The University of Utah Board of Trustees adopted a new 160-page campus master plan during an Oct. 13 meeting. The document is intended to guide the next decade of growth at the university, addressing student life, athletics, academic and research facilities, and campus mobility.
The 2026 master plan builds upon a previous plan from 2008. According to President Taylor Randall, the plan seeks to create a campus that fosters discovery and serves as a beacon of innovation. The document is rooted in the goals of Impact 2030, the university's strategic plan.
Key features of the plan include the creation of a new student village called College Town Magic, which will feature housing, academic spaces, wellness facilities, retail, dining, and grocery services. Other highlights include the renovation of the Jon M. Huntsman Center Arena, the creation of a second student union building to act as a welcome center, and adjusted research locations to accommodate both wet and dry research needs.
The plan is guided by seven principles, including providing a best-in-class student experience, advancing research and academic missions, and providing exceptional patient care. Other priorities include fiscal responsibility, water-wise landscaping, preserving the State Arboretum, and improving access and mobility through enhanced pedestrian corridors and new parking designed to ensure a walk of 10 minutes or less to occupied buildings.
Chief Operating Officer Jeff Labrum stated that the plan does not approve specific projects, buildings, or dollar amounts, as those would require further approval through the Campus Master Planning Committee and the Trustees. Details regarding building placement and final designs will depend on further analysis and stakeholder input.
Following the trustees' October meeting, the campus master plan is expected to be posted online on a new website in the coming weeks.
