The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(04-27-2016 06:33 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:12 PM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:08 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:50 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:32 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  The costs associated with that will be insane. Pedestrian bridges, skyways (like what you see in Canada, or MSP connecting the buildings), or a tunnel under Hampton Blvd for people to use would be far less expensive. (My project management class actually worked on a pedistrian tunnel under Hampton crossing at 45th and 49th.)

Overhead pedestrian crossings would be cheaper even still. I am kind of surprised ODU hasn't done this yet. Makes it faster for the students (don't have to wait at the light) and much safer. You could then also increase the speed limit if the city really wanted too since (in theory) there wouldn't be as many pedestrians to worry about. Win-win.

I doubt students would use it. At least that was the theory when they were looking at that solution 15 years ago.

why do you think they wouldn't use it?

There are Studies, (David Harnage mentions them in the masterplan video) that overpasses are not the best solution.

They are still looking at crossing options. Last semester a bunch of students were brought in and asked about the overpass idea. One of those students was on my team for project management and our paper was submitted to the school for a tunnel option. I doubt it will happen, but somebody considered it for a moment.

Pedestrian overpasses were a top 3 request (more parking was another) in the student forum for the last master plan I was a part of in 2013.

(04-27-2016 12:39 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  Right now the enrollment is about 24,600. The future visioned enrollment according to the master plan is 20,426. Personally I think a drop is a good, less commuters and they will not be letting everyone in which will help our academics. Right now anyone can get in, they accept 75-80% of applicants. That is way to high imo. Plus 20K is still a lot of students

I'm not seeing the 20,426 on the master plan. What slide?
In the video sounds like a 1% growth per year.

(04-27-2016 06:49 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 12:39 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  Right now the enrollment is about 24,600. The future visioned enrollment according to the master plan is 20,426. Personally I think a drop is a good, less commuters and they will not be letting everyone in which will help our academics. Right now anyone can get in, they accept 75-80% of applicants. That is way to high imo. Plus 20K is still a lot of students

I'm not seeing the 20,426 on the master plan. What slide?
In the video sounds like a 1% growth per year.

The slide where it talks about dorm needs and there is a table that has "future vision enrollment". Not sure if that has changed since the 2013 master plan

(04-27-2016 06:33 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:12 PM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:08 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:50 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:32 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  The costs associated with that will be insane. Pedestrian bridges, skyways (like what you see in Canada, or MSP connecting the buildings), or a tunnel under Hampton Blvd for people to use would be far less expensive. (My project management class actually worked on a pedistrian tunnel under Hampton crossing at 45th and 49th.)

Overhead pedestrian crossings would be cheaper even still. I am kind of surprised ODU hasn't done this yet. Makes it faster for the students (don't have to wait at the light) and much safer. You could then also increase the speed limit if the city really wanted too since (in theory) there wouldn't be as many pedestrians to worry about. Win-win.

I doubt students would use it. At least that was the theory when they were looking at that solution 15 years ago.

why do you think they wouldn't use it?

There are Studies, (David Harnage mentions them in the masterplan video) that overpasses are not the best solution.

They are still looking at crossing options. Last semester a bunch of students were brought in and asked about the overpass idea. One of those students was on my team for project management and our paper was submitted to the school for a tunnel option. I doubt it will happen, but somebody considered it for a moment.

Pedestrian tunnels/underpasses, whilst they may appear appealing in addressing safe passage for walkers, in reality, they never are. There are many instances where such facilities were built to do just that, but many ended up being abandoned. Problem is some members of our society often find these tunnels as secluded environment where they carry out all sorts of illicit behavior. These actions drive most regular folks away since it becomes very unsafe to use them. In fact, there is one located in Crystal City (Arlington County) under Rte 1, near Reagan National Airport, where the county is desperately looking to close and completely fill it in. Walking through there is quite an adventure as one encounters dog poops, human feces, strong stench of urine, broken light fixtures, etc. I'd say stay with overpasses, they are much safer and cleaner.

(04-27-2016 07:06 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 06:49 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 12:39 PM)cmett003 Wrote:  Right now the enrollment is about 24,600. The future visioned enrollment according to the master plan is 20,426. Personally I think a drop is a good, less commuters and they will not be letting everyone in which will help our academics. Right now anyone can get in, they accept 75-80% of applicants. That is way to high imo. Plus 20K is still a lot of students

I'm not seeing the 20,426 on the master plan. What slide?
In the video sounds like a 1% growth per year.

