The University of Portland has begun construction on a 35-acre property along the Willamette River, newly named “Franz Campus”, according to a news release sent out by the University of Portland last week.
The University released new artistic renderings of what Franz Campus will look like when construction is finished. The property is set to house two lighted soccer fields, a tennis center, a full track and a boathouse and dock for the rowing team. Environmental research space, a new physical plant building and more campus parking will also be constructed on the property.
In early February, Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam announced on Portside with the Pilots that the University had officially received permits to build two soccer fields on the property. He said he anticipates that both the grass and turf fields should be completed by Labor Day of 2018.
Leykam said the University also gained approval from the Willamette River Trustees to begin construction on a boating dock that will accompany a new boathouse for the rowing team. That project should be completed within the window of July 1 and Oct. 1, 2018 Leykam said.
The name of Franz Campus (and also of UP’s College of Arts and Sciences building Franz Hall) honors the late Robert W. (Bob) Franz, a local businessman and philanthropist. The Franz Estate gave the lead donation to the building project, kick starting construction on the campus.
“Bob Franz’s support has been critical to making the University of Portland the preeminent Catholic university it is today,” University President Fr. Mark Poorman said in his State of Campus address last week. “In recognition of this gift and, truly, in honor of Bob’s lifetime of giving to the University, I am delighted to announce that the lower riverfront campus has been named the Franz Campus.”
