Concordia announces major expansion of its Portland campus

By RICHARD KOE
    PORTLAND – Concordia University, the 1,600-student Missouri-Synod Lutheran school in northeast Portland, plans a $22 million expansion to its campus at N.E. 27th Avenue and Holman Street with a new library and amphitheater.
   As reported by The Oregonian, Ground will be broken in late 2007 for both facilities on what are now Concordia’s soccer and baseball fields. This will be followed by construction of new sports facilities on property north of the present campus, most of which is owned by the university. No date has been set for the sports project.
    Construction of the new library, amphitheater, and student quad will start in December next year and be completed about 12 months later. The next phase, the athletic complex, will be built on two blocks bounded by N.E. 27th and 28th avenues and Dekumand Liberty streets.
   The university owns 20 of the 22 homes on those two blocks which it uses for married student housing. Concordia is set to buy one of the remaining houses soon, and has a “handshake” agreement with the other resident, age 80, who grew up in the house since 1922 and has agreed to sell sooner or later.
    Concordia hopes to give away the houses that will have to be moved on the two blocks for low-income housing, and this effort is in its early stages. The local neighborhood association supports the expansion and regards the school as a very good neighbor.
    Long-term plans also call for more classroom space and student housing, a performing arts center, and a day care.
    The school has worked closely with nearby residents through the planning process. Most are generally enthusiastic about the expansion, although some have expressed concern about lights and a sound system that may be part of the sports complex.
    Chuck Schlimpert, Concordia president, told The Oregonian the school is undertaking expansion to keep up with a growing student body and to forge deeper ties with surrounding neighborhoods. For example, the new library, amphitheater, and sports complex will be available to neighbors.
    Schlimpert said neighborhood input is important as Concordia continues to sort out the details. He wants people to have a chance to be heard as the school deliberates about proposed projects.