Campus construction project draft available

By Jackie Womack
The Collegian

The newest construction project for Fresno State, Campus Pointe, is one step closer to reality with the release of a draft of its environmental impact report.

Campus Pointe is a proposed 45-acre development on Chestnut Avenue that would include housing, a hotel, stores and a movie theater. The EIR details how the development will affect the area and what can be done to lessen negative effects. A draft report is issued so the public can comment on the plans by a certain date. Anyone interested in responding to the Campus Pointe EIR should do so by Oct. 30.

The project would be built by Kashian Enterprises LP on land that Fresno State’s Auxiliary Services Association would lease to it.

“The cost of the project is approximately $250 million with all costs funded by the development team,” said Debbie Adishian-Astone, executive director of Auxiliary Services. “This project is being done at no cost to the university or the association.”

The project will bring in money through the lease, according to Adishian-Astone, but any revenues are earmarked “for debt service of the Save Mart Center bonds as well as support to the College of Agriculture for the loss of land.”

Campus Pointe’s potential effect on area traffic was highlighted as a “significant problem.”

Also, the development will be built on what is classified as prime farmland, according to the report.

That’s an aspect of the project that bothers Federico Alvarez, an incoming transfer student who is a double major in psychology and business management.

“I think that land was acquired for university use and not to build retail on,” he said. “I don’t think it’s wise.”

Alvarez said since Fresno is known for its agriculture, the land should stay farmland.

Some of the things the development will include are 150,000 square feet of retail, 55,000 square feet for the movie theater, 190,000 for offices and 145,000 for the hotel. The development will also include 540 units of housing.

“Some improvements need to happen now even without the project due to the growth of [the] area and university,” Adishian-Astone said.

She said most of the comments from the campus community have been positive.

“There are a lot of services and needs the campus community would like to see conveniently located near campus,” Adishian-Astone said.

However, social work major Ken Kido said the development goes in the wrong direction.

“Land is a one-way street; you never get it back,” he said. “Once there’s a building, that’s it. You can’t get it back.”

Kido said he understands the appeal of money but that land is a commodity that continues to give back; it allows farm students to learn and experiment. Adishian-Astone said the project will be constructed in phases. The theater and multi-family housing would be a part of the first phase and stores, hotels and senior housing would be a part of the latter phase.

Adishian-Astone said senior housing is a part of the project because of the need for it. Other universities have senior housing close to their campuses and it has been a success. Fresno State’s Gerontology Program will be partnering with Auxiliary Services to work with the seniors, Adishian-Astone said.

Other programs will also partner with or use parts of the development. For example, hotel management courses could be conducted at the hotel and the movie theaters could be used for early morning classes.

A full copy of the EIR is available at www.fresnostatenews.com/2006/09/eircampuspointe.htm. Anyone wanting to comment on the project should contact Auxiliary Services at 278-0800.

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