Grand Canyon University (GCU) asked the Phoenix City Council to change 300 acres of land designated as residential and commercial to public-quasi public. That would allow the school to redevelop smaller parcels into larger developments.
During Wednesday's council meeting, several people spoke in favor of the expansion, saying GCU was a good neighbor and they appreciated the school's investment in the community.
One resident told council members he’s not happy.
“I’m against the city constantly giving into GCU, giving over two acres of the park away," he said.
Before the council unanimously approved the expansion, Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, who represents the area from 27th to 31st avenues and Camelback Road to Missouri Avenie, said GCU has clearly been aggressive. However, Valenzuela added, “Has GCU made anyone sign, forced anyone to sign on the dotted line to sell their property? I don’t think so.”
A representative for the private, Christian, for-profit university said eight years ago they had 2,000 traditional students, today they have 16,000 and they hope to grow to 25,000.
