CAPITAL PROJECTS
Over a 10-year period the Cal Poly Corporation will spend $75 million in improvements to campus buildings and infrastructure to help enhance the student experience. From the complete teardown and rebuild of the Vista Grande Dining Complex and the renovation of 1901 Marketplace to creating new outdoor spaces and making the largest donation in its 80-year history to aid in the construction of the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation, the Cal Poly Corporation is dedicated to our campus community.
Faculty and Staff Housing
Designed to create a faculty and staff community that is closely connected with campus, the housing project at the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue will include roughly 200-units, encompassing 8-10 acres of the 22-acre parcel on the corner of the Grand Avenue entrance to campus. When completed the available units will include stand along single-family home as well as apartment homes surrounded by open green spaces that offer a sense of community and connectivity. The first units are scheduled to be complete and available by 2025. All units will be available to faculty and staff to buy or rent.
1901 Marketplace
Building 19, the campus’ primary food service and production facility, will undergo a major renovation, named 1901 Marketplace, to create a student-centric dining facility that will complement a planned update of the University Union. Construction on the project will start during the 2019/2020 academic year. The design will modernize foodservice and improve the overall student experience by increasing campus connectivity. Taking inspiration from the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Chelsea Market in New York, and Krog Street Market in Atlanta, 1901 Marketplace will be home to nine separate food venues with outside seating and a deck.
Swanton pacific ranch restoration
The CZU Lightning Complex fires swept through Swanton Pacific Ranch in August 2020, destroying much of the ranch and its structures. Many important structures, including the Al Smith House, Seaside School House were destroyed. All staff and students were able to evacuate safely. Work is currently being done to construct temporary housing, and create a master plan. A ranch revisioning exercise is ongoing.
University Store Remodel
The update and remodel of the University Store is another project in line with the larger University Union Neighborhood Masterplan that aims to create a more student-focused campus center. The remodel includes the relocation of the store front, as well as upgrades to the exterior facade and reimagined awnings. Interior changes will include a relocation of the point-of-sale counters, an updated technology center, and a dedicated flex space available for student use.
Technology Park Expansion
Cal Poly plans to break ground on a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the Technology Park in 2022, with an estimated completion in the spring of 2023. The new facility will increase collaboration between the university and industry and enhance the ability of park tenants to draw from the expertise of faculty and students. It will also provide space for faculty startups and opportunities for Cal Poly entrepreneurial faculty to engage in sponsored research and development activities with companies in the Tech Park.
Completed Projects
Vista Grande Dining Complex
Completed in fall 2020, Vista Grande Dining Complex offers three-stories of increased indoor and outdoor seating, six unique dining venues, lounge space and game tables. All of these amenities are housed in a modern building that boasts LEED Gold certification for sustainable, resource-efficient design. The six nutrition-focused restaurants provide fresh, healthy, made-to-order food options for all diets, lifestyles and busy student schedules.
Scout Coffee co.
Locally-owned Scout Coffee Co. will bring their scratch-made pastries and craft-roasted coffee to a new location next to the Welcome Center in yakʔitʸutʸu in Fall 2021. Scout will offer their award-winning HoneyCo Coffee Roasters coffee as well as an extensive menu of fresh baked pastries and more. The new space will serve as a gathering spot for all campus residents and visitors to grab a quick coffee and pastry on the way to class or to join a tour of the campus.