Stanford University is exploring the possibility of purchasing the Notre Dame de Namur University campus with a goal of continuing the property’s nearly 100-year history of academic use by creating a vision for a future Stanford campus in Belmont.  

Stanford entered into an option to purchase agreement with NDNU in September 2021 to work toward Stanford’s purchase of the 46-acre campus. Following extensive community engagement starting in 2021, Stanford submitted an application to the City of Belmont for a Conceptual Development Plan for the NDNU campus property. The development plan includes a package of community benefits that was informed by discussions with local residents and stakeholders. This is an exciting first step in a comprehensive regulatory process led by the City to study Stanford’s high-level vision to redevelop the campus.

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Our Vision

The Belmont campus and community present exciting opportunities for Stanford as it extends its educational mission and Long-Range Vision that includes more purposeful engagement with the region. The submitted plan would provide Stanford with the flexibility to reposition the campus in a way that supports new academic uses and greater community engagement. The CDP also includes elements that reflect the shared values of Stanford and the Belmont community:

• Continued use of the Belmont campus for academic purposes, furthering the tradition of higher education in the city.
• A campus design that welcomes community access to recreation and walking paths.
• A commitment to continue Stanford’s strong record in sustainable development and campus management – including sustainable buildings, operations, and transportation programs.
• Continuing the residential nature of the campus by providing a minimum of 50 housing units for Stanford affiliates, and up to 200, depending on programmatic needs.

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Community Benefits

Stanford launched an extensive community outreach effort starting in 2021 with a key goal to understand how Belmont residents engage with the campus, and how they would like to further engage with it, should Stanford ultimately purchase the property. Based on community discussions and engagement with residents, city officials, school leaders, and community groups, four clear priorities emerged that shaped Stanford’s proposed community benefits package:

• Ralston Mansion – Stanford will invest in the restoration and preservation of Ralston Mansion, and will create opportunities for the community to again utilize the facility, which was closed in 2012.
• Koret Field – Koret Field will be available for use and/or rental by the community. 
• Ralston corridor transportation improvements – During the first phase of new development, and in consultation with the City, Stanford will design and fund improvements to the Ralston Avenue/campus entrance intersection to improve existing congestion on Ralston Avenue. In addition, Stanford will commit to improving bicycle access to the train station along the Ralston corridor.
• Establish a Stanford Belmont Educational Initiative – Stanford will immediately begin a community process to identify and support mission-aligned initiatives and programs that champion and invest in innovative education, with an emphasis on Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade and the educational ecosystem. 

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