As the director of Planning & Landscape Architecture on campus and the one responsible for developing and implementing the Campus Master Plan, I find it intriguing Mr. Hennick hasn't checked more into the history of Madison and the details of the latest Master Plan. The development in the Greenbush neighborhood had nothing to do with the university and more to do with what was then called "urban renewal" and what is now actually Meriter Hospital. In fact, there are little, if any, university buildings in the old "Bush" neighborhood.

Nearly a third (300+ acres) of the main campus (933 acres) is and ever will be a part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and is protected totally from development. One of the main goals of the master plan is to move toward more structured ramp parking as opposed to surface parking lots, which provide the campus with a wealth of development and new open space opportunities. Currently, the university has almost 10 percent of land area in surface parking lots. Not a wise use of our land resources. The 2005 Campus Master Plan provides over seven new acres of green space on a campus tight for land area and developable space.

The campus is also not swelling outward. In fact, the major premise of the master plan is to "recreate ourselves in place" without increasing our boundaries into the neighborhoods of Madison. The master plan design guidelines will develop "neighborhoods of design" and not become a single design architectural style like Rice University or the University of Chicago. To the contrary, we embrace our eclectic mix of architecture and will celebrate the unique architectural qualities in each campus district. The campus will also clearly not be an "office park" as Mr. Hennick agrees would be a shame. We hope to develop the campus in two parts: a traditional collegiate campus north of University Avenue (made of up large & small buildings around quadrangles of green space) and a contemporary urban collegiate campus south of University Avenue, ever dependant on the urban street grid system and pocket parks of green space.

We are also currently working on plans to integrate first-floor commercial and retail, like we have at University Square, in many new building developments providing not only students, but the citizens of Madison with lively and safe areas to enjoy around campus. Unfortunately, Mr. Hennick did not spend enough time doing his historical research and didn't take the time to ask questions about the master plan with those who worked hard at providing guidance and direction for our ever changing landscape. Had he done so, his eyes would have been opened to the stewardship of green space and historic character in the plan while continuing to be one of the leaders of higher education, teaching and research in the community and across the nation.

Gary A. Brown
Director, Planning & Landscape Architecture
Facilities Planning & Management
University of Wisconsin – Madison
[email protected]