CSNbbs

The Master Plan has been in the works for almost two years, the vote is coming on Tuesday. UT recently authorized issuing 100 million dollars of bonds at very low rates, actually at rates so good, that the interest expense is less then what we are paying on some of the old debt that got refinanced including new debt for to be used for remodeling. What do you think UT is going to do to start things off in 2016 and 2017? My list includes the following items from the master plan that get hit up first due to such an large emphasis on student recruitment and retention:

Expanding the recreation center, the report said a bit undersized?
Remodeling lots of class room buildings?
Tearing down old dorms for more green space and relocating athletics to main campus?

What do others think? If anyone attends the meeting, please keep us posted and paste any articles or updates here. Thanks

(02-20-2017 07:33 AM)Stpetebeachrocketfan Wrote: [ -> ]The Master Plan has been in the works for almost two years, the vote is coming on Tuesday. UT recently authorized issuing 100 million dollars of bonds at very low rates, actually at rates so good, that the interest expense is less then what we are paying on some of the old debt that got refinanced including new debt for to be used for remodeling. What do you think UT is going to do to start things off in 2016 and 2017? My list includes the following items from the master plan that get hit up first due to such an large emphasis on student recruitment and retention:

Expanding the recreation center, the report said a bit undersized?
Remodeling lots of class room buildings?
Tearing down old dorms for more green space and relocating athletics to main campus?

What do others think? If anyone attends the meeting, please keep us posted and paste any articles or updates here. Thanks

I watched the public meeting that was web-casted a number of months ago. As far as sports go, putting artificial turf in the track infield for soccer was a top priority happening within a year. Softball and baseball moving were talked about maybe 5 years down the road. Renovation of Parks Tower and the Student Union were near the top of the list as was some renovations/addition to the Rec Center. There was a long list and I'm not sure $100 million will cover it.

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Additional parking garages absent from UT master facilities plan
By Christine Wasserman : February 17th, 2017
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When University of Toledo faculty, employees and students provided feedback on a survey about on-campus parking in December, some asked whether the University planned to add more parking garages to help ease traffic congestion on Main and Health Science campuses.

“The short answer is, ‘No for now,’’’ said Jason Toth, assistant vice president for facilities. “However, we’ve already studied investing in parking structures during the following 10-year window of our master facilities plan for UT.

“The trend at city-based universities tends to be more vertical than horizontal parking — that is, more garages than surfaced lots. But the issue we currently face during this first 10-year window of the plan is that parking garages are extremely costly, not only to build, but also to maintain.”

Adding to the cost issue is that the state does not provide funding for the building, care or maintenance of parking facilities. Therefore, funding for university parking needs comes from parking fees and fines.

“As we continue to monitor parking needs, it’s important to note that there already are enough parking spaces on our campuses, even during peak hours,” said Sherri Kaspar, manager for public safety services. “However, drivers want to park as close to their classes and offices as possible. When that occasionally can’t happen, they become frustrated.”

Kaspar noted that lower-demand lots are within only a 10- to 15-minute walk to most campus destinations.

Based on survey feedback provided by UT commuters, University officials continue developing a new parking management program, targeted for implementation in fall 2017. This new program is intended to offer more equitable parking choices for students, faculty and staff; promote use of lower-demand lots to help ease congestion; and encourage use of alternative and greener ways to commute.

I think this statement has been mentioned on this web site before; "UT doesn't have a parking problem we have a walking problem."

Walking 10 minutes to your class isn't a human rights violation.

(02-20-2017 10:58 AM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]I think this statement has been mentioned on this web site before; "UT doesn't have a parking problem we have a walking problem."

Walking 10 minutes to your class isn't a human rights violation.

Amen.

When I went to school the numbers used for maintenance cost on garage space vs surface space was like 8 times.

(02-20-2017 10:58 AM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]I think this statement has been mentioned on this web site before; "UT doesn't have a parking problem we have a walking problem."

Walking 10 minutes to your class isn't a human rights violation.

When you think that engineering used to be on the "main campus", and there was no Rocket Hall area parking, and with more students then, I can't see why people complain about parking.

BTW, Parks Tower will be closed during the 2017-18 academic year for renovations and Carter Hall will re-open during that period.

(02-20-2017 11:45 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-20-2017 10:58 AM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]I think this statement has been mentioned on this web site before; "UT doesn't have a parking problem we have a walking problem."

Walking 10 minutes to your class isn't a human rights violation.

When you think that engineering used to be on the "main campus", and there was no Rocket Hall area parking, and with more students then, I can't see why people complain about parking.

BTW, Parks Tower will be closed during the 2017-18 academic year for renovations and Carter Hall will re-open during that period.

