Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

University of Connecticut South Campus Development

2. Notice of Scoping for the University of Connecticut South Campus Development

Municipality where proposed project might be located:  Mansfield

Address of Possible Project Locations: The area approximately bounded by Bolton Rd, Coventry Rd, Mansfield Rd, and Whitney Rd on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Mansfield, Connecticut

Project Description:  This scoping notice encompasses multiple University of Connecticut (UCONN) projects, including the Honors Residence Hall for which a Scoping Notice was published in the November 18, 2014 Environmental Monitor.

UCONN proposes to undertake several projects in the area of the Storrs Campus known as South Campus. The projects are in close proximity, being located in the area approximately bounded by Bolton Road to the south, Coventry Road to the east, Mansfield Road to the east and north, and Whitney Road to the west. The earliest these projects are planned to start is  during the fall of 2015 and all are expected to be complete prior to the fall of 2017.  As these projects have a common setting and construction schedule, UCONN will address Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) requirements for these projects by grouping them into a single Proposed Action known as the South Campus Development (SCD). The SCD will consist of the following elements, all of which are consistent with the on-going campus master planning process:

  • Construction of a new Honors Program Residence Hall at the corner of Gilbert Road and Mansfield Drive.  The proposed residence hall will include approximately 650 beds and an integrated dining facility providing approximately 700 seats.  The proposed facility will total approximately 210,000 gross square feet (gsf) within a 5- to 6-story structure and an 8- to 9-story tower element.  Removal of an 18-space parking lot off of Gilbert Road will also result from the Honors Residence Hall project.
  • Construction of an approximately 30,000 gsf addition to the Fine Arts building to add production space including paint, scene, costume, and prop shops.  The addition will extend north from the Nafe Katter Theatre and west from the Drama-Music Building and will also result in removal of 28 to 34 spaces from Lot 1.
  • Removal of two houses on the south side of Gilbert Road that are contributing structures to the University of Connecticut National Register Historic District.
  • Closure of Gilbert Road to vehicular traffic for approximately 950 feet between Whitney Road and Mansfield Road to create a pedestrian walkway and modifications to Whitney Road, potentially including removal of an undetermined number of on-street parking spaces, to accommodate redirected traffic from Gilbert Road.
  • Closure of Coventry Road and Maple Lane to vehicular traffic and replacement with a pedestrian access that will also accommodate emergency (life/safety) vehicles and equipment.

The new building construction (Honors and Fine Arts) will tie into central utilities and will be designed to achieve a minimum Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation.  The conversion of Gilbert and Coventry Roads and Maple Lane will further strengthen the pedestrian core of the campus. All elements of the SCD are within the portion of the Fenton River watershed that drains to Mirror Lake and are in areas of existing development.

In addition to addressing potential impacts associated with the SCD projects, secondary and cumulative impacts resulting from projects constructed in 2013-2015, as well as projects that will foreseeably be constructed during 2015-2017 will be addressed in the SCD CEPA process (see figure). Projects constructed in 2013 that met or exceeded the thresholds within the Generic Environmental Classification Document have followed the CEPA process and are documented at http://www.envpolicy.uconn.edu/eiearchivedCEPA-NEPAreviews.html.

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a map of the project area.Clickhere to view a map of the projects.

Written comments: from the public are welcomed and will be accepted through March 19, 2015. Comments previously received during the Honors Residence Hall’s scoping period will also be considered as comments received on the SCD proposed action.

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

Date:      March 11, 2015

Time:      7:00 p.m. (Doors will be open at 6:00 p.m. to allow review of informational materials.)

Place:      Room 146, UConn Bishop Center; One Bishop Circle; Storrs, CT

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:    Paul Ferri

Agency:   UConn - Office of Environmental Policy

Address: 31 LeDoyt Road, U-3055; Storrs, CT 06269

Fax:        860-486-9295

E-Mail:   paul.ferri@uconn.edu

If you have questions about the Public Scoping Meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, please contact Mr. Ferri as directed above.

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment late spring 2015.