Grand Canyon University is planning to build 320,000 square feet cmpus in the East Valley that eventually will house 2,000 employees and 7,500 students. Initially, the campus will employ 1,000 people and double that by 2020. It will need anywhere from 75 to 150 acres for such expansion.

GCU issued request for proposals to Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek. Initial notices of intent are due Jan. 7, while full proposals are due Feb. 15. Already, one city has identified land for the expansion but it is too soon to identify the city. Personally, I don’t think Tempe has the capacity to offer such space in the already crowd city. Mesa’s mayor Smith is very determined to bring in higher education into the city of Mesa. So I believe there are in the talk. Chandler has become so expensive and the needs for higher education has been well served by nearby ASU East and Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC). Not so sure either about Queen Creek since its high school system is yet ready to take on the cooperation with College.

With the up coming master plan of Eastmark in Mesa, resourceful pipelines of high schoolers and the aggressiveness major Smith has brought to his team, I highly anticipate GCU’s decision will favorable to Mesa. GCU expects to make a decision on the final location by May 2013, with an expected construction completion in fall 2014.

For more information, click here for Grand Canyon University – A for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona.