EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
West Campus Project Update
July 22, 2002
Use this address if your browser does not support the link above: westcampus@emich.edu .
OVERVIEW:
Eastern Michigan University plays myriad roles in the community. EMU's primary mission is to provide the best educational experience it can for students, both in the classroom and out. We also understand and are committed to being good stewards of the community.
Occasionally, these two roles conflict, as the softball field project has shown. However, with patience and open communication, we can work together to provide the best environment for both the University and its neighbors.
EMU pledges to communicate more effectively, which is why we have established this page and provided a specially created e-mail to make it easier for the community to track and respond to the project.
While EMU wants to be the best neighbor it can be, our priority is to provide our students with a holistic environment that includes intramural athletics. This new facility will serve a multitude of purposes. It will allow students an opportunity to participate in a team sport, get exercise and socialize. The fields will also unite our Main and West campuses, keeping students in the community and allowing community members the opportunity to enjoy EMU's facilities.
The proposed project is a direct result of student-identified needs for more parking and additional recreational facilities.
In November 2001, a proposal was presented to the EMU Board of Regents outlining the need for more parking spaces. It was determined the softball fields north of Phelps Hall would be an ideal location for parking. That meant relocating the softball fields.
Although a specific site had not been chosen for the fields when the proposal was submitted to the Board, the project team did recommend West Campus as the area for expansion. Once the proposal was approved, EMU researched its options.
EMU officials announced July 8, 2002, that the current softball fields north of Phelps Hall would be dismantled and a new 1,000-space surface lot would be built. Four new softball diamonds would then be constructed on land east of the Convocation Center.
Once the plan was announced, area residents expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise, and environmental issues.
EMU officials met several time with residents, even walking through the proposed site July 15 with members of the community. After listening to their concerns, Patrick Doyle, EMU's vice president for business and finance, called a meeting and presented a revised plan that addressed the community concerns.
The University and its neighbors have been working closely to address specific issues and both sides have agreed to keep communications open. EMU remains committed to meeting the needs of its students by building the softball fields but also understands its relationship with its neighbors to continue to build a strong, vibrant community.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Is it true that the University will be clearing 40-60 acres of trees to develop four softball fields?
A. No. The total softball complex is only 10.6 acres and much of the western fields and planned parking will be placed in existing open green space. The decision to use that specific area was based on limited land available for future land use by the University.
Q. Will all the trees be cut down?
A. No. The revised plan will save many trees. Also, Pat Doyle will personally mark the final construction line and identify any additional trees that can be saved.
Q. Will Ainsley Street be opened to through traffic to access the softball fields?
A. No. The revised plan will limit access to the new service drive (the extension of Ainsley) to official university vehicles. This revision will be evaluated after the first season as stated at the July 16 meeting. The University reserves the right to assess and revise this item, although there are no plans to automatically change change this after the first year. Patrons using the fields will enter on Westview by way of Huron River Drive.
Q. Will Fletcher School be used to host any EMU recreational and intramural activities?
A. After hearing the concerns of area residents, EMU has elected NOT TO USE the fields at Fletcher School for intramural activities.
Q. Will there be concession stands selling food and a loudspeaker system at the softball fields?
A. The project does not include a speaker system. An area will be built to allow participants to bring food and drink. EMU WILL NOT be selling food.
Q. How often will the fields be utilized for revenue-producing activities?
A. While there will be some use of the complex by community organizations to provide revenue to recover costs of operations, the University does not view the complex as a primary revenue source.
Q. Is it true that EMU will close the bike path to turn it into a private drive for the University House?
A. No. EMU has no plans at this time to close the bike path unless it has to turn the area into a retention pond for run-off water. The University also has no plans to use the bike path to build a private drive to the University House.
Q. When will the fields by ready?
A. The plan is to have the area seeded and done by fall. The fields will be ready for the 2003 playing season, which runs September through November.
Q. What about lighting?
A. State-of-the-art lighting systems will be used with shields to limit the amount of light splash to areas outside of the softball complex. Fields can be lit independently to allow lights to turn off at any field not in use.
Q. Why were the former fields moved?
A. EMU students have been concerned about the need for more parking and the University is acting on that need. The land available for parking, however, is limited. After identifying a number of options, it was decided that the best option for a parking lot was the site of the former softball fields.
Q. What is the University going to do about dust control?
A. Although impossible to completely control, EMU's physical plant has asked the contractor to make an extra effort to control dust, including routinely watering the soil while working. It will be impossible to control all the dust, but we will work hard to keep it down as much as possible.
Q. Will all the land be cleared at one time?
A. No. It's expected that in most areas the 30 feet closest to the soil-erosion line will be done last, but the project schedule will not allow this to be done consistently. Residents are invited to participate in a walk-through of the final 30-foot zone prior to its clearing. Bookmark this page and check back for scheduling.
Q. Who can I contact if I have additional questions or concerns?
A. Please use the special e-mail address at the top of this page. This e-mail will be monitored and information posted on this page.
Q. Can we expect any more changes?
A. All of the changes discussed here represent the University's good faith plans. As stated at the July 16 meeting, there could be changes in leadership at the University or special circumstances that we cannot predict or control. The University reserves the right to make changes it deems necessary. However, major changes along the way will be discussed fully with our neighbors.
Page contact:
Ward Mullens, Public Information
Eastern Michigan University
734.487.4400
URL: http://www.emich.edu/public/public_information/westcampus/westcampus072202.html
Modified: August 2, 2002 at 10:40 a.m. EST