The slide where it talks about dorm needs and there is a table that has "future vision enrollment". Not sure if that has changed since the 2013 master plan

The slideshow is the same one that is used during the presentation. So there is a disconnect. Either the slide has a typo, or he was wrong about the 1% increase year over year.

If they cut 5k students, there wouldn't be a need to do all the building to meet state mandates of sq/ft per student.

(04-27-2016 07:32 PM)ziggy1 Wrote:  Pedestrian tunnels/underpasses, whilst they may appear appealing in addressing safe passage for walkers, in reality, they never are. There are many instances where such facilities were built to do just that, but many ended up being abandoned. Problem is some members of our society often find these tunnels as secluded environment where they carry out all sorts of illicit behavior. These actions drive most regular folks away since it becomes very unsafe to use them. In fact, there is one located in Crystal City (Arlington County) under Rte 1, near Reagan National Airport, where the county is desperately looking to close and completely fill it in. Walking through there is quite an adventure as one encounters dog poops, human feces, strong stench of urine, broken light fixtures, etc. I'd say stay with overpasses, they are much safer and cleaner.

The underpass was just the class project we had to do. One of my team members just happened to be polled by the school and they wanted to see our report.
While I agree with you on the danger stuff, in a high traffic environment and a good design that might be negated. I do say might because the crime around our school is terrible and I don't see the city or the school really fixing anything.

How is it Boston can have all of their schools in a metro area full of rich kids to go after, but the crime doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as ours.

(04-27-2016 08:04 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 07:32 PM)ziggy1 Wrote:  Pedestrian tunnels/underpasses, whilst they may appear appealing in addressing safe passage for walkers, in reality, they never are. There are many instances where such facilities were built to do just that, but many ended up being abandoned. Problem is some members of our society often find these tunnels as secluded environment where they carry out all sorts of illicit behavior. These actions drive most regular folks away since it becomes very unsafe to use them. In fact, there is one located in Crystal City (Arlington County) under Rte 1, near Reagan National Airport, where the county is desperately looking to close and completely fill it in. Walking through there is quite an adventure as one encounters dog poops, human feces, strong stench of urine, broken light fixtures, etc. I'd say stay with overpasses, they are much safer and cleaner.

The underpass was just the class project we had to do. One of my team members just happened to be polled by the school and they wanted to see our report.
While I agree with you on the danger stuff, in a high traffic environment and a good design that might be negated. I do say might because the crime around our school is terrible and I don't see the city or the school really fixing anything.

How is it Boston can have all of their schools in a metro area full of rich kids to go after, but the crime doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as ours.

Because its cold for most of the school year in Boston!?!?! Maybe

(04-27-2016 08:09 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 08:04 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 07:32 PM)ziggy1 Wrote:  Pedestrian tunnels/underpasses, whilst they may appear appealing in addressing safe passage for walkers, in reality, they never are. There are many instances where such facilities were built to do just that, but many ended up being abandoned. Problem is some members of our society often find these tunnels as secluded environment where they carry out all sorts of illicit behavior. These actions drive most regular folks away since it becomes very unsafe to use them. In fact, there is one located in Crystal City (Arlington County) under Rte 1, near Reagan National Airport, where the county is desperately looking to close and completely fill it in. Walking through there is quite an adventure as one encounters dog poops, human feces, strong stench of urine, broken light fixtures, etc. I'd say stay with overpasses, they are much safer and cleaner.

The underpass was just the class project we had to do. One of my team members just happened to be polled by the school and they wanted to see our report.
While I agree with you on the danger stuff, in a high traffic environment and a good design that might be negated. I do say might because the crime around our school is terrible and I don't see the city or the school really fixing anything.

How is it Boston can have all of their schools in a metro area full of rich kids to go after, but the crime doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as ours.

Because its cold for most of the school year in Boston!?!?! Maybe

Used to live in MN, crime was pretty bad in MSP. Including the U of M. A few of the small schools in St. Paul (St. Thomas, Concordia etc...) also had a moderate amount of crime. More than I hear about Boston. Weather doesn't seem to be the factor.

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

And where are you going to get the money for that? Who is going to get it and how? Nobody at ODU has the kind of connections that can get that kind of money. Makes the stadium itself a drop in the bucket.