I remember seeing that Carter is getting $500K of temporary repairs to make it livable during the renovation of Parks Tower. Carter Hall will probably get torn down once Parks is re-open? I am pretty sure what is where they want to put the softball and baseball fields? Having soccer on the main campus should help give an attendance boost to the games and give more students something to do for fun.

Since watching soccer is like watching grass grow shouldn't it be played on natural grass #stirthepot #rimshot

From plan
Phase I $40 million
Stranahan Snyder McMaster U Hall
North Engineering high bay
Student Union
Library
Parks tower
McComas Village
Soccer field

(02-20-2017 08:13 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-20-2017 07:33 AM)Stpetebeachrocketfan Wrote: [ -> ]The Master Plan has been in the works for almost two years, the vote is coming on Tuesday. UT recently authorized issuing 100 million dollars of bonds at very low rates, actually at rates so good, that the interest expense is less then what we are paying on some of the old debt that got refinanced including new debt for to be used for remodeling. What do you think UT is going to do to start things off in 2016 and 2017? My list includes the following items from the master plan that get hit up first due to such an large emphasis on student recruitment and retention:

Expanding the recreation center, the report said a bit undersized?
Remodeling lots of class room buildings?
Tearing down old dorms for more green space and relocating athletics to main campus?

What do others think? If anyone attends the meeting, please keep us posted and paste any articles or updates here. Thanks

I watched the public meeting that was web-casted a number of months ago. As far as sports go, putting artificial turf in the track infield for soccer was a top priority happening within a year. Softball and baseball moving were talked about maybe 5 years down the road. Renovation of Parks Tower and the Student Union were near the top of the list as was some renovations/addition to the Rec Center. There was a long list and I'm not sure $100 million will cover it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional parking garages absent from UT master facilities plan
By Christine Wasserman : February 17th, 2017
Share on Google Plus

When University of Toledo faculty, employees and students provided feedback on a survey about on-campus parking in December, some asked whether the University planned to add more parking garages to help ease traffic congestion on Main and Health Science campuses.

“The short answer is, ‘No for now,’’’ said Jason Toth, assistant vice president for facilities. “However, we’ve already studied investing in parking structures during the following 10-year window of our master facilities plan for UT.

“The trend at city-based universities tends to be more vertical than horizontal parking — that is, more garages than surfaced lots. But the issue we currently face during this first 10-year window of the plan is that parking garages are extremely costly, not only to build, but also to maintain.”

Adding to the cost issue is that the state does not provide funding for the building, care or maintenance of parking facilities. Therefore, funding for university parking needs comes from parking fees and fines.

“As we continue to monitor parking needs, it’s important to note that there already are enough parking spaces on our campuses, even during peak hours,” said Sherri Kaspar, manager for public safety services. “However, drivers want to park as close to their classes and offices as possible. When that occasionally can’t happen, they become frustrated.”

Kaspar noted that lower-demand lots are within only a 10- to 15-minute walk to most campus destinations.

Based on survey feedback provided by UT commuters, University officials continue developing a new parking management program, targeted for implementation in fall 2017. This new program is intended to offer more equitable parking choices for students, faculty and staff; promote use of lower-demand lots to help ease congestion; and encourage use of alternative and greener ways to commute.

The cost estimates in the plan totaled $100 million

They want to make it happen

Adding artificial turf to the track stadium would be a great idea. Football team/marching band could also utilize the turf when needed, as well as student rec leagues/ club teams could use the turf. I love the idea of adding an artificial turf field. The addition of stadium lighting and a video scoreboard also better be included if they plan to renovate the track stadium to bring in soccer. THINK BIG.

Sure, we have more of a walking problem than an access to parking problem...but the two parking garages are looking very outdated. At the least, they need to renovate them to make them look more modern/appealing.

(02-20-2017 03:42 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote: [ -> ]Sure, we have more of a walking problem than an access to parking problem...but the two parking garages are looking very outdated. At the least, they need to renovate them to make them look more modern/appealing.

???

I think anything like that is going to have to happen on the real cheap. Soundness of structure is probably the major concern. How do you mean, "more modern/appealing?"

There's a lot of cosmetic in this plan as it is. Doesn't seem to address quality of education or research? Is this just meant to be an "infrastructure" plan?

High Bay: seems educational and research oriented.

Library: last remodel was excellent but are there still going to be old books that can be held? Where is that great old worn wooden furniture from the top floor. Bet someone in power made off with that.

Snyder: would they please stop putting money into this dump. It's showing poor management. Live it till it dies. Build something nicer when the time comes and name it "Snyder" or just buy a lot of insurance and hope for a good storm.

