"Porter Healthcare System has scheduled a news conference Monday to announce it will sell its downtown Valparaiso hospital to Valparaiso University, according to an announcement from the hospital.
The conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the hospital parking garage, and Porter CEO Jonathan Nalli, Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler and Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas are scheduled to speak to the media."
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/article_13682b01-fe41-55aa-b928-08fc8d3f0678.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/article_13682b01-fe41-55aa-b928-08fc8d3f0678.html)
Very good. This has seemed like a known plan around campus, but nice to hear that it's being made public, and is official.
I wonder what they're paying? And, if they'll use any of the structure, for a while, or longer?
I suppose they'll tear it down sooner or later. But, you wonder if it could perhaps benefit the nursing program. And, I suppose there's nothing wrong with the parking garage. A little far afield for now, but it could be the second on campus.
I think it is a logical site for a new fieldhouse! Let's hope so for the benefit of baseball, softball and othe spring sports! I know its high on Mark LaBarbera's agenda.
That would be great! Taking groundballs on the upper gym floors never really benefits you too much, as you can't get a good read that way lol.
the press conference is gonna be in the parking garage? really? why?
Quote from: vuweathernerd on September 09, 2011, 05:36:09 PM
the press conference is gonna be in the parking garage? really? why?
This will answer the question:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/7559249-537/old-porter-hospital-sale-to-vu-to-be-announced.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/7559249-537/old-porter-hospital-sale-to-vu-to-be-announced.html)
this stinks that they have to buy it and then pay to tear it down and clean it all up.
Quotethis stinks that they have to buy it and then pay to tear it down and clean it all up.
Is that the plan? It seems like it would cost a fortune to tear down a building that size plus any medical waste that was there.
Not sure where the tear it down and clean up the mess came from. My understanding from a few sources is that certainly any cleanup will be handled by the seller. As for the tear down it is certainly possible that we would want to oversee this process to insure "green" procedures as that is part of our mission going forward. It also could involve reuse of certain items to save costs. As an offset, remember that this building will be loaded with copper and have quite a value. Who knows...
I wonder what else will be talked about? Can't wait for monday!
They will be talking about our upset win over YSU. ;D
Quote from: vu72 on September 10, 2011, 11:35:08 AM
Not sure where the tear it down and clean up the mess came from. My understanding from a few sources is that certainly any cleanup will be handled by the seller. As for the tear down it is certainly possible that we would want to oversee this process to insure "green" procedures as that is part of our mission going forward. It also could involve reuse of certain items to save costs. As an offset, remember that this building will be loaded with copper and have quite a value. Who knows...
I hope you are right about the seller tearing it down and cleaning it up, but I think my source has it right (in the end it really doesn't matter). Regardless, Valpo needs the room to expand and we are getting a parking garage out of the deal!
VU gets a parking garage? I'm out of the loop on this one. Are you saying we will get the old parking structure near the hospital? Is that the one on LaPorte (or is it Lincolnway?) No offense to VU, but -- why in the world would we want a parking garage that is, (1) old, (2) way far from campus, and (3) as unattractive a parking garage as you can find?
Paul
the parking garage should be in the deal. I think they are also getting the old 3D building and parking lot on the other side of lincolnway, all will be revealed tomorrow I suppose.
If they do get the old 3D building, which is nothing if not the very definition of an eyesore, I hope they do something with that property -- and fast. Paul
That parking garage isn't that bad.....certainly not as good looking as the one by the residence halls, but it could still be useful. I am very excited to hear what comes out of is deal.
Is there anything being said about the possibility of a teaching hospital/med school?
Two excerpts from the note that just went out to the VU community, below. More details in the press conference, presumably.
The President talks about the sale of
Quote
the hospital and its surrounding properties
So, it's probably fairly inclusive of the various structures.
And,
Quote
Porter Hospital will be demolished and the land will be environmentally remediated as part of the purchase agreement, although some of the Hospital's property assets, such as the parking garage, may be retained once a full review of the land and property has been conducted. The official land purchase is expected to be completed sometime in 2013, when the new Porter Hospital is officially opened and remediation is completed.
Which isn't completely clear. But, it does sound like most of the structures will go, but that e.g. the parking garage might stay. And, it makes it sound like the demolition and environmental remediation are part of the purchase agreement - so were presumably a negotiated part of the package.
But, surely the media will ask about those sorts of things.
As I thought and heard, we aren't taking any environmental risks. It is a big piece of dirt contiguous to the campus. We could use it for many things like coaches offices/new training facilities, a fieldhouse, maybe even a new baseball field. The article in The Times said the site is 250,000 sq. feet. That's almost 6 acres. Lots of options and you certainly wouldn't want it to go to someone you couldn't control. BTW, the address is 814 LaPorte Avenue. And it seems funny to me that they call it "the downtown location". Nothing downtown about it as I recall!
Quote from: vu72 on September 12, 2011, 09:50:06 AM
BTW, the address is 814 LaPorte Avenue. And it seems funny to me that they call it "the downtown location". Nothing downtown about it as I recall!
I like the direction of their thinking, at least. Looking quickly E/W, where would we draw the lines for the current "downtown"? If we draw the western boundary at Campbell, I guess we wouldn't want to go east of... Valparaiso St? Locust? Morgan? (Is Front Porch "downtown"?)
So, yeah, Porter's currently 3-4 blocks east of what I'd currently call downtown. But, there is something of a contiguous business district. And, I'd love for the continued development of the area north of the university (even the commercial development seems to be spurred in no small part by the university?) to give that neighborhood more of a "downtown" feel.
Here's the Post-Trib story on the acquisition. didn't realize it is that big of a site. This will make the campus one of the bigger ones for a school of our size.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/porter/7616755-418/vu-may-grow-athletics-student-body-size-with-purchase-of-old-hospital.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/porter/7616755-418/vu-may-grow-athletics-student-body-size-with-purchase-of-old-hospital.html)
More info from The Times:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/article_39d9b361-2b2c-51f5-98d6-7ef47081a8c5.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/article_39d9b361-2b2c-51f5-98d6-7ef47081a8c5.html)
Quote
didn't realize it is that big of a site. This will make the campus one of the bigger ones for a school of our size.
The new space definitely opens up possibilities, but it's not _that_ big of an addition, right? A few percent?
Apparently any agreement relating to the environmental remediation, as for the dollars exchanged, etc. isn't going to be disclosed. Not too surprising, I guess.
Quote from: agibson on September 12, 2011, 03:19:05 PM
Quote
didn't realize it is that big of a site. This will make the campus one of the bigger ones for a school of our size.
The new space definitely opens up possibilities, but it's not _that_ big of an addition, right? A few percent?
Apparently any agreement relating to the environmental remediation, as for the dollars exchanged, etc. isn't going to be disclosed. Not too surprising, I guess.
The Valpo website currently says the campus is 320 acres. The added 13 will be 4% of the total. It's the contiguous nature that makes it special. It's not a bunch of little sites but one pretty big one.
