OU officials held the first of two public meetings on the Comprehensive Master Plan 2016, which outlines how Ohio University will approach the next 10 years.
Ohio University officials met Tuesday night for the first in a series of two open meetings to explain the plan for the university’s next 10 years.
Around 60 people gathered in the Athens Community Center to hear about OU’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2016, which will analyze potential construction and renovation projects, The Ridges, the Dublin Campus Master Plan, campus recreation and how best to use land and open space.
“One of the things that the master plan is doing is looking at the distribution of patterns of use and how a future master plan can use that,” said Kevin Petersen, a representative from Ayers Saint Gross, the university’s consulting firm. “We’re working on establishing a framework for the future.”
Ayers Saint Gross, a Baltimore, Maryland-based firm with a focus on higher education institutions, has previously worked with colleges such as the University of North Carolina and Kansas State University on their construction plans.
“There are lessons to be learned at other institutions through the way they’ve dealt with things,” Petersen said. “In today’s climate, it’s about the given financial constraints and how we work toward renovations, improvements and deferred maintenance.”
Petersen said the first phase of the plan, which involves analyzing the whole campus, has been completed.
The meeting included a presentation on how the plan is created and allowed time for audience members to discuss the plan with OU officials.
Though 29 Park Place was not included in the discussion, some of those who attended said they were concerned about what is going to happen to the house.
“My particular interest is the historic aspect,” said Joanne Prisley, a 1953 OU graduate. “I’m concerned about the historic preservation of the house and the possible changing of Park Place.”
Those who had concerns were able to leave written comments or talk with university officials present at the meeting.
“I think there’s always several concerns about change on a campus, but I always try to turn that into a positive thing,” said Shawna Bolin, director of university planning and space management.
University officials said they hope the meetings serve as a way to hear opinions from Athens’ residents.
“We are just wanting everybody to have their voice heard,” Bolin said. “It’s an open house so people can share whatever they want.”
Those who attended were able to provide feedback at six focused activity tables on open space, stewardship, mobility systems, student life, academics and research and campus and the city of Athens.
Officials pointed out room for improvement regarding driving around campus.
“If you drive during class change, it’s really hard to cross because of student flow, and that creates conflicts both for the vehicle and the pedestrian,” Petersen said.
The plan is expected to be finalized and adopted by the Board of Trustees in spring 2016, according to university projections.
“We’re building on history, but we’re also looking to the future,” Petersen said. “We’re preserving the legacy, but we’re also looking toward renewal and the future.”
Officials will host another meeting Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Nelson Reception Hall.
Petersen said the presentation will be the same as Tuesday’s, but he expects additional input.
“I think it will be a lot of new faces, and I think we’ll see a lot more students and faculty,” he said. “We’re receiving both big picture feedback but at the same time specific feedback, and both of those can be used in the process.”
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