An inside look at living, studying and working at Cal Poly.

Inside Cal Poly

This summer, significant capital projects will be underway, from ongoing construction at the John Madden Football Center and Cal Poly Technology Park to the soon-to-be Future Housing Program. These projects, in support of the&nbsp;<a href="https://masterplan.calpoly.edu/">Cal Poly Master Plan</a>, are designed to enhance the quality of university life, support academic achievement and provide better facilities for the Cal Poly community.



To help students, staff and faculty on campus this summer navigate and plan their route and parking, we’ve compiled a list of current and near-future construction projects and the affected roads and parking lots.



For updated information on parking, visit Transportation and Parking Services&#8217; <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/lot_closures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parking Lot Closure webpage</a>. 



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/football_operations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John Madden Football Center</a>



Work began: Summer 2023



The John Madden Football Center (JMFC) will provide state-of-the-art amenities for the Cal Poly football program, including a new locker room, coach offices, team meeting rooms, weight room, and training facilities. It not only caters to the team’s daily needs but also serves as a recruitment feature to attract top-quality student-athletes to campus.



Parking Impacts: C3 parking lot closed until JMFC Construction is completed. C4 parking lot closed indefinitely.



Road Impacts: College Avenue, June 17 – September 13, 2024 Mustang Way, June 17 – September 13, 2024



<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/real-estate-development/technology-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technology Park II</a>



Work began:&nbsp;April 2023



The new expansion of the Technology Park&nbsp;will create an additional 16,200 square feet over two stories to accommodate increased engagement with university partners in applied research and development. This expansion will increaseopportunities for industry collaboration with Cal Poly students and faculty. The project, with a budget of $12 million, is anticipated to be completedNovember 2024.



Road &amp; Parking Impacts:



No anticipated impacts to parking or roads at this time.



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kennedy Library</a>



Work began: February 2022



This much anticipated renovation to the Robert E. Kennedy Library features an energy efficient and sustainable design and accommodates programmatic needs. The upgrade will provide new, improved and efficient student study spaces. During the renovation, library services, programs and study spaces will be in <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/kennedy-library/temporary-locations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temporary locations</a>. The library building will remain closed throughout summer.



Parking Impacts: H11 parking lot closed due to serving as a temporary study location. Estimated to reopen on August 30, 2025.



Road Impacts: N. Perimeter Rd, June 17-19, 2024 &#8211; Closed for craning in the new air handler units. This is a 24-hour closure for the 3 days. Road(s) TBD, Summer 2024 &#8211; The second complete road closure will be later in the summer. This is to load roofing.



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/housing-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Student Housing</a>



Work to begin: Summer 2024



The updated Housing Program consists of new phased student housing projects at the current North Mountain residence halls (Lassen, Diablo, Shasta, Palomar, and Whitney) and the K-2 parking lot. Targeting a minimum of 3,000 new beds will be developed utilizing a suite-style design. This program also includes phased heavy renovations of six existing residential halls at the current South Mountain site (Santa Lucia, Muir, Trinity, Tenaya, Sequoia, and Fremont).



Parking Impacts: Lots R1, K1 and K2, located behind the North Mountain and Red Brick residence halls, will be permanently closed beginning June 17. For alternative parking, visit the <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/lot_closures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parking lot closures web page</a>.



Road Impacts: Deer Road, Klamath Road and Mountain Lane beginning June 17, 2024. Limited access for Service and Emergency Vehicles.



<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/real-estate-development/faculty-staff-housing/vista-meadows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vista Meadows</a>



Work to begin: Summer 2024



Vista Meadows, the new faculty and staff housing project being developed at the Slack Street and Grand Avenue entrance to campus, will create a neighborhood of 33 single-family homes closely connected to campus. Vista Meadows work will begin Summer 2024.



