West Campus development decision postponed by Cal Poly President Armstrong

Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong further postponed a decision about the proposed development plan located on Cal Poly’s West Campus to November 2026, according to his email to Cal Poly faculty. 

The development includes a hotel and conference center, student and staff housing, a childcare center, a College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Farm Store and potentially senior living, according to the statement. 

It is set to be located on a portion of West Campus, just south of Highland Drive. 

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Friday’s email stated any substantial construction of the proposed hotel and senior living center would not begin until as early as 2030, but students and staff have expressed many concerns with the plan dating back to 2015, according to previous coverage by Mustang News .

A team of various students, faculty, staff, alumni, agriculture experts and other stakeholders is continuing to work to reach a decision on whether to proceed with the developments. They hope to reach a decision by this November. 

 “We are committed to ensuring every acre of Class I agricultural land developed has equivalent replacement acreage nearby,” Armstrong said.

The team has launched a web portal that features Armstrong’s statement, a concept plan and a FAQ to help answer potential concerns. 

In the statement, Armstrong attempted to answer the concerns of agriculture students, who have opposed the new plan. The project incorporates 30 acres of Class I land, the best soil for agricultural production.

Armstrong and the team of stakeholders said they are continuing work to keep the Cal Poly community updated on their decision-making process.

“I 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,” Armstrong said.