Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

1. Notice of Scoping: 2007 Comprehensive Campus Master Plan for Western Connecticut State University

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Danbury

Address of Possible Project Location: Westside Campus (Lake Avenue), and Midtown Campus (181 White Street)

Project Description:

The Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) proposes to implement a program of improvements to the Midtown and Westside Campuses at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) (the “Preferred Plans”).  These improvements have been released as part of the approved 2007 Comprehensive Campus Master Plan for Western Connecticut State University, prepared by Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Inc. in September 2007.  The primary goals and objectives of the improvement program are to:

  • Renovate, upgrade, replace, and expand existing facilities;
  • Relocate functions in existing or new facilities in coordination with the WCSU’s space utilization study;
  • Unify and consolidate core uses of the campus;
  • Utilize existing resources, building on existing strengths, and reinforcing the positive image of the University, community, and State; and
  • Provide a development strategy that establishes need, priority, schedule, and cost effective solutions to the University’s and existing and future needs.

The Campus Plan would be implemented through various projects on campus providing new or renovated academic, administrative, athletic and residential space, new parking garages, landscaping, new quadrangles, linkage of exterior spaces throughout the campus, and demolition of some existing structures.

The Westside Campus project improvements would likely include the following (with approximate gross square feet noted):

  • New Visual and Performing Arts Center with 170,000 gross square feet (gsf) of floor space;
  • Three residence halls, each with floor space measuring 60,000 gsf and with a total capacity of 394 residents;
  • Addition to the Classroom Building of 51,000 gsf;
  • Addition to the O’Neill Center of 25,000 gsf;
  • Two parking garages (one with an associated mini-power plant), each with a capacity for 500 cars;
  • Closing of a portion of University Boulevard and redirection of vehicular and pedestrian flow;

The Midtown Campus project improvements would likely include the following:

  • New Wellness Center (attached to Berkshire Hall), with 39,000 gsf of floor space;
  • Addition to the Student Center of 33,000 gsf;
  • One new residence hall, with floor space measuring 138,000 gross square feet (gsf) and a capacity of 300 residents;
  • One new parking garage (and associated chiller plant) with a capacity for 400 cars;
  • Demolition of the Roberts Avenue Elementary School and closing of the associated street.
  • Demolition of the Richa House and associated garage.

To implement these improvements, the 2015 Campus Master Plan Update is being proposed as part of this EIE.  Below are the preferred conceptual plans for each campus.

Project Figures:                    Low Resolution

Project Vicinity Map(6 MB)   low res (817 kb)

Westside Campus:

Existing Conditions (6.8 MB)  low res (687 kb)

Preferred Plan (2 MB)           low res (544 kb)

Midtown Campus:

Existing Conditions(1 MB)     low res (566 kb)

Preferred Plan(1.2 MB)         low res (615 kb)

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  June 4, 2009.

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

Name:

Keith Epstein, AIA

Title:

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Planning and Technical Services

Agency:

Connecticut State University System

Address:

39 Woodland Street

Hartford, Connecticut  06105

Fax:

860-493-0059

E-Mail:

epsteink@ct.edu

If you have questions about requesting a public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name:

Jeff Bolton

Title:

Supervising Environmental Analyst

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Public Works

Address:

165 Capitol Avenue, Room 275

Hartford, Connecticut  06106

Phone:

860-713-5706

E-Mail:

jeffrey.bolton@ct.gov

The agency expects to release the EIE for this project, for public review and comment, in the fall of 2009.