Update on the campus master plan

[upstater]

I remember I was considered lucky because my 12" B&W TV could pick up channel 8 when patched into the dorm antenna. And at night, I kinda-sorta could get 5 out of Boston.

No one had a TV set on my floor at PSU. I remember us scrambling to watch a World Series game in 1986 because the TV in the lounge on the first floor had hundreds of people around it. It's funny, I grew up watching a lot of TV, but by the mid-1980s, almost no one my age was watching it.

 

[RMoore1999]

The campus probably bottomed out in 1994. The construction boom started the following year with the new chemistry building, updates to Towers and the new student gym in the Field House. Students graduating in the late 80's through about 1995 really got the worst of it in terms of decaying infrastructure and outdated facilities.

True enough, but being there for the Dream Season and the birth of college basketball's greatest dynasty in the modern era was a worthy trade off...

 

[UCFBfan]

Wait another 4-5 years. I graduated in '99. Marriage and a child later, college seems like eons ago.

Oh I just celebrated my 3 year wedding anniversary on Wed and have a 20+ month old and another daughter on the way in July. I feel like college was a distant memory!

 

[NHUConnfan]

Since 2010? You guys were spoiled.

If I hadn’t been to campus several times in the last few years, I would get lost trying to figure things out since I graduated in the mid 90’s. The was a building boom in Storrs in the 70’s because of the surge in enrollment due to the baby boomers; but, little was added from the 80’s through the mid 90’s. I think only Gampel, Sherman Field, the Dodd archive center, and Babbridge Library (and then rebuilt several times) was built during that 15 year period. Alumni and McMahon were considered the nicest dorm complexes (Hilltop was nice, too, lots of singles; but, it was a hike, especially in the winter). Old South was knocked down and was still an empty field when I left. My favorite was the student weight room when I was in Storrs. It was a smelly cage under an old section of bleachers in Greer Fieldhouse.

Well. I was a music student. And I haven't been back to Storrs since construction started on the center. I would imagine I wouldn't recognize the area very well since that's where I spent the vast majority of my time.

 

[UCFBfan]

Well. I was a music student. And I haven't been back to Storrs since construction started on the center. I would imagine I wouldn't recognize the area very well since that's where I spent the vast majority of my time.

You would be shocked! I lived in Buckley for two years and was in the UCMB so I too, spent most of my time across the street from the music building. There is nothing that you would have remembered there anymore. Store 24....gone! The whole plaza with Blimpies and all that....gone! It's amazing really.

 

[dbmill]

It seems to me Storrs and UConn has always been in a state of constant change. My last year at UConn was 1985, but over the years I have always been in the habit of returning to campus to attend concerts and games, and visiting the odd friend while they were still there. I've been watching the campus reshape itself ever since. One of my favorite places on campus was the old movie house across the street from EO Smith. For a few years they a had very eclectic movie schedule, similar to Cinestudio at Trinity College. They presented a great assortment of foreign, silent, cult, and classic films, absolutely wonderful stuff that I just ate up. I always wish that I had spent more time there, but money, time, and studies had a habit of getting in the way. It closed down a year or two after my last semester at UConn, and it is something that I have always missed about the place ever since.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

It seems to me Storrs and UConn has always been in a state of constant change. My last year at UConn was 1985, but over the years I have always been in the habit of returning to campus to attend concerts and games, and visiting the odd friend while they were still there. I've been watching the campus reshape itself ever since. One of my favorite places on campus was the old movie house across the street from EO Smith. For a few years they a had very eclectic movie schedule, similar to Cinestudio at Trinity College. They presented a great assortment of foreign, silent, cult, and classic films, absolutely wonderful stuff that I just ate up. I always wish that I had spent more time there, but money, time, and studies had a habit of getting in the way. It closed down a year or two after my last semester at UConn, and it is something that I have always missed about the place ever since.

I remember getting stoned and watching Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with some friends in that place. It turned me on to classical music, which I still enjoy today.

 

[dbmill]

I remember getting stoned and watching Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with some friends in that place. It turned me on to classical music, which I still enjoy today.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is one of the segments of Fantasia. I saw it there as well. Yes, I can imagine it would play very well for a stoned college crowd.

 

[junglehusky]

This is funny.

It's us. College is luxurious because ... parents have changed and now go way beyond giving Johnny & Jenny everything ... EVERYTHING ... they desire. We can see, in new student residence, a level of opulence (Every kid gets their own bathroom?) with big screen TVs, Stacked Washer/Dryers, Granite all over and plush patios with high end Grills. Parents stop having 3-6 kids and putting 2 in every bedroom; hence, we had to give EACH kid everything. Everyone gets a Trophy. They all have a nice car. etc.

I listen to the complaints of College going up. Damn right ... I lived in some staid Spartan conditions. I don't see my daughter having the same next year.

Good post, although the names Johnny and Jenny were in college in the 80's, I think. Now it's Jacob and Emily, and when today's babies are in college 20 years from now it'll be Mason and Sophia.

