LU presents expansion plans to Campbell supervisors

Liberty University officials presented preliminary plans Monday to the Campbell County Board of Supervisors to expand the School of Aeronautics and School of Engineering and Computational Sciences.

A new campus for the engineering school is slated for Liberty-owned land just across the city line in Campbell County between the dorms on Campus East and U.S. 29, said Ron Sones, dean of the engineering school. The land had been under contract to a shopping center developer, AIG Baker, but the project, called Crossroads Colonnade, fell through during the economic downturn.

Liberty also plans to build a facility for its School of Aeronautics at the Lynchburg Regional Airport, making use of a little-used runway. The project has been incorporated into the airport’s master plan, said Dave Young, dean of the School of Aeronautics.

Liberty aims to begin construction on the first phase of its engineering school — a building devoted entirely to welding engineering — early next year.

Before Liberty can move forward with construction, the Board of Supervisors must approve the school’s request to change the land’s special use permit, which is currently zoned for retail. Liberty has not yet submitted an application to the Building Inspections Office, so the vote is not likely to occur before early next year, said County Administrator David Laurrell.