The University of Idaho has been working toward creating a better connection between the UI and downtown Moscow for many years. With the recent $1.85 million purchase of a 4-acre parcel of land at the corner of Jackson and South Main streets, that goal could become a reality.
Gerard Billington, UI’s real estate officer, said he is excited about the purchase and thinks the land will be a great addition to the university’s assets.“The beauty of the property is that it’s capable of meeting a lot of needs,” Billington said.
The Idaho State Board of Education approved the purchase of the land at their meeting last month in Twin Falls. Billington said a number of ideas have been proposed for development of the land. With its close proximity to Gritman Medical Center, Billington said it’s possible the land will be developed in conjunction with the hospital to expand UI’s medical education programs or build a new student health facility.
“Connections there could be expansions of our WWAMI program and our medical education programs,” Billington said. “Other possibilities either with Moscow Family Medicine or Gritman would be a new student health facility. The student health center now … it’s in the middle of campus but it’s hard to drive to it, it’s an older building.”
Billington said research partnerships with local businesses and industries are another option the university has looked into. Most likely though, Billington said the land would be used for private development.
“The university would own the land but we could land lease to private developers who could accommodate retail, restaurant, entertainment … student and community-oriented businesses that make campus interesting for students thatand make Moscow interesting for employees.”
Billington said the idea is not to relocate the business activity of Moscow closer to the university, but to expand it and provide more activity for both UI students and the local community.
“The University of Idaho is competing for students and while students look at the quality of programs and the degrees offered and the fact that it’s in the state of Idaho and that tuition is a certain level, they’re also interested in the community that they’re going to move to,” Billington said.
He said the university would be interested in any number of businesses for the land, but because UI will own the land, they will have ultimate approval of what is constructed there. Billington said the university would be interested in seeing recreation, food service and entertainment on the property.
“This provides an opportunity to have campus services close by and within walking distance, but also have Main Street kind of as your front yard,” Billington said. “Those types of connections could be a draw for students that may find Moscow too small or there’s not enough going on. If we can juice that a little bit then there are more possibilities.”
Billington said by owning the property, the university can direct what it will look like, but the suggestions of students, faculty and the private sector of Moscow will all be taken into consideration.
“This was not bought with the sole intention of building a research building. This was bought for its location and its ability to serve a number of uses that we think could enhance the university,” Billington said.
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]