FARMINGTON – The president of the University of Maine at Farmington presented the Board of Selectmen with an overview of the school’s 20-year master plan Tuesday evening, reviewing recommendations building, street and landscaping changes throughout the campus.
Completed at the end of 2016, the report includes a list of approximately 10.5 years-worth of projects. Recommended by a number of different consultants, the long-range plan includes between $47 million to $69 million of projects designed to be spread out over the next 20 years. Reviewing the ages and conditions of various campus structures, as well as classroom and office size, the report recommends the creation of a number of different quad-style arrangements throughout the campus, centered around specific functions, such as an arts quadrangle and a residential village quadrangle.
The report also recommends razing three structures and building three new ones, as well as altering South Street and Perkins Street, changes which would have to be implemented by the town. The project also calls for expansions and improvements to the Fitness and Recreation Center and Prescott Field.
The plan recommends razing the Brinkman House, constructing a new Fine Arts Center in its place. The UMF Art Gallery would be relocated, as would the Sweatt-Winter Day Care Center. Half of Franklin Hall would also be razed, creating an arts-themed quad between Merrill Hall and the Ricker Addition.
The plan is also recommending that South Street be narrowed, creating additional green space and some parking, and turned into a one-way street that would exit onto High Street. Foster noted that this would create additional traffic on nearby Academy Street, an issue that would have to be addressed if the change were to go forward.
Another road alteration would be to Perkins Street, which sees mostly UMF student and staff traffic. The plan recommends that Perkins be closed from High Street down to Maguire, creating space for a residential quad consisting of the nearby resident halls
Landscape improvements would be made to Mantor Green area, as well as the area between Roberts Learning Center and the Olsen Student Center. These would include trees, walkways and green spaces, as well as hardscape improvements: benches and lights.
Prescott Field would be improved with additional lighting, drainage and possibly other amenities. The Fitness and Recreation Center would be expanded and improved to create additional space.
The university would seek to match the town’s aesthetics in the downtown, Foster said, creating a unified Main Street corridor.
The plan represents a set of recommendations, rather than a hard schedule, and many of the projects would be dependent on fundraising or future bond issues.
Another administration wanting to close South Street. Hasn’t happened yet, probably won’t this time either. Sorry UMF.
The University has changed the face of Main Street in Farmington many times over, most notably perhaps when several houses were torn down or moved to make room for Robert’s Learning Center. There already have been Main Street-High Street connectors that were absorbed and discontinued by the University. Other significant changes occurred on High Street.
I would much prefer, please, if you’d go build your quads, however well intentioned, somewhere else.
Who uses South Street anyway unless it’s after 8:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. During the day and early evening, it’s flooded with student pedestrians. I always use either Academy Street or Maple Ave.
How much is this going to cost us taxpayers as the “town” has to make changes to accommodate UMF yet again?
These various changes seem like a good idea to me. The success of UMF is beneficial to Farmington.
I don’t suppose there’s any chance of taking away some of that green space and putting back the parking lot that used to be next to Mantor Library? There isn’t much point in encouraging use by the community if UMF is going to keep making it harder for us to get there.
How abut instead of renovations, make sure students have full access to their bathrooms and showers (Lockwood, last year, was terrible) and maybe give students a year where there aren’t constant renovations and they can just enjoy the campus? Or, and here’s the craziest thought:
ASK THE STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED/WANT?
Well considering UMF is Farmington’s only attraction and the only thing that brings money to this town I think we should support the proposal. Have you seen how dead the area is during school break? That means no money being spent.
Maineiac–Article proposes South St. be changed to one way not closed.
Excellent point Kathy Emerson, always tough to find a spot without taking a hike.
@rowdy and Ruth… I agree. The university is our lifeblood. @j… I have been around Farmington since the late 50’s. Which connectors are you talking about? It’s funny I don’t remember any.
Okay fine, we though the Town of Farmington better be paid by the college for closure of a town maintained road.
I find it very sad that there is some immediate resistance to change, especially when it involves the employer that drives what little economy downtown Farmington has.
I understand the initial resentment as no one likes a single entity changing the look of an area. However, the reality is that for many small towns all across America, a University is the life blood which means the town officials have to work together with the University. I think UMF does a very good job as a partner to the community.
Lets also look at the changes proposed that have caused the most negative comments here.
1. Making South Street a one way road. This is long overdue. South street is a pedestrian accident waiting to happen. Having parking by the cross walk creates a blind spot for drivers as students step out onto the cross walk from behind cars. It feels like a driver training course where pedestrians pop up suddenly.The move to a one way street (not closed as people have posted) is a good safety measure.
2. The loss of parking is really not an issue in Farmington. We are not a city and all parking here is free. Of course, for handicapped people, having to walk a good distance is a problem that should be addressed.
Rather than fighting the changes, get involved and attend town meetings. Usually, universities make concessions to the town and well run towns, with good citizen participation, work together with a large employer to help everyone get what they need.
We will never see large scale manufacturing jobs in this region again because of a variety of factors. So, work with what you have and make a positive change .
The theme of society now is upgrade, change, build, and the elderly, or people who can no longer adjust their income for whatever reasons….tough, pay or leave.
@billyjoebob – where, in the article or in the plan, does it say it will be funded by “the elderly, or people who can no longer adjust their income for whatever reasons?” Almost all of the changes take place on university property and the school will be paying for all of them, those on its property and off it.