This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.
Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.
(As of 3/16/08)
1. Why is the Northwest Foundation exploring the concept of a new
The Northwest Foundation has experienced significant growth in the last five years in terms of donor financial support, the scope of services offered and alumni involvement – due largely to the institution’s first capital campaign – and additional growth is projected. The Northwest Foundation is making strategic steps to accommodate this continued growth, one of which has resulted in the planning and development for expanding our alumni facilities. The new
2. Who currently owns and occupies the Alumni House?
The Alumni House is the current facility that houses the Office of University Advancement and includes the Northwest Foundation and the Northwest Alumni Association. This facility, a private home built in the early 1900s, was purchased by the Foundation in 1980.
3. Is the Alumni House not adequate?
In 2005, a Foundation-appointed committee conducted a facilities study. This committee determined that, while the Alumni House has been a great facility for many years, there are many drawbacks: it is not
4. What are the overarching principles that the Northwest Foundation Board considered when determining the need for this facility?
For the Foundation Board to support such a project, it was determined that three guiding principles must be met: It will help raise money. It will help fulfill fiduciary duties. It will help develop relationships. The Foundation Board is confident this project will assist in accomplishing all three principles.
5. What is the procedure that the Northwest Foundation has followed in pursuing this building project?
A facilities committee has been assembled consisting of members of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors and the Northwest Alumni Association, many of whom are
6. What type of building is being proposed?
The architect is currently finalizing plans and exterior elevations. These plans call for an approximate 18,500-square-foot, two-story facility complete with offices, meeting rooms, a large conference room that can be divided into smaller rooms by movable walls, and parking. The design of the new Alumni Center will be compatible with the architecture of the surrounding residential area and the Northwest campus facilities.
7. What is the future for the Alumni House?
The Foundation Board recognizes the Alumni House is a historic building that is ideal for small, elegant gatherings and is one of the most distinctive structures on
8. Has the Northwest Foundation approved expenditures for this project?
During its October 2007 meeting, the Foundation Board approved $4.9 million for the total Alumni Center project, including property acquisition, design, construction, furnishings, etc. The Board also gave approval for the facilities committee to continue to pursue property, hire an architect and research site preparation options. The architectural plans were presented to and approved by the Foundation Board during its March 2008 board meeting.
9. How is the Foundation proposing to fund this project?
The Foundation Board of Directors is currently seeking a combined $14.75 million in bonds for the Valk construction, the studio theatre, the lights and turf at Bearcat Stadium and the Alumni Center project. Unless specified by the donor, funds donated to the Northwest Foundation by Northwest alumni and friends will not be used to fund this project. Furthermore, the financing of the Alumni Center will not override University projects or take away from scholarships for Northwest students.
10. What actions have been taken to date?
The final design is being determined, an architect has been hired, site preparation bids have been obtained and the land has been surveyed. In addition, four houses on the proposed site have been purchased or acquired. The Foundation Board approved the architectural plans at the March 2008 meeting and directed the facilities committee to proceed with final design, zoning and permitting, solicitation of contractor bids, site preparation and construction. In addition, the facilities committee will maintain dialogue and collaboration with area property owners on design considerations of mutual interest and will appoint an area property owner as an ex-officio member of the committee.
11. Is there a tentative timeline for this project?
Final zoning and building permits must be acquired, construction bids must be let and a contractor will be hired for the design/bid/build process. Site preparation will begin following permit approval from city officials, the groundbreaking will be in early summer and a grand opening will be in fall 2009.
12. How will the progress of the project be communicated?
The Northwest Foundation will be communicating its tentative plans and seeking feedback from neighbors, Northwest faculty, staff and students, alumni, community members and many others throughout the entire process. Some of these methods of communication include the Northwest Web site, neighborhood information sessions, public information sessions, news releases to the media, articles in University and Foundation publications, personal visits and e-mail correspondence as well as presentations to community, University and alumni groups.