(02-20-2017 03:42 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote: [ -> ]Sure, we have more of a walking problem than an access to parking problem...but the two parking garages are looking very outdated. At the least, they need to renovate them to make them look more modern/appealing.

At Michigan State they're making aesthetically attractive parking ramps/garages. See below for "Ramp Six"

I'm jelly.

(02-20-2017 03:52 PM)eastisbest Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-20-2017 03:42 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote: [ -> ]Sure, we have more of a walking problem than an access to parking problem...but the two parking garages are looking very outdated. At the least, they need to renovate them to make them look more modern/appealing.

How do you mean, "more modern/appealing?"

Exhibit A:


The current infrastructure of UT's parking garages is stuck in the 70s.

It was approved today! I am very happy because we already have a nice main campus and medical campus and they are going to get better. The Scott Park Campus is no more. Here is the link to the UT website along with The Blade Article.

http://www.utoledo.edu/

The University of Toledo board of trustees today approved a master plan that calls for a major main-campus renovation over the next 10 years at a cost of up to $275 million.

UT will look for donors to pay for about $175 million of that pricetag. About $75 to $80 million would come from the state, and the university would issue bonds to finance the remaining $20 million to $25 million.

The document is the first comprehensive master plan since UT merged with the former Medical College of Ohio more than a decade ago.

RELATED CONTENT: UT Multiple-Campus Master Plan

“I think it’s exciting to think about what will the university look like in the next decade and how we might continue to strengthen the experience for our students and faculty and staff and the broader community,” university President Sharon Gaber said.

The master plan calls for the university to vacate the Scott Park Campus by moving athletic fields to the main campus and relocating the roughly 100 human resources and finance employees who work at the site. Those employees will begin to move their offices in the next few months to the main and health science campuses, said Jason Toth, associate vice president for facilities and construction.

The university is “still working through details” of what it will do with the 177-acre Scott Park Campus, located off Nebraska Avenue. It could mothball part of the facility to save on costs. There are no current plans to move tenants, which include Toledo Public Schools and area community colleges.

The plan also includes the renovation of the Thompson Student Union, construction of a new research facility near engineering buildings and mixed-used retail and apartments along Dorr Street, and expanded Greek housing.

The campaign’s first five years would include classroom renovations, including inside the school’s iconic architectural centerpiece, University Hall; renovations of Carlson Library and the student union, and building Greek housing, among other projects.

A second phase, to be done in the next six to 10 years, would continue some renovations projects along with building the research center, refurbishing more classrooms, and creating a recreation complex at Dorr Street and Byrne Road.

Buildings to be removed include the Transportation Center, which would be replaced by a new public safety building, as well as the east and west dormitory wings of Carter Hall, to be replaced by baseball and softball fields currently located at Scott Park. Palmer Hall would be torn down and replaced with green space at the engineering campus.

Mr. Toth said UT could seek donations to pay for the new athletic facilities and research building.

The university previously announced a $12 million Parks Tower renovation, which will require the high-rise dormitory to close next school year. UT plans to spend about $500,000 to refurbish Carter Hall, which has been closed for a couple of years, to accommodate students displaced by the Parks renovation next school year.

The Parks project will be paid for with a different $30 million bond issue the board approved in October and will also pay for deferred maintenance outside the master plan’s scope.

Mr. Toth said it’s necessary to spend money to get Carter Hall ready, even though the master plan calls for the residence hall to be torn down in the next 10 years.

“We need the beds for our students,” he said. “In order to meet the needs we need to reopen Carter Hall to allow a place for our students to live on campus.”

He called the expense to fix up the doomed Carter Hall, built in the mid-1960s, a “cost of doing business.”

UT trustees approved the plan unanimously, though Gary Thieman was absent and board chairman Sharon Speyer abstained from the vote. Ms. Speyer, president of Huntington National Bank’s Northwest Ohio Region, said afterward she refrained from voting because her bank job could involve her with the potential bond issue.

(02-20-2017 03:37 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote: [ -> ]Adding artificial turf to the track stadium would be a great idea. Football team/marching band could also utilize the turf when needed, as well as student rec leagues/ club teams could use the turf. I love the idea of adding an artificial turf field. The addition of stadium lighting and a video scoreboard also better be included if they plan to renovate the track stadium to bring in soccer. THINK BIG.

Is there a javelin runway there currently? They would need to move that. Javelins are hell on artificial turf as would be,I suspect, hammers and discuses (disci?).

Here is a link to the athletics master plan that was approved today!

http://www.utoledo.edu/facilities/master...etics.html

Here is a link to the main campus master plan that was approved today:

http://www.utoledo.edu/facilities/master-plan/map.html

Here is a link to the "enhancing student life section" that was approved today:

http://www.utoledo.edu/facilities/master...-life.html