By CJ Jorgensen for AZBEX
The University Governance and Operations Committee of the Arizona Board of Regents approved Arizona State University’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027-2030 Capital Improvement Plan during its Sept. 11 meeting. The CIP calls for $312M in development in 2027.
In FY 2027, ASU is proposing seven line items. The executive summary states the projects are all aligned with ASU’s goal of having sustainable facilities and infrastructure.
Part of the ASU Enterprise Strategic Framework is to provide students and staff with proper facilities and infrastructure. The investments go hand in hand with the goal to improve the graduation rate to more than 85%, earn a national standing in both learning and post-graduate outcomes, amplify the impact on the local community, and increase research competitiveness to exceed $1.5B in annual expenditures by the turn of the decade.
Each project will be funded by system revenue bonds.
$400M Center Complex
The Center Complex project is a public-private partnership that will total $400M in capital investment. ASU, however, is only slated to contribute $30M. Note: only the $30M ASU portion of the project cost is included in the stated $312M budget.
The multiphase project consists of a student housing development featuring several buiildings. The planned complex will have somewhere between 2,000-2,500 beds. The new student housing buildings will replace Irish Hall, Best Hall and Hayden Hall.
ASU said the demand for student living remains high and that retention rates for students living on campus are higher than those living at home or in an off-campus apartment.
The design process will begin in January 2026, with construction expected to start in October of the same year. The first phase is expected to wrap up in August 2028.
The development RFP was due on July 11, 2025, but as of publication, no development award has been made public.
$100M Desert Financial Arena Renovations
ASU is moving forward with its multiphase Desert Financial Arena Renovations plan. The project consists of renovating the life safety systems, concourse, concession stands and circulation experience. Upgrades will also be made to the locker room and restroom facilities.
ASU is intending to modernize the Tempe facility with the end goal of improving visitor and athlete experiences. Renovations will make the building more safe, accessible and efficient. The project is estimated to cost $100M.
Design is expected to begin in January 2026. Construction will follow in January 2027. Completion is targeted for December 2029.
As of publication, no procurements for either design or construction have been made public.
$35M New Football Practice Facility
The highest priority project mentioned in ASU’s FY 2027 report is the Football Practice Facility. The practice facility consists of a new structure directly adjacent to Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Construction crews will transform the existing parking lot into a turf field that will replace the Verde Dickie Dome east of Rural Road.
The new facility will provide athletes with the ability to walk directly to practice from the weight and meeting rooms in the stadium. ASU also plans to utilize the facility as a “Fan Zone” for future events. The project has an estimated value of $35M.
The current timeline indicates the design process will begin in March 2026. Construction is then set to follow in January 2027, with a targeted completion of Feb. 2028.
As of publication, no procurements for either design or construction have been made public.
Remaining Projects Total $147M
The remaining items consist of the renovation/enhancement/improvement of a variety of buildings and infrastructure.
First in the priority list is Building and Infrastructure Enhancements and Modifications. This is a conglomerate of projects across all campuses that will ensure the safety of infrastructure and facilities. These projects will have $45M in funding for FY 2027.
Closely following is Classroom and Academic Renovations. This item is comprised of the renovation of various classrooms, the introduction of new classrooms and the addition of smaller instructional spaces throughout all of ASU’s campuses.
This development also consists of improvements to the HVAC and M/E/P systems in classroom buildings. Collectively, these improvements have a $25M budget.
Next up in the list is the Research Laboratory Renovations. This is another assembly of various projects across all campuses. This grouping focuses on the renovation of wet and dry laboratories. Also included in this collection are improvements to the infrastructure and building systems to ensure ASU is keeping its laboratories up to date and up to code.
This comes as ASU has found multiple laboratories have become “inadequate due to age.” In the report, ASU also said it will be able to update the facilities with new technologies. This grouping of projects has a $30M budget.
The final item in ASU’s list is IT Infrastructure Improvements. These improvements will take place over multiple years and multiple campuses. Improvements are intended to continue to allow ASU to meet demand as more students and staff enter the system. This grouping of projects has an estimated cost of $47M.
Depending on the size of each individual project, it is likely many of these will be delivered using on-call design contracts and job order contracts for construction services.
FY 2028-2030
ASU also touched on different projects that will appear in 2028 and beyond. These developments range from dormitories to classrooms and further renovations. Click here for a list of future projects.