Road &amp; Parking Impacts:&nbsp;TBD



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/plant-sciences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Sciences Complex</a>



Work to begin: Summer 2024



The Plant Sciences Complex will immerse students in contemporary and climate-smart plant sciences research with an emphasis on the farm-to-fork supply chain. The complex will bring together multiple complementary disciplines in one hub to tackle California’s most pressing food and agricultural challenges, including soil health, water and air quality, CEA plant production, harvesting, cooling and packing, food safety, and automation to train the next generation. The first phase of the complex, the Plant Sciences laboratory building is currently in design and construction, and construction is expected to be completed the end of 2025.



Road &amp; Parking Impacts:



TBD



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/animal-health-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center</a>



Work to begin: Summer 2024



The Animal Health Center (AHC) project builds upon the recent completion of the Equine Center and Stallion Barn following the master plan for the Oppenheimer Family Equestrian Center. The 17,500 square foot program space will include two primary categories – instructional space and clinical space. The instructional space cluster is organized around two flexible teaching labs – one instructional lab for 72 students and one research lab for 16 or more students – and the adjacent support spaces needed. The clinical space cluster includes a surgical suite and large examination/procedure room.



Road &amp; Parking Impacts:



TBD



<a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/facilities/planning-capital-projects/project-news/water-reclamation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wastewater Reclamation Facility</a>



Work to begin: Summer 2024



The on-campus Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) will help the campus grow sustainably in accordance with the&nbsp;<a href="https://masterplan.calpoly.edu/">Cal Poly Master Plan</a>&nbsp;and is expected to begin construction in Summer 2024. The WRF will enable Cal Poly to process a portion of the campus wastewater and generate Title 22 water for agricultural and sports field irrigation purposes.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/lawbook/rwregulations.pdf">Title 22 of California’s Code of Regulations</a>&nbsp;refers to state guidelines for how treated and recycled water is discharged and used. This creates a dual usage of the water — once as potable and once for campus irrigation purposes.



Road &amp; Parking Impacts:



TBD

Guide to Navigating Cal Poly Construction Projects

This summer, Cal Poly will embark on a 10-year program to expand and improve campus housing to enhance the residential student experience and promote student success.



The Future Housing Program will add 3,000-4,000 beds to campus housing and incorporate major renovations to University Housing’s six red brick residence halls in multiple construction phases to ease demand, accommodate growth and address aging facilities.



The CSU Housing Proposal Review Committee approved the Future Housing Program back in 2023. The full program concept will be submitted to the CSU for the Board of Trustees to consider at its July meeting.



Construction on new housing is scheduled to begin in fall 2024, with the first phase opening in fall 2026 and subsequent phases opening every year thereafter, with the final phase of construction being completed in 2030.



Significant parking lot and road closures are set to happen on Monday, June 17.



Lots R1, K1 and K2, located behind the North Mountain and Red Brick residence halls, will be permanently closed. Klamath Road — the backbone of the Future Housing Program infrastructure — Deer Road and Mountain Lane will also be closed, with limited access to authorized vehicles and essential services.



The <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/commutingtocampus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parking and Commuter Services webpage</a> reflects current information on all sustainable transportation options. The <a href="https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/lot_closures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parking Lot Closures webpage</a> includes closure information and alternate parking lots for summer and the next academic year.



To learn more about the university’s housing project goals, visit the <a href="https://housing.calpoly.edu/future-housing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Cal Poly Housing webpage</a>.

Future Housing Program to Launch in Summer

The faculty and staff housing project on the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue will soon be passing some major milestones.



The final design of the project recently completed 75% schematic design review. Updates are currently being made to the final design which is expected to be presented to the CSU Board of Trustees for approval during their in November meeting. Pending approval, the development is set to break ground in Spring 2024 and construction for the first phase is scheduled for March 2024.



The construction phase will provide Slack Street and Grand Avenue with 33 single-family units available for sale. Findings from a geotechnical survey determined that the site will not be able to support higher-density multi-family rental units. A new site near campus for rental units is currently being evaluated.



Following the construction of the Slack and Grand site, work will start on the third phase of the faculty and staff housing program. This is the next step of a phased approach to increase housing options for faculty and staff. The long-term plans are to have 400-600 units available to faculty and staff.



