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Private developer wants to build "urban village" on CSUS campus
By Bob Shallit
[email protected]
Published: Friday, May. 1, 2009 - 11:44 am
Last Modified: Friday, May. 1, 2009 - 12:14 pm
Harvard Square in Sacramento? Under an unprecedented proposal that's been been quietly brewing for months, a private developer would build a $300-to-500 million "urban village" of housing, shops, restaurants and offices on the CSUS campus.
The proposal, which envisions construction paid for entirely by the developer, is drawing intense interest from university and city officials.
The proposal was submitted last fall by national developer Clark Realty Capital of Arlington, Va., and has been the topic of high-level, hush-hush discussions since then.
Many consider it a make-or-break opportunity for Sac State to transform itself from a commuter school into a vibrant, 24-hour campus.
CSUS President Alexander Gonzalez tells us Clark's proposal could potentially advance the goal of making Sac State a "destination" university. But "we're really just beginning the discussion ... to see what this brings the university." To go forward, the plan would need approval by the CSU board of trustees.
City officials, meanwhile, are downright ecstatic about the project, which could start construction as early as 2012.
Assistant City Manager John Dangberg says it would establish an "exciting Harvard Square-type" urban grid near the campus' southern entrance along Highway 50, while spurring investment to the city's redevelopment area around Folsom Boulevard and 65th Street, west of the campus.
Dangberg and others say it also could build momentum for a nearby "technology village" where private companies would work with faculty and students to develop and commercialize breakthroughs in clean energy, biomedicine and other emerging technologies.
It could also help Sac State become "one of the best campuses in the CSU system" and draw the "best and brightest" students from across the country, says Alan Porter, a senior city planner who has been one the key participants in discussions.
Clark's willingness to shoulder the construction costs and share lease revenues from the university village is a big part of the project's appeal. Under its proposal, the company would secure a long-term lease for between six and 18 acres of mostly unused land between Folsom Boulevard and University Drive West. It would spend up to $500 million building student housing, shops, entertainment venues and other amenities - then share resulting revenues with the university.
That's the model Clark has used on military bases, says William Hamilton, the Clark development executive who proposed the Sacramento project. It would, he says, give CSUS officials "the village they've long wanted, at no cost, and they also get a revenue stream."
Hamilton, a Roseville native who now works out of Clark's San Diego office, says he's always wanted to do a landmark project in his hometown. This one, he says, would be a "thriving, vibrant village" designed to enhance the university experience for students and faculty and give alumni a reason to return to campus.
"Most great universities have that," he says. "But it's something CSUS sorely lacks."
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1826936.html
In the comments section of the Bee on this article, there is a lot of Sac State bashing!
By Bob Shallit
[email protected]
Published: Friday, May. 1, 2009 - 11:44 am
Last Modified: Friday, May. 1, 2009 - 12:14 pm
Harvard Square in Sacramento? Under an unprecedented proposal that's been been quietly brewing for months, a private developer would build a $300-to-500 million "urban village" of housing, shops, restaurants and offices on the CSUS campus.
The proposal, which envisions construction paid for entirely by the developer, is drawing intense interest from university and city officials.
The proposal was submitted last fall by national developer Clark Realty Capital of Arlington, Va., and has been the topic of high-level, hush-hush discussions since then.
Many consider it a make-or-break opportunity for Sac State to transform itself from a commuter school into a vibrant, 24-hour campus.
CSUS President Alexander Gonzalez tells us Clark's proposal could potentially advance the goal of making Sac State a "destination" university. But "we're really just beginning the discussion ... to see what this brings the university." To go forward, the plan would need approval by the CSU board of trustees.
City officials, meanwhile, are downright ecstatic about the project, which could start construction as early as 2012.
Assistant City Manager John Dangberg says it would establish an "exciting Harvard Square-type" urban grid near the campus' southern entrance along Highway 50, while spurring investment to the city's redevelopment area around Folsom Boulevard and 65th Street, west of the campus.
Dangberg and others say it also could build momentum for a nearby "technology village" where private companies would work with faculty and students to develop and commercialize breakthroughs in clean energy, biomedicine and other emerging technologies.
It could also help Sac State become "one of the best campuses in the CSU system" and draw the "best and brightest" students from across the country, says Alan Porter, a senior city planner who has been one the key participants in discussions.
Clark's willingness to shoulder the construction costs and share lease revenues from the university village is a big part of the project's appeal. Under its proposal, the company would secure a long-term lease for between six and 18 acres of mostly unused land between Folsom Boulevard and University Drive West. It would spend up to $500 million building student housing, shops, entertainment venues and other amenities - then share resulting revenues with the university.
That's the model Clark has used on military bases, says William Hamilton, the Clark development executive who proposed the Sacramento project. It would, he says, give CSUS officials "the village they've long wanted, at no cost, and they also get a revenue stream."
Hamilton, a Roseville native who now works out of Clark's San Diego office, says he's always wanted to do a landmark project in his hometown. This one, he says, would be a "thriving, vibrant village" designed to enhance the university experience for students and faculty and give alumni a reason to return to campus.
"Most great universities have that," he says. "But it's something CSUS sorely lacks."
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1826936.html
In the comments section of the Bee on this article, there is a lot of Sac State bashing!
