JANUARY 08 , 2007 – Pacific Union College today announced a workshop to obtain community input on initial concepts for its proposed “Eco-Village,” a development project that will fund an endowment needed for the institution’s long-term well-being.

“Community input is critical to improving our project concepts,” said Dr. Richard Osborn, president of PUC. “We look forward to showing residents preliminary plans for our property and obtaining their feedback.”

The community workshop will be held in the Pacific Union College Church Fireside Room on Monday, January 22, 2007 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  All Angwin residents are invited to attend and participate.

To create its endowment, PUC is evaluating concepts to develop and improve a portion of its land holdings as an environmentally sensitive “green” village, a state-of-the-art sustainable community significantly smaller than the level of development the land is zoned for. Features of the concept design include no loss of agricultural land, preservation of forestlands, open space and trails, and use of renewable energy, including solar power for all new homes and businesses.

Some of the items to be discussed at the workshop are a revamped Village Square, new housing opportunities and improvements to Howell Mountain Rd.  The college envisions “a safe and close-knit community where kids can walk to school, parks, shops and churches are around the corner, family members live and work close by, and people know their neighbors.”

Dr. Osborn added that the endowment is needed for the college to “sustain important community services, rehabilitate or replace aging facilities, provide new student and faculty housing, and maintain our ability to offer competitive academic and staff salaries.”