TRUSTEES HEAR REPORTS ON LANDSCAPE PLAN, AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION

   WOOSTER -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Tuesday (4/6) heard a first reading of the university's Landscape Master Plan. The board also authorized the selection of architects and engineers for three campus projects.

Board hears report on Landscape Master Plan

   All elements of the spaces outside of campus buildings -- from grass and trees to sidewalk and street pavement materials -- are subject to review and planning in the Landscape Master Plan presented to trustees for a first reading Tuesday.

   The plan supports long-range goals of conserving resources and enhancing the overall Columbus campus environment. Planners have outlined broad recommendations to promote consistency in appearance and ideal pedestrian traffic patterns as well as specific guidelines for such decisions as shrub and tree selection, spacing between structures, development of green spaces and other visual considerations. The document also categorizes all exterior spaces and provides recommendations for the treatment of each type of space.

   "The awareness of the importance of the landscape to the physical campus has prompted the university to study it at a detailed level and make it a critical part of the Campus Master Plan process," said Jill Morelli, university architect. She also said the Landscape Master Plan recommendations take precedence over open space proposals made in previous district plans.

   The plan's study area is generally bounded by High Street, Lane Avenue, state Route 315, and West 11th Avenue and the Health Sciences campus. Campus "edges" on Ackerman Road, 10th Avenue, King Avenue, North Star Road, Kenny Road, Neil Avenue, and west of state Route 315 also have been studied.

 &nvbsp; The plan outlines four principal goals: conservation and enhancement of natural and manmade resources; integration and unification of the campus development fabric, such as reinforcing open space links as pedestrian thoroughfares; improvement and enhancement of the campus environment, which covers such issues as accessibility for persons with disabilities, traffic and parking, public safety and art; and enhancement of linkages with the community.

 &nvbsp; The plan addresses issues that have been identified as problems, including ill-defined pedestrian paths, a lack of spaces for socialization, inconsistency in outdoor furniture, visual clutter, inconsistent signage standards, and the need for a comprehensive guide to the placement of art and memorials.

   Among the 20 campuswide recommendations, planners propose that a site improvement review process be established for any construction projects that add to or change the functional or visual qualities of the landscape. The plan's authors also call for increased staffing levels for landscape maintenance; definition of art and memorial locations; studies of signage, lighting and bicycle routes; and consistency in selections of furniture, fencing and pavement. Optimum pedestrian connectors also are identified.

   The plan designates six landscape priorities: the Oval, Mirror Lake Hollow, the High Street lawn, the Olentangy River Corridor, recreational fields and the Urban Forest -- the campus's overall tree canopy, which consists of 554 significant trees that have been identified. The plan also allows for the likelihood that future sites will emerge as priority landscapes.

   Additionally, the plan provides detailed design guidelines that will serve as the basis for landscape considerations in any future changes to 21 identified sectors of the central campus.

   The board is expected to vote on the plan in May.

Trustees authorize selection of architects and engineers

   Trustees authorized the university to hire architectural/engineering firms and request construction bids for a parking garage, graduate student housing and a clinic expansion.

   A 2,000-space parking garage is proposed on the south side of Lane Avenue between Tuttle Park Place and Neil Avenue, just west of the Jesse Owens Recreation Center North. The estimated project cost is $28.7 million; funding will provided by university bonds, with debt service paid by Transportation and Parking Services.

   Housing, Food Services and Event Centers plans to build graduate and professional student apartments on the south campus, in an area generally bounded by West 10th, Neil and West 11th avenues and up to an alley just west of High Street. Funding for the $17.4 million project will be provided by university bonds, with debt service paid by Housing, Food Services and Event Centers.

   Finally, University Hospitals will renovate 17,000 square feet on the second floor of the University Hospitals Clinic to expand the obstetrical/gynecological clinic area. University Hospitals will fund the $914,000 project.

Contact: Jill Morelli, University Architect, (614) 292-4458