MINUTES FROM FOLLOW-UP MEETING: FACILITY MASTER PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE ONLY
JANUARY 25, 2005
PEABODY AUDITORIUM
3:00 P.M.
Present: Bob Wilson, Dorothy Leland, Bob Haney, Mike Whitfield, Todd Shiver, Stephen Curry, Lorene Flanders, Beth Rushing, Tom Toney, Bruce Harshbarger, Mark Pelton, Linda Irwin-Devitis, Jimmy Ishee, Mike Augustine, Pam Glover, Stan Aldridge, Ken Vance, Neil Jones, Charles Martin, Mary Jane Phillips, Dale Young, Harry Keim, and Doris Moody.
Dr. Bob Wilson, Facility Master Plan Steering Committee chairman, opened the committee discussion portion of the meeting by thanking everyone for staying; he then turned the meeting over to President Leland.
President Leland explained to the committee that the Facility Master Plan process positions the institution to make capital project requests to the Board of Regents; Leland said she will be presenting GCSUs capital project requests to the Board of Regents in March. Harry Keim added that anything placed on the Board of Regents agenda must be submitted to the BOR 30 days prior to the monthly meeting. Dr. Leland stressed that GCSU is working on a limited time frame and how important it is to have all the facts and figures on these projects.
In her presentation to the Board of Regents, President Leland said that she will bundle several historic buildings into one project; the buildings included in the bundle are in dire need of repair. Leland said that if GCSU does not bundle the buildings as one project, it could take 30 years for all the buildings to be repaired; if that becomes the case, many of the historical buildings will be irreparable.
President Leland said that several people at the Board of Regents are trying to change the way things are done; changes would include quicker approval of funding for critical projects (historical buildings on this campus). The process that is currently being used is a long one. Leland said that any private funding for a project would also help position the project higher on the list of priorities; any private funding for GCSUs bundled project would be of help.
Regarding the Facility Master Plan, President Leland emphasized that the Master Plan is a conceptual piece. She also said that Sasaki representatives have asked that they be e-mailed with any changes/concerns/comments that GCSU faculty/staff may have.
President Leland said that she has asked Sasaki to include signage and wayfinding in the master plan; signage and wayfinding will be one tool that creates the campus as a whole unit.
President Leland stated that the university may need to commission someone to give recommendations on the parking and landscaping.
Dr. Bob Wilson reminded the group that it was very important to look at the project as a whole and not just for who gets what space. He encouraged everyone to give comments and ask questions about the plan. Dr. Wilson asked the group if, in terms of overall vision, there is agreement for plans for the main square? Are there concerns? Is there a sense that the overall project is approved?
Dale Young expressed concern about traffic on West Hancock Street. Dr. Leland said that part of the problem can be solved by DOT re-routing traffic; re-routing the large trucks to MLK Drive instead of coming through town would help but there would probably be community opposition to that idea. Dr. Leland suggested that another way to make the area safer is to remove parking spaces on West Hancock Street so that vision is not limited at the crosswalks. Leland said that there may be other solutions, too. Many of these ideas are short term solutions with long term benefits.
Dr. Wilson asked Ken Vance what he thought the community reaction would be to removing parking spaces. Ken said that he agrees with removing parking on either side of West Hancock Street from North Columbia to Exchange Bank and on Clark Street from Montgomery Street to Centennial Drive. Ken agreed that moving the parking spaces would make the areas safer. Ken reported that this same issue was discussed in the Transportation Committee meeting this morning. Ken said he did not think that there would be any up-rise from the community.
Linda Irwin-Devitis said that she approved the recommendations made in the Master Plan and praised Sasaki for the great job.
Kathy Fuller asked which buildings would be included in the bundle. President Leland said Terrell, Beeson, & the old Courthouse – those deemed in Poor Condition by the architects report included in the Master Plan. President Leland added that cost estimates to repair each building is given in the report. President Leland commented that she was pleased with the amount of support the University is getting from the Board of Regents; that support was shown by their attendance at the meeting today.
Bob Haney said even if each building renovation cost eight million or if we did only four of the historical buildings, the Board of Regents is supportive of the bundling strategy.
Whitfield asked if there has been any negative reaction to these projects. Leland said no.
Todd Shiver said that at one time, there was talk of acquiring federal funding; is that still being considered. Leland said that this idea came up last year and again this year; she does not think that is the strategy to try – GCSU should try to do it without of federal funding.
Bruce Harshbarger commented that although the functions and concept for West Campus are appropriate, there needs to be more study done. Leland stressed that the concept is to create a Greek Village especially for those Greeks who don't have a house but she is not really sure where the village will be.
Stan said that it is important not to look at West Campus as a place to put things just because it is available.
Kathy Fuller asked if there had been any thought on a tiered parking deck. There were several responses explaining the complexities involved with parking structures. Harry Keim pointed out the sizable cost differential between traditional parking lots and more costly multi-level parking structures. The University would have to build a revenue-generating structure to justify the added cost. It was pointed out that SPLOST funds have been used by municipalities to build parking decks. President Leland mentioned that at times universities raise their parking fees to provide parking structures.
