Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — NAU Holds Master Plan Open House on Oct. 6

Good afternoon,

Northern Arizona University will hold a Community Open House on Thursday, October 6 to discuss the development of its Smart, Sustainable, Comprehensive Campus Master Plan, which will provide a framework for land use, open space and facility development at NAU.

NAU is asking that you register for the session, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the High Country Conference Center.

The master plan will emphasize “smart campus” capabilities to drive new efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions, and effectively manage resources. NAU is working with DLR Group, a nationally recognized design firm, in developing the master plan.

The university held a day-long retreat in July to explore what a smart campus could look like for NAU. A summary of this retreat can be found here. Now NAU is reaching out to various audiences in a series of open houses in October. In addition to the Community Open House, NAU is holding separate sessions for students and for faculty and staff.

In a letter announcing the project, President José Luis Cruz Rivera noted that the last Master Plan for NAU had been completed in 2010, and that there have been significant changes and technological advancements in higher education in the past 12 years.

“Ultimately,” he added, “this process will create a comprehensive blueprint for our infrastructure planning and development that is informed by NAU’s mission and vision, and that will facilitate the success of our students, support and empower our faculty and staff, and contribute to our partnership with the broader community.”

We are looking forward to our local businesses, stakeholders, and the community at large being a vital part of this process.