Interested?



The Interest lists for the Slack and Grand development alongside the Bella Montana development are being updated. For those who are interested, fill out the form <a href="https://bellamontanahomes.com/available-homes#interested-buyers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here.</a> The interest list is not a waitlist for home purchases. Once finalized, more information about the waitlist will be shared. For any questions, reach out to <a href="mailto:realestate@calpoly.edu">realestate@calpoly.edu</a>.

What’s New With Faculty And Staff Housing

Guided by the Cal Poly Master Plan and with the support of partners in Administration and Finance, University Housing recently finalized a Future Housing Plan that will provide campus housing for 65% of Cal Poly students by 2035. The Future Housing Plan calls for adding more than 7,000 beds over the next 12 years to support student success and retention.



“Living on campus just makes everything easier,” computer science student Briana Lonappan said. “You get the benefit of using campus resources and amenities whenever you want. If I need to cram for an exam the next day, I can use one of the study rooms in my dorm or Hub 24 in the library.”



Students who live on campus benefit from 24/7 access to live-in staff, with after-hours support for their needs, as well as flexibility to accommodate cancellations without penalty for academic reasons such as study abroad and internships. Additionally, Housing’s Residential Learning Communities are set up to connect residents to new friends and campus resources. Proximity to services such as Campus Health and Wellbeing, Career Services, the DRC, Student Diversity and Belonging, the library, advising, and labs is also a significant benefit.



“There are many facets of campus living that we believe benefit our students and our campus community,” said Jo Campbell, associate vice president for Student Affairs and executive director of University Housing. “Studies show that increased campus residency can have a significant positive impact on retention and academic achievement. By providing a well-rounded, nurturing support system, we can positively impact academics also student life; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and health and wellbeing.&#8221;



The addition of new housing will enable Cal Poly to extend its two-year housing program to all second-year students. Some of the first developmentscampus will see are a two-phase construction project that will replace the North Mountain residence halls, and a seven-building residential community proposed for a portion of the R-1 parking lot. These communities will provide more housing for first- and second-year students.



The Cal Poly Campus Master Plan also includes another major student housing development, Creekside Village.



There also are plans to renovate some existing campus housing, starting with the South Mountain or “red brick” residence halls.



University Housing will share details of the Future Housing Plan on a new website, next academic year.

The Future of Campus Housing

The new faculty and staff housing project located on the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue is on schedule to break ground later this year.



Cal Poly Corporation (CPC) leadership announced at their Feb. 3 Board of Directors meeting that a design-build team was brought on late last year, and that the conceptual design for their latest housing project had been completed.



The design-build team will be led by Thompson Dorfman Pacific as the master developer, SVA Architects for architecture, and Pismo Beach-based Coastal Community Builders for construction. Pending Board of Trustees approval, the team is ready to begin in 2023.



The project is designed to form a faculty and staff community closely connected with campus. The development will feature approximately 200 units, including 150 rentable multi-family units and 50 single-family units for sale. Condominiums for rent and single-family homes for sale are expected to be available for faculty and staff by 2025.



The Corporation is also working to establish financing, aiming to make the units as attainable as possible. In addition, CPC is planning to create a loan program with local lenders to help further faculty and staff aid for future purchases.



More information on this project is available <a href="https://www.calpolycorporation.org/resources/real-estate-development-and-services/faculty-and-staff-housing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. A quarterly update newsletter will be coming soon.



Bella Montana, a 70-home community near the Cal Poly campus at the northwest corner of Highland Drive and North Santa Rosa Street was CPC’s first faculty and staff housing project. CPC is also finalizing a request for a proposal for a design-builder to work on a third faculty and staff housing project located off Highway 1 near Highland Drive.

Tag: Housing

Guide to Navigating Cal Poly Construction Projects

Future Housing Program to Launch in Summer

What’s New With Faculty And Staff Housing

The Future of Campus Housing

Faculty and Staff Housing Update