U
NC Asheville announced on November 11 that it has partnered with real‑estate consulting firm HR&A to establish a Millennial Campus Development Commission. HR&A will facilitate, support, and guide the commission’s formation and ongoing work, a role it has played for other UNC System institutions.

    The commission’s mandate is to ensure that future projects on the university’s Millennial Campus—particularly the 45‑acre South Campus woods and the Broadway properties—align with UNCA’s priorities and benefit the surrounding community. While HR&A will oversee the process, UNCA will retain final authority over membership and the overall direction of the properties.

    The partnership is organized in two phases. Phase 1, launched in October, gathers input from campus leaders and local residents to define the commission’s responsibilities and operating framework; it is slated to finish by early December. Phase 2, lasting three to five months, will run commission meetings, expand community engagement, and produce actionable findings and recommendations.

    The commission’s scope includes all designated Millennial Campus sites, but it will also consider opportunities beyond the South Campus and Broadway properties. The university’s earlier proposal to build a $250 million stadium, mixed‑use housing, and retail space on the green space sparked public concern over transparency, environmental impact, and the long‑term educational mission. In August 2025, UNCA paused the stadium plan and extended the development timeline to allow for broader stakeholder input.

    By bringing together alumni, students, faculty, staff, neighbors, business leaders, and elected officials, the new commission aims to balance growth with stewardship of UNC Asheville’s natural and academic resources.