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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/27/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
June 24, 2004 UWGB takes steps to update master plan By Cynthia Hodnett
UWGB is considering whether to continue focusing on that uniqueness in the future or become more urbanized.
It was among several issues discussed Wednesday during a review of information and architectural concepts that will result in the campus's first master plan in 35 years.
The plan will help the university map out future development and address issues such as land use, pedestrian circulation, walkways, traffic and parking, said Dean Rodeheaver, assistant chancellor for planning and budget.
The UW System Office of Capital Planning and Budget, the Division of State Facilities and consultants from Ken Saiki Design of Madison and Berners-Schober Associates of Green Bay are assisting in the planning.
"Right now, it is a rural-feeling campus with lots of green space," Rodeheaver said.
"The goal today is to focus on the general question of what type of feel for the campus do we want. We're not an urban campus — is that a weakness? Is there something else that we should be doing?"
Suggestions from Wednesday's presentation include:
• Adding an "inner loop" — a road leading into the center of campus that would allow drivers to park closer to buildings and allow for the construction of parking and pedestrian walkways.
The inner loop would also connect residence halls and other buildings.
• Allowing parking along main roads on campus that would eliminate the need for more parking lots.
• Building more student housing on the southwest corner of campus, which is currently vacant.
• Encouraging commercial and retail development near the campus.
With these changes, the campus "would feel more like a small city and not like a mall" and would connect all of the buildings, providing "more of an urban look and feel" to the campus, Rodeheaver said.
The first master plan was developed around 1968, shortly before the university became a four-year institution, Rodeheaver said.
While the first plan has served the university for more than three decades, it doesn't address changes the university will need to make in the future, Rodeheaver said.
Final enrollment figures for UWGB's spring 2004 semester show 4,203 full-time-equivalent students, an increase over spring 2003 enrollment of 4,125.
As enrollment continues to grow, the university will need to support efforts for more commercial retail near the campus that would be more convenient for students, said Mitch Bruckert, a 20-year-old junior and biology major.
"There's a small store inside the (Student) Union and there are places to get food, but it would nice to have more choices for food and things you need for everyday life," said Bruckert, who is also campus climate director for UWGB's Student Government Association.
"One time, I needed some contact lens solution and no one had any so I had to borrow some from friends," he said. "For a person who doesn't have a car, it is very, very far to go off campus."
The University has been meeting with officials from the Green Bay Planning Commission and Brown County Planning commission, Rodeheaver said.
A draft of the master plan will be presented to the public by early fall, he said. The final plan will be completed by late fall.
More information
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