The Associated Students of Madison Coordinating Council heard updates Wednesday on the 2015 Campus Master Plan from Director of Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture Gary Brown.
The Campus Master Plan is created every 10 years by the Facilities Planning and Management team and the university community. It aims to guide campus growth and development through enhancing green spaces, managing future building sites and addressing transportation, circulation and parking issues, according to its website.
Brown introduced several key concepts of the current plan, such as the addition of a stormwater facility near Observatory Hill and an observation deck or boardwalk to promote education on water resources.
Part of the hill would also be converted to a prairie to eliminate carbon dioxide production from consistent mowing, Brown said.
Other environmental initiatives in the plan include implementing “green streets” around South Campus, which would redirect storm water through cuts in the curbs to provide irrigation for roadside trees and plants.
Brown also mentioned the construction of a modern pedestrian bridge over the intersection of Linden and Charter streets, which he said would improve safety and streamline circulation in the area.
“I want a ‘wow’ factor here … I want to use that, so that gets them up there using that space,” Brown said.
Some council members asked about further measures to decompress pedestrian street traffic, such as heated skywalks or tunnels. However, Brown said it was important to remember that “eyes on the street” promote a safer environment and more street activity is designed to reduce crime.
Brown said there have been several opportunities for discussion on the plan and that his team is working to make sure the city of Madison and surrounding communities are updated on the process.
An overall draft of the preliminary plan will be presented in February.
