The University of Alaska Fairbanks

113 Pages·2006·2.16 MB·English

The University of Alaska Fairbanks
Campus Life Master Plan

Facilities Plan

FINAL REPORT 7 November 2005
Photo Credits

Cover Photos

(Clockwise, from upper left)
Elysian - UAF photo by Brenda Gibson
Northern lights - UAF photo by Ryan Wilson
Students - UAF photo by Todd Paris
Polar bear - Photo © Corel Corp.
Marble sculpture - UAF photo by Todd Paris

Facilities Plan Report Text Photos

Page 13 Aerial - UAF photo by Todd Paris
Page 14 Native dancers - UAF photo by Chris LeDoux
Page 14 Constitution Park - UAF photo by Todd Paris
Page 15 Moore, Bartlett, Skarland complex - photo by UAF Residence Life
Page 23 Hess Village - photo by UAF Residence Life
Page 27 Cutler Apartments - photo by UAF Residence Life

All Other Photos by Brailsford & Dunlavey, Envision, Bezek Durst Seiser, or WRT
Introduction

PREFACE

In March of 2004, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF, the University) engaged Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D)
in association with Envision Strategies (dining consultants), Wallace Roberts & Todd (master plan consultants),
and Bezek Durst Seiser (architecture) to formulate a comprehensive Campus Life Mater Plan (CLMP). The
consulting team is undertaking a detailed market analysis, financial analyses, and project concept development
that will examine the current conditions of UAF’s campus life programs, services and facilities and develop a long-
range plan for a range of feasible improvements to UAF’s campus life system. Developing the “Strategic Asset
Value” Analysis

The consulting team interviewed representatives from various University departments and user groups, and
reconciled their input in the data-gathering portion of the study. The team also relied on student and faculty/staff
input through focus groups and a survey instrument. Existing campus conditions and the University’s competitive
environment were also examined for the development of the market research and analysis. A separate report,
the Campus Life Master Plan Market Analysis Report, was developed to outline the results of these analyses and
propose some initial ideas for possible improvements to campus life programs, services and facilities based on
the study’s findings. This document outlines the recommended facility enhancements proposed to address
outstanding campus needs and respond to campus demand for facilities and services within the constraints of
financially feasible project funding and operating projections.

The findings contained herein represent the professional opinions of B&D personnel and other members of the Campus Sculpture
consulting team based on assumptions and conditions detailed in this report, in the Campus Life Master Plan
Market Analysis Report, and in other project documentation. B&D, Envision, WRT and BDS analysts have
conducted research using both primary and secondary information sources which are deemed to be reliable but
whose accuracy the consulting team cannot guarantee. Due to variations in national and global economic and
legal conditions, actual project costs, revenues and demand projections may vary.

University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN PAGE i
Far from being an academic or analytical exercise, this report is structured and developed within a framework
emphasizing pragmatism and ease of implementation, and our intent is for this document to serve as an integral
tool in guiding the University’s implementation of the proposed Campus Life Master Plan.

View of Wood Center from
Gruening rooftop
Skarland Cabin

PAGE ii University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN
ABOUT BRAILSFORD & DUNLAVEY

Brailsford & Dunlavey is a facility planning and project management firm dedicated to serving major educational
institutions, public agencies, and other clients developing “quality of life” facilities including housing, sports,
recreation, entertainment, and retail facilities. Founded in 1993, Brailsford & Dunlavey has worked on over 200
campuses across the country, including nearly 100 student housing projects, 60 student center projects and over
100 sports and recreation projects. Our approach to facility planning integrates market research, financial
analysis and architectural programming into a single comprehensive process and is designed to minimize the four
basic types of risk associated with facility development projects -- revenue risk, financing risk, capital cost risk,
and operating cost risk -- while consistently maintaining a focus on the owner’s institutional mission as the
overriding determinant of project priorities.

Students in the Quad Circle

Summer outside of Constitution
Hall

University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN PAGE iii
Table of Contents

SECTION PAGE

Facilities Plan Executive Summary........................................................................1

Market Analysis Summary...................................................................................13

Campus Life Facilities Strategy...........................................................................23

Wood Center Options..........................................................................................29

Constitution Hall Options.....................................................................................55

Housing Options..................................................................................................77

Recreation and Ice Arena Options.......................................................................87

PAGE iv University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN
University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN PAGE v

Facilities Plan Executive Summary

CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of the Campus Life Master Plan Market Analysis and balanced with separate financial
feasibility analyses, a series of improvements to campus life facilities and related programs and services has
been proposed. These recommendations are outlined in detail in this Facilities Plan document. The general
recommendations and justification for each are outlined by major component below:

Housing

• While the total supply of on-campus beds is only slightly less than total demand, the campus has a large
surplus of beds in traditional double rooms and significant shortages of suites and apartments. It was
determined that developing a significant number of suites on campus would advance a number of
important goals for the housing system and the University, including providing a wider range of available
residential unit types, enhancing the attractiveness of the University and its ability to compete for top
students, and improving campus life by allowing a larger number and broader range of students to live on
campus.

• A program for 400 beds in four-bedroom suites (all single occupancy rooms) was developed. This
program includes a full range of residential and academic support spaces to create a unique living
environment focusing on the needs of sophomores and juniors.

• Although there is sufficient demand for these 400 proposed beds, the rental income generated would not
be sufficient to cover the projected debt service and operational costs of the facility. This shortfall is due
to the high cost of residential construction in UAF’s arctic environment and the relatively low rental rates
of the campus and local residential market. The proposed housing development is therefore
recommended for a later phase and will likely require financial support beyond its projected rental
revenues.

University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN PAGE 1
Dining

(Note: the full market analysis and recommendations for campus dining be found in the Campus Dining Master
Plan, a separate document generated by Envision Strategies as part of the Campus Life Master Plan process.)

• Improvements to campus dining facilities were found to be a very high priority among students.
Additionally, Lola Tilly Commons, the current location of the campus meal plan dining facility, is in need of
a substantial renovation in the near future.

• Given the current and proposed locations of campus housing facilities, the locations of campus daytime
populations and venues for meetings, conferences and other catered events, and the operational
efficiencies of co-locating meal plan and retail dining operations, it would be beneficial for the meal plan
dining facility to be relocated to a more accessible and central location on campus. Based on student
input and the strategic goals of reinforcing a centralized focus of out-of-classroom activity, the best
location for meal plan dining was determined to be within or directly adjacent to (and physically connected
to) the Wood Center.

• If developed as part of a student fee-funded student center renovation/expansion and supported by
reserve funds and revenues from dining operations, a new meal plan dining facility and demand-based
improvements to retail dining options could feasibly be developed within and adjacent to the Wood
Center.

Student Center

• While the Wood Center was found to be a primary venue for scheduled out-of-classroom activity and is a
major campus thoroughfare, it lacks a range of amenities that would make it attractive as a destination in
its own right. These amenities include a coffee house, improvements to late-night and retail food options,
improvements to the games and bowling areas, comfortable lounge space, and expanded retail
opportunities including a convenience store, post office/mail center, and copy shop.

PAGE 2 University of Alaska Fairbanks CAMPUS LIFE MASTER PLAN