Part 5: Final Recommendation - SUNY Cobleskill

5
FINAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUNY Cobleskill Facilities Master Plan – Phase 5 Report
November 2011
Approach to Library, Collaboration, and Food Service
While the final FMP does not recommend an addition to the Library, it
does provide more space for the Library by relocating C.A.S.E. and the
Writing Center from the lower floor of Van Wagenen to Alumni Hall. The
FMP envisions the library as a knowledge and media resource as well as a
social hub (secondary to the Student & Community Center). Libraries are
changing and evolving into multi-media environments, with an increasing
focus on digital resources as opposed to print resources. Renovations to
the Van Wagenen Library at SUNY Cobleskill are proposed for the second
half of this planning cycle. Program and pedagogical change will be
initiated as part of a future renovation. In addition to a renovation of the
building, the final FMP proposes to upgrade the landscape and plaza
area in the immediate vicinity of the Library.
The primary dining facilities on the campus are currently located in
Champlin Hall and Prentice Hall. While the College provided positive
feedback on existing campus Food Service, the FMP relocates one of the
large dining facilities and provides a new “food court,” style dining hall
in the Student & Community Center. In addition, three satellite cafes are
provided across the campus—in Warner-Holmes, Van Wagenen Library,
and the new Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources [CANR]. Other
campus zones, such as the Upper Quad, will be provided with vending
machines and lounge seating.
To address campus Food Service, the final FMP recommends:
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Demolishing Champlin Hall and providing a new food courtstyle
dining hall (275 seats) in the Student & Community Center
Locating the main dining hall (400 seats) in Prentice Hall with
“all-you-care-to-eat” service
Providing a new intimate dining room (75 seats) in Prentice Hall
with higher-quality finishes that is also the American Heritage
dining room / class lab
Maintain the commissary in Prentice Hall
Relocate the main CAS offices to Prentice Hall
Collaboration space is notably lacking on the SUNY Cobleskill campus.
This type of space includes areas for informal study and conversation that
are more dynamic than typical study rooms. They may accommodate
a range of collaborative learning, from casual to semi-formal, and are
sometimes supported by technology. The FMP proposes to add a significant
number of Collaboration hubs throughout the campus, particularly in
academic buildings and the Student & Community Center.
Approach to Campus Entry Sequence
The sequence of entry from Route 7 is an important consideration not
only for functionality but also for the visual impression created by the
campus. Currently the campus turns its “back side” to Route 7, with the
“front door” of Knapp Hall facing the interior of the campus. The final
FMP addresses the challenge of the entry sequence and presence of the
campus along Route 7 in several ways:
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The Student & Community Center faces Route 7 and is accessible
from the highway, creating a prominent “front door” to the
campus
A new traffic roundabout with landscaping and collegiate signage
is proposed at the main campus entrance
A tree buffer is provided along Route 7, creating an attractive
entry sequence, shielding the campus from the highway and
drawing attention to the new Student & Community Center
Approach to Albany Avenue
Albany Avenue is the loop road that encircles the east side of the campus.
The FMP proposes several changes to Albany Avenue to improve vehicular
access and pedestrian safety:
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Reconstruct paving and curbs
Repair parking surfaces along Albany Avenue
Reconfigure portions of the road to provide cul-de-sacs at the
new Student & Community Center and Prentice Hall
Approach to Parking
As mentioned previously, the campus does not have a critical need for
additional parking spaces. There is, however, a need to upgrade or
repair the surface of several lots and to relocate some parking spaces for
better functionality. The FMP proposes minor changes to campus parking,
including:
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Relocate the lot adjacent to the Arena Center to make room for
the new covered Arena
Provide a new parking lot across the road from the Arena Center
to accommodate trailers and RVs during events
Expand the F-Lot with additional parking spaces
Repair and upgrade existing parking lots campus-wide including
lighting, curbs, paving, drainage, and signage
Capital Funding
Over the course of the FMP process, recommendations that further the
mission and vision of the College have been the focus. The proposed
initiatives are allocated to three timeframes, the five-year periods of 2013-
2018, 2018-2023, and 2023-2029. The distribution of projects between
these timeframes is based on campus input, phasing sequences, and
estimated project timelines. Costs are assigned to each funding cycle:
Funding Cycles Project Cost Escalated Cost
2013-2018 $63,091,155 $110,209,489
2018-2023 $88,347,249 $185,517,150
2023-2029 $5,666,500 $14,303,636
Total $157,104,904 $310,030,275
Lead-in initiatives, which have already commenced or are projected to
begin prior to 2013, are included in the project phasing but will not
impact plans for new capital funding. These initiatives include:
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Wheeler Hall Addition and Renovation
2011 Facilities Master Plan [FMP]
Campus-wide Academic Study
Knapp Plaza
Center for Agriculture & Natural Sciences [CANR]
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