May 12, 2000
PENN STATE DUBOIS GETS A NEW CAMPUS MASTER PLAN
University Park, Pa. —DuBois is the latest Penn State campus to get a new campus master plan to guide its future growth and development.
Approved today (May 12) by Penn State’s Board of Trustees, the plan, prepared by the University Office of Physical Plant, concentrates new development on the north side of Pa. Route 255. It calls for the acquisition of several properties to concentrate campus buildings into a central core and provide parking on that side of campus.
The campus currently consists of 24 acres in the city of DuBois and is evenly divided by a busy highway and an active rail line. Most of the major campus buildings are on the north side of Route 255 with wetlands, emerging wetlands and some campus parking on the south side. The campus has served the Clearfield County region since 1935, and since 1964 in its current location.
"Penn State DuBois is severely hampered by its lack of developable land and its lack of adequate parking. Given the difficulties of crossing Route 255 and the railroad, as well as the large expanse of undevelopable wetlands, we have concluded that the campus should concentrate its development efforts on the north side of Route 255," said Eliza Pennypacker, director of the Division of Campus Planning and Design, in a presentation of the plan to the trustees. Students, faculty, staff and local community and government leaders participated in the planning process.
In light of the site challenges, over a period of years the plan calls for the acquisition of the Monument Hill Property (This sight has just been leased to Penn State by the Educational Foundation), properties on the eastern edge, properties at the corner of Second Avenue and 4th Street, the Sixth Street right-of-way, and a block of residences to the west.
In addition, the campus has identified several building needs. Foremost is the construction of a signature technology building along the highway to showcase the powdered metals and engineering labs to the community. Also identified are an addition to Swift Building, which is already part of the university’s Capital Plan, and an atrium addition to Hiller Building to connect student activity spaces with a larger bookstore.
Other additions would be a new library at the corner of College Place and Second Avenue and a two-story glass atrium entrance to Swift and Smeal Buildings. A long-range goal is to also construct a theatre auditorium. The campus plans to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to mitigate some of the wetlands for athletic and recreation use. If successful, an athletic support building is proposed for the south side. Also in the future, if needed, would be academic buildings on the east side of campus.
Parking has long been identified as a critical need at DuBois, and is especially so now that the city has banned on-street parking in its residential areas next to campus and has set parking space requirements for campus. Currently there are 275 spaces on campus, including 66 on the former tennis courts, and the city provides 90 spaces for students along East DuBois Avenue.
Already in the works is the construction of 225-space surface lot north of Second Avenue, which can be expanded with decks as necessary. Additional surface lots are proposed along 4th Street and the east end. Eventually, the plan could allow for a potential of 1,300 parking spaces and a return of the tennis court lot to tennis.
Among the other proposals, the plan calls for improvements in both vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns with vehicular entrances at College Place and the High School entrance. Sidewalks will be improved, Sixth Street will become a pedestrian walkway, and landscaping will enhance the existing Plaza, a proposed gathering green to the east and the visibility of the DuBois Monument.
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Contact: Tysen Kendig (814) 865-7517 or e-mail at