Published: Sept. 6, 2000

Shapins Associates of Boulder was selected by the University of Colorado Board of Regents today to begin work on a conceptual land-use assessment for the CU-Boulder South Campus.

The assessment will address environmental, floodplain, transportation, utility and other infrastructure issues and will include conditions and mitigation processes that will define appropriate land uses for the property.

CU-Boulder's 308-acre South Campus, located west of U.S. 36 and south of Table Mesa Drive, was purchased by the university in 1996 to meet future campus needs.

The assessment will determine where future development could be located on the land and will take into consideration a floodplain study currently being conducted by the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District in cooperation with CU, the city of Boulder and Boulder County.

The only development proposed for CU-Boulder South in the current Campus Master Plan is athletic and recreational field relocation and expansion, said Paul Tabolt, vice chancellor for administration.

"The campus is considering expanding athletic and recreational fields and upgrading and relocating Potts Field and Prentup Field, now in the CU Research Park, to CU-Boulder South," Tabolt said. "We're also looking for a new home for the tennis courts that must be relocated from the main campus before construction begins on the new law school in about 12 to 18 months.

"It is important to better understand how the site may be developed in the long term so that athletic and recreational facilities can be placed according to the overall concepts for land use of the 308-acre parcel," Tabolt said.

The assessment will be completed by mid-2001. The fee for Shapins Associates will be determined as part of the contract.