Case Studies
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI)
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI), a trade school that specializes in auto technology, signed a deal in 2005 to open a 22.5 acre undergraduate campus with about 110,000 square feet of classroom and lab space in the Gateway West Section of North Natomas. The project was highly competitive, with the Sacramento Region competing with other metropolitan areas inside and outside the state. UTI, a publicly-traded company out of Phoenix, is the second automotive repair school to come to the Sacramento area in the past year. The new campus in Sacramento will add to its eight existing campuses nationwide and plans to bring in 2,000 students and a full-time staff of 100. The company has long targeted Sacramento because of the area's strong car dealer demand, as well as the growing need for auto technicians in the industry.
A Winning SACTO Team: How the project developed.
SACTO was initially contacted by UTI's consultants at Deloitte. In fact, UTI remained anonymous until just a few months before the deal was signed -- and SACTO quickly began bringing together the key community players and resources that would form a cohesive team that could accommodate their requirements: 18-22 acres that could eventually hold 200,000 square feet, plenty of parking for more than 1,000 students, and 180 faculty and staff.
The SACTO team performed site searches, consulted with the planning agencies on zoning, and facilitated numerous meetings, including providing several tours for consultants and members of the UTI management team. SACTO staff also provided recommendations of SACTO member architectural firms when asked by the project consultant.
First, locations were narrowed down that UTI agreed would work as an excellent environment for students to move to, with good housing, entertainment and dining options. After seeing a variety of land and buildings in the area, the North Natomas appeared to be the right fit. Next, the team began looking extensively for sites within the area, contacting most of the major developers and land owners in the region. Finally, after looking at more than ten sites, lengthy negotiations and planning meetings, the northeast corner of Arena Boulevard and Duckhorn Drive of North Natomas was selected. With some research, the team was able to connect the landowner, Western Care Construction, with Deloitte and UTI to work out the particulars of the land lease.
And the result? The UTI site became home to a long-term lease (50 years) for a 22.5 acre campus that will accommodate about 2,000 students, many who will be moving to the area while they are in school.
Selected Sacramento region photos by Tom Myer's Photography. More Sacramento images can be seen at www.tommyersphotography.com