Proposed location for new dorms at Cal Poly Pomona causes controversy

POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- A new student housing project on Cal Poly Pomona's campus is sparking controversy because of the proposed location that could take away land used for a beloved horse facility.

The school is known for its rural feel and officials are considering using some of the land to create the dorms.

The location is next to existing dorms, and the plan would be to use about 13 acres to build a spot with 1,600 new beds.

"That would create a housing community, if you will, with interior walkways, pedestrian walkways, bikeways, ways more safe than what we have now," said Steven Garcia, CFO and vice president of administrative affairs at the university.

But some students said the land is currently used by the agricultural school. It is one of the areas where research is conducted.

"You're taking away from the fact of the agriculture that Cal Poly is all about. Plus if you look, these horses are one-third of all the world's Arabian horses, for one, and they need a place to roam," student Joseph Richardson said.

The school said it has a growing need for new dormitories because some of the older dorms on the north side of the campus are 50 years old and are sitting on an earthquake fault.

One of the biggest concerns is the horse facility, which was established in 1925 by cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. Students said that is part of the campus history.

"We're doing everything that we can to protect the horses," Garcia said.

Student Caity Keegan said the possibility of new dorms would help, especially for the students who commute.

"I think it'll be good for the students because we're running out of dorms, and I know some people here who have to drive here like an hour and that's no fun with L.A. traffic," she said.

School officials said the new dorms is still in the very early planning stages and it will take several years before any approvals are needed or construction can begin.