What do we know about the plans for a university campus in Payson?

Information from "A Public Message from the Volunteer Planning Committee, June 2011" presented at a public forum:

The Volunteer Planning Committee and supporting subcommittees have been formed to assist Mayor Kenny Evans and his representatives in planning the Payson ASU Campus. The role of the Planning Committee is to advocate support for the campus, communicate with the community and facilitate volunteer activities. The following information is taken in part from a flyer available to the public during a meeting at Gila Community College Thursday, June 23. A second forum will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 27 at the Payson High School Auditorium. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions and offer suggestions related to the future campus. Mayor Kenny Evans will talk about the planning process for Phase II of the plan.

• The purchased Phase I North Campus property is the 290 acre Forest Service Adminstration site on the south side of Highway 260. The site is bordered by Highway 260 on the south and Tyler Parkway on the east.
• An anticipated opening date has not been established, but multiple parties and agencies involved in the planning process are working toward a Fall 2013 opening date.
• The participants include a private-public arrangement between donors, private investors, the towns of Payson and Star Valley, as well as local citizens and Arizona State University.
• Donors and private investors will provide the capital and expertise to design, finance, build and manage the campus long term in compliance with the needs and specifications identified by ASU.
• ASU will determine and provide the entire educational experience, manage the facility and develop and deliver the curriculum. A limited number of degree programs will be offered. Initially, these will include Healthcare, Sustainable Forestry and other programs that promote environmentally sound practices, Liberal Arts such as psychology and political science, programs that include Biological Sciences and Business Management.
• The initial projected student base will be 1,000 with a final capacity of up to 6,000 students. On-line enrollment could include up to 60,000 students.
• The campus will be comprised of the following facilities: teaching facilities and classrooms; student dormitories; a research park and business incubator center; convention center and hotel; performing arts center; parking.
• A solar power facility will generate power needed for campus in addition to generating additional power for resale. The Blue Ridge Water pipeline will be completed in concert with the campus facility and the legal entities will pay user impact fees for the entire student population thereby reducing the burden of reclamation projects on current citizens.

For more information, contact Laura Ann Bartlett-Armstrong, Marketing and Public Relations Lead, Payson-ASU Volunteer Committee at 928-468-0132 or by email at lxb59@yahoo.com.