Making Progress on Campus Master Plan



Before



After

One of the goals for our Campus Master Plan is to have a pedestrian-focused campus core. The first step to creating this will be the development of our major pedestrian corridors, one of which is the east-west corridor. This corridor runs from the eastern gateway, at the rear of campus near buildings F and G, to the west side of campus, towards Anderson Road. This corridor intersects nine of the 15 buildings on our campus and is frequently used by students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Currently, the western portion of this corridor, between buildings C and H (Administration building), is confined and enclosed by walls and utility infrastructure. The College’s goal is to remove these barriers as we implement the Campus Master Plan and create a more inviting campus with universal access. The first step in the implementation process is to remove several walls located around the plaza between buildings C and H. During spring break, a large portion of this wall system was removed. Many thanks to Robby Brown, James Reeves, Roy Polk, and their staff for making this happen! Over the next several weeks, the area where the wall once stood will be re-landscaped to create a more open space, providing better visibility in the area. There will be interim landscaping performed by our grounds department to tie the two spaces together. As we develop our central energy plant, eventually the utility infrastructure will be removed, which will provide full access to the east-west corridor. There are also future plans to enhance the plaza area to provide additional outdoor collaborative learning space and possibly a signature water feature.

Before

After

In addition, over the next six-eight weeks the College will add landscape improvements to Hood Center Drive (from Baskins Road to Garrison Road). These improvements are part of our Campus Master Plan and coincide with the development of our loop road system and eastern gateway to the campus. These improvements will require the use of the roadway at times for the contractor to off-load equipment and plants. Please use caution as you travel this roadway so that our contractor crews may work safely in these areas.

Your input received from the ‘07-‘08 planning sessions, as well as input received from the ‘09 visioning and design meetings, helped us to develop a comprehensive Campus Master Plan. Thanks to all of you, we are making progress in our strategic theme – Campus Environment. Our campus is more than shelter for classes. Our campus must welcome us all, support our goals, and be an inspiration.