Master Planning Committee Meeting
September 11, 2008
Notes
Attending: Bill Krause, Deb Horner, Doug Braddock, Joshua Greenberg, Gary Newman, Joe Hayes, Hans Nielsen, Dianne Milke, Lydia Anderson, Bill Krause, Rich Boone, Luke Hopkins
Subcommittee Reports
Campus Landscape and Outdoor Art (Deb Horner)
Deb gave an update on activities in West Ridge Plaza (trees & shrubs, milepost sign, rotating art on display, signage for new learning habitats). Options for the transition space between the Duckering and Bunnell Buildlings are being discussed.
There will be a good faith effort to make the new West Ridge signage a sustainable design.
North Campus Subcommittee (Luke Hopkins)
Improvements have been added to the North Campus website regarding activities (i.e., addition of RSS for announcements).
Winter preparations (e.g., addition of chips, signage regarding walking and dog walking) are underway.
A proposal for tree planting at the Ballaine Lake Parking area is being considered.
A winter walking trail from LARS to CIGO area will be established for this coming winter.
Efforts are underway to establish a crossing to connect the trail from Hess Village to the ski trails across the road.
The Sheep Creek Commuter Trail approved by former Chancellor Jones is being established.
A proposal from Borough Dept. Parks and Recreation has been submitted to FMATS to connect the Skarland Trail to Birch Hill. Restriction of some uses (e.g., skijoring) on the
UAF portion of the Skarland Trail will need consideration.
Luke reported on the motion submitted to the MPC by the North Campus Subcommittee to rename the Calypso Trail after Les and Teri Viereck:
Accept Pat Holloway’s proposal to rename the Calypso Trail to the Les and Teri Viereck Boreal Forest Trail with the understanding the name may be shortened for some map displays. Accept the use of memorial funds to upgrade the interpretative signs on the Calypso Trail. Depending on funding,any interpretative signs and/or loops beyond the Calypso Trail will require a proposal.
There was strong support for the North Campus Subcommittee motion. The MPC discussed the benefit of shortening the name to the “Viereck Nature Trail”.
Gary Newman made the following motion (seconded by Deb Horner):
The MPC strongly supports the motion to rename the Calypso Trail after Les and Teri Viereck. We recommend the name “Viereck Nature Trail” be adopted.
Furthermore, we recommend that appropriate committees (MPC, CLOA, North Campus, Botanical Garden, etc.) and Facilities Services develop guidelines for interpretative signage, improvements, and maintenance of the Viereck Nature
Trail and other nature trails on campus.
Hans Nielsen called the question.
Motion passed unanimously 11-0.
North Tanana Loop Road (Luke Hopkins)
Luke gave an update on the standing of the project within the FMATS process. The FMATS project list is not ready for public comment; it will available for comment later this fall.
The North Tanana Road currently is not highly ranked based on community need.
Deb suggested that finishing the section to Sheenjek is worth consideration as Phase 1.
Luke recalled that Facilities has concerns about safety if the section to Sheenjek were to be opened.
Rich suggested that we raise this as an item with Chancellor Rogers with the involvement of Facilities Services.
Facilities Services Update – no representative
Public Comment – none
Proposed Sculpture for Virology Building
There was considerable discussion of the plans submitted by the state DOT for a sculpture to be placed on the east side of the new Virology Building. Concern was raised about the design, including whether maintenance and snow-load worthiness have been considered.
Deb Horner proposed the following motion (seconded by Gary Newman):
While the virus motif is appropriate given the function and occupancy of the
building, the Master Planning Committee suggests the following to the DOT
Committee:
1. Consider a re-design of the support legs to minimize their prominence, better complement the sculpture, and ensure safety.
2. Ensure that maintenance requirements are considered.
3. Evaluate snow load capacity.
Motion passed 10-0. (Hans had departed beforehand)
Proposed Sculpture for Placement between the Duckering and Bunnell Buildings (Deb Horner)
Deb presented a proposal (endorsed by the Campus Landscape and Outdoor Art Subcommittee of MPC) to place a sculpture by Wendy Croskrey (UAF Art faculty) between the Duckering and Bunnell Buildings. The MPC supports the proposal and identified issues for consideration.
Deb made the following motion (seconded by Doug Braddock):
The MPC recommends that the sculpture “Urban Ostrich” (see accompanying photo) by UAF art faculty Wendy Croskrey be placed temporarily at the entrance stairway to Cornerstone Plaza between the Bunnell and Duckering Buildings. The Campus Landscape and Outdoor Art Subcommittee will work with Facilities Services to design appropriate support and display structure for the piece. Prior to placement the MPC will review and approve the plan. The primary occupants of the adjacent buildings will be consulted.
Motion passed 10-0.
Other – none
The next meeting of the Master Planning Committee will be held Thursday September 25, 2008 in the Chancellor’s Conference Room.
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