Actually, I think our campus size will decrease over time since Eastgate is clearly going to be gone within the time frame envisioned by the Master Plan spoken of by President Heckler. Eastgate, which I suppose you could say was a decent idea back in 1970, is a bad idea now since it isolates the soccer and baseball programs and involves a safety issue, too, since to get there, most students walk across a road that is way more busy now than it was back in 1970. I believe President Heckler mentioned in his last radio Q and A session that they were looking at the possibility of doing away with Eastgate.
I remember attending VU baseball games held on campus in the 1960s and they were very well attended events. I'd like to see baseball return to the main campus. The more activity on the main campus, the better. The administration is clearly trying to adopt an old part of the 1986 master plan and put together an "athletics district" of campus extending from the softball field all the way to the old hospital site.
It sounds like the administration wants to make a fieldhouse a reality. I sure hope so -- the three things we need are a new dorm (or two), a new science building to replace Neils, and a fieldhouse. However, President Heckler may have given a clue as to when we can expect a new athletic facility since he said that the "final vision" of the master plan would use the new space for athletics and wellness. The master plan encompasses a 20-year time period, so I wouldn't count on a new athletics facility in the short term. Sounds like LeBien is coming down also. Not sure where they would put a new nursing building, although the old campus master plan had it right in the heart of campus.
Paul
President Heckler is actually down here this Friday in Dallas to speak about the Master Plan. I look forward to hearing from him personally, though I am not sure how many VU alumni are down here. I will be just as interested to find that out as in hearing from him.
Quote from: 78crusader on September 12, 2011, 04:08:43 PM
Actually, I think our campus size will decrease over time since Eastgate is clearly going to be gone within the time frame envisioned by the Master Plan spoken of by President Heckler. Eastgate, which I suppose you could say was a decent idea back in 1970, is a bad idea now since it isolates the soccer and baseball programs and involves a safety issue, too, since to get there, most students walk across a road that is way more busy now than it was back in 1970. I believe President Heckler mentioned in his last radio Q and A session that they were looking at the possibility of doing away with Eastgate.
Just because the university plans to move the athletic facilities together in the area near Brown Field does not mean they plan to sell the land at Eastgate. To the contrary the university recently added land, some land adjacent to the property that it already owned at Eastgate, and will keep it for further building in the future. Why would any university shrink it's campus size? What evidence do you have that Valpo is selling Eastgate?
I wonder how many more years it will take to finally acquire all the house sites on McIntire (sp?) as tearing down those houses has always been part of the athletic reunification project in my understanding. I know some of the houses are gone. Any ideas or status?
A video of the press conference:
http://valpo.edu/stories/porterhospital.php (http://valpo.edu/stories/porterhospital.php)
Went to the speech by President Heckler in Dallas tonight. Very well spoken guy, and was easy to speak with. A lot of interesting questions were asked, and he was very straight in answering to the best of his knowledge. I asked about Eastgate moving on campus, and he said it was definitely in the strategic plan, just a matter of when. He also mentioned that the Porter Hospital acquisition would help towards that goal.
Quote from: valpotx on September 17, 2011, 01:40:07 AM
Went to the speech by President Heckler in Dallas tonight. Very well spoken guy, and was easy to speak with. A lot of interesting questions were asked, and he was very straight in answering to the best of his knowledge. I asked about Eastgate moving on campus, and he said it was definitely in the strategic plan, just a matter of when. He also mentioned that the Porter Hospital acquisition would help towards that goal.
How well attended was the event? Also, were there any drawings? Any discussion of new facilities in the works or the timing of the Chapel renovations? Thanks!
The timing of the Chapel renovations has been discussed around campus. I might have some notes somewhere, but not handy. First the windows: hopefully all finished this summer (weddings were canceled). I think they'll take a bit longer to think through the addition. I don't remember if that was penciled in for the summer of 2013, or if it's potentially further off.
So, if someday they relocate intramurals, baseball, and women's soccer to the Porter site - I wonder what they'll do with Eastgate?
The challenges: distance, and lack of good pedestrian access, would seem possibly _more_ challenging for any other use of the land.
It seems like it should at least be possible to fix the pedestrian access. Would a crosswalk, or a stoplight or two, be enough? I suppose an overpass might be an option, and if it's closed in winter might not be prohibitively expensive.
I doubt that a stop light would ever go in there. 1 it would be too close to the light at 30 and 2 we here in Valpo are moving away from stop lights and stop signs and into the roundabouts.
I will be shocked if they make the porter property into anything sports related. Thats just my 2 cents, which is probably all it's worth anyways.
There were probably only about 40-45 people there, but from what I am told, we only have around 150 VU alumni in DFW. He was in Houston the night before, and I assume the numbers were very similar there. No drawings, but they did give everyone some basic Valpo stuff: car decals, pens, etc.
He didn't get too detailed on construction that will start soon. One guy in our session asked about what presence greek life will have in the future, and the response was that they want to create a Greek village where all fraternities will have their houses, and sororities will be given the option as well. He was saying that he does not like the conditions of the frats that have those big dorm structures, and this would help with that transition to use that land for something else. President Heckler did mention that he would also like to eventually knock out a portion of the ARC to expand the capabilities of the arena. What that means exactly, I don't know. He did seem pretty serious in saying that he wanted to move Eastgate on campus in this Master Plan, but when in that 20-30 year period it happens is anyone's best guess.
Other things discussed on the construction front were renovating dorms (Berg, Brandt, etc), more to be done with the entrance to the university, some renovations with west campus, and the chapel restoration. He mentioned the windows portion as being first, and that a couple had donated $15 million to the overall restoration...pretty impressive.
Outside of construction, the Master Plan seems to place an emphasis on getting a lot more students from outside the Midwest to Valpo. We all know that we are trying to go from 4,000 to 6,000 students. As part of that, he wants to grow from 300 international students to 1,000. With the economy the way it is, and the emerging powers out there, they see the US schools having to compete more and more with schools in China, India, etc. Also, with only 1 midwestern state forecasted to grow in the next decade, he wants more students from the South (Texas in particular because of our massive growth in population over the last 10 years, and projected growth). Demographically, they see VU as needing to appeal more to minorities, especially the Latino population. He projects that 25% of VU students will need to be of this background in order to sustain the university versus the population.
Overall, it was very informative, and I appreciated his time!
What's next for the old building?
August 25, 2012 11:54PM
Updated: August 26, 2012 2:05AM
Porter Health Care System is responsible for razing the old hospital, a fixture at 814 LaPorte Ave., for 73 years, before the 13-acre site is transferred to Valparaiso University.
But first, sometime in the next four weeks, the hospital will hold an auction at its old home, open first to its associates and then to the public, to sell off office furniture, wall art, kitchen equipment and other goods, Jonathan Nalli, the health system's chief executive officer, said Saturday.
