Goal Five

Goal 5: Establish an institutional “base,” initially dedicated to supporting area alumni and developing career internships or job opportunities, in a major metropolitan area. (Target: 2020)

As Gonzaga envisions opportunities to develop three pieces of property in downtown Seattle donated by business owner, investor and philanthropist Miss Myrtle Woldson, there is the potential to establish an institutional base in one of the West Coast’s primary metropolitan areas. This would help create new relationships with companies and government entities that have an interest in higher education programs, as well as internship and employment options for students and graduates. This opportunity extends support to alumni in Western Washington and provides Gonzaga a base for engagement with prospective students and their parents.

Progress:

In January 2019, it was announced that Gonzaga University has entered into a long-term ground lease with AMLI Residential to develop the parcel located at 1101 Western into a 340,000-square-foot multifamily residential project that will help fund Gonzaga’s endowment and provide for student scholarships.

“We celebrate Myrtle Woldson’s legacy by honoring her wish that the bequeathed properties be held by the University endowment in order to provide the highest and best use for the benefit of future students educated by Gonzaga University,” said Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh. “Our agreement with AMLI to invest in the renaissance of Seattle’s historic waterfront guarantees scholarships will reach deserving students who choose to advance their education at Gonzaga.”

The planned project will be located at 1101 Western Ave. between Spring and Seneca Streets. While concept plans are still evolving, the current approach is for a 17-story project that will include approximately 257 residential apartment homes and approximately 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail/commercial space with additional services for Seattle’s evolving Waterfront neighborhood. Construction at 1101 Western Ave. is slated to begin in mid- to late-2020 with tentative completion expected in mid- to late-2022.

“In addition to supporting the University’s mission and the academic pursuits of our students, Gonzaga University is committed to the vision that this development will make a substantial contribution to the vibrancy of Seattle’s waterfront district and the surrounding neighborhoods,” President McCulloh added.

Connecting with Alumni Nationwide:

Gonzaga’s reach over the past year goes far beyond the boundaries of Washington state. New alumni chapter programs have sprouted up in Omaha, Nebraska; Bend, Oregon; and San Joaquin Valley, California, bringing the total chapter program to 44 cities, with other requests pending. Career Treks exposing current students to business enterprises and opportunities around the country have expanded, now including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Denver, and New York.