Graduate medical school expands housing amid shortage, plans $269.7M in construction projects

By Angela Gonzales

Midwestern University, which focuses on graduate students in medical professions, is investing up to $95 million to develop a student housing project on its Glendale campus.

Chanen Construction, which is building the 256-unit project, estimates total development costs to range somewhere between $75 million and $95 million.

While the entire project totaling eight two-story buildings is on track to finish construction by the end of the year, two to four of those buildings could be ready by this fall, said Jim Walters, senior vice president and director of operations for Phoenix-based Chanen Construction.

"Each building has its own permit," Walters said. "We started putting in the millwork. Power goes on to each building in two weeks."

Configured into a village layout, the residential development is on the northernmost part of Midwestern's Glendale campus, up against Loop 101 Freeway near 59th Avenue. The project represents the sixth phase of residential housing Chanen Construction has built for the university over the past 29 years, Walters said.

Not only has Chanen Construction built the entire 160-acre Glendale campus, it has built many buildings on Midwestern's campus in Illinois, said Kathleen Goeppinger, who is celebrating her 30th year as president and CEO of Midwestern University.

"Chanen has been the most perfect partner we could have," she said. "There is a great deal of trust and synergy between the organizations. When you walk through the campus, you can see the quality of buildings."

While there are apartments for rent surrounding the university campus at 59th Avenue and Union Hills Road, students would rather be on campus, Goeppinger said.

"Over 400 student apartments are on campus already," Goeppinger said. "Frankly, we have a housing shortage and it's gotten very expensive to rent. We also found graduate students in medicine, dental medicine or pharmacy are at an age where they don't want to have to find another roommate or get paired up."

That's why this new residential community are being designed for one person, with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and patio. A walk-in closet is large enough to turn it into a study room.

Monthly rental rates are less than market rates, she said.

"Students have so much work when they enter a professional program like medicine, dental medicine and veterinary medicine," Goeppinger said. "We want to provide an environment where they can flourish and grow in and fulfill their dreams of becoming a health-care provider. An important part of it is their housing."

All of the student housing units on campus are currently 100% occupied, with a very long waiting list, Goeppinger said.

"They are waiting for somebody to graduate and move out of housing so they can move in," she said. "My best guess is when we open the new building it will be at 100% very quickly."

This project is kicking off $269.7 million in planned construction projects that are expected to create thousands of jobs and further stimulate economic growth in Arizona.

"When you think about how many buildings we've put on the campus and all the projects, we're looking at upgrading current facilities," Goeppinger said.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Midwestern University contributed $767 million to the local economy, according to a study released April 29 by consulting firm Applied Economics.

The Applied Economics study highlights several major contributions, including $75.9 million spent on equipment, services, and supplies, supporting 455 jobs and generating $36.3 million in local labor income.

Student spending accounted for $172.5 million, boosting labor income by $41.2 million, while university employees contributed $173.7 million in consumer spending, further benefiting local businesses.

Glendale campus visitors, including prospective students and event attendees, added $9.6 million to the economy.

Midwestern University also plays a critical role in advancing scientific research, securing $2.9 million in grants for 2023-24. These funds support groundbreaking studies in medical treatments, diagnostics, and evidence-based healthcare practices.