Anything left over will be given to a select group of area not-for-profit agencies at no cost.
Almost 80 percent of the equipment at Porter Regional Hospital, at 85 E. U.S. 6 in Liberty Township, is new, and anything less than 2 years old in the former hospital was transferred to the new one.
The demolition does not have a date set, Nalli said. The land, along LaPorte Avenue, Lincolnway, Monroe Street and Garfield Street, will be turned over to the university shovel-ready for its plans.
Full details on VU's plans for the land should be announced in mid-September, a university spokeswoman said Friday.
Last September, Nalli, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler announced the hospital property would be transferred to the university after it moved to its new location.
Heckler said last year that VU would use the additional acreage for athletics, sports and recreation, health and wellness.
Officials have not publicly disclosed the dollar amount of the venture or other terms of the agreement.
Quote from: wh on August 27, 2012, 11:35:23 AM
What's next for the old building?
August 25, 2012 11:54PM
Updated: August 26, 2012 2:05AM
Full details on VU's plans for the land should be announced in mid-September, a university spokeswoman said Friday.
Heckler said last year that VU would use the additional acreage for athletics, sports and recreation, health and wellness.
Thanks for the update WH -- I'm really interested in the level of detail that will come out in mid-September. I'm hoping for at least a conceptual site plan.
As I mentioned last week in the "Campus Projects" thread, the campus master plan is scheduled to be released September 20.
Are we talking a graphics-based plan or a text-based plan or a combination of the two, ValpoPal? A site diagram with proposed locations and sizes of fields and facilities would be much more imaginable than just a written plan (for me at least) and a diagram supported by explanatory text would be the best. I suppose it'll be too much to ask for architect renderings too. ;)
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 27, 2012, 01:01:32 PM
Are we talking a graphics-based plan or a text-based plan or a combination of the two, ValpoPal? A site diagram with proposed locations and sizes of fields and facilities would be much more imaginable than just a written plan (for me at least) and a diagram supported by explanatory text would be the best. I suppose it'll be too much to ask for architect renderings too. ;)
At this stage, the plan has both text and graphics. It is somewhat specific in parts but generalized in others since it presents a proposal of physical expansions and expected transitions on the campus not just for the next few years but for the next 20 years.
:thumbsup:
I hope the plan has something in the near term for the area from where Huegli used to be, heading west to the west edge of the parking lot south of the softball field. Now that Huegli is gone, the empty space around the softball field is really quite large, and mostly taken up by a very unattractive parking lot. I've always disliked that parking lot -- it is way too big, among other things -- and the sooner we can rid of it, the better.
paul
Quote from: 78crusader on August 27, 2012, 05:27:35 PM
I hope the plan has something in the near term for the area from where Huegli used to be, heading west to the west edge of the parking lot south of the softball field. Now that Huegli is gone, the empty space around the softball field is really quite large, and mostly taken up by a very unattractive parking lot. I've always disliked that parking lot -- it is way too big, among other things -- and the sooner we can rid of it, the better.
paul
Years ago, the initial plan was to put the new A&S building in that big parking lot, but that changed and it got placed next to the library instead. The plan now seems to be to put a nursing building in or near the space where Huegli Hall stood.
Quote from: 78crusader on August 27, 2012, 05:27:35 PM
I hope the plan has something in the near term for the area from where Huegli used to be, heading west to the west edge of the parking lot south of the softball field. Now that Huegli is gone, the empty space around the softball field is really quite large, and mostly taken up by a very unattractive parking lot. I've always disliked that parking lot -- it is way too big, among other things -- and the sooner we can rid of it, the better.
paul
While a parking garage in that general area would probably be a better option than a flat parking lot, I have to disagree that it's too big - it is usually near capacity during work weekdays, and if there's events going on on campus, especially in the Union, it's filled completely up.
Put up a bunch of row house type housing for the future 6k students, that way they can watch the football games from the rooftops!
Quote from: vusupporter on August 29, 2012, 11:15:22 AM
Quote from: 78crusader on August 27, 2012, 05:27:35 PM
I hope the plan has something in the near term for the area from where Huegli used to be, heading west to the west edge of the parking lot south of the softball field. Now that Huegli is gone, the empty space around the softball field is really quite large, and mostly taken up by a very unattractive parking lot. I've always disliked that parking lot -- it is way too big, among other things -- and the sooner we can rid of it, the better.
paul
While a parking garage in that general area would probably be a better option than a flat parking lot, I have to disagree that it's too big - it is usually near capacity during work weekdays, and if there's events going on on campus, especially in the Union, it's filled completely up.
seconded. if anything, that lot wasn't big enough - especially after the new union opened and the university started hosting events during classes. commuter students and off-campus seniors took a beating trying to find parking with that one.
If you are in the area, here is an invitation from President Heckler:
For the last two years, Valparaiso University has been involved in a master planning process that will guide the physical development of our campus over the next 20 years. Many of you may have attended one of the sessions in which we shared several of the master plan options under consideration. We are pleased to now arrive at the point where we are ready to share the final Campus Master Plan. I would like to invite you to a special presentation to share the details of this plan. We will offer two sessions on Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Harre Union Ballroom B and C. The first session takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and the second from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Please choose the session that best fits your schedule.
Will one of the sessions be taped or streamed on the VU website? i recall the streamed coverage of Drew taking over as the head MBB coach. That was worth watching. After the sessions, will the diagrams and backup text be posted somewhere?
I'm going to be there and will report back as much info as I can. I'm sure other posters will do the same.
I remember one great afternoon in the late '90s when the great Mel Doering basically let me not work that afternoon when he brought in the then-Masterplan and we went through it. Good times with a great man.
Be interesting to see where the new one takes us.
Quote from: historyman on August 30, 2012, 10:18:59 AM
I'm going to be there and will report back as much info as I can. I'm sure other posters will do the same.
Historyman -- when you come back from the presentation could you start a new string? This new material IMO deserves it. The anticipation at this point is killing me :popcorn:
VU to unveil master plan this week
By James D. WOlf Jr. Post-Tribune correspondent September 15, 2012 11:26PM
Updated: September 16, 2012 2:00AM
VALPARAISO — Valparaiso University plans to unveil its campus master plan for the next 20 years on Thursday, including what the school will do with the former Porter hospital on LaPorte Avenue.
The college is inviting anyone interested to come view the master plan at a public forum from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Harre Union's ballrooms at 1509 Chapel Drive.
University officials are being secretive about specifics of the plan that will direct the school's next two decades of physical growth, with a news release stating only that "this plan will contribute to the long-term social, economic and environmental prosperity of the University and surrounding community."
But Janet Brown, co-chairman of the master plan development task force, confirmed the master plan will address uses for the hospital building and for the land the university owns around the current campus, some across Sturdy Road.
"That will be a part of the unveiling," Brown said, but she would not give specifics.
