The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors discussed and approved the 2016-2022 Capital Program during their meeting June 9.
Committee chair Kevin Fay voiced his support for the concepts discussed during the meeting.
“The committee meetings we’ve had and the work being done by the staff and by our consultants present a whole new vision in terms of how we look at the Grounds,” Fay said. “I’m very excited.”
The Capital Program lays out information about short-term, mid-term and long-term University projects. When developing the plan, the committee evaluated code requirements and discussed funding viability in order to create an effective proposal.
Within the academic division of the Capital Program, the Buildings and Grounds Committee has proposed over $50 million in renovation and construction. Upgrades to Alderman Library, the physics building, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and several other facilities all require funding and construction over the next 12 to 24 months.
Additionally, the committee proposed a total of $375.1 million in mid and long term planning.
The Board also approved the selection of an architect and engineer for expansion of the University’s baseball stadium — Davenport Field. The committee recommended the DLR Group — a firm located in Omaha, Neb. — which the Board approved.
Head coach Brian O’Connor wants the expansion to bring the University’s program up to par with its national competitors.
“We have a desire to expand our facility to a point where it is competitive with other top programs’ facilities nationally,” O’Connor said.
Additionally, the Board approved the selection of an architect and engineer for the creation of an office building located on Old Ivy Road.
This building would be used to house the University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO), which currently operates in Fontaine Research Park. The Board selected Perkins + Will, based in Washington, D.C.
In accordance with upgrades to Alderman Library scheduled to begin in 2019, the committee proposed concept, site and design guidelines for Ivy Stacks expansion.
University Architect Alice J. Raucher stressed the importance of having additional storage for the potential expansion of the libraries’ collections.
The facility is able to store and circulate 2.1 million volumes, Raucher added.
According to the committee’s presentation, expansion of the Ivy Stacks would provide space for growth of the collections and allow for much needed renovation.
The Board of Visitors approved these plans for expansion.
The Board also heard a presentation from Ricardo Dumont of DumontJanks — a landscape architecture firm based in Boston, Mass.
Dumont discussed possible changes to the intersection of Ivy Road and Emmet Street — a choke point for University and Charlottesville traffic.
“The key issue on this site is the opportunity for connectivity,” Dumont said. “Our site lies right at the fold of North and Central Grounds.”
Dumont said the current layout causes confusion and disruption between different modes of transportation.
“Ultimately, we want a solution that addresses vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle transportation,” Dumont said.
After examining several significant roadway changes — including a roundabout and vehicular underpass — Dumont said a simple clarification of lanes and instructions could vastly improve traffic circulation in the most cost-effective manner.
Dumont’s proposal also involves tearing down the Cavalier Inn to create open space surrounding that intersection in order to create a pleasant entry into Central Grounds.
“This is a stunning opportunity to approach Central Grounds in a new way,” Dumont said. “We think we can make huge improvements on the pedestrian and vehicular nature of the intersection. We’ve got a complete enclave for the future.”
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