(07-12-2021 10:08 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 08:53 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  

(07-09-2021 01:25 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Lot 10 is in a flood plain.

yep, as are all the low lying areas between UN and the Glass Bowl, unfortunately has not stopped UT from putting in buildings and parking lots

I'm not sure it would be called a floodplain currently. The creek used to curve close to the Glass Bowl and things were worse.

floodplain is based on elevations, and yes that part of campus is within the 100 yr floodplain as mapped by NOAA - low risk but it exists
https://www.propertyshark.com/mason/oh/L...zard-Areas

I remember when Lot 10 was a football practice field and they let students watch the team practice. I had a friend from the dorms that was on the team and I went over to see him play. Two scouts from the NY Giants wer[/u]e standing near me. They were there to see Frank Baker. Wow, that’s a long time ago!

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

I vote for bigger, taller garages because parking is still an issue on campus. If they each were twice as tall that would fix a ton right?

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

I don't know current status of plans and specifics BUT removal of east parking garage will allow for reconfiguration of the entrance off Bancroft and addressing current issues with traffic into lot 1 and associated sidewalks and crosswalks at that location

(07-12-2021 11:42 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I vote for bigger, taller garages because parking is still an issue on campus. If they each were twice as tall that would fix a ton right?

parking really isn't an issue on campus (no more so than it is on every college campus in the country) and due to construction and maintenance costs, there will be no more parking garages on main campus. And there certainly is not the need to provide that amount of parking for small number of events on campus that bring visitors in. Staff, faculty and student enrollment is declining on main campus and will continue to foreseeable future, just like we are seeing reduction in building sq feet, moving on from Scott Park campus, there will be less need for parking, main campus size and footprint is shrinking which was identified as key aspect in last master plan

(07-12-2021 11:42 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I vote for bigger, taller garages because parking is still an issue on campus. If they each were twice as tall that would fix a ton right?

I've seen a few nice two level garages that cover more acreage and I think have better in-out than taller, easier to maintain, less expensive due to less weight per footage (pressure) should give a longer life, easier to get in and out, easier to computer designate spots so someone entering can find an opening quickly. Perhaps could incorporate shops or other creative things. They also don't have to look like "parking garages." There's flexibility on facade.

If they did consider a roundabout entrance off douglass, because of the road's elevation they could actually have two levels of entrance/egress or enter at the top, exit at the bottom. I've also a plan the incorporates a cable car to Savage and a roller-coaster to Heav Hall. Time to stop the boring. :D

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Agreed, overall there is quite a bit of greenspace, but it seems to be surrounded by chain-link fences rather than easily accessible and aesthetically pleasing for the most part...I think they could really do wonders with that weird intersection/area around the North entrance for sure though.

As for your last point, that whole Byrne/Secor/Dorr area is going to be a nightmare if the amount of traffic they projected coming down Dorr daily is what actually ends up coming to pass...I wouldn't even know where to start there outside of building a full bypass road straight from Byrne through the apartment complexes and into the Rocket Hall lot from that intersection (which obviously wouldn't happen).

(07-12-2021 11:42 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  I vote for bigger, taller garages because parking is still an issue on campus. If they each were twice as tall that would fix a ton right?

I've read that, generally, the cost to build 1 sq foot of a parking garage is 10-20x as much as it is to build 1 sq foot of a surface lot. So unless people want to start paying a ton more for parking (students, faculty, gameday, etc.), I doubt there will be any new garages anytime soon.

(07-12-2021 02:49 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Agreed, overall there is quite a bit of greenspace, but it seems to be surrounded by chain-link fences rather than easily accessible and aesthetically pleasing for the most part...I think they could really do wonders with that weird intersection/area around the North entrance for sure though.

As for your last point, that whole Byrne/Secor/Dorr area is going to be a nightmare if the amount of traffic they projected coming down Dorr daily is what actually ends up coming to pass...I wouldn't even know where to start there outside of building a full bypass road straight from Byrne through the apartment complexes and into the Rocket Hall lot from that intersection (which obviously wouldn't happen).

9 miles interchange to Secor, a good bit on two lane, past school zone,....? We'll see.

