that is happening.

 

[SDHornet]

Around the 10 minute mark Gonzales starts hitting on the facilities issues. Sounds like the south campus development will be student housing and/or an events center. The current master plan shows a performing arts center on the south side, I assume that is going away with the pending master plan changes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe-18g6Vp-g[/youtube]

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Around the 10 minute mark Gonzales starts hitting on the facilities issues. Sounds like the south campus development will be student housing and/or an events center. The current master plan shows a performing arts center on the south side, I assume that is going away with the pending master plan changes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe-18g6Vp-g[/youtube]

He also says something about football stadium renovation. :clap:

 

[SDHornet]

Bump.

Gonzo gave his fall address this week.

http://www.csus.edu/sacstatenews/Video/2013/2013-08-29_FallAddress.html

Buried in the speech Gonzo touched on the events center (around the 27:40 mark of the video). Sounds like Gonzo is setting the framework to get the students behind this by using the “we are out of space and need more room” argument since the Union and Well is at full capacity.

Speech transcript (long):

The Board and I discussed the future of the student-owned facilities on campus, namely The Well
and the Union.
The students have done an outstanding job of providing amenities and services in the facilities, so
much so that both are at or above their intended capacities.
For example, with more students staying on campus during the day, there is a definitive lack of
space for them to sit, study, or just hang out.
Certain rooms in the University Union, like the one we’re in now, are simply unavailable on many
days because they are fully booked.
And The Well has succeeded beyond our expectations, with areas for weights and cardio equipment
exceeding recommended usage.
If we are to grow our student body, even modestly, overcrowding at our two most popular student
facilities must be alleviated.
At our meeting, the board liked the idea of a comprehensive project that would address these
concerns all at once – while also adding a Student Events Center that was originally part of the plan
when we began The Well and before the economy worsened.
Now, with favorable outlooks in bond rates and enrollment growth, along with an impeccable track
record for student owned and operated buildings, the board decided to move forward with
exploring project options.
They also prepared to begin an alternative consultation process to increase the University Union fee
to fund the projects.
The Student Fee Advisory Committee subsequently approved that request, and the consultation is
happening early this semester.

My guess is a more specific announcement/plan for the events center will be made when the campus wide facilities master plan is released next fall. :twocents:

 

[Green Laser]

Bump.

Gonzo gave his fall address this week.

http://www.csus.edu/sacstatenews/Video/2013/2013-08-29_FallAddress.html

Buried in the speech Gonzo touched on the events center (around the 27:40 mark of the video). Sounds like Gonzo is setting the framework to get the students behind this by using the “we are out of space and need more room” argument since the Union and Well is at full capacity.

Speech transcript (long):

The Board and I discussed the future of the student-owned facilities on campus, namely The Well
and the Union.
The students have done an outstanding job of providing amenities and services in the facilities, so
much so that both are at or above their intended capacities.
For example, with more students staying on campus during the day, there is a definitive lack of
space for them to sit, study, or just hang out.
Certain rooms in the University Union, like the one we’re in now, are simply unavailable on many
days because they are fully booked.
And The Well has succeeded beyond our expectations, with areas for weights and cardio equipment
exceeding recommended usage.
If we are to grow our student body, even modestly, overcrowding at our two most popular student
facilities must be alleviated.
At our meeting, the board liked the idea of a comprehensive project that would address these
concerns all at once – while also adding a Student Events Center that was originally part of the plan
when we began The Well and before the economy worsened.
Now, with favorable outlooks in bond rates and enrollment growth, along with an impeccable track
record for student owned and operated buildings, the board decided to move forward with
exploring project options.
They also prepared to begin an alternative consultation process to increase the University Union fee
to fund the projects.
The Student Fee Advisory Committee subsequently approved that request, and the consultation is
happening early this semester.

My guess is a more specific announcement/plan for the events center will be made when the campus wide facilities master plan is released next fall. :twocents:

I heard a rumor from a couple of very active boosters that a 4,500-5,000 seat arena is planned for the area to the east of the Well and north of the parking structure. Ground will supposedly be broken next year. I'll believe it when I see it, but they seemed sure of the location and the time frame. Let's hope it's true!

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Sooner than next Fall...notice 'athletics' is not used in the wording.


http://www.statehornet.com/news/new-union-expansion-project-would-raise-tuiton-fees-for-sacramento/article_bb2f1cec-1ae9-11e3-9c1e-0019bb30f31a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

By Daisy Aguilar
Sacramento State students may see an increase in their tuition fees starting next semester if the Union WELL Expansion Project is passed by students.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez and the University Union Board of Directors are in the process of speaking to 2,000 students throughout campus to inform them of the new expansion project.

If passed, it will increase the University Union tuition fee from $209.50 to $459.50 and would take effect spring 2014.

“Over the last year it became pretty clear that the WELL and the Union, especially the WELL, have been such a success that it is already being overused and students are outgrowing it,” Gonzalez said during a town hall meeting Thursday.

