Construction of the new OSU-Cascades campus continues
with pouring of concrete for the first academic building foundation and the
university also announced it will “explore” the possibility of acquiring a
nearby 76-acre former landfill property from Deschutes County.
The university’s construction update on Aug. 21 noted
that the new “mat” foundations will support the buildings shear walls that are
engineered to resist high winds and provide additional safety in a potential
earthquake.
Also underway is installation of underground utilities
including storm sewer connections to drywells and lines for fire service and
domestic water.
Conduits for power, natural gas and data/communications
are scheduled for installation in the next few weeks.
In an announcement Aug. 13 the university also revealed
it has signed a “non-binding letter of intent” to determine the “viability” of
the former county demolition landfill to the north of the 10-acre site where
construction is underway.
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| photo provided by OSU-Cascades |
The university has also considered buying an adjacent
privately-owned 46-acre site that is a former pumice mine, and has an purchase
option agreement for that property.
“The landfill site provides yet another option from which
OSU-Cacades can evaluate development of a comprehensive university campus,” the
announcement noted.
Under the letter of intent for the landfill the
university will have two years to evaluate potential environmental remediation
and other issues. If acquired the 76-acre site could support the university’s
goal of housing 40% of an anticipated 3,000-5,000 future students on campus.
The announcement noted other Bend-are projects that have
been developed on previous “brownfield” sites requiring cleanup, including the Old
Mill District, Sunriver Homeowners Association Recreation Center and Skyline
Sports Complex.
Construction site web cam along Century Drive