Consulting firm JJR of Chicago helped develop the plan, which has been in the works since last fall, putting together intensive focus groups of students, staff, city leaders, residents and anyone interested, then submitting and revising ideas based on those, she said.
This plan will only address the physical campus, planning for space, organization, academic program needs and landscaping —where to grow, where to put facilities and what the campus will need.
One of the needs is how to deal with the projected growth of more than 4,000 students this year to more than 6,000 in the next decade.
That goal is part of the strategic plan VU adopted three years ago and reviews each year, Brown said.
Big day tomorrow.
I hate to tell everyone, especially VULB#62, this but I had a procedure done on an ingrown toenail and it's really hard to walk at all right now. So I will not be attending the conference tomorrow (9/20/12). I hope someone else can make it.
:( Oh no, hung up by a hang nail!!! That can be painful. Take care!
Quote from: historyman on September 19, 2012, 09:53:49 AM
I hate to tell everyone, especially VULB#62, this but I had a procedure done on an ingrown toenail and it's really hard to walk at all right now. So I will not be attending the conference tomorrow (9/20/12). I hope someone else can make it.
Amazing how much you need your Sgt. Hulka!
Hope somebody went.
Not much info yet, but, an article from the Post-Trib tonight that I ran across...
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/15274102-417/valparaiso-university-peers-into-the-future.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/15274102-417/valparaiso-university-peers-into-the-future.html)
I was at one of the meetings today, and the campus is going to look really nice once everything has been implemented. I'm not going to go into much detail because they said that tomorrow there will be a release on the website with pictures and information.
Well, I expect much more on this tomorrow. What I could make out was that the fieldhouse will not be on the visitor side of Brown but set back near the west side of the hospital site. this make some sense as I heard President Heckler said that they wanted to knock down Miller to give a clear view of the football field from the road.
It should be an interesting next few days...
A little more substantive article from the NWI Times:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-master-plan-anticipates-years-of-growth/article_01be0eef-e5fd-58bf-9e0c-5f3562af18b9.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-master-plan-anticipates-years-of-growth/article_01be0eef-e5fd-58bf-9e0c-5f3562af18b9.html)
I zoomed in right away on the plot plan from the Post Trib article and could make out the BB diamond across from the ARC, a new Track :o , the field house, and soccer stadium. I liked the idea that Brown Field is left visible from the road, but that means to me that if you're gonna show it off, it better be upgraded, attractive and impressive :twocents: I'm also impressed that the comment came from President Heckler. He's really into this thing. Couldn't tell from the plan what is intended for ARC expansion though. In addition to obvious basketball seating expansion/upgrades, my guess is it would include moving football operations (offices, meeting rooms, locker space, weight rooms, etc.) from Kroencke, which is going away to make room for the diamond).
Can't wait for the release.
Quote from: vu72 on September 20, 2012, 09:22:27 PMPresident Heckler said that they wanted to knock down Miller
Miller = already KNOCKED. Drove by when I was back home a couple weeks ago.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 21, 2012, 07:30:49 AM
I zoomed in right away on the plot plan from the Post Trib article and could make out the BB diamond across from the ARC, a new Track :o , the field house, and soccer stadium. I liked the idea that Brown Field is left visible from the road, but that means to me that if you're gonna show it off, it better be upgraded, attractive and impressive :twocents: I'm also impressed that the comment came from President Heckler. He's really into this thing. Couldn't tell from the plan what is intended for ARC expansion though. My guess is it would include moving football operations (offices, meeting rooms, locker space, weight rooms, etc. from Kroencke (which is going away).
Can't wait for the release.
Presumably, upgrading our basketball venue would be a given in any 20-year plan. Hopefully, there is more substance to this than just "here's a list of things we would like to do over the next 20 years, if and when we get the money".
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on September 21, 2012, 08:57:25 AM
Quote from: vu72 on September 20, 2012, 09:22:27 PMPresident Heckler said that they wanted to knock down Miller
Miller = already KNOCKED. Drove by when I was back home a couple weeks ago.
they started that back in late june. by the time i got there in early july, it was mostly an empty hole with some rubble still hangin around.
I checked with VU media relations and only got a couple of images -- One a map and another a 3-D projection. They don't yet have any documented descriptive details to share. The jpgs were over 12 MB each so they can't be attached to this post :( . But in both, they show much more clearly than the gallery in the papers, the athletic area that shows ARC expansion, Brown Field with track, the field house, soccer stadium, the baseball diamond and an athletics area parking structure. Some interesting notes: visualize a narrow street running east behind the ARC, crossing McIntyre continuing just beneath the softball diamond to the N-S road that parallels Scheele. Also consider LaPorte Ave heading west and taking a 90 degree right turn just after McIntyre to Lincolnway at Roosevelt. So, Brown Field to Lincolnway will be all playing fields. South of the ARC, Kroencke, Heidbrink, Arts and Psych building and Dickmeyer make way for the BB diamond.
I was surprised to see Wehrenberg, Brandt, Lankenau, Scheele totally replaced by what look like very nice, larger residence halls in the style like Guild and Memorial and the addition of two similar style buildings called suite style residence halls - one by the tennis courts and another just below Guild/Memorial. Three big parking structures are visible - one behind the union, one by the new field house and one amidst the new residence halls (that might already exist?).
Mutiny, anything to add from what you heard at the presentation?
where are the frats houses located and are they envisioning sorority houses or are they staying with the Sheele model?
Along Union just west of the ARC and the map said "Greek Housing". There are only four smallish buildings shown.
Here's the VU release:
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4775 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4775)
Greek excerpt: "The plan envisions offering Greek housing sites off-campus along Union Street near campus to provide for current housing needs and allow for expansion."
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 21, 2012, 05:01:47 PMThree big parking structures are visible - one behind the union, one by the new field house and one amidst the new residence halls (that might already exist?).
The one amidst the residence halls already exists, and the one in the athletic complex already exists as well. This is part of the hospital campus and, as has been mentioned in several articles about the purchase of that property, will remain for athletics use.
Plan in hand, VU sets sights on new dorms
Phil Wieland phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352
Friday, September 21, 2012 4:36 pm
VALPARAISO | With a new master plan calling for possibly more than 20 new classroom buildings, residences and sports facilities costing tens of millions of dollars over the next 20 years, Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler and the board of directors have their work cut out for them.
The plan was unveiled Thursday but was adopted by the board in April. Heckler said the delay was because announcing it in May would have coincided with final exams and the fact most students and faculty already were focusing on summer vacation. In the meantime, the university has been involved in working on how to implement the master plan's vision.
Heckler said Friday he and the board will be meeting soon with the capital planning and investment committee and with the university's investment bankers to examine the projected financial models for the endowment funds over the next 20 to 30 years to try to figure out the best method to fund the expansion.
"We will determine what kind of projects to bond and build, what makes sense to finance through fundraising and what can be funded through student fees, such as the recreational facilities," Heckler said. "We will do an analysis of what the options are and which projects make sense for which funding mechanism."
