Top local officials laud GCU's neighborhood impact

By Rick Vacek
GCU News Bureau

It was a gathering Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Grand Canyon University’s transformation of the previously forlorn northeast corner of 27th Avenue and Camelback Road, and a heavyweight lineup of dignitaries kept one-upping each other.

Not just about the new complex, which contains the four-story, 325,000-square-foot office building, the completely refurbished GCU Hotel, the Canyon 49 Grill, a four-story parking garage, plans for a business innovation center and possibly more retail or hotel expansion.

Moreover, it was about what GCU’s servant leadership has accomplished on its campus, in its neighborhood and in the Valley.

The more than 2,000 employees in attendance, a sea of purple situated in the bright sunshine next to the new office building that is now their glistening workplace, heard one sound bite after another that brought home what it all means.

Renowned economist Elliott Pollack started the praise party with this observation of his company’s intensive look into what GCU has invested in its campus and neighborhood:

“I’ve been in Phoenix since 1964, and this campus is one of the most amazing transformations that I’ve seen in this time.”

Then it was Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s turn. He called it a one-of-a-kind experience for the state:

“In the private sector, we have a saying that when government gets out of the way and lets innovation do its work, we see business models that are transformative — and in this case of GCU, very unique as well.”

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton followed with these superlatives:

“When it comes to public-private partnerships, Phoenix couldn’t ask for a better partner than GCU. Each year we’re seeing results: more jobs, more STEM graduates, more entrepreneurs, more construction, higher home values, safer neighborhoods, an incredible athletic program.”

Phoenix council member Daniel Valenzuela took it outside the city’s and even the state’s boundaries:

“I say this publicly and I say this every opportunity I get: This is the most civically minded student body that we have, as far as I’m concerned, in the nation, but certainly in the state.”

Then Jerry Colangelo, the Phoenix business icon who has had such an important role in the GCU success story, went all-world:

“This is not only one of the great stories in our state — business stories in our state, and educational stories — it’s that way worldwide, certainly in this country. That’s how important this effort has been in the accomplishments that have taken place.”

Finally, GCU President Brian Mueller closed the proceedings with some thoughts that reached to the heavens:

“When we came here eight years ago, we thought things would go well for us even though this was a big risk. It’s gone way above what we thought would happen, which means God has His hand on this place in an incredible way. These things don’t happen without His presence, and we know that.”

The figures from an economic impact study by Elliott Pollack & Company are staggering. The report found that the 27th Avenue complex will pump an estimated $660 million, including wages of more than $250 million, into the local economy each year. Tourism from the hotel and restaurant will add another $9.8 million.

But even more incredible is GCU’s $11 billion in overall economic impact in the last 10 years, according to Pollack, resulting in tax revenues of $300 million for the state, $85 million for the county, $73 million for Phoenix and $652 million for the federal government.

GCU took a parcel at 27th Avenue with nothing more than a rundown hotel, other seedy enterprises and a history of criminal activity, and it turned it into a thriving commercial hub.

Besides providing a look at the new amenities at 27th Avenue, the event on Wednesday was designed to serve as a thank you to the employees who recently relocated there from their previous locations in north Phoenix and Tempe. Putting all 3,600 of the University’s employees in the same zip code is an important step economically for the area, while also injecting everyone with the spirit of the main campus.

“I know it’s said frequently, but there isn’t a more committed group of faculty, a more committed group of staff, than this one,” Mueller told them. “This would not have happened without your willingness to come here and work hard every single day, work together every single day, to create programs, to service students.”

But speaker after speaker also noted the importance of a student population willing to go out into the neighborhood and continue the work that has resulted in a 30 percent rise in home values and 30 percent drop in the crime rate.

Mueller said he hopes that one day students will come back to the University, drive down the street and say to themselves, “I was a student when this happened. I believe in what people who have strength, who have faith and who are willing to work together and form partnerships, I experienced that when I was here as a student. I was a part of it, and it shaped who I am.”

But Colangelo said there’s no getting around the fact that it wouldn’t have happened without Mueller’s vision.

“Another thing that I think we’re really blessed with, and that’s the leadership of Brian Mueller,” Colangelo said. “When he approached me originally, I sensed someone who really had a vision, he had a plan. So to see this being executed has been a real fun experience for me.

“I’m kind of reliving my life a little bit in terms of that process. And so here it is, in living color — mostly purple.”

Leave it to Colangelo to have the last and best word on a day that was on the up and up.

● Here's a story about the employees' reaction to being on campus.

Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or [email protected].