University of La Verne’s 10-Year Campus Plan OK’D

By Will Bigham, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif.

Jan. 17–LA VERNE — A University of La Verne campus master plan that lays the groundwork for significant expansion and renovation was granted approval Tuesday night by the City Council.

The plan, which acts as a guide for development at ULV during the next 10 to 20 years, is designed to accommodate a modest increase in student enrollment.

“This is the opening of a dramatic improvement of our campus that reflects the prosperity and the success we’ve been having in recent years,” said Philip Hawkey, ULV executive vice-president.

The plan is laid out in three phases. The central component of Phase 1 is construction of a new three-story, $20 million campus center, which will include space for a cafe, study lounges, classrooms and meeting rooms.

Construction of the center is expected to begin in November, ULV President Steve Morgan said, and the university hopes it will be finished and operational by December 2009.

“That campus center is really important to our students, because in my opinion it becomes the family room of the University of La Verne,” Morgan said. “It’s our primary piece as we launch out on the completion of this master plan.”

Other projects the university plans to address in the next five years include renovation of the school’s sports science and athletic pavilion and construction of a campus plaza and several new dormitories.

A mixed-use office/retail development near Bonita Avenue and D Street and a parking structure across the street have been met with opposition from some residents who say its size is incongruent with the current downtown.

“This is a hometown community,” said Marcia Edmonson, a 38-year resident of the city. “We need to retain our hometown La Verne atmosphere so we aren’t bombarded by large buildings.”

However, specific plans for the Bonita Avenue mixed-used project must come before the council separately for approval, Councilman Dan Harden said, and concerns with its size will be addressed at that time.

Phase 2, which is scheduled to be implemented in the next five to 10 years, will include construction of a new dining hall, and Phase 3, scheduled for the five years after completion of that phase, will include adjustments to the university’s parking capacity to account for the planned Gold Line light rail extension.

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