University to buy more land in near future

By Kelly L. Griffith
News Editor

The UNCP Board of Trustees voted on Friday, Jan. 16 to offer $26,000 for 4.3 acres of land in hopes to expand the campus.

Director of the Physical Plant Larry Freeman saw a for sale sign and took the idea to Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs Neil Hawk.

Hawk said he looked into buying the two parcels of land located on University Drive and brought it to the board.

“With the approval of our Board of Trustees, the State Property Office is offering an option to purchase to owners,” Hawk said.

The owners have 30 days from the offer date to accept the university’s proposal. UNCP continues to look for more acreage connected to current university property.

Chancellor Allen Meadors said the university has always been looking for more land. Without hundreds of acres, UNCP will always worry about the possibility of becoming landlocked.

“UNCP probably needs ‘at least’ another 100 acres connected or adjacent to our current property to be in a comfortable situation for the future,” Meadors said.

The board also approved a new master plan to be created by Boney Architects from Wilmington, according to a press release.

UNCP expects to eventually accommodate 6-8,000 students, well over the 4,700 now enrolled. Meadors does not think enrollment will exceed the estimated number in the next five years. However, when architects designed the last master plan, the administration did not anticipate enrollment to surpass 4,200 students.

Meadors said the campus’ growth is beneficial.

“We are grateful for any property that we can obtain in the immediate area of the campus, especially any that might be donated and thus further the dream of the residence in this area to have the best university possible,” Meadors said.