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Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee Minutes 4/17/2013
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
April 17, 2013 – Minutes
6:00pm - SSU Central Campus - Enterprise Center Training Room B

Attendees:      Maureen Call, Dave Coleman, Jason Doviak, Jack Hoar, Adria Leach, Dominick Pangallo, Shawn Newton,
Jim Rose, and Josh Turiel

Absent:         Marcia Lambert, Robert McCarthy, and Joseph O’Keefe

Guests:         Joe Berry (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.), Leif Lamoray (Leftfield Inc.), Tyler Patrick and Carolynn Braga (Sasaki Associates), Beth Bower, Karen Cady, & Andrew Soll (Salem State University)

ANNOUNCEMENT
  • Salem Stands With Boston: 'Last Mile' Run & Candlelight Walk, Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6:45pm – Dominick Pangallo announced that the city will show its support and resolve for the victims of the attacks at the Boston Marathon by joining Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Parents United of Salem, the Salem YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Salem State University community, the Salem No Place for Hate Committee, the Wicked Running Club, the No Rest for the Wicked Weekly 5K, and the North Shore Road Race Guide for a ‘Last Mile’ Run (6:45 p.m.) and Candlelight Walk (7:15 p.m.) on Salem Common. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite Boston gear and join in running or walking the Salem Common for one mile in honor of those impacted by the attacks during the Boston Marathon’s last mile.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
  • Library/Learning Commons Update – Joe Berry
  • The library and learning commons project is in the final few months of construction. Interior finishes continue, but the bulk of the work is now on landscaping.
  • Furniture delivery is expected in July, and the building is expected to be completely turned over to the university by August.
  • Phase II Deconstruction – Joe Berry
  • The contractor continues with the staging for the deconstruction of the old library building.
  • Deconstruction cannot begin until the work plan is approved by regulating agencies.
  • Fitness & Recreation Center Addition – Leif Lamoray
  • Construction is progressing. The roof is underway and exterior panels will be going up soon. The metal panel delivery is expected for Saturday, April 20 at 8 a.m.
  • There is one more concrete placement expected next week for this project.
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • Neighborhood Disturbances
  • No complaints were reported to committee members.
  • Alumni Field Lights – Adria Leach
  • Facilities is in the process of scheduling the manufacturer to come back at night to see if there is a way to adjust the lights so that they shine more directly on the field and away from neighboring homes while maintaining the required lighting on the field for safe use.
  • Crossing at Former Weir Property and Central Campus – Adria Leach
  • The university is pursuing options for mitigation and will report back progress at next month’s meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
  • Master Vision – Adria Leach, Tyler Patrick and Carolynn Braga
  • Adria Leach explained that the university and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance engaged Sasaki Associates to develop a campus master vision for the university that will layout our physical needs through the year 2040. The objectives of this plan included identifying space needs, providing appropriate building sites to accommodate program and parking demands, and establishing clear pedestrian and vehicular circulation; all while keeping in mind how the university fits into the larger community. Ms. Leach introduced Tyler Patrick and Carolynn Braga from Sasaki Associates to present their findings.
  • Mr. Patrick reviewed the goal, objectives and process for the campus master vision. He noted that common threads were needs around space including quantitative and qualitative space, academic and student life-focused space, conference space and office space, as well as the desire to better connect the campuses, improving transportation, parking, and wayfinding, and consideration of neighboring edges and context.
  • Mr. Patrick reviewed the space analysis. This included a review of non-residential space totals, classroom and lab schedules, and residence hall numbers. The findings included the need for improved or new science and studio arts facilities as well as an increase in on-campus beds.
  • Ms. Braga reviewed the analysis of the physical campus. This included a review of the existing conditions around context within the city of Salem, the square footage of all of the existing campuses, parking occupancy, pedestrian circulation, and existing building usage. The findings in this analysis included potential for a parking structure.
  • Mr. Patrick reviewed potential opportunities the university should consider, should they become available, between now and the year 2040. This included opportunities to expand within the existing campuses, the potential reuse and redevelopment of opportunity sites, and alternatives for expansion. Alternative A looked at potential expansion down Canal Street and Broadway. Acknowledging the existing pedestrian center of the university’s campuses is located in the center of Rainbow Terrace, Alternative B looked at expansion of North Campus into Rainbow Terrace. It was made clear that these alternatives were suggestions made by Sasaki Associates to the university for consideration if properties became available in the future.
  • Comments/Questions
  • A member asked Adria Leach to review the one-year look ahead that was presented at the March meeting. – Ms. Leach noted the study taking place for a new residence hall for 2015 and the investigation of using temporary modular housing, that could be constructed for use in September of 2013, to meet demand for freshman housing. She added that the Meier Hall Science labs will be renovated this summer, and that the university is also moving forward with design development for the renovation of the Maintstage Theatre into the Sophia Gordon Center for Performing Arts. The university will continue to update the neighborhood through the SSUNAC meetings, their neighborhood email blast and the website on these and all projects.
  • A couple of members expressed concern about connecting North and Central Campuses through Rainbow Terrace. – Mr. Patrick responded that the master vision does not hinge on one alternative or the other. The basis of the plan is to think about what could become available between now and the year 2040.
  • A member noted that the plan is a flat view and does not demonstrate the potential impacts on the neighborhood from the heights and locations of buildings.
  • A member requested that the university look at current spaces for new and more efficient use instead of expanding into the neighborhood.
  • A request was made to reduce traffic and cars coming to campus by public transportation. – Mr. Patrick responded that studies on parking will continue and look at supply and demand as well as policy so that the university can develop comprehensive strategies around parking.
  • One neighbor applauded the initiative to improve connectivity between campuses that would include streetscape and landscape improvements. He appreciated the beneficial impacts the university brings and could bring to the neighborhood through quality public spaces including the library and learning commons and outdoor public space that might not be there otherwise. He suggested that the more public edges be turned into more landscaped edges for the public to soften the edges of the institution. – Mr. Patrick noted that the biggest challenge is connecting the campuses. He added that the opportunity to do this may be to better integrate businesses in these spaces and consciously incorporate opportunities that would benefit both the students and the neighborhood.
  • One member asked if enrollments increased and if the university would consider reducing its students, faculty and staff. – Andrew Soll responded that the population the university serves is increasing but the university does not have a goal for substantial increases in enrollment.
  • One neighbor commented that getting around campus is frustrating. If enrollment increases the quality of life for the neighbors would decrease further. – Mr. Patrick noted that the master vision will look to redistribute students and give thought to how pedestrian traffic is managed.
  • One member asked if the university would consider staggered scheduling. – Mr. Patrick responded that the university will look at scheduling and the analysis completed in this process will provide new information for the redistribution of classes.
  • One neighbor suggested the university look at the path behind the tennis court near the Green House School as a potential walking path for students.
  • Next Steps – Sasaki will continue to have campus meetings and will make recommendations for general planning in June.
DEFERRED ITEMS
  • Raymond Road Traffic Study
  • Dunkin Donuts Window Treatment Meier Hall
  • Off-Campus Parking Update
  • Tobacco Free Campus
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting of the SSUNAC will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.