Announcement New Major Riverfront Development being explored in Oshkosh Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, Chancellor Richard Wells and Mayor Frank Tower Endorse Concept. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh could become host to the first active adult (55+) residential community of life-long learners closely integrated with an academic institution in the state of Wisconsin. UW Oshkosh has agreed to collaborate with Campus Continuum LLC of Newton, Mass and Akcess Acquisition Group, LLC. Campus Continuum is organizing a network of university-branded 55+ active adult communities tightly integrated with academic host institutions. Akcess Acquisition Group is a local developer, one of whose principals is former Governor and U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson. UW Oshkosh Chancellor Richard H. Wells said, “Our campus community has been working for many years with key community leaders to develop the idea of creating a living, learning and serving community. We want to bring together people of diverse backgrounds who are interested in joining our academic community and accessing our programs, services and facilities. We now have brought together the team that can bring the project to fruition." Wells added that this innovative relationship with private, external organizations is “a new paradigm for how universities can relate to the communities they serve.” The site for the innovative residential concept is known as the Marion Road/Waterfront Redevelopment Site, located on the shores of the Fox River adjacent to UW Oshkosh. In addition to adding residential facilities, the site’s master-plan also calls for the development of office, retail and entertainment venues. The addition of boat slips on the Fox River is also under review in conjunction with this proposal. The entire site will be designed to provide pedestrian access to the Fox River and to serve as a conduit between Oshkosh’s historic downtown and the University. This project will represent a significant new investment in waterfront property formerly used for industrial and manufacturing purposes. Tommy Thompson, known for support of innovative educational reforms during his four terms as Wisconsin Governor (1987-01) and four years as head of HHS (2001-05), also has endorsed the concept. Gov. Thompson said, “This proposal is truly a new and creative alternative for America’s burgeoning Baby Boomer population who are living longer and who want to stay active both physically and mentally. What a wonderful way for those in whom the country has invested so heavily to give back to society. I believe this can be a model for similar projects across the country.” Gov. Thompson is considering a run for the White House in 2008. A market demand survey this spring will determine marketability for an estimated 120 residences designed with active life-long learners in mind. (The survey will be available on-line by mid-April. The brief online will be posted at www.campuscontinuum.com/uwosh also accessible via links from the University’s homepage, www.uwosh.edu). Wells said that the UW Oshkosh Foundation will help to fund the market feasibility study. Residents of Campus Continuum at UW Oshkosh (as the project will be branded) will have access to the programs and facilities of the University, as well as seminars and other programs they organize themselves. Residents will be encouraged to engage in volunteer opportunities both on and off campus. Depending on their interests and backgrounds, some might become part-time lecturers, help advise student clubs and organizations, act as tutors, mentors, or career advisors. Residents will be invited to be active participants at all university art, music and theatre programs, public lectures and athletic events. As part of its affiliation with the University, Campus Continuum would hire a Dean of Programs to coordinate relations between housing residents and the University. They will also collaborate to develop educational programs, seminars, social, travel, recreational and volunteer opportunities and activities. Wells noted that no state or University funds will be expended on real estate or on the development or maintenance of this potential new neighborhood. The new community would offer an attractive variety of residential options with condominium or co-op ownership, plus a club house with social areas. It would offer active adults with a sense of adventure many expanded lifestyle options as well as attractive living units – and would bring financial and non-financial benefits to the University and to the Oshkosh area. Referring to UW Oshkosh’s $501 million annual economic contribution to the state, Frank Tower, Mayor-Elect of Oshkosh said, “UW Oshkosh is critical to our city. This project is great example of how the University brings vitality, knowledge, culture and revenue to the area.” Wells also expressed appreciation for support for the project provided by City Manager Richard Wollangk and Community Development Director Jackson Kinney. Campus Continuum sees this initiative as part of a major new trend. “As the Baby Boomers age, many are asking for something more than a traditional retirement home in a gated community,” said Gerard Badler, Managing Director of Campus Continuum. “They seek affiliation with other active learners.” Badler said that this project is expected to attract interest from a diverse set of older adults - alumni from the University of Wisconsin System, older and retired faculty and staff, and parents of past students and of current faculty. Badler added, “We also expect significant demand from people with no prior affiliation with the University but who are attracted to the varied, enriched, upbeat lifestyle such an arrangement will offer.” Campus Continuum is also collaborating with Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA) and with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Dartmouth, MA) to develop similar communities with their campuses. As part of the assessment process, anyone interested in possibly residing at “Campus Continuum at UW Oshkosh” can learn more about the project and respond to a brief online survey at www.campuscontinuum.com/uwosh. * * * * * The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is Wisconsin’s third largest public university with a total enrollment of over 12,400 (11,000 on campus) students. With 1,300 graduate students, UW Oshkosh has the largest graduate program of the eleven comprehensive universities in the UW System. The University's 73 associate, baccalaureate and master's degree programs are organized within four outstanding colleges - Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Letters and Sciences and Nursing. The University, founded in 1871, serves as the arts and cultural center for 1.2 million citizens of northeast Wisconsin, and its NCAA Division III athletic program is among the very best in the nation. For more information see www.uwosh.edu. Campus Continuum LLC, based in Newton, Mass., organizes residential 55+ Active Adult Communities for life-long learners on or near college campuses. The firm plans to develop a network of communities across the country, enabling each member of the system to learn from the experiences of the others. Campus Continuum’s roles include identifying appropriate academic host institutions for their projects, conducting market assessments, finding and supervising qualified real estate development partners, planning and implementing the lifestyle program and marketing the residences (both initial sales and re-sales). For more information see www.campuscontinuum.com. Akcess Acquisition Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Akcess Pacific Group, a California based holding company that owns a diversified portfolio of businesses including patented consumer products, cosmetics, healthcare, telecommunications and real estate. Together with its affiliated real estate investment fund, Cherokee Investment Partners, the Akcess Group has acquired and controls over $2 Billion of assets. Contact Information For the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells – (920) 424-0200 Tom Grogan, staff – (608) 444-1280 UW Oshkosh 800 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, WI 54901 Tel: (920) 424-0200 Email: wellsr@uwosh.edu or grogan@uwosh.edu www.uwosh.edu For Campus Continuum LLC Gerard Badler, Managing Director – (617) 964-2422 Campus Continuum 17 Cushing Street Newton, MA 02461 Tel: (617) 964-2422 Fax: 208.979.2422 Email: gbadler@campuscontinuum.com www.campuscontinuum.com For Akcess Acquisition Group, LLC Tim Rikkers – (608) 669-4153 301 N. Broom Street, Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703 Tel: (608) 669-4153 Email: trikkers@sg-re.com