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Flash back moment to the discussion on roundabouts on Secor.....never mind LOL

Removal of the access off of Bancroft in favor of Douglas is an interesting idea. The idea of the roundabout for slowing traffic on Douglas is a good one as someone victimized by the speed camera there. Grade from Douglas to Lot 1 is still an issue. Would think that the roundabout would need to be north of the river still to make Lot 1 useful. A right in right out drive off of Bancroft right up against Douglas where the grade is not as severe cold still be provided. The intersection at Westwood is not real useful anyway and could also be reconfigured

(07-13-2021 07:45 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Flash back moment to the discussion on roundabouts on Secor.....never mind LOL

Removal of the access off of Bancroft in favor of Douglas is an interesting idea. The idea of the roundabout for slowing traffic on Douglas is a good one as someone victimized by the speed camera there. Grade from Douglas to Lot 1 is still an issue. Would think that the roundabout would need to be north of the river still to make Lot 1 useful. A right in right out drive off of Bancroft right up against Douglas where the grade is not as severe cold still be provided. The intersection at Westwood is not real useful anyway and could also be reconfigured

Those "right-in," coming from the East, when they leave I'm not seeing how they get back heading west?

Douglass: You're thinking the same location I was (I think). south of Bancroft but north of the river? The grade off Douglass behind the garage is considerable. That COULD send a few foreign/drunk/80 year old Profs/students exiting Doubglass airborne but hey, there's always issues with any design.

On the north side, the grade is somewhat exagerated, built up higher than Douglass. I think an approach to Douglass roundabout off Westwood is doable, thus giving Westbound Bankroft a campus entrance so north entrance can be eliminated and that street turned to parking to offset some of that lost when the garage comes down.

I do have a clover-leaf of roundabouts design just waiting for a problem that needs it. And then there's the stacked roundabout design, the parabolic roundabout.... :D :D :D

(07-13-2021 08:25 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-13-2021 07:45 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Flash back moment to the discussion on roundabouts on Secor.....never mind LOL

Removal of the access off of Bancroft in favor of Douglas is an interesting idea. The idea of the roundabout for slowing traffic on Douglas is a good one as someone victimized by the speed camera there. Grade from Douglas to Lot 1 is still an issue. Would think that the roundabout would need to be north of the river still to make Lot 1 useful. A right in right out drive off of Bancroft right up against Douglas where the grade is not as severe cold still be provided. The intersection at Westwood is not real useful anyway and could also be reconfigured

Those "right-in," coming from the East, when they leave I'm not seeing how they get back heading west?

Douglass: You're thinking the same location I was (I think). south of Bancroft but north of the river? The grade off Douglass behind the garage is considerable. That COULD send a few foreign/drunk/80 year old Profs/students exiting Doubglass airborne but hey, there's always issues with any design.

On the north side, the grade is somewhat exagerated, built up higher than Douglass. I think an approach to Douglass roundabout off Westwood is doable, thus giving Westbound Bankroft a campus entrance so north entrance can be eliminated and that street turned to parking to offset some of that lost when the garage comes down.

I do have a clover-leaf of roundabouts design just waiting for a problem that needs it. And then there's the stacked roundabout design, the parabolic roundabout.... :D :D :D

Let's just make Douglass/Westwood into one giant roundabout seen from space. Problem solved

(07-13-2021 08:41 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-13-2021 08:25 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-13-2021 07:45 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 11:17 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-12-2021 09:46 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Really wish they would be able to simply build a large garage and restore greenspace by way of taking out some tarmac throughout campus, but alas, that isn't in the cards. More ugly black asphalt lots for all!

For a university, there seems to be a ton of greenspace. Removal of the garages does let us world shape a bit.

In my mind's eye, I'm merging traffic on and off campus at Douglass. With East garage gone, obliterate North entrance, merge lots 1N and 2 to account for lost parking, rotary at that portion of Douglas next to the former garage connecting to E Centennial and the remaining part of N. Tower. Bancroft traffic would loop around to Douglass via University Hills.

Improves highway access to sports campus, centenial campus, slows the speeding problem on Douglas, reduces traffic in front of campus, on University Hills (which is becoming an off-loading for the high school) and on Secor. It also opens up green space and makes accessible a path along the river, under Douglass and hopefully to Ottawa Park. Might even be a good view of campus with the garage out of the way.

westside: with the new interchange at Dorr, they need to rethink a lot of patterns to keep that campus entrance from becoming a lock.

Flash back moment to the discussion on roundabouts on Secor.....never mind LOL

Removal of the access off of Bancroft in favor of Douglas is an interesting idea. The idea of the roundabout for slowing traffic on Douglas is a good one as someone victimized by the speed camera there. Grade from Douglas to Lot 1 is still an issue. Would think that the roundabout would need to be north of the river still to make Lot 1 useful. A right in right out drive off of Bancroft right up against Douglas where the grade is not as severe cold still be provided. The intersection at Westwood is not real useful anyway and could also be reconfigured

Those "right-in," coming from the East, when they leave I'm not seeing how they get back heading west?

Douglass: You're thinking the same location I was (I think). south of Bancroft but north of the river? The grade off Douglass behind the garage is considerable. That COULD send a few foreign/drunk/80 year old Profs/students exiting Doubglass airborne but hey, there's always issues with any design.