Executive Director of the Union WELL Leslie Davis said despite the flat enrollment pattern, there has been overcrowding and a lack of seating for students at the Union and the WELL.

The main goal of the expansion is to include more space and amenities to meet the needs of the students.

The expansion plan would include a 300-seat movie theater, a 2,000-seat ballroom, casual food services with seating, additional locker rooms and meeting rooms.

The largest expansion of the project would include a 5,000 to 6,000 seat indoor arena where commencement ceremonies, concerts and special events would be held.

The estimated total cost of the expansion project is about $175 to $182 million, with a payoff date of 30 years.

The project would be funded by student fees, outside fundraising and generated revenue.
.......

 

[SDHornet]

Good move not tying this to “athletics”. Is this going towards a student vote or some kind of a committee vote? I recall campus wide votes only happening in the spring semester when I was a student.

A fee increase from $209 to $459 will be a tough sell as I would anticipate students will have sticker shock when they see that the fee is more than doubling. However if the Well folks can make a strong argument about the lack of “hang out” space being available and highlight some “cool things/events” like concerts and other fun events (aside from athletics) then this might have a shot.

The last events center initiative was highly dependent on private funds where as this one seems almost solely dependent on student fees. Even though this project is being touted as a mixed use facility which will benefit the entire student body, I see the huge fee increase as a major hurdle to overcome. I sure hope this passes.

 

[Green Laser]

It would be nice if some Alum owned businesses such as Sleep Train would kick a substantial amount, maybe for naming rights etc. Sac State has a lot of alumni, many of them very successful, we need to tap that resource. Hopefully we could reduce the student's share required.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I recall campus wide votes only happening in the spring semester when I was a student.

Gonzo wants the fees being collected by next Spring, so vote in the next two months. Gonzo has the authority to force an approval even if the students vote it down. He has done it in the past and he is seeking the regents approval and has received it, so my guess is he is covering his bases so that either way, the measure will pass.

Maybe finally.

 

[SDHornet]

I sure hope this thing passes one way or another. I think the last forced fee increase was for the athletics fee and not the student union fee. Not sure if Gonzo can forcibly enact this or not…which brings up another question. Maybe this is just spin but since this is being sold as a student owned facility, how will athletics use it? Athletics cannot use the Well because it is/was fully funded by specific student fees (which sounds similar to this measure) so why will this new events center be any different?

To touch on GL’s comment, yes an effort to reach out to Alumni needs to happen. The 2004 measure had middle ground for both student fees and private dollars. I’m a little surprised a similar approach isn’t being taken. I for one wouldn’t mind throwing a limited amount of money at this project to have my name on a basement wall somewhere.

 

[Kadeezy]

Build baby, build!

Whenever Sac State calls me for donations, I tell them I'm specifically holding out on a donation until they break ground on an arena or improvedments to the football stadium.

I paid my fees as part of the 2004 bait and switch vote, before the economy crashed, and want to see progress.

I would have no problem buying season tickets to basketball and football games (and maybe even an add'l donationl; QB club or something) if they upgraded the facilities as planned. For now, I'll continue to pick and choose my games/events, I guess...

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Build baby, build!

Whenever Sac State calls me for donations, I tell them I'm specifically holding out on a donation until they break ground on an arena or improvedments to the football stadium.

I paid my fees as part of the 2004 bait and switch vote, before the economy crashed, and want to see progress.

I would have no problem buying season tickets to basketball and football games (and maybe even an add'l donationl; QB club or something) if they upgraded the facilities as planned. For now, I'll continue to pick and choose my games/events, I guess...

:clap:

Haha, I tell them the same thing.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

http://unionwellinc.org/expansion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

http://www.csus.edu/masterplan/assets/forum109172013.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting concepts for the new Master Plan due May 2014.

 

[SDHornet]

http://www.csus.edu/masterplan/assets/forum109172013.pdf

Interesting concepts for the new Master Plan due May 2014.

Not sure if I like alternative B or C better. The problem with filling in the lots next to Hornet Stadium is where will tailgating occur?

State Hornet article: http://www.statehornet.com/news/sac...cle_0d6ce6b2-25f1-11e3-8665-001a4bcf6878.html

 

[SDHornet]

http://www.statehornet.com/news/uni...cle_dd1b973c-3609-11e3-b5fb-001a4bcf6878.html

I still don't know when the actual vote will take place.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I still don't know when the actual vote will take place.

According to this website: http://unionwellinc.org/expansion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The vote was held in 2003 and passed. This is an executive committee based on a student survey as to what they want in the building. Groundbreaking for Dec/2014.

No vote as this has already been decided. Half way down the page in FAQ's.

"Do the students get a vote?
"No, the referendum already passed in 2003. This is the alternative consultation process where we gather information about the needs and wants of students. We are meeting with students in 25-30 face to face meetings to get information from students By completing the questionnaire, your voice will be heard and accounted for."