The first building project is likely to be a new residence hall, which Heckler said the university could build on its own or have built and lease the space. He hopes to break ground next summer. The current residences were built in the 1960s and do not meet today's standards.
"They are all 100-year buildings and nothing short of a bomb will take them down, but the bad news is people's style of living changes and the buildings don't. They had showers down the hall when I went to school, but people are used to a private bed and bath now."
He said research shows the old style of communal living with two to a room and the bath down the hall results in a higher propensity for students to advance to the second year of study because they are forced to socialize and become more engaged in the campus community. That tendency declines in succeeding years, he said.
"We will keep a certain percentage of the residency space in that stock, but we should give students incremental steps toward independence. By the time they are seniors, they have an apartment with a kitchen and they are dealing with their own upkeep and are ready to step right out into the world."
The first dorm will be a suite style "somewhere between what we have and Uptown East," he said. The board also is looking at the academic side of the plan and which building should be given top priority. He expects another major fundraising campaign soon for that building. Then it will be on to the athletic facilities and the best way to fund them.
"If we get those three things done, we will have some breathing room on how to proceed after that," Heckler said. "What we can't predict are the targets of opportunity that might open up. We are making our best guesses on the basis of anticipated needs. We can't predict what might emerge as a need 10 years from now that we can't imagine today.
"No doubt there will be some surprises and opportunities that happen along the way, but we've got this general framework to guide us. After a time, it will be interesting to look back and see what we got done. Little by little, we will whittle away at it."
Quote from: wh on September 22, 2012, 12:17:15 AM
Plan in hand, VU sets sights on new dorms
Phil Wieland phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352
Friday, September 21, 2012 4:36 pm
VALPARAISO | With a new master plan calling for possibly more than 20 new classroom buildings, residences and sports facilities costing tens of millions of dollars over the next 20 years, Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler and the board of directors have their work cut out for them.
The plan was unveiled Thursday but was adopted by the board in April. Heckler said the delay was because announcing it in May would have coincided with final exams and the fact most students and faculty already were focusing on summer vacation. In the meantime, the university has been involved in working on how to implement the master plan's vision.
"We will determine what kind of projects to bond and build, what makes sense to finance through fundraising and what can be funded through student fees, such as the recreational facilities," Heckler said.
The first building project is likely to be a new residence hall, which Heckler said the university could build on its own or have built and lease the space. He hopes to break ground next summer. The current residences were built in the 1960s and do not meet today's standards. "They are all 100-year buildings and nothing short of a bomb will take them down, [ I'll second that ;) ] but the bad news is people's style of living changes and the buildings don't. They had showers down the hall when I went to school, but people are used to a private bed and bath now."
The board also is looking at the academic side of the plan and which building should be given top priority. He expects another major fundraising campaign soon for that building. Then it will be on to the athletic facilities and the best way to fund them.
So, can we expect that the areas marked for change called "Athletics and Recreation" will be funded by a combination of student fees and fundraising? The problem with the latter is exemplified by FITT. We don't have a great history there.
And what is considered Recreation? Field house and intramural fields? The track? And what is considered athletics? ARC expansion and enhancement? Baseball diamond? Soccer stadium? Brown Field Stadium and press box expansion/upgrade? I hope the track is recreation so that it will finally get done soon.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 22, 2012 at 07:16:22 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The problem with the latter is exemplified by FITT. We don't have a great history there.
I hope the track is recreation so that it will finally get done soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a comical but sad statement about the values held by Valpo towards athletics in the hodge podge efforts of the past few decades. It's certainly has been no "Field of Dreams" approach at all.
The comment that new college students expect their own private shower/bath nowadays is a great example of the 'entitlement' attitude they seem to have. I thought that my generation was spoiled, but it only gets worse after us! I don't look forward to what my kids will be expecting at this pace...
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 22, 2012, 07:16:22 AMThey had showers down the hall when I went to school, but people are used to a private bed and bath now.
Quote from: valpotx on September 24, 2012, 11:52:04 AMThe comment that new college students expect their own private shower/bath nowadays is a great example of the 'entitlement' attitude they seem to have. I thought that my generation was spoiled, but it only gets worse after us! I don't look forward to what my kids will be expecting at this pace...
What do other schools provide or plan to provide in the way of dorms and bathrooms? Are there high schools out there that provide private showers for after sporting events? Where are kids getting this 'entitlement' attitdue? I understand in general, but private bed and bath? Seems isolationist and elitist.
valpotx, by the time kids from people we went to college with get to college, they'll expect their own apartment/house with appropriate provisions for furniture, food, cable/internet, washer/dryer, and a deck for partying on. Heck, these will be the same kids who want college to be exactly what they see in the movies or on 'GLEE', instead of a new step in life that helps them learn what 'the real world' expects of them, not what they demand of 'the real world'.
You guys are getting cynical in your older years :lol:
Quote from: historyman on September 22, 2012, 09:20:20 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 22, 2012 at 07:16:22 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The problem with the latter is exemplified by FITT. We don't have a great history there.
I hope the track is recreation so that it will finally get done soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a comical but sad statement about the values held by Valpo towards athletics in the hodge podge efforts of the past few decades. It's certainly has been no "Field of Dreams" approach at all.
+1M. Placing intramurals and varsity athletic teams on the same level and within the same capital campaign was moronic and absurd, and because FITT remains in place, such thinking continues to be moronic and absurd. The rolling out of FITT was D-III level thinking. I'll tell you one thing--I'm probably the minority on this board, but as it relates to athletic support (donations, traveling to games, having an interest in athletics in general etc.) this is the last chance I am giving to VU as an alum, fan and former athlete. If VU again rolls out the same old tired ancillary crap that it historically has offered its athletic programs by way of facility updates or upgrades, athletically I will never donate either time or money to Valparaiso University again. It will have taken me four capital campaigns, but I will have gotten the joke.
You can find the Executive Summary (which includes a map) and a Map by itself at this link:
Just giving the ending because it won't let me post an external link: .edu/masterplan/
I was just going to post the same site. It is a very detailed and interesting proposal. It appears from the language that the decision has been made to redo the ARC rather than to build a new facility. This follows what President Heckler has said previously, which is that once the fieldhouse is complete and many coaches etc can be relocated, then the ARC will be gutted and reconfigured. Lots of work...lots of money. Keep those contributuions coming!!
rford, it should let you post links now that you have hit the coveted 5-post mark, but just the same for all:
http://valpo.edu/masterplan/ (http://valpo.edu/masterplan/)
Actually I downloaded the map from the link. But it's different from the one supplied to me by media relations. The map from the link does not show that Laporte stops at Roosevelt and that new space is dedicated to athletic fields. I wish I could upload the one I received but it was 12 MB and even as a PNG it was over the attachment limit.
72, where'd you get all that info. I clicked all over the linked site and just got high level pablum.