Rick Ruark stated that the Facility Master Plan reflects plans for the next 10 years. He said his concern is that there are no plans for potential buildings or new facilities shown. President Leland said there is no place to build on the main square; the strategy is to hopefully purchase the Forstmann Building for those areas mentioned (Physical Plant, Part of Public Safety & Continuing Education) and use purchased houses on the edge of campus. She added that the Plan will also be updated in 5 years. If the historic buildings that are on the list are approved, GCSU will have a handful.
Kathy Fuller asked if GCSU expected to purchase additional houses in the historic district – other than what the university already owns. Dr. Leland said no, just to renovate what we already have.
Kathy Fuller asked about plans for a Performing Arts Center. Leland said there were multiple strategies on that:
1 – Create/build one big facility – GCSU can form a partnership with Oconee Greenway project and other community organizations if they are interested.
2 – Taking several facilities to meet the performing arts needs i.e. purchasing property downtown to create a black box and reutilize Russell auditorium, using the area where public safety and plant operations is located for performing arts.
Leland stated that she believes in making several strategies work at once.
Bob Wilson asked if consideration had been given to using Lanier as a backstage facility for Russell auditorium and relocating those currently in Lanier to other areas on campus. President Leland has asked that questions of Sasaki and they stated that more study would be needed.
President Leland said the situation with Russell Auditorium indicates that we need to think creatively about options for facilities. Leland stressed that GCSU must think about what needs to be done in the meantime until we can get the facilities that we really need. Leland said she would ask Sasaki about the Lanier option for Russell.
Mary Jane Phillips asked about using the old part of the library for needed student space as discussed about in the previous meeting. Leland said that everything presented today was new recommendations; the use of part of the library for student space will be explored. Sasaki's recommendation is to study options for use of the surplus library space.
Whitfield said he could visualize West Hancock Street and Clark Street if the parking spaces were moved and said he thought it was a good idea.
Todd Shiver suggested expanding the green space outward and narrowing the streets.. He also suggested burying power lines under ground so that the trees along the street don't have to be butchered every year. Todd said this could truly be a canopy campus with trees at each major entry way. President Leland added that the current wayfinding to GCSU is not good.
Bob Wilson stated that he agrees with the idea of the main campus being concentrated on academics but not sure of what should be integrated into the area. President Leland said Modern Foreign Language Department being off campus is undesirable and we need to see if there are any functions that do not belong on the main square.
Bob Haney asked if there should be a list of properties and a property acquisition plan for non-historic buildings. HEK said that it is a generalization that when property is for sale GCSU will look at it.
Someone asked how we can prevent buildings that are in good condition today from becoming in poor condition. HEK explained that in the past, GCSU has been poorly funded in MRR funds and these funds were limited. Now GCSU MRR funds are up.
It was asked if there would be value to reading the plan into the MRR plan. Leland said that most of the MRR ideas have consisted of patching on older buildings; GCSU should be putting money into up-keep on newer buildings.
Leland explained that funding for the purchase and renovation of the Methodist Church and the Irwin Street Parking Lot will be paid for with a special Student Fee $42.00 that will be charged to each student attending class on the main campus for the next 10 years. The GCSU Foundation created an LLC. A stream of income must be identified when projects like the Student Activity Center and the parking lot are done. President Leland said that is why there is consideration for putting the bookstore downtown.
Kathy Fuller asked if there is any plan to create a space where students artwork can be sold. Beth Rushing said that yes, there are plans; a building downtown is being looked at for a black box theatre.
Tom Toney said he is not opposed to the Master Plan but wanted to mention two things: 1 – he asked that the importance of parking not be underestimated and the impact parking has on events on campus i.e. plays in Russell Auditorium, and 2 – he wanted to know if there has to be a consensus on what is being done with the buildings. President Leland said that the best use for each building will be taken into consideration when deciding on space utilization.
President Leland said she would like for people to understand the importance of bundling the projects. She said that historic preservation is high on the agenda. She added that there also needs to be a serious look the campus flow and safety and parking. Leland said that she has also asked that the bicycle path from Bobcat Village to the Oconee River Greenway be included in the Facility Master Plan; biking should be considered as another mode of transportation from West Campus to Main Campus.
Mike Whitfield asked if there needs to be an official motion from the committee to accept the Facility Master Plan with the changes discussed in the meeting today. President Leland said yes.
Kathy Fuller made a motion for the Facility Master Plan Steering Committee to accept Sasaki's Facility Master Plan for Georgia College & State University with the changes discussed in the meeting today. Jimmy Ishee seconded the motion. There was unanimous approval from committee members.
Dr. Bob Wilson closed the meeting by informing the committee that any questions or comments should be sent to Dr. Todd Shiver who is assuming the duties of the chairman of the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee.
Lindy M. Ruark Dr. Robert Wilson
Recorder Committee Chairman
