County officials declined to protest a south-corridor annexation proposed by Moab City. No protests by today’s deadline paves the way for Utah State University to build a campus along Highway 191.
Grand County Commission chairman Gene Ciarus terms the plan a “big boost” for both city and county. Besides a new college campus, development planned for the area includes housing, road improvements and businesses. The city will grow by nearly 466 acres, starting from 960 Mill Creek Drive up hill to the highway, then to 2200 South U.S. 191. It includes new affordable housing now underway along Mill Creek Drive.
The city fund of $75,000 is set aside for developing USU Moab several miles south of town. Fifteen-million dollars gifted last fall from a local family partnership will aid construction of phase one. Twenty acres donated from another family’s estate will showcase the 430,000 square-foot campus in a natural setting.
Campus officials estimate enrollment at USU Moab from 600-plus students to 3,500 upon completion of three phases in 30 years. Student housing is part of the master plan.
The Moab campus plan and city annexation resulted from more than 15 years of community effort and formal study. A nine-member advisory board oversees USU’s extension program, and fundraising continues. Next Tuesday the city will set public hearings on the annexation. Approval is anticipated February 14th.