The University Board of Visitors met Tuesday in the Special Collections Library to discuss new projects and proposals including renovations at the intersection of Ivy Road and Emmet Street, plans for a new Contemplative Sciences Center, a new tennis facility and relocation or expansion of the Elson Student Health Center and the Frank Batten School of Public Policy.
The meeting mainly focused on a presentation by Ricardo Dumont of Dumont Janks, an architecture firm specializing in campus and urban planning. The firm has been hired to develop a plan for the Ivy Corridor, a parcel of land at the intersection of Ivy Road and Emmet Street.
Dumont said the intersection, a major intersection approaching Central Grounds, has received a C/D grade for its traffic service from the city and poses a major traffic problem both for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Dumont presented several ideas that he hoped would restore, enhance and connect the area.
“How do we not only improve the traffic issue, but actually make the approach to Grounds a positive visual experience?” Dumont asked.
Dumont said his proposals are intended to improve the area for pedestrians and students, as well as alleviate some of the traffic issues. He recommended a roundabout rather than a standard intersection for faster traffic flow.
He presented several simulated designs, including a step by step approach to Central Grounds along Ivy Road showing a renovated area with open grassy areas similar to the Lawn and larger bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians.
Also on the docket for the meeting was a proposal for an architect to design a new Contemplative Sciences Center behind Ruffner Hall, facing Emmet Street. The board approved Aidlin Darling Design, a San Francisco-based firm, for the job.
There was some discussion of the site of the center, and some board members — including Faculty Member Joe Garofalo — were concerned about the fate of the basketball courts currently located behind Ruffner Hall.
“The basketball courts are one of the few places where the University and the community come together,” Garofalo said.
Garofalo voiced his concern that community members would be upset by their removal.
BOV members also discussed a new tennis facility near the Boar’s Head Inn, citing concerns that the current Snyder courts are not sufficient to host an NCAA tournament. Plans for the new facility include 12 courts and seating for up to 3,500 spectators.
Ivy Mountain, a large parcel of available land, was proposed as a new site for the University Health South Rehabilitation Center. Patrick Hogan, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the space would allow for necessary expansion, unlike the current location in Fontaine Research Park.
“We’re currently bursting at the seams and we really need a bigger rehab hospital,” Hogan said. “We’re over capacity at Fontaine.”
Finally, the board heard presentations from Executive Director of Student Health Chris Holstege and Batten School Dean Allan Stam.
Holstege presented data comparing the University’s resources allocated to the Student Health program with other comparable schools, showing the University is well below the average ratio for square feet of space in student health per student. The board, including Rector William Goodwin Jr., agreed the issue needed to be addressed.
“It sounds like we need to do something. We need to get with it,” Goodwin said.
Stam presented information about the Batten school’s programs, explaining that the school is relatively small but has been growing rapidly in recent years. He asked the board to help find a new building with more classroom space than Garrett Hall, the program’s current home.
“Right now the Batten School doesn’t have any classroom space of its own. We share with other departments across Grounds,” Stam said.
He recommended the Batten school as a good investment for the board and the University, as students not only in the Batten School but in the College and other schools often take classes there.
“We’re ideally suited to serve as a catalyst for cross-Grounds engagement,” Stam said.
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