University Plans Massive MXD Expansion

The expansion, which officials estimate will cost between $800 million and $1 billion, is being fueled by the university's need to build some new academic buildings on the main campus here, to increase the capacity of the 12,500-student school, according to Rowan President Donald Farish. The plan is to move the university's existing athletic facilities off the main campus to Rowan West and replace them with academic facilities.

"We have several new buildings planned, but we can't construct them until we move the athletics complex," Farish says. Joining the university's proposed new athletics complex at Rowan West would be a student residential complex and other residences, a hotel, retail space and restaurants and a rail station. A campus shuttle would connect the two separate campus sites. The facilities would be designed, as well, to hold local high school athletic competitions, conventions and other events.

Plans also call for a Major League Soccer stadium, and the university has signed an agreement with the pro league to move things in that direction. Under the terms of the agreement, Rowan has 120 days, or until mid-July, to develop plans for a stadium that would bring an MLS franchise to South Jersey by 2009. The agreement also calls for the university to have a developer and a funding package in place during that period.

"We will issue an RFP for potential developers shortly," Farish says. "This is a major step for South Jersey and Rowan University. We expect the Rowan West project to impact the region's economy, bring in new ratables, create new jobs and significantly transform the university."

Rowan West is the second major project for the university, which was once known as Glassboro State College. University officials are set to break ground early next month for the South Jersey Technology Park, located near the Rowan West site, to start work on a project first announced in mid-2001.