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The former campus of Concordia University, in Northeast Portland, has been purchased by the University of Oregon. The 19-acre property will be transformed to suit UO鈥檚 new Ballmer Institute for Children鈥檚 Behavioral Health.

The institute, touted as the first of its kind, will be dedicated to addressing children鈥檚 behavioral and mental health crises, according to a press release. Ballmer Group Philanthropy, co-founded by Connie and Steve Ballmer, donated $425 million to UO to launch the institute.

Around a year ago, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) purchased the property for $3 million at a foreclosure auction and then enlisted Colliers International and Foundry Commercial to market and sell the real estate. UO then purchased the property for $60.35 million, OregonLive reported.

鈥淲e are so pleased to have presented LCEF with this opportunity from the University of Oregon,鈥� Colliers Executive Vice President Mike Holzgang stated in the press release. 鈥淭he Concordia campus has been a source of community and connection for the surrounding neighborhood for decades, and it was important to us to find a buyer that would protect that legacy. We look forward to watching the Ballmer Institute鈥檚 impact on the neighborhood and on the Greater Portland community.鈥�

The campus has 23 existing structures and facilities, including 395,346 square feet of classrooms and learning spaces, administrative offices, a 1,775-seat stadium with a baseball diamond and soccer field built in 2011, an on-site cafeteria, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold-rated library built in 2008, a 33,500-square-foot gymnasium, and 513 beds of student housing. All are expected to be renovated to support the new institute鈥檚 needs.

鈥淭his was an excellent acquisition for the University of Oregon,鈥� Colliers Executive Vice President Chris Johnson stated. 鈥淣ot only does the Concordia campus provide the space and infrastructure necessary to achieve the University of Oregon鈥檚 goals related to the Ballmer Institute and other Portland-based programs, it is located in the middle of a committed and engaged community that will no doubt provide invaluable support to the students who choose to further their education there.鈥�

Holzgang, Scott MacLean and Sean Worl of Colliers joined Matt Messier and Rick Helton of Foundry Commercial in representing LCEF. Johnson represented UO.