Chapter 5 — Introduction

In order to strengthen linkages between the COTC, OSU-Newark campus, and the surrounding neighborhoods there must be a plan or strategy to coexist with the surrounding community. With the implementation of the final Regional Campus District Plan, use of the college facilities by the surrounding community can be encouraged. Examples would be improvements and additions to walking and riding trails connecting the surrounding areas. Athletic facilities will also encourage community involvement. The strategy and implementation of the community linkages will depend on the final alternative at the conclusion of the project. Two different alternative concepts were produced for the Newark Campus. They explore several options for arranging the campus space in order to meet the requirements for the college. Amenities created for the campus provide a user-friendlier environment through numerous additions and alterations of the circulation system, landscaping, and parking on campus.

ALTERNATIVE 1 (FIGURE 5-1)

Vehicular and Pedestrian Circulation

In order to improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation on campus entrances, borders, parking areas, drives and walkways, student activity areas, open space areas, recreational areas, and service areas should be a high priority. The compatibility and visual continuity between old and new areas of campus is accomplished by using similar architectural, landscape architectural, and engineering design details.

The bike path includes improvements to create links from the campus to the surrounding community.

Entries

Improving signage, and providing wayfinding signage on major roadways leading to the campus will more effectively cue the main entry. This alternative will provide an attractive, formal vehicular entrance that serves the needs of visitors. There are two primary entrances in this alternative. Either would have a positive effect on the campus as the main entrance. The south entrance from Granville Road will be enhanced with, entry features and focal points to serve as a primary entrance. The other possibility for a main entrance is the south entrance off Country Club Drive. While there are still three entrances from Country Club Drive, with the improved parking and circulation patterns there is less concern with the number of entrances. The most dangerous entrance, due to poor visibility of oncoming traffic, to the north off Country Club Drive was removed. Country Club Drive also has two secondary entrances. The two additional entrances help with traffic congestion and improve parking access. They will be more

Alternative 1(Figure 5-1)

Visible and better identified with landscaping and signage. The secondary entrance from Sharon Valley Road remains the same until it reaches the bridge. There it is redirected to provide space for additional student housing and physical facilities.

Vehicular

The proposed roadway network reduces pedestrian/vehicular conflicts and provides smoother transition for vehicular traffic with proper use of signage and environmental design to provide safe circulation patterns. The circulation pattern addresses existing and future needs of the campus. It identifies pedestrian and vehicular entry points, traffic routes, and functional needs of students, staff and visitors.

The existing traffic and pedestrian circulation is enhanced throughout the campus by the connection of the loop road. This connection allows traffic to run more efficiently along the perimeter of the campus.

Drop-off areas have been enhanced with the addition of short term parking areas located adjacent to the drop-off sites.

Parking

This alternative provides attractive parking areas at facility locations served by an effective roadway network. The parking areas are connected to campus facilities by well-lighted pedestrian walkways to provide convenient and safe routes. Parking for disabled and nighttime students is provided closer to the buildings. Parking areas are better consolidated and provide better circulation patterns. Additional spaces will deter students from parking in faculty spaces.

Pedestrian

Alternative 1 improves pedestrian circulation by addressing safety and feeling of security on campus. It will reduce vehicular traffic and vehicular and pedestrian points of conflict by improving and developing new walkways to respond to pedestrian traffic patterns. These improvements will include landscaping, pedestrian-scale lighting, sight furniture, and signage. Walking distances will be shortened and safer due to improved lighting throughout the campus.

Service

Conflicts with service areas will be addressed with signage and pavement changes. The Hopewell Hall service area has been screened to block unsightly views, and is aligned with a campus entrance to minimize vehicular and pedestrian conflicts. Lefevre Hall's service drive has been realigned to limit the need for students to cross when going to and from the parking areas. All other service areas will have access that is more direct and clearly marked with pavement changes and signage where conflicts occur.

Open Space

Alternative 1 captures the recreational opportunities that are present throughout the campus. The central core of campus has been kept as an open green space with improvements to the lake and other related amenities. Views from within the campus are enhanced to maintain the open character of campus. Tennis courts are removed and replaced with parking. New tennis courts will be placed as shown in the Edsall master plan. The bike paths are improved and realigned for redevelopment where needed. Bike racks and other amenities will be added along the trail and at pedestrian nodes to accommodate bicycle riders. The south meadow becomes partially developed with the childcare center, yet still leaves plenty of space for recreational activities. This alternative provides accessible outdoor spaces that accommodate formal and informal gatherings, emphasizing areas near popular facilities.

