MSU Tomorrow Plan Delayed

By Alison Grey, 1-15-08

We’ll all have to wait just a little bit longer for the unveiling of the MSU Tomorrow Plan. While the Plan, the guiding vision for the physical development of the campus for the next 25 to 75 years, was originally scheduled to be published by the end of this month, it’s running a bit behind schedule in the drafting process.

“Production is a little behind,” said Victoria Drummond, MSU Facilities Services-Planning Design and Construction associate planner. “It will most likely be closer to March.”

Sounds like most major projects, eh? Still, when considering this Plan was actually created upon the principle to avoid the rushed, short-term decisions that could potentially have detrimental long-term impacts on campus growth in the future, waiting a couple months to iron out the details and make certain it is both workable and viable is in line with one of the Plan’s main goals: slow down, think it out and make educated, well-planned decisions.

Drummond views the Plan as the accumulation of a tremendous amount of campus and community collaboration to create what she views as one of the most unique, creative and inspiring campus master plans in the country.

“The entire Rocky Mountain region, has witnessed a huge increase in expansion, with all kinds of booms and busts that have impacts on our historical and natural resources, and over time you can see the residue of those booms and busts on the landscape,” said Drummond. “We’re looking at these trends, and trying to grow our campus in a smart way.”

Like the rest of the region, MSU has been discovered, bringing with it a wave of new people, and new opportunities, for growth potential, said Drummond.

It’s this principle of looking ahead to preserve what we have, while growing in a smart direction towards the future, that the Plan is based on. Once something is built, its there for good, she said.

With approximately 950 acres of land, spanning from urban to rural, agricultural property, and only one-third of that structurally developed, there is plenty of room for the campus to grow.

“MSU is fortunate in that it’s not hindered by a lack of land,” she said. “We do have land to let the campus grow. That’s nice, but how do we best use that land?”

A main goal of the plan is to protect and preserve the agricultural land that is so integral to MSU, while accommodating the influx of new people, new homes and facilities, as well as improvements on existing structures, and making sure they are all in the best interests of both the community and preserving the history and character of the campus.

And, even if ‘tomorrow’ is a few decades down the road, Drummond believes this plan, intentionally drafted to be both broad and flexible, with an opportunity to review, revisit and take action on changes or alterations every five years, will act as a guiding light to keep tabs on all new growth.

Allowing the plan to evolve in the future, as things change and unforeseeable opportunities arise, is one of the elements that makes it unique, said Drummond.

“It’s really a living and very much dynamic plan,” she said. “Every five years, it is up for review and that is when we can revisit and take action on making the appropriate changes.”

It’s no secret, but here’s a sneak preview, which very broadly highlights what Drummond views as the most critical aspects of the plan:

Density: Where to build, how to build and where not to build. The Plan will outline appropriate building sites that preserve green way corridors and gathering places for students; create a cohesive landscape design that binds the entire campus; outline an overall architectural plan, both visually and structurally that pays tribute to the overall historical feel of the campus.

Agriculture: As a Land Grant Institution, the Plan is placing a priority on keeping MSU’s connection to agriculture, promoting and preserving the open space we currently have and respecting the agricultural and research endeavors that have historically defined the University.

Community: The plan outlines ideas to create a sense of community within the campus: having entry ways, signs and landscaping that make it evident you are on campus grounds; tying the entire campus together through landscape, architecture and open space; emphasizing livability for both students and community members.