Azusa Pacific University's 20-Year Expansion Plan Approved
A $550-million plan to construct new dormitories, parking structures, and a 3,000-seat performing arts facility on APU campuses over the next 20 years was approved by the Azusa City Council on Monday.
LOS ANGELES — A $550-million plan to expand Azusa Pacific University (APU) over the next 20 years was approved by the Azusa City Council on Monday.
Under a development agreement presented to the city, the Southern California private Christian university plans to construct new dormitories, parking structures, and a 3,000-seat performing arts facility.
Additional dormitory units, to be constructed on the university's West Campus, will accommodate up to 3,600 students and address the university's shortage on student housing.
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The construction is expected to begin with the expansion of the science building, which houses departments that are critical to nursing, physical theraphy, health-related programs offered at APU.
However, the buildings are not the important part, said APU General Counsel Mark Dickerson, who was present at Monday's Council meeting.
"It's the God honoring excellence that we strive to achieve in how we serve students, how we serve the community and how we serve God," he told the Christian Post Tuesday.
Dickerson said the university is still clarifying the development agreement with the city but will proceed with fundraising for the expansion.
APU has agreed to a six percent tax based on its utility usage although normally it would be exempt as a religious non-profit. The university also agreed to continue providing scholarships to Azusa students.
Representatives of the Los Angeles Conservancy were concerned about how the college's expansion would affect the former Azusa Foothill Drive-In marquee. The Conservancy had argued that the marquee is a historical landmark and should be preserved.
According to Dickerson, APU has decided to preserve the former Azusa Foothill Drive-In marquee, but not the single-screen, after two years of discussion with the city's Cultural and Historic Preservation Commission. He added that the university has also agreed to spend $50,000 to refurbish the marquee.
"We’re excited about the expansion," said Allison Oster, spokesperson of APU, "even though it will be several years down the road until we see it."