On the north side, the grade is somewhat exagerated, built up higher than Douglass. I think an approach to Douglass roundabout off Westwood is doable, thus giving Westbound Bankroft a campus entrance so north entrance can be eliminated and that street turned to parking to offset some of that lost when the garage comes down.

I do have a clover-leaf of roundabouts design just waiting for a problem that needs it. And then there's the stacked roundabout design, the parabolic roundabout.... :D :D :D

Let's just make Douglass/Westwood into one giant roundabout seen from space. Problem solved

Getting a saucer to land on douglass at bancroft was one of my design solutions! See, we do think alike. Go get help.

I don't see any changes leading to a direct connection from UT north entrance onto Douglas, but I know there are discussions (post removal of the east parking garage) about reconfiguration of entrance/exit to the surface lot that will replace the garage. Lets not forget millions was recently spent on Bancroft, I doubt there is any interest (or funding) to change the current Bancroft entrance. But removing current lot entrance/exit and removal current 4 way intersection with 3 way is in the cards.

As to Dorr Street, removal of the UT Safety building sets stage for future extension of UT entrance off Dorr to cut right through current Carter Hall land and join South Glass Bowl Drive (or bend to connect directly to Stadium Drive) and dead end current north board East Rocket Drive at the trail. See master plan.

(07-13-2021 09:38 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  I don't see any changes leading to a direct connection from UT north entrance onto Douglas, but I know there are discussions (post removal of the east parking garage) about reconfiguration of entrance/exit to the surface lot that will replace the garage. Lets not forget millions was recently spent on Bancroft, I doubt there is any interest (or funding) to change the current Bancroft entrance. But removing current lot entrance/exit and removal current 4 way intersection with 3 way is in the cards.

As to Dorr Street, removal of the UT Safety building sets stage for future extension of UT entrance off Dorr to cut right through current Carter Hall land and join South Glass Bowl Drive (or bend to connect directly to Stadium Drive) and dead end current north board East Rocket Drive at the trail. See master plan.

We were more speculating what the smart people would do.

Coming through University Hills has worked for years. No point spending money on massive logistics changes when there are sidewalks need fixing. We were just having fun on speculative design. The hint was the flying saucer.

Now that that's been spoiled... sigh. Maybe we can talk about how to strip the lot!!!! Angle parking? Staight on? Anyone causing others to wait while they back in automatically gets a paint scratch?

(07-13-2021 10:44 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-13-2021 09:38 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  I don't see any changes leading to a direct connection from UT north entrance onto Douglas, but I know there are discussions (post removal of the east parking garage) about reconfiguration of entrance/exit to the surface lot that will replace the garage. Lets not forget millions was recently spent on Bancroft, I doubt there is any interest (or funding) to change the current Bancroft entrance. But removing current lot entrance/exit and removal current 4 way intersection with 3 way is in the cards.

As to Dorr Street, removal of the UT Safety building sets stage for future extension of UT entrance off Dorr to cut right through current Carter Hall land and join South Glass Bowl Drive (or bend to connect directly to Stadium Drive) and dead end current north board East Rocket Drive at the trail. See master plan.

We were more speculating what the smart people would do.

Coming through University Hills has worked for years. No point spending money on massive logistics changes when there are sidewalks need fixing. We were just having fun on speculative design. The hint was the flying saucer.

Now that that's been spoiled... sigh. Maybe we can talk about how to strip the lot!!!! Angle parking? Staight on? Anyone causing others to wait while they back in automatically gets a paint scratch?

yea entrance off Douglas would be ideal, guessing budget is the issue there but certainly would make sense in many ways.

Tough decision. Presuming the garages' footprints replaced by surface parking, any idea how many spots are going to be lost?

over 1,600 spots lost when garages come down (work already underway on west garage) but I do not know if that is net loss accounting for new surface lot spots on garage footprints

I wonder how often M-F 9-5 during fall/spring terms when classes are in session were garages at 100% capacity? I have no idea

(07-13-2021 02:10 PM)PaulJ Wrote:  over 1,600 spots lost when garages come down (work already underway on west garage) but I do not know if that is net loss accounting for new surface lot spots on garage footprints

I wonder how often M-F 9-5 during fall/spring terms when classes are in session were garages at 100% capacity? I have no idea

everytime I was running late and needed a parking spot. lol

Pre-covid, I wonder too if they were pushing capacity. 1600 as a percentage of the total, what would that be?

The issue could have only been one of efficiency. If the private firm has the means to install tech that will identify open spots and direct drivers to those, they may not need more spaces.