The developers for a proposed mixed-use development near the Palouse Ridge Golf Course will buy part of a 20-acre piece of land from the university to build condominiums and lease the rest, which will include commercial space, student and multi-family housing, and cottages.

WSU Vice President of Finance Olivia Yang, who presented the plans to the regents at their meeting on Thursday, said the development would be built in two phases without funding from WSU.

“This will not cost the university any money,” Yang said. “The developers will pay for everything and the university will eventually gain revenue from this development.”

However, she could not provide information on how much revenue the development would generate for WSU or where it would come from. She said more detailed information will be available in March. Construction is expected to begin in May.

Corporate Pointe Developers, which won the bid for the project, was founded by prominent real estate developer K. Duane Brelsford. The company owns and maintains a wide range of properties around Pullman. Among these are the DABCO apartments, two condos, several business complexes and the Fireside Grille.

The condominiums in the new development are marketed to alumni, and WSU Associate Vice President of Finance Matthew Skinner said alumni have shown interest in them.

“There are nine potential occupants for the condos that will be built in phase one of the project,” he said. “There will eventually be three condo buildings, each with nine units.”

This phase will also include construction of the entire commercial building, which will include an anchor retail tenant, and some of the housing. The second phase will encompass the rest of the development.

Skinner also mentioned that the development was not part of the master plan that was presented last year.

“This land was originally meant to be used for recreation amenities but was not put to use,” Skinner said. “This development can create a more modern image on the outer edge of campus.”

Skinner said preliminary permits for the development had to be pulled from the city of Pullman to present the plan to the committee. Regent Ryan Durkan expressed concern that this happened before the regents approved the project, but Skinner said that before planning, the city required the permits.

WSU President Kirk Schulz advocated for the development, citing the importance of student housing but also the benefit to alumni. He said the additional housing will improve access to Pullman for people who want an additional place to stay near the university.

“Alumni will want a home away from home,” he said. “They will be more likely to stay the full weekend instead of just game day.”

Schulz said if the condos are successful there will likely be more built in the future.