The Glassboro Plan - Edition 2

[CyphaPSU]

Let's keep this thread on topic of sharing information updates on the latest developments with the Rowan University-MLS partnership.

Remember, you can always go to www.phillysoccer.com for news and information on the subject.

[SoccerPrime]

Before the last thread was closed, I did post something important to the Rowan/Glassboro plan.

One of the ppl I talk to regularly who is a "insider" to the affairs at Rowan told me that that the university had chosen a developer but is not going to release the name of the company quite yet.

He and I's theory is that this ISN'T Rowan saving face: ie they have nothing to release. We theorize that Rowan is just being secretive and wants to control all info coming out.

Hopefully something will leak/be known soon. When it does I'll post here.

[celt1997]

He and I's theory is that this ISN'T Rowan saving face: ie they have nothing to release. We theorize that Rowan is just being secretive and wants to control all info coming out.


Seeing as this is a University at the center, this makes a lot of sense. Universities have to be very careful due to their paying clientele. Obviously they want to ensure everything is ironed out with their students, alumni, donators, etc. before going forward and making announcements.

[Sundevil9]

Seeing as this is a University at the center, this makes a lot of sense. Universities have to be very careful due to their paying clientele. Obviously they want to ensure everything is ironed out with their students, alumni, donators, etc. before going forward and making announcements.


That's absolutely right.

You want to make an announcement and go forward to complete 100% of what you promise, and not have to backpeddle down the line.

Get the deal done, and get it done right. If that leaves us in the dark a bit, so be it. We're just being nosy anyway.

[CyphaPSU]

Excellent points, celt1997. Universities have a large balancing act to handle in regards to planning new things on campus.

[SoccerPrime]

That's absolutely right.

You want to make an announcement and go forward to complete 100% of what you promise, and not have to backpeddle down the line.

Get the deal done, and get it done right. If that leaves us in the dark a bit, so be it. We're just being nosy anyway.
Who is nosy? What do you mean? Can I be blamed for wanting to know it all, now? :eek:

;) J/K

[Rocky1869]

http://www.rowan.edu/news/display_article.cfm?ArticleID=1475

word out of rowan today. it's the milestone group.


Rowan Selects Developer for Sports/Retail/Housing Complex

May 2, 2006

Glassboro, NJ—Rowan University's plan to develop a sports/retail/housing complex is moving forward with the University's announcement on Tuesday that it has selected The Milestone Group as the master developer.

A leading real estate private-equity firm with offices in New York and Dallas, Milestone has more than $1 billion of assets under management in various real estate projects throughout the United States. It will assemble a consortium of architectural, engineering and consulting firms to provide services to the partnership in the development of the Rowan West project. The group will include such companies as Brailsford & Dunlavey, EDAW, HLW, Rossetti Associates, Taylor Wiseman & Taylor and Wells Associates. Combined, the team has completed or been part of projects for Rutgers University, University of Rhode Island, St. John's University as well as for the NCAA, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, MLB and USTA.

"This is an extremely complex project, one that requires the master developer to have expertise in developing retail and housing as well as sports and entertainment facilities," said Donald Farish, president of Rowan University. "We were very impressed with the proposals we received, but the Milestone team had the right combination of talent and experience that we believe will best suit our needs as a university."

Rowan will sign a memorandum of understanding with Milestone that guarantees the developer exclusive rights to the project if the two parties are able to negotiate details of a contract by July 1. Rowan signed a similar agreement with Major League Soccer, one that guarantees that Rowan's West Campus be the site of a Major League Soccer franchise if finances are in place by July 1.

"This is an opportunity to help transform Rowan University, which in turn will help transform the region," said Jeffrey Goldberg, managing partner of The Milestone Group. "This project will be an important economic cornerstone for the entire South Jersey region. We are excited to create a sporting and entertainment venue which will bring new job opportunities and business to the area."

Major League Soccer announced in March that it had selected Rowan's West Campus as the site for a soccer franchise, but that the University has until July 1 to present preliminary plans and financing for the construction of a Major League Soccer stadium. The University, in turn, unveiled plans for a much larger initiative, one that would include the soccer stadium, as well as a variety of playing and practice venues for football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, and track and field. The complex also would include a retail corridor and housing for as many as 3,000 students.

The University received project proposals from Milestone University Investments, an affiliate of the Milestone Group; Fairmount Properties, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Opus East, of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., by its April 21 deadline.

