The unique character of the north side of the UCCS property near North Nevada Avenue and Pulpit Rock will demand careful planning and balance, an architect who will lead the campus facilities planning efforts said Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Kevin King, a principal of the Baltimore-based architectural and planning firm Ayers Saint Gross, spoke at the first of several planned forums to discuss future development of the northern portion of UCCS property.<\/p>\n
King called the area near the Four Diamonds fields,\u201d sensitive\u201d while also the site of the university\u2019s future growth. Balancing delicate natural structures including soils, native plants and topography with the needs of a growing campus will be a unique challenge that requires broad input from the campus and broader Colorado Springs communities.<\/p>\n
Since June, King and a team of specialists, have studied UCCS and its property. They have spoken to individuals and groups about the future direction of the campus in addition to researching everything from the soil types in the area to possible archeological artifacts that may lie just beneath it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process is as important as the product,\u201d King said to a small group of faculty, staff and Eagle Rock neighborhood residents gathered in the University Center. \u201cOur goal is to engage as much of the community as possible. We want to hear your ideas and your concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n
Updating the campus facilities master plan is a primary goal for the coming year, according to Gary Reynolds, executive director, Facilities Services. The facilities plan will coincide with an overall campus strategic plan and will be completed in early spring 2012.<\/p>\n
Ayers Saint Gross is a firm that specializes in helping colleges and universities plan for development. The firm\u2019s client list is a veritable who\u2019s who of American public and private universities and colleges. The list includes Wesleyan College, Rutgers University, Arizona State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Virginia and Harvard University.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 12-14, King will lead another forum and participatory workshop where specific ideas and concepts will be explored to develop preliminary scenarios for the northern portions of the UCCS campus as well as how the northern edge can link with existing campus buildings and University Hall. There will be forums in February and March as plans progress.<\/p>\n
King\u2019s experience \u2013 he has produced more than 50 campus facilities master plans \u2013 was evident as he outlined his processes and shared the results of research, including an analysis of where UCCS faculty, staff and students live.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are very dispersed,\u201d King said, \u201cwith very few areas of cluster, even for student residences. This makes public transportation a huge challenge for you. But as we all know, parking is like a closet. You never have enough space.\u201d<\/p>\n
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