Up to 50 post-secondary education institutions and institutes could soon be calling Chaska home.

If early estimates for EdCampus are correct, students in the Twin Cities metro may have more than four dozen educational providers offering classes on one campus. “Our goal is to democratize the American post-secondary education by providing greater diversity and greater choices,” said Tim Engen, president of Metropolitan Lifelong Learning Center – the developer of the $88 million EdCampus project.

According Engen, Chaska beat out three other metro cities for the opportunity to play home to the “multiversity.”

Maple Grove, Bloomington and Woodbury were close contenders for the campus, but Chaska’s size, economics and new freeway access launched the city to the top of the list.

“Heretofore, you haven’t been connected,” explained Engen, at a Chaska Area Chamber luncheon last week. “Now you are. Beware.”

Engen highlighted Chaska’s “strong city hall, strong civic leadership and tolerance to new ideas and technologies” as reasons for their interest in the city. He said they futher hope to be able to partner with companies locating in the new bioscience zone to train new members of the work force and provide continuing education opportunities for existing employees.

“We believe this will be the world’s largest educational cooperative,” he said.

Engen described EdCampus as an “umbrella” for tradition, recurrent and lifelong post-secondary education; k-12 post-secondary educational opportunities; workforce training and community eduction.

Officials expect up to 6,500 students to attend EdCampus during the weekdays. Evening and weekend classes could attract similar numbers, Engen said.

The early plan is to construct 225,000 square feet of classroom space – enough space for 138 classrooms. An addition 115,000 square feet will house student services, retail, administrative offices as well as corporate training and lecture spaces. Up to 350 professors could end up teaching at EdCampus, Engen said.

The building itself would be powered almost entirely by alternative energy, including biomass, solar and geothermal. Some 80 percent of the necessary energy would be generated on site and the campus would aim to be carbon neutral, Engen added.

Nearly 10 acres of public green space would surround and cut through the campus. Engen said they envision a space akin to the Washington Mall, calling it “a wonderful place to stroll.” The space could also feature a public amphitheater.

As for what other elements could be featured on the site, Engen and the EdCampus design team are seeking public input. Engen repeatedly asked chamber members what they would like to see and how they would like to be involved.

EdCampus site plans are expected to make their way to the city in early July.

“We’re not in a hurry,” said Engen.

Infrastructure could be in place as soon as this fall with construction beginning next spring. Construction is expected to last about 18 months, Engen said.

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

TELL US: What do you think of the EdCampus project?