Curch Street, a prime corridor through campus, may undergo a significant revamping.Imagine the ultimate college campus. What would you see? Would there be people hanging out on the streets, students opting to study outside or sit out in the sun? Would there be plenty of activities going on and a plethora of exciting choices for entertainment? How would you mold the environment around you to find a balance between work and play? Now can you picture this college “dream campus” also accommodating busy commuters while having to interact with the town in which it is located? This was the challenge brought to a committee appointed by Student Affairs in the Fall of 2000.
This committee, which comprised of students, faculty and staff, set forth and met for about two years to create a “comprehensive plan” for the campus of West Chester University. It identified a concept of where the campus would be in 10 years.
Although many of the members of the committee have graduated, the plan has remained and various departments have “carried the torch.”
Last semester a planning committee for a future “Ram Statue” was announced and the idea was brought before the students of WCU. The comprehensive plan, including the statue (along with renovations to the Swope building, a parking garage and a new music building) is being put into action to improve the campus of WCU.
Along with the Ram statue came rumors of a “Church Street Master Plan.” Although the term differed among departments, word spread about the eventual conversion of Church Street between Rosedale and College Avenue to a walking path.
Dee Giardina, Interim Executive Director, Facilities Design & Construction assured The Quad that the closing down of Church Street to vehicular traffic is still a “long-range plan.” She said there are many uncertainties that still need to be worked out before it is brought before the borough [of West Chester].
Uncertainties, such as private vendors’ access to the street, grounds keeping and emergency vehicles, will have to be discussed.
Giardina said the borough still owns the street. A walking path will alter traffic patterns and effect the surrounding community in a major way.
Ernie McNeely, the Borough Manager, said the Borough is aware of the University’s future plans to submit a request, but has yet to formally submit one for consideration. McNeely said, “The actual request, if made, would be a petition to vacate as public rights of way those two streets and Borough Council would consider the matter in a public hearing process.” If granted, the roads would become the property of the University and they could use them in whatever manner they felt benefited the campus.
Although too early to start planning, Giardina said they would like to see Church Street become more of a “plaza” than a street. But the facilities department is concerned with more imminent stages of the plan to start the future design of Church Street.