01-21-94 OSU supports improvement plan for university area

OHIO STATE TO SUPPORT IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR UNIVERSITY AREA

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University will work with public
and private interests in the University Area to develop an
improvement plan for the neighborhoods adjacent to the campus.

     E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State, announced Friday
(1/21) that a high-level group of university officials will work
with the City of Columbus, other government agencies, property
owners and residents to develop the plan.

     James L. Nichols, treasurer of the university, will
coordinate the effort and will chair a new University Area
Improvement Task Force.  Ronald H. Poole, executive assistant to
Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka, will serve on the task force
representing the city.

     Other university officials serving on the task force will be
George A. Skestos, a university trustee from Columbus; David
Williams II, vice president for student affairs, and Janet G.
Pichette, vice president for business and administration.

     Nichols has sent letters to University Area community
groups, the three student government organizations, and faculty
and staff bodies asking that they each designate a member to
serve on the task force.

     "We at Ohio State are very concerned with problems of crime,
trash and deteriorating housing in the University Area,"
President Gee said.  "This neighborhood is the front door to the
Columbus campus.  Its problems are, therefore, our problems.  We
must do all that we can so our campus and surrounding communities
are worthy of the many activities taking place here and of the
opportunities that are available to our students and visitors to
our campus.

     "Improving the quality of life in the University Area has
been a priority since the beginning of my presidency," Gee added.
"An improvement plan -- with my commitment to see it implemented
-- is a reaffirmation of this priority."

     Nichols expects the task force will begin meeting next month
and that an improvement plan can be drafted by late spring.

     According to Nichols, components of the plan likely will
address housing for students, housing code enforcement, crime,
street lights, green space and recreational areas, trash and
environmental problems, and business development, including a
more diverse mix of stores and services available in the area.

     "This will not be a 'quick fix,'" Nichols emphasized.  "We
have long-term problems with housing, crime, code enforcement,
parking and trash.  But we will identify a few substantive
measures that can be taken in the next six months.  If we can
achieve success with those first steps, then we can build on that
to increase community involvement and reverse a pyschology of
decline."

     The number of students living in the University Area has
been declining in recent years.  In autumn quarter 1985, 26,297
students -- 49.4 percent of the Columbus campus enrollment --
lived on campus or within walking distance.  As of autumn quarter
1993, 20,841 students -- about 41.2 percent of the Columbus
campus enrollment -- live on campus or within walking distance of
the university.

     The 1990 census found the University Area had a total
population of 48,142.

                                #

Contact: James L. Nichols, 292-6261.
Written by Steve Sterrett.


[Submitted by: STERRETT  (sterrett@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Fri, 21 Jan 1994 09:42:24 -0500 (EST)]
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