The University of California, Merced has launched a $1.3 billion expansion that will nearly double its physical capacity over the next four years, and support enrollment growth to 10,000 students, from around 6,700 today.
Its Merced 2020 Project will add 1.2 million sf in academic, housing, and student-life facilities. These will include three new teaching and research lab buildings, 1,700 new beds for on-campus housing, 1,500 new parking spaces, a student wellness center, and the expansion of the university’s childhood education center.
This project will add a new entrance to campus and transit hub to improve student circulation. Students will have new dining options, too, as well as a conference center for community and campus events, and NCAA-II class outdoor athletic and recreation fields and a pool.
The first of three phases broke ground on October 14, and the project will be completed in phases from the Fall of 2018 through the Fall of 2020.
UC Merced opened on 2005 in California’s San Joaquin Valley. It is the 10th and youngest school in California university system, but UC Merced is attracting more students and rising in national rankings. Last year, it received 22,000 undergraduate applications for 2,100 open spots. “We’re coming of age in a remarkably quick period of time,” Dorothy Leland, UC Merced’s Chancellor, told the Los Angeles Times.
Merced 2020 will increase the size of the campus to 219 acres, from 104 today. The university has signed a 39-year contract—approved by the University of California Board of Regents in July—with Plenary Properties Merced (PPM), a private development consortium, to maintain major building operations at an annual cost of $10 million. PPM is responsible for the design, construction, operations, maintenance and partial financing for all new facilities added under the expansion program.
The development team includes Plenary Group (lead developer, equity provider, and financial arranger), Skidmore Owings & Merrill (campus planner), Webcor Construction (GC), and Johnson Controls (lead operations and management firm).
Merced 2020 is projected to produce a one-time benefit of $1.9 billion for the San Joaquin Valley and $2.4 billion statewide. It is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs.
UC President Janet Napolitano (center left), MC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland (center), and UC Board of Regents Chairwoman Monica Lozano (center right), join UC Merced students during a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the Merced 2020 project. Image: UC Merced.
Related Stories
Architects | Aug 5, 2021
Lord Aeck Sargent's post-Katerra future, with LAS President Joe Greco
After three years under the ownership of Katerra, which closed its North American operations last May, the architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent is re-establishing itself as an independent company, with an eye toward strengthening its eight practices and regional presence in the U.S.
University Buildings | Jul 27, 2021
Murchie Science Building Expansion completes at the University of Michigan-Flint
HED designed the project.
Contractors | Jul 23, 2021
The aggressive growth of Salas O'Brien, with CEO Darin Anderson
Engineering firm Salas O'Brien has made multiple acquisitions over the past two years to achieve its Be Local Everywhere business model. In this exclusive interview for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sits down with the firm's Chairman and CEO, Darin Anderson, to discuss its business model.
University Buildings | Jul 21, 2021
University of Washington Tacoma breaks ground on new STEM learning lab
ARO designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 14, 2021
New 678-bed student housing development breaks ground near the University of South Carolina
CRG has partnered with Landmark Properties on the project.
University Buildings | Jul 12, 2021
UCLA building completes renovations for enhanced seismic, energy, and curriculum requirements
CO Architects designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 8, 2021
$120 million renovation of Smith College’s Neilson Library completes
The original building was built in 1909.
University Buildings | Jul 1, 2021
Texas A&M University’s new Engineering Medicine program receives a new, unique space
EYP designed the project.
University Buildings | Jun 28, 2021
MiraCosta Community College to receive new Chemistry and Biotechnology Building
HED designed the building.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.