Park Place might see some changes
Students coming from Baker University Center might not have to sprint against incoming cars when walking toward Alden Library or College Green.
Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, its governing body, will begin discussing a project that might eventually limit or remove vehicular traffic on Park Place.
Stephen Golding, OU’s vice president for Finance and Administration, will present a resolution at the board’s Thursday meeting that, if approved, would allow OU President Roderick McDavis to study the area to create a “pedestrian-friendly” space between some central campus buildings.
“The idea of converting Park Place into a pedestrian way is very much in its formative stages and requires a good deal of more discussion with the City of Athens since Park Place is a city roadway,” said Harry Wyatt, associate vice president for architecture, design and construction.
There are two sketches for the future of Park Place — one with a one-way road for vehicle access on the side of the president’s house, and one completely removing the street as a roadway.
Other universities with pedestrian walkways include Baldwin Wallace University and the University of Iowa.
The university has discussed its sketches with a few city officials, who frequently work with OU on large construction projects, but hasn’t had consultant engagements or traffic studies yet, Wyatt said.
New university building going up in Dublin
A portion of a new building in Columbus will cater to a new master’s degree program in physician assistant practice.
The building — dubbed the Dublin Integrated Education Center — will be three stories and 86,000 square feet. Ohio University will occupy the ground floor, according to a university news release.
The new building will include an auditorium, library, student lounge, classrooms, labs, conference rooms and offices.
Projected costs were not immediately available as of press time.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held March 19 and the building is scheduled to open April 2015.
“We’ve spent more than two years discussing this project, and it is very exciting to see it coming to fruition,” said Randy Leite, dean of OU’s College of Health Sciences and Professions, in the release. “I am especially excited about the opportunity to link programs in the College of Health Sciences and Professions with programs at other institutions in Central Ohio.”
—Danielle Keeton-Olsen compiled this report
