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Construction crews will soon break ground on the new Oregon State University-Cascades campus in Bend despite the potential for another appeal of project approval.

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals earlier this month denied an appeal submitted by community group Truth in Site LLC questioning city of Bend approval for the university campus to be built on a nearly 10.5-acre parcel near the intersection of Southwest Century Drive and Chandler Avenue. The group has until Monday to file a notice of intent to appeal the LUBA decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

But OSU officials have said they are confident that even if the decision is appealed, the Court of Appeals is unlikely to remand the LUBA ruling. The university announced plans late last week to begin construction of the new campus as soon as necessary permits are obtained from the city 鈥� likely within the next two weeks.

鈥淲e have made the decision to proceed with construction knowing that yet another appeal may be filed by the June 29 deadline regarding the development of the 10.44-acre campus,鈥� OSU President Edward Ray wrote in a letter addressed to the Oregon State community. 鈥淭he LUBA decision fully and strongly affirmed the city of Bend’s approval of the site plan and Oregon State’s development of a four-year university branch campus.鈥�

Plans for the estimated $24 million first phase call for construction of a 45,630-square-foot academic building and a 114,000-square-foot residence hall and dining complex as well as new campus streets, pathways and parking. OSU early last year hired Portland-based Boora Architects in partnership with Bend-based BBT Architects and Portland-based Walker Macy to design the academic building and campus grounds. Portland-based SERA Architects is designing the residence hall and dining center.

Crews from Portland-based Fortis Construction will construct the academic building and campus infrastructure. Portland-based Walsh Construction Co. will build the student housing and dining complex.

The campus is scheduled to open for classes in fall 2016 and serve up to 1,890 students.

OSU officials had initially planned to break ground last summer and open the campus this fall, but appeals delayed construction.

In Truth in Site’s appeal to LUBA, the group raised multiple concerns, including claims that the proposed campus would exacerbate traffic congestion in the surrounding area and offer insufficient parking for students.