Magee campus at the Ulster University in Derry
The Garvan O’Doherty Group said it had accepted a lower price from the university for the derelict Queens Quay sites than it would otherwise have received “in the civic interest”.
A report from a taskforce on expansion of the university was published on Monday, and said that boosting student numbers in Derry from 6,000 to 10,000 by 2032 would help create more than 4,600 jobs across Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson for the O’Doherty group said it wanted to play its part in expansion.
“The expansion of Magee is the universally agreed as being the most important economic investment in the city,” they said.
“Educating young people in greater numbers, bringing economic life back to the city centre, creating new jobs in new industries are the catalysts we need to realise Derry’s untapped potential.”
They said there would be “huge benefits” from an expanded university.
“There has been considerable interest in these sites, and we have had other, higher offers, but decided to sell at a lower price in the civic interest.
“We wanted to put the city first. We all want to see Magee expand to 10,000 students and this will facilitate that.
“We have been determined that any sale would only be for the greater good and future prosperity of the city and its people.
“The sale to Ulster University to enabling their expansion is therefore much more than a financial deal.”
A spokesperson said that a formal handover would happen in the New Year.
The university said it was too early for it to comment.
Speaking on Radio Foyle on Friday morning, commentator Paul Gosling said it was anticipated the sites would be used for teaching and research facilities.
“It’s a really significant process by which the footprint of Magee campus is moving towards the city centre.”
He said the council was also expected to transfer ownership of a car park in the area to the university.
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said it was engaging with the university over the acquisition of sites for expansion, including the car park at Strand Road.
They added: “Earlier this year the council was pleased to complete the sale of the site along the riverfront just adjacent to the council offices for the new School of Medicine building and we are hugely excited to be working with the university to create a university quarter as part of our exciting plans to create a vibrant and thriving Central Riverfront, Walled City and Strand Road areas of the city.”
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