[media-credit name=’YANA PASKOVA/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]A draft of the Campus Master Plan was presented Tuesday detailing the next 20 years of construction on University of Wisconsin campus buildings, transportation, utilities and green space.
“The Master Plan provides a framework for future development that will serve our teaching, research and service mission,” UW Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture Gary Brown said. “We want to create great new learning spaces while establishing more signature outdoor spaces that will enhance our spectacular setting.”
The proposed changes are the first since the last draft in 1996, according to associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities, Planning and Management Alan Fish. Fish said more than 80 percent of the projects detailed in the 1996 draft have been implemented or are in the process of completion.
Officials hope the plan, which will not be finalized until September, will continue to make the campus more livable, workable and sustainable.
The draft includes major upgrades to all areas of campus. It highlights the removal and replacement of buildings that have outlived their useful life, including the destruction of about 15 to 20 buildings. The proposal also features construction of 35 to 40 new structures. There will also be additions to several buildings, including the School of Human Ecology and Ingraham Hall, according to Fish.
UW is also planning for the destruction of Ogg Hall and construction of new housing on Park and Regent Streets. The current location of Ogg will be converted into a grassy open area. The changes would add 700 beds to University Housing in the lakeshore area.
“We want to be able to accommodate those students who choose to be in our dorms and don’t get that opportunity,” Fish said. “Adding housing has a strong case in providing for first year students because we see them getting better grades, generally graduate in four years and are more involved.”
The draft includes plans for the redevelopment of the east campus area as an arts and humanities district connected by a campus walking mall. The plan for the west part of campus includes the expansion of health science academic and research facilities and a possible new student union.
Fish said the university is considering ways to improve bus service, provide improvements for safety while crossing streets, especially along University Avenue and Johnson Street, and provide better bicycle accommodations.
The campus boundary will stay the same and campus growth will remain constant with the same amount of students, faculty and staff Fish said, adding parking will remain constant with around 13,000 spaces available. However, university officials continue to urge people to rely heavily on the bus system.
“One of the realities of student parking is that we don’t have it, and simply won’t ever have it,” Fish said. “Our goal for the future is that anybody on campus can get on a bus and be where they need to be in 15 minutes.”
Planning committee members have made conscious efforts to engage members of the community in the planning process. Over the course of 175 meetings they have heard from hundreds of members of the public, including faculty, staff, students and interested groups as the draft has evolved, Fish said.
“This is a very exciting process for everyone and it is important for us to reach out to the community and understand their needs as well as those on campus,” Brown said.