 

[Drew]

Here is the approval of the Hillside Road Extension project: http://www.envpolicy.uconn.edu/UConn_NHR_ROD_with Appendix.pdf

Also does anyone have the link that was posted about widening 195 to two lanes on each side? I vaguely remember someone posting a document that had outlined this as a possibility but I can't seem to find it anywhere

 

[CL82]

As a Freshman, half our classes where there. Too big, bad acoustics...but the worst was crossing the mud-pit between them and the old Co-op. It would suck boots and shoes right off of people's feet. At least they fixed that.

Campus is already so much nicer than it was in my time. I hope they keep some character though, and don't make it too sterile.

I lived in South so Arjona and Montieth were easy to get to. I didn't mind having classes there as a freshman.

For what it is worth, among the many things being talked about, one is unifying the architecture. IMO this is an often forgotten or ignored element of master plans. If your design is pursuant to a single concept there really is a better sense of identity and cohesiveness. You'll still have your odd pieces, like the School of Business, but overall things will look much better. Of course writing a Master Plan is one thing. Sticking to it is quite another.

 

[hardcorehusky]

When I went to UCONN - drinking age was 18. No alcohol restrictions whatsoever. Fundraising options included watching Deepthroat at the Life Science Building. Best damn lesson I got in that building!!!

 

[RioDog]

When I went to UCONN - drinking age was 18. No alcohol restrictions whatsoever. Fundraising options included watching Deepthroat at the Life Science Building. Best damn lesson I got in that building!!!

Kinda puts a different spin on your handle...

 

[Alum86]

AS 55?

Remember that room. Had so many gut courses there. Thank goodness for those or I'd still be there

 

[Drew]

Also what's happening with the hockey arena? Last I heard they wanted to put it at Mansfield Appts but the town of Mansfield opposed because of a reservoir nearby or something?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Also what's happening with the hockey arena? Last I heard they wanted to put it at Mansfield Appts but the town of Mansfield opposed because of a reservoir nearby or something?

Still up in the air as of March. Town of Mansfield is opposed to building it at the intersection of Rte 195 and S Eagleville Rd where the Mansfield Apartments currently reside. No surprise there.

http://dailycampus.com/location-new-uconn-hockey-arena-still-question/

This is good reading with respect to Mansfield's thoughts on UConn's master plan.

http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1904/5335/1912/20150126_packet.pdf

Bet on Mansfield politicians banning together with Hartford politicians to keep UConn hockey at the XL in Hartford? It happened before when UConn's 50K football stadium was supposed to be build between the Jungle/North Campus and US 44.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

After reading the minutes I'm convinced that we are dealing with Hooterville. Sam Drucker uses his time to ask the mayor to demand an apology from the town manager and wish Mrs Wassmund a happy birthday and Fred Ziffel points out that being a parent requires sacrifices. he only one missing was Haney with his truck, as I am confident someone in Mansfield owns a pig that is far more intelligent than of them.

 

[Fishy]

Ironically, Mansfield's call for the University to "look forward, not backwards" is actually Mansfield asking the University to stand completely still. Moving the hockey rink is the least of it.

It's a ridiculous group of people.

 

[Bezzz]

I'm an architect, and I've delt with local P&Z commissions for decades. Once had a large hyper cool sports complex w/ indoor softball up before a P&Z hearing. We argued that we needed relief from a height restriction for the softball field. I cited a college thesis from a local well respected liberal arts college that detailed the flight of a batted ball. The commissioner actually asked me what grade did the thesis writer get. Yeah, local yocals.

 

[Drew]

Still up in the air as of March. Town of Mansfield is opposed to building it at the intersection of Rte 195 and S Eagleville Rd where the Mansfield Apartments currently reside. No surprise there.

http://dailycampus.com/location-new-uconn-hockey-arena-still-question/

This is good reading with respect to Mansfield's thoughts on UConn's master plan.

http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1904/5335/1912/20150126_packet.pdf

Bet on Mansfield politicians banning together with Hartford politicians to keep UConn hockey at the XL in Hartford? It happened before when UConn's 50K football stadium was supposed to be build between the Jungle/North Campus and US 44.

After reading the minutes attached I can officially conclude that the people on this board are full of . They address concerns over traffic and then state they don't support the paving of new entry ways into campus. Also I know nothing about this so I might be wrong but what exactly does said moss sanctuary provide for the area? And why can't the area by horsebarn hill be pursued for development? It seems like the university has come up with some pretty good ideas and then when they suggest solutions to the "problems" the committee brings up they get immediately shot down

 

[Drumguy]

I remember getting stoned and watching Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with some friends in that place. It turned me on to classical music, which I still enjoy today.

