AV俱乐部

What does a bicycle, University Avenue, a downtown campus and future building blocks have in common? They鈥檙e all part of the first progress report from the consultants for the Master Campus Plan.

The 22-page report is available at the new Campus Plan website: .

The report has been developed following hundreds of public consultation meetings, workshops and online comments.

Planning began last summer when IBI Group, a multi-disciplinary planning and design firm, was hired as the consultant. Internal meetings began and then phase聽one of the public consultation process was held in October. Phase-two workshops, or charets, spanned a week in early March.

The consultants talked to more than 100 individuals and groups within the university community, the surrounding neighbourhoods and the Halifax region concerning the future development of the campus.

鈥淲e have heard a wide range of views, needs and visions, and we have considered a comparable range of available information, data and site observations,鈥� say the consultants in the report. 鈥淲hile we will continue to expand our information base, this report will summarize what we have learned so far.鈥�

Key themes of the plan The report notes eight key themes that have evolved throughout the consultation process and will help to shape the emerging Campus Master Plan. 1.聽Dal鈥檚 need to compete worldwide for students and money 2.聽Better integration and connectivity of the campuses 3.聽The urban role and intensification of the university 4.聽The importance of Sexton Campus as the 鈥渄owntown鈥� campus 5.聽A focus on student experience 6.聽The redevelopment of University Avenue 7.聽Transportation /parking/walking, bikes/car pooling/transit 8.聽A continuing commitment to sustainability

The plan, when completed, will have three time frames: new projects, 鈥渟wing鈥� projects and "major future building blocks."

New projects can start immediately as money becomes available. These include transforming University Avenue and improving signage, lighting and landscaping.

鈥淪wing鈥� projects would be built in the near future without causing major disruption to the existing campus and produce much-needed space. Such projects could include expanding the Killam Library to accommodate student services and learning resources, redeveloping the Grad House, renovating Dalplex and adding more medical sciences research facilities at University and Summer Streets (currently the construction site of the Life Sciences Research Centre).

Major future building blocks are projects to be developed as needed and when funding becomes available. These recognize that change is inevitable and fraught with uncertainty. The blocks can be used for opportunities that present themselves, including a major growth spurt at the downtown campus (now Sexton Campus) or changes in academic disciplines.
The framework also will avoid 鈥渨illy-nilly development that does not add up to a sensible, sustainable, efficient and pleasing environment,鈥� the report says.

The report says the university cannot realize its long-term development plans without public/private partnerships. It will have to collaboration with the province, the city, the neighborhoods, the Capital District Health Authority and other postsecondary institutions. The university will need to become involved in neighbourhood and regional planning and development and work with stakeholders on such issues as municipal zoning and development guidelines.

鈥淭his will require the joint effort and collaboration of AV俱乐部, its neighours, HRM staff and council members,鈥� says the report.

The second progress report is expected this fall.

The parking issue Does AV俱乐部 lack adequate parking spaces or does it lack solutions to its parking and transportation issues? Those are the questions asked in the first progress report of the Master Campus Plan. The consultants heard from many people about how they drive in circles looking for a parking space. This causes frustration, wasted time and has a negative impact on the environment and the surrounding neighbourhoods. 鈥淲hat are the necessary measures to foster alternatives to the automobile that can reduce the need for parking?鈥� asks the report. 鈥淲hat can make walking, bikes, car pooling and transit more viable in the future?鈥� The report also asks how university land, now used for parking lots, could be converted to buildings and open spaces needed to meet faculty and student needs. The report suggests a long-range strategy. It would include: 鈥⒙爎emote sites where people could park their cars and then ride a shuttle to campus 鈥⒙爉ore incentives for car pooling 鈥⒙爓ide and well-lit bike and pedestrian corridors 鈥⒙燼 campus-wide bike loan program 鈥⒙爏tructured parking to conserve land 鈥⒙燼 more balanced pricing system for parking 鈥⒙燯-Passes for staff and faculty 鈥⒙燼 shared university-hospital shuttle 鈥⒙燼ffordable neighbourhood housing But the report cautions that comprise will have to be a major part of any transportation and parking plan. There will need to be collaboration among the university administration, the AV俱乐部 Student Union, the AV俱乐部 Faculty Association, HRM, Metro Transit, neighbourhood and business groups, and other institutions on the peninsula, says the report. The Phase-two Progress Report, due late this fall, will recommend a series of projects that could be introduced. These will include transit and transportation approaches aimed at reducing the demand for parking.