Economic problems not affecting Academic Village project
Shane Bliss
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Web Extras
Despite national economic problems, Point Park and its $210 million Academic Village project are still doing fine, Point Park University President Paul Hennigan said at a press conference last Thursday.
The press conference was called for both an update on the progress of the project one year after it was announced and its economic impact.
The project will result in a new student center, a park, enhancements to the Wood Street corridor and Boulevard of the Allies, a gymnasium, more student housing and moving the Pittsburgh Playhouse Downtown to Forbes Avenue.
Cited as a main reason for continued stability was the new study released by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The study shows that the project will generate than $280 million in value to the economy while also creating more than 3,700 new jobs, both part-time and full-time.
"In spite of economic uncertainty, we are still doing fine, thanks to the work of faculty and staff," Hennigan said at the press conference.
Mariann Geyer, vice president of University Advancement, cited the study as proving that the project is an even better idea because of the troubling economy.
"The Pennsylvania Economy League study released this week validates that the realization of the Academic Village Initiative is not only good for the University but the economic boost that will help bolster the economy in these challenging times," Geyer said in an e-mail statement.
"We continue to be aware of the state of the economy in the region, the nation and the world," Geyer said. "Our plan for the Academic Village remains the same."
And although a majority of the students agree, the gap has closed somewhat about whether or not the project should stop. An unscientific survey, conducted first in February and then again in March by a Point Park journalism class, shows that some support of the project has been lost, at least in part due to the troubling economy.
The press conference was called for both an update on the progress of the project one year after it was announced and its economic impact.
The project will result in a new student center, a park, enhancements to the Wood Street corridor and Boulevard of the Allies, a gymnasium, more student housing and moving the Pittsburgh Playhouse Downtown to Forbes Avenue.
Cited as a main reason for continued stability was the new study released by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The study shows that the project will generate than $280 million in value to the economy while also creating more than 3,700 new jobs, both part-time and full-time.
"In spite of economic uncertainty, we are still doing fine, thanks to the work of faculty and staff," Hennigan said at the press conference.
Mariann Geyer, vice president of University Advancement, cited the study as proving that the project is an even better idea because of the troubling economy.
"The Pennsylvania Economy League study released this week validates that the realization of the Academic Village Initiative is not only good for the University but the economic boost that will help bolster the economy in these challenging times," Geyer said in an e-mail statement.
"We continue to be aware of the state of the economy in the region, the nation and the world," Geyer said. "Our plan for the Academic Village remains the same."
And although a majority of the students agree, the gap has closed somewhat about whether or not the project should stop. An unscientific survey, conducted first in February and then again in March by a Point Park journalism class, shows that some support of the project has been lost, at least in part due to the troubling economy.
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