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(04-27-2016 02:12 PM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:08 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:50 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:32 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 11:49 AM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  I agree, the one knock against ODU is the lack of green space, with the exception of Kauffman Mall. I think they should reroute Hampton Blvd around (or Under) campus and make the entire campus walkable without fearing a speeding 18 wheeler

The costs associated with that will be insane. Pedestrian bridges, skyways (like what you see in Canada, or MSP connecting the buildings), or a tunnel under Hampton Blvd for people to use would be far less expensive. (My project management class actually worked on a pedistrian tunnel under Hampton crossing at 45th and 49th.)

Overhead pedestrian crossings would be cheaper even still. I am kind of surprised ODU hasn't done this yet. Makes it faster for the students (don't have to wait at the light) and much safer. You could then also increase the speed limit if the city really wanted too since (in theory) there wouldn't be as many pedestrians to worry about. Win-win.

I doubt students would use it. At least that was the theory when they were looking at that solution 15 years ago.

why do you think they wouldn't use it?

They would have to build one every block. People will use it if it is convenient, but they aren't going to walk 10 minutes out of their way.

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(04-27-2016 07:32 PM)ziggy1 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 06:33 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:12 PM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 02:08 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:50 PM)odu09 Wrote:  Overhead pedestrian crossings would be cheaper even still. I am kind of surprised ODU hasn't done this yet. Makes it faster for the students (don't have to wait at the light) and much safer. You could then also increase the speed limit if the city really wanted too since (in theory) there wouldn't be as many pedestrians to worry about. Win-win.

I doubt students would use it. At least that was the theory when they were looking at that solution 15 years ago.

why do you think they wouldn't use it?

There are Studies, (David Harnage mentions them in the masterplan video) that overpasses are not the best solution.

They are still looking at crossing options. Last semester a bunch of students were brought in and asked about the overpass idea. One of those students was on my team for project management and our paper was submitted to the school for a tunnel option. I doubt it will happen, but somebody considered it for a moment.

Pedestrian tunnels/underpasses, whilst they may appear appealing in addressing safe passage for walkers, in reality, they never are. There are many instances where such facilities were built to do just that, but many ended up being abandoned. Problem is some members of our society often find these tunnels as secluded environment where they carry out all sorts of illicit behavior. These actions drive most regular folks away since it becomes very unsafe to use them. In fact, there is one located in Crystal City (Arlington County) under Rte 1, near Reagan National Airport, where the county is desperately looking to close and completely fill it in. Walking through there is quite an adventure as one encounters dog poops, human feces, strong stench of urine, broken light fixtures, etc. I'd say stay with overpasses, they are much safer and cleaner.

Good points. Tunnels are a great idea in theory, but I wouldn't want my daughter in one. Maybe if it were between buildings that you need to scan a student ID to get in. With the nearby neighborhood activities, that it has disaster written all over it. First time someone gets raped in one, ODU will have MAJOR problems on their hands. National news that makes the move in banners look like positive coverage.

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(04-27-2016 08:48 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Good points. Tunnels are a great idea in theory, but I wouldn't want my daughter in one. Maybe if it were between buildings that you need to scan a student ID to get in. With the nearby neighborhood activities, that it has disaster written all over it. First time someone gets raped in one, ODU will have MAJOR problems on their hands. National news that makes the move in banners look like positive coverage.

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Something wide and well lit might be a solution.
My biggest concern is the water table. I can imagine that thing flooding all the time.

I wonder if Patriots crossing (if that ever happens) would reduce traffic considerably. Sure semis will go, but traffic might increase as you'll get more traffic to/from Norfolk from North Portsmouth/Hampton/NPN via the MMM.

I agree with ever on the tunnels idea. Sadly it's the world we live in.

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(04-27-2016 02:08 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:50 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 01:32 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 11:49 AM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

I agree, the one knock against ODU is the lack of green space, with the exception of Kauffman Mall. I think they should reroute Hampton Blvd around (or Under) campus and make the entire campus walkable without fearing a speeding 18 wheeler

The costs associated with that will be insane. Pedestrian bridges, skyways (like what you see in Canada, or MSP connecting the buildings), or a tunnel under Hampton Blvd for people to use would be far less expensive. (My project management class actually worked on a pedistrian tunnel under Hampton crossing at 45th and 49th.)

