St. Gallen: University plans second campus
The University of St. Gallen HSG is planning a new building in the center of St. Gallen with space for 3,000 students, faculty and staff. The project is expected to cost CHF 207 million.
The new building is to be erected on the Platztor site on Unterer Graben, thus enhancing the urban development of the area on the edge of the old town. The exterior of the building will be open to the public, and a square along Unterer Graben will serve as an arrival and recreation area. The underpass will be enlarged and additional pedestrian and bicycle crossings will be created, according to an HSG statement.
The Cantonal Council will discuss the construction project in its first reading in November 2018 and in its second reading in February 2019. If the parliament approves, the voters will decide on the construction project in June 2019. After the referendum, an architectural competition is to be held. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 and to be completed by the end of 2027.
The total cost of the Platztor campus is CHF 207 million, which already includes an anticipated federal contribution of 25 million.
In addition to the construction of the new campus at Platztor, the HSG plans to renovate the library building at Rosenberg, which dates back to 1989. The HSG Foundation is also planning a Learning Center at the Rosenberg site with 500 to 700 learning and workstations. This is because the HSG has a need for more space: according to the university, the current location at Rosenberg is designed for around 5,000 students, while the library building is designed for 3,500 students. Today, around 8,500 students are enrolled at the HSG. (ah)