One other positive comment. One thing stuck out to me from the map and the 3-D besides the clustering of building to make the core campus closely knit: the construction of four ponds on campus. That, to me, is a beautiful touch. Really hope they do it.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 25, 2012, 09:30:11 PM
Actually I downloaded the map from the link. But it's different from the one supplied to me by media relations. The map from the link does not show that Laporte stops at Roosevelt and that new space is dedicated to athletic fields. I wish I could upload the one I received but it was 12 MB and even as a PNG it was over the attachment limit.
72, where'd you get all that info. I clicked all over the linked site and just got high level pablum.
One other positive comment. One thing stuck out to me from the map and the 3-D besides the clustering of building to make the core campus closely knit: the construction of four ponds on campus. That, to me, is a beautiful touch. Really hope they do it.
You could upload the map to Google Drive (or Google Docs or whatever they are calling it today) then share the link with the rest of us.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 25, 2012, 09:30:11 PM
Actually I downloaded the map from the link. But it's different from the one supplied to me by media relations. The map from the link does not show that Laporte stops at Roosevelt and that new space is dedicated to athletic fields. I wish I could upload the one I received but it was 12 MB and even as a PNG it was over the attachment limit.
72, where'd you get all that info. I clicked all over the linked site and just got high level pablum.
One other positive comment. One thing stuck out to me from the map and the 3-D besides the clustering of building to make the core campus closely knit: the construction of four ponds on campus. That, to me, is a beautiful touch. Really hope they do it.
Not sure what info you mean. Just click on the master plan site, posted above by LaPorteAvenueApostle and you can view the athletic area envisioned.
Here's part of the language:
The master plan envisions a wholesale
reevaluation of the campus's athletics and
recreation facilities. The purchase of the Porter
Hospital site provides a unique opportunity to
consolidate, expand, and improve the existing
athletics and recreational facilities
anchored by
the Athletics-Recreation Center.
The severe crowding in the AthleticsRecreation Center will be alleviated with a
new field house. All Eastgate facilities will
be relocated to the northwest athletics and
recreation complex.
The facilities on the former hospital site will be
connected to the existing softball field, tennis
courts, and Union parking ramp through the
Athlete's Walk, a wide pedestrian path that will
celebrate Crusader accomplishments on the
field.
The game day experience for the campus
visitor will be improved. Plenty of parking will
be available, with convenient access to both
the Lincolnway and Union parking ramps.
Entry and gateway plazas will host game day
celebrations. All competition fields and courts
will be within easy walking distance.
Quote from: FWalum on September 26, 2012, 12:33:50 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 25, 2012, 09:30:11 PM
Actually I downloaded the map from the link. But it's different from the one supplied to me by media relations. The map from the link does not show that Laporte stops at Roosevelt and that new space is dedicated to athletic fields. I wish I could upload the one I received but it was 12 MB and even as a PNG it was over the attachment limit.
72, where'd you get all that info. I clicked all over the linked site and just got high level pablum.
One other positive comment. One thing stuck out to me from the map and the 3-D besides the clustering of building to make the core campus closely knit: the construction of four ponds on campus. That, to me, is a beautiful touch. Really hope they do it.
You could upload the map to Google Drive (or Google Docs or whatever they are calling it today) then share the link with the rest of us.
Or get an account at tinypic.com, imgur.com or some other hosting site and then post it here.
A quick question for anyone who might know. I didn't see through the maps and drawings that the Chapel of the Resurrection had any additions to it. Will the Chapel addition not show at all on the outside of the building? Also will there no longer be any car access to the Chapel to allow for drive by views and drop off of the disabled at the Chapel door?
Quote from: historyman on September 26, 2012, 07:41:23 AM
Also will there no longer be any car access to the Chapel to allow for drive by views and drop off of the disabled at the Chapel door?
From the "Executive Summary (http://valpo.edu/masterplan/assets/docs/VU%20MP%20Exec%20Summary_final.pdf)" pdf:
Parking and front-door drop-off will still be available at major community destinations such as the Harre Union, Christopher Center, Chapel of the Resurrection, and Center for the Arts. A new parking ramp north of the Union will provide convenient parking for regular campus users and occasional visitors
Very exciting and impressive long-range plan.......should make for an even better looking, beautiful campus...now let's get started on the ARC project!!!!!
It's taken me a while to post, but I absolutely love the master plan. I'm especially thrilled with the idea of more trees, better sidewalks/landscaping, and dorms that don't look like they're from the Soviet Union. The parking garage connected to the union is absolute genius as well.....get rid of the massive parking lots around campus!
Quote from: historyman on September 26, 2012, 07:41:23 AM
A quick question for anyone who might know. I didn't see through the maps and drawings that the Chapel of the Resurrection had any additions to it. Will the Chapel addition not show at all on the outside of the building?
The last time I talked to Pr. Jim (June?), he and others were looking over various proposed additions. There are several different options, but the basic idea is an expanding of the under croft area for more office/meeting space as well as adding an elevator so that non-stair-savvy worshipers no longer need to go to the union or Library to use the restrooms. Most plans include expanding the under croft out under resurrection meadow. It would be more visible than the plan seems to indicate, however it is not supposed to have a major impact on the overall facade of the building because of the liturgical meaning behind the original architectural design. There has also been talk of adding major landscaping to the labyrinth to make it a little less out in the open. Not sure why it's not included in the graphics, but unless restoration was more expensive than they thought, the Chapel staff is moving forward on expanding.
THIS POST IS TIED TO A WH POST ON "Which Schools should the HL invite....pick 3"
From WH: I came across this article from 2010 about the amazing growth Belmont has experienced in enrollment and revenues. They are a university definitely on the rise.
Belmont ready to unveil visionary plan
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 10:45pm
By William Williams
In 2000, Belmont University enrolled a modest 2,970 students, had assets of about $120 million, was affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and fielded a men's basketball team virtually unknown beyond Nashville.
Ten years later, and guided by an extensive planning document called Vision 2010, Belmont has become a vastly different place. Enrollment has risen to roughly 5,420, an 82 percent jump. The university's assets stand at about $350 million, with its operating budget having grown from about $48 million to $130 million.
Of course there's more and well worth reading.
* * * * * *
Nice digging WH - enjoyed reading it. Their move to the OVC is right in line with what they're doing in other areas. The theme I got out of this article is that they adopted an "if you build it, they will come" attitude. That aggressive approach (only a 10 year window) paid off. They didn't over-do the construction but were aggressive about it. I liked the thought that "Development drives interest, which often translates into added enrollment and recognition."
I often wonder how some of these schools do it. ??? Take Presbyterian College. They are D-1, Big South (D-IAA in FB). This is today's Big South website headline: Stony Brook Defeats Army, 23-3; Presbyterian Wins 28-13 at Davidson. PC is located in Clinton, SC (not a Nashville, by any stretch). They have 1300 students, an endowment of $62 million, scholarship all their athletic programs, have a beautiful 6,500 seat stadium with 2 story press box (top level is the President's suite). See the screen shot attached. In 2006 they committed to D-I and have been competitive athletically ever since. They too exhibited a decisiveness and aggressive approach to growth and development despite their small size.