Natural Elements

Drainage channels are enhanced to appear as a natural drainage way rather than an engineered ditch. Landscaping improves the appearance by following the approved Landscape Principles.

Other natural features help separate, buffer, and screen conflicting uses and service related functions. Some ornamental trees have also been sited at the campus entrances and in essential locations throughout the campus, to create focal points within the area.

Facilities

• Student Center provides more indoor gathering areas.
• Physical Facilities to move from Adena Hall to new building
• Student housing is increased to meet current student needs and trends.
• Childcare relocated to south of campus core off Country Club Drive.
• Library relocates to new student center. Opening space in founders.
• Addition to Adena to provide sufficient gym space.
• Cafeteria relocates to new Student Center opening space in Hopewell.
• Administration building to be determined. Possibly, put all admin into Hopewell.
• Storage will be available in Founders and Hopewell.
• Science and Chemistry labs in Founders and Hopewell.
• COTC and OSU records and advising move to one location.
• Office space and classrooms in Founders and Hopewell.
• Building entries enhanced w/ landscaping and signage and plaza areas.
• Identifies direction and extent of future expansion areas, future building sites, existing building expansion areas, circulation patterns, parking areas, and open space areas.
• Cluster compatible uses, and use open space areas for buffering.
• Provides good connections from the existing campus core into expansion areas.
• Building entrances and related open space areas will be enhanced with walkways, signage, lighting, furnishings, and landscaping.
• Increase use of Adena hall by reorganizing the interior.

ALTERNATIVE 2 (FIGURE 5-2)

Entries

Two entrances off Country Club Drive, one primary and one secondary

Vehicular

Vehicular circulation is improved by connecting the loop road along the perimeter in order to provide a more efficient flow of traffic. This is an improvement over the existing loop road, which runs through existing parking lots. This alternative allows the loop road to provide a shorter route around campus, and additional potential parking spaces. Drop off areas have been designed to reduce and eliminate vehicular and pedestrian conflicts near primary parking areas, and where traffic volumes are high.

Parking

The existing parking is re-oriented to allow better access to campus and more convenience for students and faculty.

Pedestrian

Additional sidewalks and pathways have been incorporated into the existing sidewalk system throughout the campus, and landscaping has been added in a naturalistic form, around the edges of campus.

Alternative 2(Figure 5-2)

Service

Hopewell Hall service area is screened. Access road is realigned and has direct access to the campus loop.
Lefevre's service road is redirected and space is shared with service area to proposed admin building.

Open Space

Existing green spaces have been preserved throughout the campus, and a trail system has been developed to meet both educational and fitness needs. The plan assumes the campus core will remain green and be preserved with new facilities surrounding the open space. This alternative also identifies additional landscape plantings along the boundary of the campus to soften the views from the college and for reducing noise generated by activities associated with the college.

Proposed tennis courts across the campus loop from the new student center, and south of Physical Facilities.

South meadow is left open to athletic and recreation activities. Recreational fields are connected to the rest of the campus by walking trails, and the main parking lots will provide the required parking for the use of the recreational space.

Natural Elements

Major improvements to lake.

Facilities

One proposed building site for future development is identified in this alternative.

• Childcare building remains for housing office.
• Childcare can move to the proposed building location
• Admin bldg. between Hopewell and Lefevre.
• Addition to founders to accommodate other spatial requirements.
  

Two additional housing facilities are proposed in all four alternatives. Alternative 1A provides an optimal amount of green space by redirecting the entrance drive from Sharon Valley Road to the out side, along the campus boundary. This realignment allows each facility to have a sufficient buffer zone from the major flow of vehicular traffic. The entry drive to the campus loop allows Adena Hall's new extension to become a focal point. The proposed parking is adequate and can be shared with the existing childcare center.

Figure 5-3

Additional Alternatives

HOUSING ALTERNATIVE 2A (FIGURE 5-3)

Alternative 2A brings the entrance road in tighter to the buildings leaving a large amount of green space to buffer the campus boundary. Open space in the housing is minimized to make room for parking. The childcare center is reconfigured as the office for student housing.

SOUTH MEADOW ALTERNATIVE 1A (FIGURE 5-3)

The childcare center and the entrance remain the same as in Alternative 1. Physical facilities are proposed in the south meadow further away from the mainstream campus flow. Mounding and proper landscaping will screen the wellness center from Country Club Drive and the main entrance to campus. It is bordered to the south by the remaining south meadow.

 Chapter 1 — Introduction
 Chapter 2 — The Newark Campus
 Chapter 3 — Existing Conditions
 Chapter 4 — Goals and Objectives
 Chapter 5 — Alternatives
 Appendix A — Issues

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