Rowan officials have explained that the goal of the project is to move the athletic facilities off the University's main campus to make room for additional academic buildings, allowing it to increase enrollment and academic offerings. The project will allow the University to move the sports facilities at a dramatically reduced expense.

For more information about Rowan's expansion plans, visit www.rowan.edu/rowanwest.

[skyscraper]

So if they can't raise the $1 billion for the entire project, will they be able to phase different parts at different times, or is it an all-or-nothing deal? If they can phase it in, will they start with the soccer stadium because that has the nearest deadline and has a great money-making potential (I would think so).

[MasterShake29]

I suppose we can forgive them for missing their original deadline by one whole day.

Keep the good news flowing.

So July 1 is the next key day?

[SoccerPrime]

Thanks for posting Rocky. I got the email with the news about 5pm last night.

I've been impressed from what I have seen from Milestone and Rowan at this point. They actually kinda make their own deadlines.

Now we just need them to iron out the plans by July 1...

PS I should be getting some copies of the designs from Milestone soon.

[Sundevil9]

PS I should be getting some copies of the designs from Milestone soon.


....now you're just being a tease.

[SoccerPrime]

More news:

Rowan wants Dallas firm for its $1B plan
Asbury Park Press, NJ
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060503/NEWS03/605030342/1007

Rowan picks developer for West Campus
The Gloucester County Times, NJ
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1146644506312250.xml&coll=8

Rowan seeks to hire firm for $1B project
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060503/NEWS01/605030379/1006

[SoccerPrime]

BTW I really like this tidbit:

Milestone compiled an impressive group of architectural, engineering and consulting firms for the Rowan project, Farish said. They include Rossetti Associates, a company that has designed many Major League Soccer stadiums.

Rossetti designed the Home Depot Center and the Bridgeview (Fire) stadiums. :)

[Looper121]

Wow, fantastic news...July 1st. Sounds like a long way off, bu it's really not, now that I think about it...Great to see many parties involved in this...
SoocerPrime, post those renderings ASAP!!!

[SoccerPrime]

Even more news:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6279168p-6174744c.html

[Sundevil9]

More news:

Rowan wants Dallas firm for its $1B plan
Asbury Park Press, NJ
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060503/NEWS03/605030342/1007



Interesting that the Asbury Park Press ran a nugget. I expect the AC, Camden County and Gloucester County Newspapers to run this, but Asbury Park? That's towards Red Bulls territory, I guess they look at it as something that some of their readers would be drawn to.

[SoccerPrime]

Interesting that the Asbury Park Press ran a nugget. I expect the AC, Camden County and Gloucester County Newspapers to run this, but Asbury Park? That's towards Red Bulls territory, I guess they look at it as something that some of their readers would be drawn to.
Yeah but they just reprinted a AP post or something.

Only the other three had semi-original content. I've spoken to both Ralph and Walsh. Good guys who are striving to give Rowan and MLS the press time it deserves. We all should email their editors and thank them.

[Sundevil9]

Yeah but they just reprinted a AP post or something.

Only the other three had semi-original content. I've spoken to both Ralph and Walsh. Good guys who are striving to give Rowan and MLS the press time it deserves. We all should email their editors and thank them.

I understand that it wasn't anything original. But just the fact that the editor(s) decided to run something is interesting.

Though you're right, Ralph and Walsh have been really working this since day one.

[TMDSoccer]

Is this the same Milestone Group that is developing around Frisco? I recall, can't remember where exactly, that Hicks Muse Tate (Milestone's parent company or affiliate or whatever) had a lot of involvement in that project as well. Huge plus to Rowan's plan, I would think.

[Khan]

Congratulations to Philly-area fans. It sounds exciting to see this latest news, and I am cautiously optimistic. I'd much rather go to metro/exurban Philly than metro/exurban Cleveland any day, and twice on match day. Hence, I'd rather see Philly get a team than Cleveland, IF indeed it is an either/or proposition.

Having said that, I'll TRULY be excited when $1B is in hand [or at least the requisite portion for the SSS] AND the I/O has committed to this project. [Hopefully, the I/O & franchise won't be moved from another location within the MLS constellation.] I WANT this to happen, as ALL MLS franchises will sink or swim together; ALL of MLS fans need to recognize the gulf that is between the on-field rivalry and the off-field common fate that all MLS teams face. That is, IF we want this 1st Division in the US to survive and to thrive.

However, I remain dubious as to whether or not this will happen until the $1B happens AND the I/O is in place. Until then, [or 1 July, whichever comes first] best of luck to this proposal!

Cheers!