Enhancing West Campus to Expand Learn by Doing
We are exploring opportunities to reimagine West Campus in ways that strengthen Cal Poly’s educational mission, expand Learn by Doing opportunities across disciplines and provide the services our community needs, including housing and access to basic needs.
WEST CAMPUS CONCEPT
The portion of West Campus under consideration is approximately 30 acres on the south side of Highland Drive and is uniquely situated at the university’s edge, where campus and city intersect, creating the potential for a new western gateway to Cal Poly.
It also presents opportunities to expand industry and research partnerships, increase applied research experiences, and create new spaces that support innovation, collaboration and Learn by Doing.
About West Campus
PROJECT CONCEPT
West Campus could become a transformational mixed-use district that advances Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing mission while strengthening housing, innovation, agriculture and community connections on the Central Coast.
This initiative is envisioned as a vibrant university district where students, faculty, industry partners and the broader community can live, learn, work and collaborate.
Message from President Armstong
Cal Poly community,
Many of you have heard about potential plans for the future of West Campus. As part of our ongoing evaluation of university lands and facilities, we are exploring opportunities to reimagine a portion of this area in ways that strengthen Cal Poly’s educational mission, expand Learn by Doing opportunities across disciplines and provide the services our community needs, including housing and access to basic needs.
Continuing the Conversation
Projects of this scale require thoughtful dialogue and broad community input. We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to identify a path forward that advances our educational mission while honoring Cal Poly’s values and legacy.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the potential future of West Campus. We will continue to add new questions and responses as they are available.
West Campus is a proposed mixed-use district on approximately 30 developable acres at the western edge of Cal Poly’s campus. The concept is still preliminary and could include student housing; space for industry partnerships, research and internships; hotel with event space; retail including a Farm Store; and open space including crops and existing trails.
The project responds to the combined desire to enhance Learn by Doing and the need for basic services including housing and grocery. It also strengthens connections between the university and the broader San Luis Obispo community.
Agriculture remains central to the vision. The project aims to integrate agricultural education, productive landscapes, ag-tech partnerships and sustainability initiatives into the district design and adjacent areas north of Highland Drive. The inclusion of a long-planned Farm Store will also serve as an important campus gateway, ensuring Cal Poly’s agricultural heritage remains integral to its future.
No. We are committed to preserving and enhancing experiential learning opportunities connected to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) even as we add additional Learn by Doing opportunities that don’t currently exist. Planning efforts are being developed in partnership with university stakeholders.
While a decision has not been made as to what will be developed, a hotel with an events center would allow Cal Poly to host academic conferences, industry events, visiting faculty, research partners, community gatherings and Cal Poly Maritime Academy guests while supporting student learning and employment opportunities related to hospitality, event management, nutrition and food sciences.
Easy access to retail, including groceries, has been a missing basic need on campus. Including retail, dining and gathering spaces would provide much-needed amenities for residential students and community residents while contributing to a vibrant and walkable environment adjacent to the campus core.
Purpose-built student and alumni housing could reduce pressure on existing neighborhoods and improve housing availability throughout the community.
Cal Poly intends to pursue the project through its auxiliary and/or public-private partnership structure, leveraging private-sector expertise while aligning with university goals.
The project would undergo the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process as part of future planning and development phases.
The university will continue to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, agricultural experts and other stakeholders through small group meetings. This input has already helped shape our thinking, and additional engagement will continue in the months ahead.
We expect to decide by November 2026 whether to move forward with a development concept. Specific uses and timelines, if approved, would be determined through further planning and consultation.