University asking for proposals for what may be a public-private partnership
By Tony Boom for the Rogue Valley Times
A request for proposals to create a community residential center for senior citizens on the Southern Oregon University campus in Ashland will likely be issued by the end of summer at the latest. The project would be built where a former residence hall and dining facility will be demolished, as previously reported by Ashland.news.
“The concept was originally driven by the desire to diversify the institution’s revenue steam and find entrepreneurial ways to keep it affordable and accessible,” said SOU President Rick Bailey. A public-private partnership in some form is envisioned between the university and a developer, he said.
“There have been approaches by potential bidders,” Bailey said. The institution can’t go into a lot of depth on project specifics because a public procurement process must be followed under bid procedures.
Besides offering housing and raising revenue, the venture at the site of the Cascade residence hall complex would also aim to further lifelong learning on campus, the president said.
Other universities around the country have developed similar arrangements. Specifics vary, with some on land formerly owned by the institutions, differing housing options for residents and varying levels of interactions between students and residents.
“We are working on the formulation of a request for proposals that will hopefully go out as soon as spring or in summer of 2024,” Bailey said.
SOU will not put together a proposal request that includes what buildings look like, the makeup of living unit types or other criteria, wanting to see what potential partners come up with.
“We have been very careful as a university not to go too far down the road at designing. That’s not what we do,” the president said. Instead, professionals would bring designs and ideas on what the facility might look like and how it would function.
“We want to be respectful of our place in this work and the fact that there are others with far more experience,” he said. “There’s likely a sweet spot in making sure there are enough units and options to make the math work for a developer, and at the same time create spaces that are attractive enough to welcome people in.”
Demolition of the Cascade complex will likely take place this summer or fall. A request for proposals to perform the demolition should be out in the near future. The state appropriated money for the demolition after doing an analysis of the site. Cascade was built in the 1960s and was used as a residence hall until 2013, when the Shasta and McLaughlin units were completed.
The complex sits on 5 acres bounded by Indiana, Oregon and Madrone streets. It consists of eight dormitory buildings and a dining facility. Since students left, it has been used occasionally for temporary offices during remodel projects and by the campus ROTC.
Use arrangements for the land will need to be worked out, but as state-owned property it is unlikely to be sold, Bailey said. Potential developers could look at state and federal funding sources to help finance a project.
Development on campus falls under a master plan that was developed with the city of Ashland. University officials have already conferred with Ashland development officers on the project.
“There are a lot of community members who are very interested in this, what the public/private partnership looks like and what the part is for the university,” Bailey said. “We are confident the process will include a community process so that stakeholders and community members have a voice.
“The board of trustees has been very positive and they are excited about the project,” he said. “It was important that we not use education and general funds for this project, so it will almost entirely be funded by a public partnership.
“We have made some good progress since the idea first started to percolate about 18 months ago,” the president said.
Those who have contributed to the effort include Rob Patridge, university general counsel; Jeanne Stallman, SOU government relations and outreach associate vice president; and sociology faculty Noriko Toyokawa and Larry Gibbs, who are versed in senior living studies.
“There are things we have been talking about. How do we make sure the residents of the facility become fully integrated in the fabric of this institution?” Bailey said. “What are the things we can bring to the table to really make this project unique?”
Residents might be able to enroll in classes on campus, not just audit them. Involvement could also be encouraged in theater arts, student activities, lectures and athletic events. Gym access might also be offered.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program on campus would likely offer partnerships. The program, located just across from the Cascade site, has more than 1,700 seniors taking peer-taught courses annually.
“We are excited about it because it seems like a natural fit,” said Heather Inghram, OLLI administrative director. “We look forward to what the future holds for SOU, OLLI at SOU and the larger community.”
There are about five OLLI centers around the nation that have some form of affiliation with campus senior residential facilities, said Inghram.
More than 100 senior living facilities are operating on or near university and college campuses in 30 states, according to an AARP report updated in 2020. It listed four new projects coming online by this year.
Pacific Retirement Services, which is based in Medford and operates the Rogue Valley Manor, opened a retirement operation on the campus of Arizona State University called Mirabella in 2021.
The community, on a corner of ASU’s campus, includes shared spaces for Mirabella residents and students, who also live in the building. It is a joint venture between PRS and a university-affiliated nonprofit.
Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected]. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
