ASU officials decided to relocate a psychology research center as a proposed Church of Latter-day Saints development was encroaching upon its existing space.
The City of Tempe Design Review Board approved the church's plans to construct a new Institute of Religion Wednesday night. The plans will go before the Tempe City Council tonight.
ASU officials have decided to build a new Child Study Lab to protect the lab's licensing from the state of Arizona, said Nancy Hoth, Child Study Lab director.
The Child Study Lab, its playground and parking lot will be relocated to the north side of the psychology building, Hoth said.
The new location will provide enough space to comply with state licensing requirements, while at the same time allowing for new construction at the adjacent LDS Institute.
Hoth said she is happy with the way ASU has handled the situation.
"I don't have any bad feelings at all," Hoth said. "My concern at the beginning of this was there was no communication from the administration. We're now working together."
Mormon church officials are planning to tear down the existing LDS Institute building and build a new two-story Institute of Religion and four-level parking garage. The construction will require building on land that is part of the existing Child Study Lab grounds.
The lab, which doubles as a preschool and a psychology laboratory, would have lost its license through the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Childcare Licensing under original plans for the religious center, Hoth said.
ASU Vice Provost Gail Hackett said ASU had no intention of displacing or harming the Child Study Lab.
"Those were people's fears based on not receiving information," Hackett said.
Tempe resident Eva Humbeck, 47, said she and other parents helped to save the lab.
At a Sept. 2 meeting, Humbeck and other parents involved in the lab spoke with ASU administrators about their concerns and made a request for a written report stating ASU's plans to help the Child Study Lab. The report has been delivered and ASU has been helpful, Humbeck said.
"We are happy with the outcome and happy that the University wants to be as cooperative as they can," Humbeck said.
Reach the reporter at nicole.saidi@asu.edu.