The Torch has an article on the Open Space concepts of the new Master Plan.
http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_eb1863fa-0f0f-11e2-8164-001a4bcf6878.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_eb1863fa-0f0f-11e2-8164-001a4bcf6878.html)
This one has a rendering of the space between the chapel and the union. The article goes into rationale and detail. There seems to be a bunch of these supporting renderings that have yet to be released. I'm hoping that there will be a series of these more focused revelations with one specifically for athletics.
Re: VU Athletic Facilities and the Master Plan:
FROM THE NWI TIMES COVERAGE OF THE HL MEDIA DAY:
Quotable: "Kids like facilities, it's the reality. (The renovated Gentile Center) gives us an advantage. We have something to sell." -- Loyola coach Porter Moser
This goes for football too! Right now we have little to sell.
From the VU Torch 10/12/12
Getting from one place to another with ease is an important goal of a college campus design
http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_e1807f10-14a2-11e2-9bef-001a4bcf6878.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_e1807f10-14a2-11e2-9bef-001a4bcf6878.html)
Some Highlights:
One of the goals of the Master Plan is to unify the east and west campus," said Dean of the College of Nursing and co-chair of the Master Plan Task Force Janet Brown. "The concept is to create a pedestrian campus."
VU President Mark Heckler wants to discourage driving on campus because it is better for people to walk and creates a friendlier campus. The Master Plan should facilitate this goal.
"Athlete's Walk is really a very cool concept," Brown said. The vision for Athlete's Walk is to have "very formal" pavers, benches and decorations to commemorate athletic achievements. Athlete's Walk will also help students and visitors access the athletic centers more easily.
I agree with the thoughts about less driving around campus. Consider how much gas is per gallon, how much the residential students make to pay for school, books, frat/sorority fees, activity fees, and other fun stuff, and how small campus really is. The commuters have more need to drive to campus, but even they don't need to drive everywhere around campus just because they have their car readily available. I spent 5 years at VU as an undergrad, and I never had a car. I never minded the walks around all parts of campus. It gave me time to think, appreciate, and enjoy the blessings of life, fresh air, sounds of birds and falling tree limbs, and all those little things that today's society has let be a problem. I can't wait to see campus again with the master plan in full use, and seeing other alums and the current students enjoying the investment in campus look and life at games, concerts, Chapel services, and the things we enjoyed about Valpo.
Totally agree. My undergrad replaced the road through campus with a pedestrian walkway and it completely transformed the entire campus experience.
I used to joke that VU students would drive from the library to the chapel. Taking out part of that "chapel drive" was the first step...
In last week's Torch article, President Heckler says VU has three times the parking that similar schools have. We need to get rid of that vast parking lot between where Huegli was and McIntyre. It is an eyesore. Getting rid of the lot just west of Guild Memorial would be good, too.
Paul
I like that the Torch has dug deeper into the plan and published articles directed each at it's many facets. 78, there will be a large parking structure between the union and where Scheele now stands -- the lot you refer to will be replaced by academic buildings and walk ways.
Quite interesting. The new map looks like the Sigma Tau Gamma frat house @ 801 Union Street will kind of be the Gateway for all this. Probably make that land worth 3x its current value!
Quote from: Ralph on October 15, 2012, 04:49:19 PM
Quite interesting. The new map looks like the Sigma Tau Gamma frat house @ 801 Union Street will kind of be the Gateway for all this. Probably make that land worth 3x its current value!
In my mind I always thought McIntyre would be the ideal location for a Greek Row. Inthe plan, property on McIntyre will be used to develop the athletes walk. It's my understanding that the university is buying up other properties there too. Is that true? It's kind of ideally positioned with respect to other university housing around the core and is a nice long street. By creating a Greek ("Street/Way/Path/Road/whatever") it removes that street as a barrier between places on campus. But they didn't ask me to be on the committee so this is just a "t'would be nice" thought.
Quote from: VULB#62 on October 15, 2012, 06:08:23 PM
Quote from: Ralph on October 15, 2012, 04:49:19 PM
Quite interesting. The new map looks like the Sigma Tau Gamma frat house @ 801 Union Street will kind of be the Gateway for all this. Probably make that land worth 3x its current value!
In my mind I always thought McIntyre would be the ideal location for a Greek Row. Inthe plan, property on McIntyre will be used to develop the athletes walk. It's my understanding that the university is buying up other properties there too. Is that true? It's kind of ideally positioned with respect to other university housing around the core and is a nice long street. By creating a Greek ("Street/Way/Path/Road/whatever") it removes that street as a barrier between places on campus. But they didn't ask me to be on the committee so this is just a "t'would be nice" thought.
I'm quite sure the plan calls for McIntyre to remain residential (non-Valpo) as the students seems to like it there. There will be a walk through are though. Speaking of walking, I doubt the vast majority of people on this board will understand what "walking" was like back in the day. Mu freshman year I lived at Werenberg and had a class at "Foundry Annex" which was about two or three blocks west of the current law school. Almost all classes were on old campus yet all the dorms are where they are now! Now, that's "walking"!
I am very excited for the new master plan. I agree that Valpo has too much parking, especially the vast lots across campus. A few parking garages and you'll free up all that space for more buildings or green space. And for goodness' sake, please plant some more trees in the central part of campus.
Quote from: vu72 on October 15, 2012, 07:02:22 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on October 15, 2012, 06:08:23 PM
Quote from: Ralph on October 15, 2012, 04:49:19 PM
Quite interesting. The new map looks like the Sigma Tau Gamma frat house @ 801 Union Street will kind of be the Gateway for all this. Probably make that land worth 3x its current value!
In my mind I always thought McIntyre would be the ideal location for a Greek Row. Inthe plan, property on McIntyre will be used to develop the athletes walk. It's my understanding that the university is buying up other properties there too. Is that true? It's kind of ideally positioned with respect to other university housing around the core and is a nice long street. By creating a Greek ("Street/Way/Path/Road/whatever") it removes that street as a barrier between places on campus. But they didn't ask me to be on the committee so this is just a "t'would be nice" thought.
I'm quite sure the plan calls for McIntyre to remain residential (non-Valpo) as the students seems to like it there. There will be a walk through are though. Speaking of walking, I doubt the vast majority of people on this board will understand what "walking" was like back in the day. Mu freshman year I lived at Werenberg and had a class at "Foundry Annex" which was about two or three blocks west of the current law school. Almost all classes were on old campus yet all the dorms are where they are now! Now, that's "walking"!
my parents have similar memories from their days on campus of walking all over porter county for class and what-not. but i thought the university was in fact buying all the properties on mcintyre, though they hadn't decided what to do with the properties.