Me too. Was an amazing movie to watch altered, and the only one I remember from college.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

After reading the minutes attached I can officially conclude that the people on this board are full of . They address concerns over traffic and then state they don't support the paving of new entry ways into campus. Also I know nothing about this so I might be wrong but what exactly does said moss sanctuary provide for the area? And why can't the area by horsebarn hill be pursued for development? It seems like the university has come up with some pretty good ideas and then when they suggest solutions to the "problems" the committee brings up they get immediately shot down

Is the same town in the '90's when I was there that complained that UConn students were walking down the N Eagleville Rd all night long between campus and Celeron and Carriage House and yet refused to allow UConn to put in sidewalks saying that the alterative path that ran behind the sewage treatment path, which was widely know as the 'Rape Trail" was suitable. I know the sidewalk finally went in; but, I think it was another decade after I left before that happened.

Any chance CT can carve out 'Storrs' from Mansfield and make it its own town/administrative area? I believe that Penn State is entirely inside of 'University Park' PA and not in State College PA. Some public oversight is needed with respect to campus expansion, such as traffic mitigation and water management; but, trying to get UConn to 'build more farms' for the land that has been taken away is almost hilarious.

 

[uconnbill]

Typical short term thinking by those in Mansfield who still think it is the 1950's instead of 2010's. People who think they are more important than they truly are.

 

[jdb50]

Some of the local opposition was siting increased traffic as a point to oppose the new hockey arena at 275 and 195. So a 5000 seat arena was a problem but a 10267 seat arena for men's and women's hoop games presents no traffic problems? These smart Nimby's have no clothes and need to be ignored. Mansfield is a big town and the vast majority of it is seeing no change outside of the continual march of housing construction that goes on everywhere.

 

[Fishy]

Some of the local opposition was siting increased traffic as a point to oppose the new hockey arena at 275 and 195. So a 5000 seat arena was a problem but a 10267 seat arena for men's and women's hoop games presents no traffic problems? These smart Nimby's have no clothes and need to be ignored. Mansfield is a big town and the vast majority of it is seeing no change outside of the continual march of housing construction that goes on everywhere.

As I said, the hockey building is really the least of it - Mansfield prefers that it be located closed to the middle of campus instead to the Mansfield Apartment site. I think it's actually better for local businesses if it's on South Eagleville instead of I-Lot, but the Mansfield group has never really been consistent with their complaints.

 

[Stainmaster]

Typical short term thinking by those in Mansfield who still think it is the 1950's instead of 2010's. People who think they are more important than they truly are.

Exactly. UCPD should just evict all residents, set up a work camp for them somewhere in the Housatonic Valley, then raze the entire town.

 

[auggie22]

Exactly. UCPD should just evict all residents, set up a work camp for them somewhere in the Housatonic Valley, then raze the entire town.

Or the state could just enable Storrs as its own municipality so the university could ignore the crazy complaints and wishes of the active fringe, as the posters above seem to be advocating.

 

[SubbaBub]

As I said, the hockey building is really the least of it - Mansfield prefers that it be located closed to the middle of campus instead to the Mansfield Apartment site. I think it's actually better for local businesses if it's on South Eagleville instead of I-Lot, but the Mansfield group has never really been consistent with their complaints.

I read that comment. It is 100% the worst possible thing they could do. You don't take a land use that draws mostly vehicular traffic and put it in the center of a pedestrian based campus any more than you would park your own car in your living room.

Certainly not at UConn which has had a number of pedestrian fatalities over the years. What they should be doing is relocating the North and South garages to the outskirts of Campus and closing N. Eagleville to through traffic between Hillside and the chemistry building.

These crackpots from Mansfield haven't a clue as to what's best for them. It was doubly funny to hear the complaints about UConn reducing it's community funding programs. Wonder why that happened?

 

[pepband99]

After reading the minutes attached I can officially conclude that the people on this board are full of . They address concerns over traffic and then state they don't support the paving of new entry ways into campus. Also I know nothing about this so I might be wrong but what exactly does said moss sanctuary provide for the area? And why can't the area by horsebarn hill be pursued for development? It seems like the university has come up with some pretty good ideas and then when they suggest solutions to the "problems" the committee brings up they get immediately shot down

The moss sanctuary is :

1) university-owned (!)
2) named for a professor Moss, not for the plant

http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1904/5357/moss_sanctuary.pdf

The people's republic of mansfield is just really really special.

 

[Stainmaster]

Or the state could just enable Storrs as its own municipality so the university could ignore the crazy complaints and wishes of the active fringe, as the posters above seem to be advocating.

News flash: the university can and will build the hockey arena on the intended site. Any opposition by municipal government is purely symbolic. This is just an exercise in whipping up a frenzy of hatred. And hey, whatever helps you guys cope.

The comparison to University Park, PA is deeply flawed. No private residents live in University Park, whereas in Storrs, people live on privately held land. Not all land in Storrs is owned by the university. If you doubt this, PM me and I'll show you the deed of the house I'm sitting in.

If you actually followed town politics, the hillbillies are not the "active fringe", but I can see none of you actually care to have that explained. Just be lucky that the university isn't located in Willington, Ashford, or Chaplin.