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A request to vacate portions of Cannell and Elm Avenues was unanimously passed as Ordinance No. 2628 at the Grand Junction City Council meeting on April 16, granting CMU rights to continue westward expansion of the campus.
During CMU’s presentation at the meeting, President Tim Foster recounted the expansion of CMU from its central locality around College Place in 1997 as Mesa State College to the new campus additions that have crept toward 7th Street as CMU.
Foster highlighted two areas of concern, which prompted the request for the closure of Cannell, including the completion of Uncompahgre Hall due in late fall or early winter of this year and a new rugby field designed to accommodate the needs of the women’s rugby team.
“Historically our women’s rugby team has had to play at Dixie’s field,” Foster said. “Given the fact that we’re rated number five in the country… we’re so proud of what we do at Mesa today.”
Members of the rugby team also presented, sharing their passion for rugby as well as their excitement for the university’s support of their team.
“Playing on a new field would be so great because we’re so compacted,” Stephanie Affadoca, a team captain for the team, said. “I think we have a chance to grow as a team on that [new] field.”
Foster concluded the presentation with a recap of community outreach, safety and economic impact.
“One of the things we work really hard on is our neighborhood. This year we’ve met with them three or four times,” Foster said. “You will not find a school anywhere in the country that’s as well supported [by the community].”
City council members were receptive of the developments, and Councilmember Martin Chazen congratulated the university on its move forward.
“This is part of the growth of the university,” Chazen said. “This is an important part of our community and economic development of the city of Grand Junction.”
Chazen was concerned about the areas adjacent of the street closure, asking if the university already owned the properties where it plans to expand.
“When you close a street the centerline to either side devolves to the property owner,” Foster said. “We own everything adjacent [to the abandonment]. We’re up to about 60 percent of the properties on Elm.”
Senior planner Scott D. Peterson emphasized the recommended approval of the closure from the Planning Committee from its March 25 meeting reviewing the proposed renovations for traffic and fire access lanes.
The closures will occur after the completion of the spring semester as construction projects unfold.
cferganc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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