In cities across the United States higher education institutions exist in tandem with a range of other socio-cultural and economic organizations, such as businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. The role of colleges and universities in city development is important, and empirical examination of universities' role in and relationship with cities provides an avenue for higher education researchers to explore interactions that are potentially key to a thriving knowledge economy. Using data collected from a case study of a large American city and a university within that city, we sought to better understand the university's role in and relationship with its surrounding city.