Campus expansion

Has anyone heard an update on the land acquisition? I havent heard a peep, and cant find anything online.

I know that the selling party raised a stink right at the last minute, but I havent heard anything else...

It is going to be sweet having the new lower riverfront campus!

Reports from the Oregonian stated that the University was in the process of legal action against the Zidell corporation that owns the land in question. Zidell refused to include a small island off the premises in the acquisition. They use the island to moor ships that they later salvage. It would be an eyesore given the close proximity to the land in question. Hopefully this problem can be solved to best interests of the university. Zidell is trying to claim that the island was not included in the proposed sale.

I hope both sides can get this resolved ASAP...

Interesting position Zydell has taken.

PortlandMaps.com lists only one tax lot in the vicinity. Either the islands are attached to the tax lot, or Zydell has squatted in them without paying city and state taxes for all these years. I wonder what the back taxes would be? Or better yet, who the true owner is?

You can check it out at Portlandmaps.com. tax lot number R315775

Actually... I'm pretty sure that what was described earlier as the problem isn't actually the issue. The off-shore docks have always supposed to stay with Zidell.

The real problem is that Zidell is trying to find any way possible to back out of his purchase and sale agreement because he would be patrially on the hook for future liability on the land in case there ever needs to be an extensive environmental clean-up. UP was smart enough to work out a deal with the DEQ and EPA to protect itself before the purchase. Zidell wasn't so smart when he bought the property. What he really wants is to dump the land on someone that will take all possibe liability off his hands, which isn't going to happen.

I think UP will still get the land, but I think it will still take some time to hammer everything out.

Actually... I'm pretty sure that what was described earlier as the problem isn't actually the issue. The off-shore docks have always supposed to stay with Zidell.

The real problem is that Zidell is trying to find any way possible to back out of his purchase and sale agreement because he would be patrially on the hook for future liability on the land in case there ever needs to be an extensive environmental clean-up. UP was smart enough to work out a deal with the DEQ and EPA to protect itself before the purchase. Zidell wasn't so smart when he bought the property. What he really wants is to dump the land on someone that will take all possibe liability off his hands, which isn't going to happen.

I think UP will still get the land, but I think it will still take some time to hammer everything out.

Mmm... I'm guessing this will never reach a trial. Too much at risk for both sides if that were to happen.

With any luck it will be settled before Roy Heynderickx leaves for USD:

http://media.www.the-beacon.net/media/storage/paper1193/news/2007/09/20/News/Heynderickx.To.Depart.After.27.Years-2990342.shtml

Definitely a big loss there... I really don't understand why they would let a guy go who has been at UP for so long and has done such a terrific job.

I'm guessing his departure means that another Domer will end up on the fourth floor of Waldschmidt, which is OK I guess, but it was nice to know there was at least one "outsider" in the group.

A loss, for UP, for sure. But considering how long he has been around, I cant say I blame him. And change can be a good thing... it is good to pump some new blood into the higher levels of management now and then.

I didnt really know him, but he seemed like a good guy from what I read/heard.

Best of luck to Roy, and to Fr. Beauchamp who has the not-fun task of replacing him.

Oh you definitely can't blame him for going down to San Diego... I heard the weather is nice down there!

There's an article in The Beacon about the plans for the new dorms... sounds pretty cool!:

http://media.www.the-beacon.net/media/storage/paper1193/news/2008/02/28/News/Dorm-Details.Revealed-3242594.shtml?reffeature=popuarstoriestab

Hmmm, it doesnt say where they would build them....?

Easy answer, next to the University Village... more specific, they will be on the field between Strong St. and Haggarty Hall, but closer to Monteith than Van Houten, I'm pretty sure. I know they want to keep at least some of that field open.

I think it's cool that they will add a coffeeshop over there too... it's sorely needed. The Cove is just too far away from there... takes a long time to walk back and forth. I also hope that it will make that part of the campus feel more "college-like" instead of just plopped into the neighborhood.

Long, long term I've heard that there are plans to make Portsmouth the main entrance and to take away the current main entrance and use that space for something else. Not sure if that will ever happen, but it would be interesting.

I think making Portsmouth would be pretty cool. They would need to add a lot more to that end of campus first though. Even with the new dorms, the center of campus will still probably be around Franz.

@ thepuck: Definitely would need to add more over there. But IF the land deal finally goes through and they build a new baseball field down there, chances are the new Howard Hall and a new academic building will be built on land where Joe Etzel Field is right now.

Also, that gated off part of Portsmouth leads directy down to the land below, so it would make sense to make it the main entrance, especially if they add parking down there and put in some kind of shuttle system or an elevator up the Bluff. (Don't laugh... really an option.)