Ohio University officials fielded questions about these potential changes with a small group of students Tuesday.
Creating an outdoor recreation area in front of Alden Library and building a new athletic facility are just two potential changes proposed to Ohio University's Athens campus.
In an open forum Tuesday, Ohio University officials discussed these potential changes with a small group of students.
Kevin Petersen, who works for Ayers Saint Gross, the architectural firm working with OU to develop its Campus Master Plan, presented the plans in the works and fielded questions from students about them.
Among the points Petersen hit on in his nearly two-hour presentation were:
The closure of Park Place to vehicular traffic and creating an outdoor recreation area in front of Alden Library
The potential relocation of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine to either a location off Union Street or to The Ridges
The reconfiguration of North Green with the creation of an outdoor amphitheater aimed to allow for a central gathering space common in many of the other greens on campus
The renovation of the Ping Center or building of a new athletic facility
The conversion of many academic buildings on West Green back to residence halls
The creation of two new centers on campus, mirroring the greens already established
None of the plans are official yet. OU is looking for student feedback before drafting its Campus Master Plan is due out in January.
“We really appreciate and love your feedback. Student input is at the core of this process,” Jenny Hall-Jones, interim vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said to the students in attendance.
Ben Vizy, a junior studying English, was one of the few students present at the beginning of the meeting.
“I always like to see the inner workings of things, even if they make me mad,” Vizy said.
Petersen said many of the academic buildings on West Green were previously residence halls, and OU is considering converting the buildings back to residence halls or building new ones.
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“This whole West Green was designed as a residential area,” Petersen said.
Regarding the possible changes to Park Place, Petersen said the area could be used for student events or relaxation outside.
During large events, the roads could still be available for emergency or otherwise authorized vehicles, he said.
“We’re looking to downplay traffic in this area,” Petersen said.
In comparison to other institutions facilities, Petersen said the athletic facilities have “deficiencies in hockey and the pool.”
He presented multiple scenarios: renovate the existing Ping Center, build a new athletic facility including a pool and hockey arena and build a new athletic center on campus, but move the new pool and hockey arena to either Stimson Avenue or Union Street.
“As we look to these edge properties, it’s too far out of the center of campus," Petersen said. "And while there’s adequate parking, it really should be in the core.”
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