UC Davis last week opened began offering Requests For Qualifications to prospective development partners who could help implement the first phase of the UC Davis West Village neighborhood.

"We are very excited to take the next step in implementing this important campus initiative," said John Meyer, UC Davis vice chancellor for resource management and planning. "We hope to attract innovative and experienced developers to make West Village a model for the region."

Two Requests For Qualifications (RFQs) are available. One is for development of faculty and staff housing. The other is for development of mixed-use student housing. Prospective developers may submit for either or both projects.

The West Village master plan envisions an integrated mixed-use community serving students, faculty and staff.

Phase One of the project comprises approximately 117 acres and includes approximately 290 rental and for-sale housing units for faculty and staff, 500 units of student apartment housing, educational facilities, local-serving commercial uses, and recreational amenities.

Phase Two comprises about 97 acres and will include approximately 185 units of faculty and staff housing, 365 student apartment units, and additional recreation and open space improvements.

The third and final phase would add about 165 units of student housing on about 10 acres.

The West Village plan was approved by the UC regents in November 2003.

The campus has established a Web site for the West Village project that includes the RFQs and master plan. That site is http://www.westvillage.ucdavis.edu/.

Responses to the RFQs are due Sept. 30. Meyer said the campus hopes to select one or more developers and begin detailed design by the end of 2004. Meanwhile, design of the backbone infrastructure systems, including water, wastewater, storm drainage and roadways, is under way. Groundbreaking for the infrastructure and Phase One development is anticipated in 2006.