Master Planning

A kick-off for the master planning of ASU’s new academic building on West Campus brought together representatives from the University System Facilities Office, outside design firms, and university officials in their first joint meeting, Jan. 26, held in the Jaguar Student Activities Center.

Led by Jeff Foley, acting assistant vice president for campus development, the meeting provided an opportunity to meet with Lee Cain, the program manager for the project from the Board of Regents Office of Real Estate and Facilities, as well as others were involved in the design process.  Campus officials also learned what to expect in this programming/planning/design process.The Board of  Regents previously awarded $2 million in funding for the design of the new building, after which the bid process was held to select an architect. Studio 3 Design Group along with 2KM Architects were selected to lead this design effort, both being from Augusta.

Programming will be done over the next two months with the Department of Nursing, the College of Education, and the Hull College of Business to determine their space, utilization, and programming needs.  Various design phases follow, with the goal of delivery of a final design product to the BOR for approval late this year. This completed design sets the foundation for obtaining the BOR future approval of the required construction dollars. The earliest that a new building could be constructed on West Campus would be at the end of 2014, but more likely in the 2015 timeframe.

The development of West Campus—the area that includes the Christenberry Field House and athletics fields, the Forest Hills Golf Course, the Literacy Center, and University Village—is also expected to include the expansion of student housing and a new student life building in addition to a new academic building. At this point, future growth is in the planning stage.

The university will continue to seek input and suggestions regarding the development of West Campus. Leading the effort will be the new acting assistant vice president for campus development, Jeff Foley.