Cal State Long Beach unveiled plans to potentially add 1,600 student beds and 285 housing units for faculty and staff to accommodate a projected increase in enrollment by 2035, according to a report published on Sept. 1.

The campus could adopt plans laid out in this draft environmental impact report as soon as January 2024.

According to the report, the university could be serving some 5,000 more students by 2035. Meanwhile, the campus could hire more than 700 full-time faculty and staff within that same time frame. As of fall 2022, 38,273 students were enrolled.

The plan is currently under environmental review, so campus officials declined to comment on the report as they work to gather public input. The campus invites the public to provide feedback on the report here and by emailing [email protected] through Oct. 16.

CSULB will also hold two public hearings: one on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at The Pointe inside the Walter Pyramid from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and one on Thursday, Sept. 14 on Zoom, also from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

To accommodate the campus’ projected growth, the report details plans to double the number of beds in Parkside Village from 1,387 to 3,472. It is located on the northwestern part of the campus.

A new complex for staff would be built where the Design Building currently sits within the East District of campus. Some 285 units for residents, as well as ground-level retail and dining, would replace the building.

To encourage campus members to be less reliant on cars to get around, the plan details improved walkability and transportation around the campus. For example, the report provides an overview of new and widened sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Details on when construction could begin and its frequency were sparse. According to the report, construction would be ongoing through the 2023 planning horizon, with the majority of construction taking place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Here are more of the projects laid out in the report.

Other short-term projects (2 to 5 years):

  • Engineering Replacement Building

  • University Student Union Renovation / Addition and Cafeteria Replacement

  • Hillside College Renovations / Addition

  • Beachside Housing

  • Aquatics Center and Pool Renovation

  • Lecture Hall 150-151 Renovation

  • Student Health Services Addition

  • Corporation yard Renovations

  • Microbiology Student Success Center Renovation

  • Friendship Walk Stairs Revitalization

  • Improved Campus Entrance and Gateway

Mid-term future projects (6 to 10 years):

  • College of the Arts Replacement Building

  • New 7th Street Community Outreach Facility

  • Jack Rose Track – Commencement Facilities

  • Walter Pyramid Renovation

  • Pedestrian and Bike Lane Improvements

  • Fine Arts 4 Renovation

  • Fine Arts 1 / 2 Renovation

  • Liberal Arts 5 Renovation

  • Theatre Arts Renovation

  • University Theatre Renovation

  • Baseball Field Conversion to Multi-Use Field

  • Central Plant Decarbonization

  • University Music Center Renovation / Addition

  • Nursing Building Renovation

  • Engineering Tech Renovation

  • Relocated Archery Field

  • Redefining Campus Quad (renovating the main quad in the South District with new spaces, pathways, landscaping, seating and outdoor gathering spaces)

The first public input meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Walter Pyramid, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd.

Editor’s note: This story was corrected to show CSULB’s enrollment as of fall 2022.

Maison Tran is a fellow at the Long Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected].