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New university campus in downtown Oakland expected to draw thousands of people
The site of Samuel Merritt University's new campus is positioned in downtown Oakland, just one block away from City Hall, BART, parking lots, and a number of small businesses that herald the new project as a potential game-changer, with an estimated 1,500 students expected to attend the new site when it opens January 5th.
OAKLAND, Calif. - Samuel Merritt University, the historic East Bay college specializing in health education, is set to open a new downtown Oakland campus next year.
Major investment in Oakland’s core
What we know:
The $240 million campus is scheduled to open Jan. 5, 2026, at 525 12th St., university officials said. The private university currently operates campuses in Oakland, San Mateo, Sacramento and Fresno.
"This campus is Samuel Merritt University’s commitment to the healthcare workforce development that our region depends on," said Ching-Hua Wang, the university’s president.
"We’re very excited about being here in downtown Oakland," added Brian Clocksin, provost and vice president. "It’s the first time in 116 years that we’ve had our own space to call our own as we move forward. "
New facilities and programs
Clocksin said the new site will bring more than 1,500 students downtown and feature state-of-the-art research facilities and classrooms.
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is currently located near Sutter Health at 3100 Telegraph Ave. It has a history going back more than 100 years, and offers programs including nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and podiatry on the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Clocksin says the SMU board decided to part ways with Sutter and create its own university campus several years ago.
"We like to talk about the ‘brain remain,’" Clocksin said, contrasting it with the more common term "brain drain," which refers to students leaving their home regions for work elsewhere.
"About 80% of our students come from the region, and they want to address the challenges and obstacles in the region because they're going to stay here when they graduate," Clocksin said.
SMU maintains partnerships with Asian Health Services, La Clínica and the Oakland Roots soccer organization, among others, and offers free community services throughout the region.
"I think it definitely will bring in more students and hopefully make them feel more comfortable coming to Oakland," said Abigail Tesfaye, a nursing student.
Economic boost
Dig deeper:
City officials said the project is the result of years of negotiations between the university and the city of Oakland.
The city and the university agreed to a 99-year lease at $250,000 per year.
City officials said the project will revitalize downtown Oakland, where commercial vacancy rates hover around 25%.
Construction is expected to be completed in time for classes to begin Jan. 5, 2026, with a grand opening ceremony scheduled for Jan. 26.
The university said it expects the new campus to draw thousands of students, faculty and staff to downtown Oakland daily, boosting local businesses and creating a vibrant hub of activity.
The Source: Samuel Merritt University