Cal Poly Partners Plaza Recognized as an Outstanding Community Improvement Project

Cal Poly Partners Plaza, the 14,200-square-foot tiered hospitality area in the north end zone of Alex G. Spanos Stadium, was recently recognized as an Outstanding Community Improvement Project by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Los Angeles Section. 

The Plaza received the award for its exceptional civil engineering enhancements in service of the Cal Poly community. The Plaza previously received two awards from the ASCE San Luis Obispo Branch for Outstanding Urban or Land Development Project and Outstanding Community Improvement Project. 

“Cal Poly Partners Plaza is a shared commitment to supporting a vibrant campus environment,” said Cody VanDorn, Cal Poly Partners CEO. “We are thrilled to offer a revitalized space that continues to offer an immersive athletics and community-gathering experience.” 

The university’s nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners, collaborated with San Luis Obispo-based Wallace Group, Maino Construction and TenOver Studio to transform the space from unusable and restricted to a multi-level viewing plaza featuring a new concession area, turf play area, landscaped pathways and picnic areas. 

The accessible pathways provide ADA access to all levels of the Plaza and connect the home and visitor’s side of the stadium with O’Neill Green. The project also included new ADA parking spaces on California Blvd adjacent to the project site. 

The Plaza opened last fall and transformed an underutilized location in a prime area of the stadium into an immersive college athletics experience with a fantastic field view.  

Providing a significant upgrade to the stadium’s concessions, the Plaza offers two unique culinary and beverage venues, as well as one standalone drink concession. Customizable catering and beverage services are also available in the exclusive turnkey VIP section for company picnics and employee or corporate events. 

“We’re honored to be recognized by the ASCE Los Angeles Section,” said Dan Swingley, senior project manager. “The goal was to enhance the stadium facilities for events, and we’re glad our community efforts have paid off.” 

Each year, the Los Angeles Section presents Project and Individual Awards at the Section Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Ceremony. The Branches, Younger Member Forum, Life Member Forum, Technical Groups, Committees and individual members nominate these awards. 

Following the 2025 ASCE LA Section Annual Awards ceremony, the winners, including Cal Poly Partners Plaza, will be forwarded to the Region 9 Awards Committee for consideration of a 2026 Region 9 Award.