Cal Poly Humboldt makes headway on Craftsman's Mall project

ARCATA, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt has selected a contractor to break ground on its next student housing project.

Sundt Construction will design and build the $150 million 1,050-bed housing complex, which will provide apartment-style housing for students. The project will overhaul the Craftsman’s Mall, located along St. Louis Road just north of campus.

“We are excited to partner with Sundt on this historic and unique housing project for Cal Poly Humboldt,” said Sherie Cornish Gordon, Vice President of Administration & Finance in a statement. “Our work with Sundt on this project enabled Humboldt to evolve our vision and accelerate our ability to increase housing and other important amenities for our students. This will be the first hallmark project of our polytechnic transformation.”

The new development would include an exercise gym, common lounge spaces, study spaces, computer rooms, television rooms, a convenience store, conference rooms, green space, covered bicycle parking, outdoor cooking space and on-site parking.

Cal Poly Humboldt said construction on the 12.8-acre Craftsman’s Mall project will hopefully begin in January 2023 and end in 2025. But the university must first conduct an environmental impact report.

A public meeting, with opportunities to discuss the environmental review, will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

In the meantime, Humboldt is finding ways to house students during construction and will be helping students get rooms at the Comfort Inn in Arcata during the 2022-23 school year.