UAHuntsville Campus Master Plan 2004

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Campus Master Plan 2004

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A gateway to the university. The continued transition to a more pedestrian-friendly campus. Additional space to house students. The development of "green malls" that better link zones within the campus.

These changes will be among numerous, obvious differences to The University of Alabama in Huntsville campus as the result of a new campus master plan unveiled today by university officials.

"UAH is embarking on an ambitious campaign to accommodate an ever-changing student population while establishing a blueprint for a more efficient, beautiful pedestrian-friendly campus," said President Frank Franz.

Extensive work went into developing the master plan, which was a joint effort between the university and the UAH Foundation. The plan was the culmination of observations, ideas and suggestions from several university committees that included UAH Foundation members, a campus planning committee, administrators, faculty, staff and students. A series of public forums held on campus also provide recommendations. A five-year plan was created to guide current developments taking place between now and 2009. A longer-term plan was devised to guide campus efforts for the next two decades.

Dr. Franz said the campus master plan reflects the goals of a university that has progressed tremendously during the last decade. "Most importantly," he said, "the plan is focused toward students and it will continue UAH's transition into a unified, cohesive campus."

The five-year plan includes construction of several buildings including: North Campus Residence Hall, Phase II (already under construction and scheduled to open this fall); the Applied Sciences Building; a multi-level intermodal facility; fraternity and sorority housing, and athletic facilities, according to Mike Finnegan, assistant vice president for facilities and operations.

Finnegan said parking lots will be relocated to the perimeter of campus and some roadways will be re-routed. Ben Graves Drive on the north end of campus will be routed outside of the North Campus Residence Hall and Lakeside Drive will be routed to create a new campus entrance that will lead to a round-about intersection.

Holmes Avenue, which cuts through the middle of the UAH campus, is a major barrier to students and poses risks to their safety. Several possible solutions, which will allow the free flow of pedestrian and bike traffic, are under consideration at this time.

In addition to re-routing Lakeside Drive, there will be an expansion of the lake to help create a more attractive gateway to the UAH campus.

The Applied Sciences Building will also help shape UAH's new "gateway."

Franz and Finnegan note that because the campus is comprised of three zones (north, central and south) the construction of the proposed Applied Sciences Building will serve to strategically link the campus.

Immediate construction in the five-year plan include:

- Applied Sciences Building, a 200,000-square-foot building that will house research, teaching and the university's economic development activities. Construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed during 2007.

- Five fraternity and sorority houses are in the design phase and tentatively scheduled to be open the summer of 2006.

- A multi-level intermodal center that is tentatively set for completion in the summer of 2007.

- The feasibility of modifications to Holmes Avenue are being studied. No timetable has been set for this part of the campus master plan.

"The university has been very successful in attracting federal funds, designated state funds and contributions to finance many projects detailed in the plan," said J. Derald Morgan, vice president for university advancement.

He added that a combination of sources will be used to accomplish the remaining goals of the five-year plan. "More funding from private donations are necessary to fully complete the plan," Morgan said. "Contributions from private sources have already been raised for such projects, such as the sorority and fraternity housing."

Morgan said other sources of money include sponsored research funds for specific laboratories essential for research or laboratory refurbishment; capital and gifts drives; community-based funding for projects, including federal, state, city and county assistance needed for road changes, entrances and the intermodal facility.

"UAH is the educational jewel of Northern Alabama," Morgan said. "For the university to successfully carry out its mission of education, and contribute to the economic growth of the region, it will need community support in meaningful ways."

Morgan added that UAH's research activities support the community's needs and helps provide local companies with a competitive edge in the marketplace. "In turn, community support will help us grow, prosper and attract gifted students and additional investment in the region."

Other aspects of the five-year plan include design standards for future buildings, campus signage and the establishment of campus greenways, according to Finnegan. "These are all areas that will help bring identity to the campus and create a more friendly and pedestrian campus," he said.

The long-range master plan will guide the future development of the UAH campus into the next two decades. Proposed projects include additional phases of the Applied Sciences Building; completed Holmes Avenue improvements; a student center addition, a performing arts center as well as more academic, research and residential space.