Most buildings at the University of Toledo are in good condition, though some are underutilized, according to a report from consultants charged with creating a 10-year master plan for the university.
UT hired SmithGroupJJR, a firm with an Ann Arbor office, in 2015 to develop the first comprehensive plan for its campuses since the university merged with the former Medical College of Ohio in 2006.
Consultants gave updates Wednesday, and will hold another forum at 11:30 a.m. today in the Collier Building on the Health Science Campus.
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No concrete recommendations emerged from the first of two scheduled Wednesday sessions on the main campus, attended by a couple of dozen people including faculty and staff. But the final document, expected to be completed by the end of the year, will include suggestions and costs to renovate or demolish facilities or build new ones, said Jason Toth, UT’s associate vice president for facilities and construction.
Consultants said most UT facilities are in good condition, though they singled out a handful of older buildings where work is needed. Those include University Hall, a towering centerpiece of campus along Bancroft Street with underutilized classrooms; Libbey Hall; and the Glass Bowl.
“The takeaway is that your assets are actually, on average, in very good condition,” said David Johnson of Smith GroupJJR.
Among the key aims of the master plan is to identify ways UT can use space more efficiently and shrink the university’s footprint, thereby saving on the cost of utilities, maintenance, security, and other expenses. UT officials have told planners to assume a reduction in space of up to 15 percent.
Among the closely watched questions the master plan will attempt to answer is the future of the Scott Park Campus, home to various university offices; athletic fields; freshman and commuter parking; and storage. About 99 UT employees work there, and it’s also used by other agencies including Toledo Public Schools and community colleges, Mr. Toth said.
“We are not looking to put up a ‘for sale’ sign and throw them out on the street. We want to make sure that we are integrating together and talking about solutions long-term. But we’re taking a hard look at our resources, and our resources are strained,” he said.
Planners will align their work with enrollment projections being developed by the consulting firm Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
Decisions also will need to be made about what to do with some residence halls in need of repairs, consultants said. Those include Parks Tower, McComas Village, and Carter Hall, a 514-bed dormitory that is not in use this school year and has been considered for demolition.
The master planning project will cost UT about $750,000.
Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com or 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @vanmccray.
First Published February 4, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
