Brian Burnett, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, briefed members of the University Budget Advisory Committee on November 8 about the CU Foundation's purchase of slightly more than 10 acres directly east of the campus, an area known as University Summit. The site is east of parking lot 1 and west of University Hall.

"The foundation is helping us realize a long-term goal to secure property between the current campus boundary and University Hall," Burnett said. "This is an investment in the future of UCCS."

The property, measuring 10 ½ acres and including four abandoned homes, was purchased from a local developer for $1.375 million. The CU Foundation completed the purchase Nov. 1. Using presidential initiative funds made available by President Hank Brown, UCCS will purchase the land from the foundation. At the November CU Board of Regents meeting, UCCS will seek formal approval to proceed with the transaction.

"That this parcel was purchased without taking funds from the UCCS operating budget is truly remarkable for this campus," Al Schoffstall, professor, Chemistry, and University Budget Advisory Committee chair, said. "This action points to the strong support of UCCS by the central administration of the university."

Burnett explained that the developer planned luxury homes on the site prior to the expansion of the intersection of Union and Austin Bluffs and the construction of a frontage road linking University Hall with the main UCCS campus.

"Given the campus development, the seller felt the land was better utilized by the university," Burnett said.

It is too early for formal plans for use of the site, Burnett said, but owning the land creates future opportunity. A residence hall for nursing students and additional parking space were ideas quickly suggested by UBAC members. In the near term, Burnett said the abandoned homes, their windows boarded and partially hidden by brush, must be demolished. The seller of the property will be responsible for removing any asbestos in the homes as well as ensuring any other environmental issues are rectified.

"This is great news," David Fenell, professor, Education, said. "This is so exciting, it makes me want to stick around and see what's going to happen."

With this purchase, UCCS now controls approximately 550 acres stretching from North Nevada Avenue on the west to Union Boulevard on the east.