The City of Irvine and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) reached an agreement over the proposed Irvine Campus Medical Complex, a world-class health care facility that will employ thousands and provide much needed health services to the community. Under the agreement, UCI will invest $6.5 million in the transportation infrastructure necessary to support the new development, and address associated noise and traffic impacts.
The Agreement came as a result of a challenge to the Environmental Impact Report approved by the UC Regents in February. The Irvine City Council took immediate legal action against the UC Regents and UCI to ensure that any and all impacts of the proposed project on the City would be properly mitigated by UCI.
The UCI investment to alleviate the project’s impact to Irvine includes:
- A $4 million investment into roadway, bike lane, and sidewalk improvements to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion along Jamboree Road.
- Additional $2.5 million toward roadway improvements to reduce congestion in the vicinity of the UCI Campus.
- A going-forward plan for City and University policymakers to collaboratively address mutual interests.
“The City of Irvine has always valued and maintained a good working relationship with the University,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “Our collaborative history streamlined the process of coming to a mutually beneficial agreement for the City and one of our top educational institutions.”
“This is a crucial first step towards the City of Irvine working together with UCI to maintain Irvine’s quality of life,” said Councilmember Mike Carroll, who along with Mayor Khan was tasked with negotiating a settlement with UCI. “We couldn’t verify their traffic numbers before they approved their project, and while we support a new Irvine-based hospital, we need to put our residents’ concerns about traffic first, at the very forefront of discussions.”
This project will serve an important role in community health, wellness, and economic growth, and will further distinguish Irvine as a center for leading edge innovation, education, and environmental quality. The City of Irvine and UCI will work collaboratively to support and strengthen both entities mutual vision for a thoughtfully planned, high quality community for Irvine residents to work, live, learn, and heal.
UCI delivered the $2.5 million payment for roadway improvements this afternoon, concurrent with the signing of the settlement agreement.