Master plan
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Summary
The key elements of this plan respond to principles established in the 1997 Main Street Master Plan:
- Evolution from a Main Street to “Main Streets”
- Identifying and Locating Planned Projects
- Framing Future Growth
- Transforming Library Plaza
- Enhancing Campus Image and Identity
- Creating a Strong Urban Street Edge and Usable Public Space
Master Plan 2015
Click the image below for a larger version of the map illustrating Master Plan 2015
Growth
A fundamental premise of the plan is the need to expand the campus boundaries. The Piedmont Ellis Housing Project, currently under construction, extends the northern edge to Ellis Street. In keeping with this principle, the university plans to exploit infill opportunities between Edgewood Avenue and Ellis Street to meet future facility needs.
The southern boundary extends to the northern edge of Underground Atlanta where new student housing is planned.
Planned Projects
The Master Plan Update also focused on confirming the location of projects already in planning or design phases. This list of important projects includes:
- • University Science Park
- • Humanities Building
- • Business and Law Professional Center
- • University Plaza
- • Wall Street Housing north of Underground Atlanta
- • Convocation Center / Sports Arena
- • Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvements
UNIVERSITY SCIENCE PARK
The University Science Park will include at least a Science Teaching Laboratory, a Science Research Laboratory and a Center for Advanced Collaboration. This project is funded by a combination of state, federal and private money. It will be located at the southeastern corner of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue. Construction is scheduled to begin by 2007.
HUMANITIES BUILDING
The Humanities Building will prominently anchor the intersection of Courtland and Gilmer Streets, replacing Sparks Hall. This 330,000 GSF facility will house academic departments such as Anthropology and Geography, English, Modern and Classical Languages, History, Communication, Philosophy and Applied Linguistics and student services functions such as registration, admissions, financial aid and the bookstore. This project will create a new front door for the campus at Hurt Park.
BUSINESS AND LAW PROFESSIONAL CENTER
The Professional Education Center for Georgia State's Robinson College of Business and the College of Law will face Peachtree Center Avenue across from the open expanse of Hurt Park. This complex would be built on one side of a two-block area that includes the newly purchased 26-story SunTrust Tower at Woodruff Park. The center would include central buildings for law and business, a classroom building and an auditorium. The synergy of building a center that merges law and business colleges is somewhat unprecedented. This new center at Georgia State would make it one of the few universities in the country which would meld these disciplines in a shared complex.
UNIVERSITY PLAZA
The multi-phased transformation of the Library Plaza into University Plaza is one of the projects in the plan promising the most significant impact on the campus experience. It calls for demolition of the elevated Library Plaza structure, with consideration of access requirements to the adjoining buildings. Portions of the plaza improvement could be completed in conjuction with the new Humanities Building and the future replacement of Kell Hall. University Plaza will create pedestrian oriented central space at street level, improving the visual character and sense of safety at the heart of campus.
WALL STREET STUDENT HOUSING
The Wall Street Student Housing complex is another example of forging creative partnerships to meet institutional needs. The plan calls for Georgia State to sell the University Village complex on North Avenue. Consequently, in partnership with the Atlanta Development Authority, a new 1,500-student residence adjacent to Underground Atlanta on four blocks flanking Wall Street would be built.
CONVOCATION CENTER
Since the existing arena seats only 5,000, the university must hold seven commencement ceremonies for each graduating class. The plan envisions a modern 10,000-seat convocation center and arena, replacing the existing, outdated building. A flexible design for the new facilities could accommodate a range of performances, sporting events and commencement ceremonies.
MAIN STREETS
The master plan extends the main street concept to a series of pedestrian oriented main streets. The university will continue the precedent set with the Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue improvements to leverage alternative funding sources for further campus improvement.
A broader network of pedestrian pathways among the city’s streets, including Edgewood Avenue and Peachtree Center Avenue, will provide safer and more beautiful connections throughout the expanded campus. Like the Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue Streetscapes, these projects are envisioned as public partnerships supported through alternative funding sources.
© 2006 Georgia State University.