Being located in a business-oriented environment means a lot to the Stevens-Henager College of Business image. To enhance that image, the college is relocating to a new facility in the East Bay Business Center.
"It is part of our progressive image," said Jim O'Connor, president of the college in Provo. "We want to be part of something new and exciting."East Bay developers made the Stevens-Henager announcement Thursday along with the announcement of Building 2 of the East Bay Office Center.
Both facilities will bring an additional 47,000 square feet to East Bay and will cost about $3 million to construct. The buildings will be located just west of the Dynix building and north of Novell Inc.
The Boyer Co. will build and lease both buildings to interested parties. The Stevens-Henager building, a 15,000-square-foot facility, will also be occupied by the LDS Institute of Religion.
Building 2, a 32,000-square-foot building, has already caught attention from one group interested in leasing a third of the building, said Mark Pace, project manager for the Boyer Co.
"We have just found that as we put up the buildings and have the space available, the demand seems to be there," he said. "There are other good software companies in the area that want to be a part of a good image. This location really works out for them."
Construction on the Stevens-Henager building will begin Dec. 1 and is scheduled for completion next spring. Building 2 will be complete next fall.
Mike Vanchiere, Provo City's East Bay project manager, said, "We anticipate 400,000 square feet to be under construction by next spring. By this time next year we expect to have 4,000 to 5,000 jobs in East Bay. The area has become quite the hub of activity."
Stevens-Henager will bring about 250 students to the area. The college is a specialized business school that offers programs leading to diplomas and associate degrees in secretarial sciences, accounting, business administration, hospitality and tourism, and medical office assisting. The school offers both day and evening programs.
O'Connor said, "We are excited about the growth and development of Provo AND are excited to be a part of it. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the community."
The college was previously located in a smaller facility in downtown Provo.
Provo City Councilman Gordon Bullock said, "There is so much in the immediate area directly related to education and improving minds it seems appropriate that Stevens-Henager would be in the shadows."