I remember there being talk of buying those properties, but I think that was during the Harre administration. I want to say one of the main reasons it wasn't bought out was due to some of the people living on McIntyre were younger professors and coaches who could get affordable property there, since they wouldn't have to drive to get to work all the time. In fact, I remember at least one coach lived on that street, and he loved it because he could walk to work, and even bring his son to work to play around in the grass, and wouldn't have to use the car to do that.
A note about McIntyre Court. VU owns about 1/2 the houses on that block. They only buy a property when they feel it is priced appropriately. There are some homeowners on that block that obviously know the school's intentions and are trying to hold out for big pay days. The university has the upper hand because it will be there longer than the home owners.
If you want to make money for your kids buy one of the houses owned by a homeowner and tell your kids to hang on to the property for as long as possible. I'm sure VU will eventually have to cave in on the last few houses.
Many of those houses on McIntyre Court were willed to the university by VU profs who passed away.
I have heard that VU only owns 2 of the houses on the alley next to the softball field and almost all of the houses on the opposite side.
I was one of those who drove all over the place unfortunately, mainly because I was always in a rush from class-to-game-to-practice-to-class, etc. I am sure that it will be much easier for people with these types of schedules once all of the athletic facilities are closer together
Quote from: historyman on October 16, 2012, 02:17:58 AM
I have heard that VU only owns 2 of the houses on the alley next to the softball field and almost all of the houses on the opposite side.
If you look at the Master Plan pdf, on Page 10 there is a campus map. If you look at McIntyre Court, I think the properties that the University owns are colored/green while the rest are gray. This seems to jive with historyman's story (2 on softball field side, about half on the other.)
http://valpo.edu/masterplan/assets/docs/VU%20MP%20Exec%20Summary_final.pdf (http://valpo.edu/masterplan/assets/docs/VU%20MP%20Exec%20Summary_final.pdf)
Quote from: valpo04 on October 16, 2012, 07:24:06 AM
If you look at the Master Plan pdf, on Page 10 there is a campus map. If you look at McIntyre Court, I think the properties that the University owns are colored/green while the rest are gray. This seems to jive with historyman's story (2 on softball field side, about half on the other.)
http://valpo.edu/masterplan/assets/docs/VU%20MP%20Exec%20Summary_final.pdf (http://valpo.edu/masterplan/assets/docs/VU%20MP%20Exec%20Summary_final.pdf)
That's a great link. The additional graphics and photos along with the text, provide a lot more detail and a pretty clear picture of the campus of the future. The task force did a great job.
I do have one question regarding east gate. According to the map, the property is significant in size (maybe as much as 1/3 the size of the core campus). Once baseball and soccer move back to campus in the athletics district, that area is allocated for mixed use development. I suppose it would be retained under university ownership, but why not instead sell all or a portion of it to gain capital that would help finance the implementation of the Master Plan? Just wondering.
Quote from: VULB#62 on October 17, 2012, 07:12:23 AMI do have one question regarding east gate. According to the map, the property is significant in size (maybe as much as 1/3 the size of the core campus). Once baseball and soccer move back to campus in the athletics district, that area is allocated for mixed use development. I suppose it would be retained under university ownership, but why not instead sell all or a portion of it to gain capital that would help finance the implementation of the Master Plan? Just wondering.
If President O.P. Kretzmann and the Lutheran University Association had decided to sell the land that had been used up till that time for farming and was owned by VU back in the 1930's and 40's when the university was very cashed strapped and struggling the school would be stuck in the area of "old campus" today. Without that foresight and vision the "new campus" would never have opened up. I believe Valpo is holding on to valuable land which they will have a great need for in the future. Actually I have heard that additional land was added to the university owned land east of Sturdy Road as recently as a few years ago.
Pretty much thought the same thing, but wanted to float the question.
University-owned real estate east of Sturdy represents appx. 80 acres bordered by 4 hotels, numerous eating establishments, and a major shopping center. It is a valuable land asset.
New stores coming, old hospital going in Valpo
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html)
Quote from: wh on November 13, 2012, 12:22:05 AM
New stores coming, old hospital going in Valpo
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html)
Actual demolition probably won't begin until spring. While the method of demolishing the 425,835-square-foot, seven-story building will be up to the contractor, Keltner said, it will not be by implosion because of the proximity to homes and other buildings.I'm sure glad they decided against it. That certainly would have been an implosition on the students and the University too. You might have an opposing kicker knock one over the fence while practicing towards the old hospital building and suddenly the building implodes. Imagine the look on his face. Not a good senario.
:o
Quote from: bbtds on November 29, 2012, 11:51:02 PM
Quote from: wh on November 13, 2012, 12:22:05 AM
New stores coming, old hospital going in Valpo
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/new-stores-coming-old-hospital-going-in-valpo/article_5c182028-79af-5ed3-a6f4-adc08c0ba467.html)
Actual demolition probably won't begin until spring. While the method of demolishing the 425,835-square-foot, seven-story building will be up to the contractor, Keltner said, it will not be by implosion because of the proximity to homes and other buildings.
I'm sure glad they decided against it. That certainly would have been an implosition on the students and the University too. You might have an opposing kicker knock one over the fence while practicing towards the old hospital building and suddenly the building implodes. Imagine the look on his face. Not a good senario.
:o
and the next day, he'd be signing an nfl contract and leaving school...
(ps - love your avatar pic)
Quote from: vuweathernerd on November 30, 2012, 09:29:42 AM(ps - love your avatar pic)
You might imagine that is AP but it's the kicker who thinks he knocked down the Porter Hospital building. :-\
When I was at the ARC yesterday to take photos of the softball team, I noticed activity at the old Porter Hospital. Therefore, I went over to check it out and discovered the demolition of the hospital was starting. The first section to be removed is the one-story wing in the back of the hospital. I thought folks would be pleased to see that the project has begun:
(http://i39.tinypic.com/29vbfxx.jpg)
Thanks for the update Valpopal.....let's hope it goes down quick!
Having spent a week there a long time ago, under the supervision of doc Stoltz :o I'm very glad to see it go! I sure hope they salvage the shades though! ;)
Quote from: valporun on October 15, 2012, 11:12:34 PMI remember there being talk of buying those properties, but I think that was during the Harre administration. I want to say one of the main reasons it wasn't bought out was due to some of the people living on McIntyre were younger professors and coaches who could get affordable property there, since they wouldn't have to drive to get to work all the time.
It may be that some VU employees own places on McIntyre, but a number there, and others over in the "bird" streets of Eastgate, are rented out by the university. So, a number of new, or visiting faculty, new coaches, etc. rent houses from the university in these places for a few years, or longer.
Most of the property on McIntyre Ct and out at Eastgate is owned by the University, but not all of it. Porter County makes a lot of real estate information available online so you can easily see who owns the different parcels.
http://porterin.mygisonline.com/ (http://porterin.mygisonline.com/)