Economic Institute Study Lays Foundation for UC Campus Expansion

A 2010 study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute helped lay the groundwork for a decision this week by the University of California at Merced to employ a public-private partnership in the next phase of its campus expansion. The study – Public-Private Partnerships: Alternative Procurement Methods for Campus Development in the University of California System – analyzed the opportunity for UC to expand UC Merced and develop other campus facilities by using public-private partnerships, which offer many advantages and benefits in improving the efficiency of project delivery and freeing public funds for other priorities. Under the decision this week, UC Merced selected Plenary Group to lead the next phase of its campus expansion, which will double the number of students it can serve to 10,000 by 2020. The agreement includes new facilities, a commitment by to engage private sector finance, and a 39-year contract for operations.