A top-ranked private university is raising its Sacramento profile, relocating from its suburban campus to larger digs downtown.
The University of San Francisco in August will move classes from its existing campus at Point West into a former state office building at the entrance to Downtown Plaza.
The Jesuit-affiliated school initially will host 250 students - its current enrollment - but will have room to expand to 500 or more, says Barbara Godoy, director of the local campus.
"We'll be bringing in new programs we currently can't offer," she says, although details haven't been finalized.
USF's classes, which are held weeknights, are mostly attended by working professionals in 13 grad and undergrad programs.
The downtown campus is seen as especially convenient for students in USF's public administration programs.
"That's one of our bread-and-butter (programs) and most of those students work at the Capitol," Godoy says. "It will easier for them to come downtown for classes after work."
News of the campus relocation was cheered by Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.
"This won't be the traditional, Monday-to-Friday, 8-to-5 crowd," he says. The students and faculty will "come later, stay later," and create new demand for downtown restaurants and retailers.
It's also a lift for Rubicon Partners, the Sacramento firm that bought the five-story building at 630 K St. two years ago.
Its primary tenant is environmental consulting firm Jones & Stokes. The arrival of USF "will take us to 100 percent (occupancy) of the office space," says Rubicon principal Kipp Blewett.
For the rest of Bob Shallit's column, see Tuesday's "Our Region" section. Reach Shallit at (916) 321-1049. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/shallit.
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