Overhead pedestrian crossings would be cheaper even still. I am kind of surprised ODU hasn't done this yet. Makes it faster for the students (don't have to wait at the light) and much safer. You could then also increase the speed limit if the city really wanted too since (in theory) there wouldn't be as many pedestrians to worry about. Win-win.

I doubt students would use it. At least that was the theory when they were looking at that solution 15 years ago.

Jersey walls solved a similar problem

I know it is completely unrealistic, but an underpass the length of the campus with green space at ground level above it connecting both sides of campus would be really cool and would change the entire feel of the campus.

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(04-27-2016 08:34 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

And where are you going to get the money for that? Who is going to get it and how? Nobody at ODU has the kind of connections that can get that kind of money. Makes the stadium itself a drop in the bucket.

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Erm... I'm not saying we build it all tomorrow. And when I say towers I'm not talking about 20-30 story buildings either. What I would like the long term plan for the university to be is that we stop building 2-3 story buildings when open space is at such a premium. Every building should be at least 4 stories, with some buildings in the 6-10 floor range. Since we're going to be limited in how we expand out, we need to start expanding up.

(04-28-2016 06:15 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 08:34 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

And where are you going to get the money for that? Who is going to get it and how? Nobody at ODU has the kind of connections that can get that kind of money. Makes the stadium itself a drop in the bucket.

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Erm... I'm not saying we build it all tomorrow. And when I say towers I'm not talking about 20-30 story buildings either. What I would like the long term plan for the university to be is that we stop building 2-3 story buildings when open space is at such a premium. Every building should be at least 4 stories, with some buildings in the 6-10 floor range. Since we're going to be limited in how we expand out, we need to start expanding up.

I'm imagining ODU expanding like the cities in the opening credits of Game of Thrones lol

(04-28-2016 07:12 AM)MonGNARch Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 06:15 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 08:34 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

And where are you going to get the money for that? Who is going to get it and how? Nobody at ODU has the kind of connections that can get that kind of money. Makes the stadium itself a drop in the bucket.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Erm... I'm not saying we build it all tomorrow. And when I say towers I'm not talking about 20-30 story buildings either. What I would like the long term plan for the university to be is that we stop building 2-3 story buildings when open space is at such a premium. Every building should be at least 4 stories, with some buildings in the 6-10 floor range. Since we're going to be limited in how we expand out, we need to start expanding up.

I'm imagining ODU expanding like the cities in the opening credits of Game of Thrones lol

Haha, I would love to see someone make a video like that.

(04-28-2016 06:15 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 08:34 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-27-2016 10:58 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  I personally want ODU to become akin to a miniature city downtown. Except you have sidewalks instead of roads, and 3x the green space. Building skinnier, taller towers for dorms and academic buildings means you get to keep more square footage for things like green space and gardens.

And where are you going to get the money for that? Who is going to get it and how? Nobody at ODU has the kind of connections that can get that kind of money. Makes the stadium itself a drop in the bucket.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Erm... I'm not saying we build it all tomorrow. And when I say towers I'm not talking about 20-30 story buildings either. What I would like the long term plan for the university to be is that we stop building 2-3 story buildings when open space is at such a premium. Every building should be at least 4 stories, with some buildings in the 6-10 floor range. Since we're going to be limited in how we expand out, we need to start expanding up.

Ok, that makes more sense. Here is something they did at St. Joe's that was highly successful that might make sense here. Campus setting and layout, while smaller, is a very similar semi-urban setting with a major road running through, a wealthy neighborhood on one side and a sketchy neighborhood on the other.





What you see is a large new dormatory (well it was new when I got there 19 years ago) on one side of City Avenue (almost identical to Hampton Blvd in size and traffic throughput). Most of the academic campus is on the other side of the road. The pedestrian bridge leads to a main entrance to the dorm. I could see something like this being an option at ODU if we built a large new dorm complex on the South side of the Ted, say, where the McDonalds is. The result, of course, is that everyone used the bridge because it was convenient... right out the door from where a couple thousand people lived.

I dont see why they dont utilize the old maglev track as a walkway that connects the village to the campus west of hampton blvd. Seems like a no brainer to me since the infrastructure is basically already there.

(04-28-2016 07:57 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  I dont see why they dont utilize the old maglev track as a walkway that connects the village to the campus west of hampton blvd. Seems like a no brainer to me since the infrastructure is basically already there.

They probably still have the pipe dream that we will be able to run a train on it one day LOL