MASTER PLAN HISTORY
Pitts, Phelps and White, of Beaumont developed the first campus master plan 1973-2000, titled Lamar 2000, in 1973.
In 1997, Lamar University authorized the development of a Campus Master Plan update for years 1996-2005. This planning effort was conducted in a collaborative manner with Lamar University by the Architecture, Engineering and Planning firm of LEO A DALY, the parent firm of Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN). LEO A DALY and LAN were retained by the Texas State University System to provide a comprehensive facility and central utility master plan for the Lamar University. The purpose of the Master Plan was to support the academic mission of The University by guiding the physical evolution of the campus; manage change in an orderly fashion; conserve and enhance functional effectiveness; and enhance environmental quality and overall ambiance of the campus.
This plan was intended to ensure that Lamar University developed a physically attractive and stimulating campus. The Plan was a working document designed to provide the framework for development and daily management of the physical facilities of the University.
The Goals of the 1996 Master Plan were:
- Support of Academic Plan – align facilities to meet projected academic needs.
- Growth Management –flexibility to sensibly accommodate change.
- Cohesiveness of Campus – physical organization of campus.
- Functional Efficiency – appropriate land use and establishment of the character of future development.
- Aesthetics and Environmental Sensitivity – provide and preserve optimum open space, develop signage and way finding.
- Circulation and Parking – improve vehicular and pedestrian access, circulation and parking.
- Relationship to the Community – relate positively to surrounding neighborhoods.
Also of particular concern to the University was the campus cooling and heating systems. Three entirely separate central plants were constructed in the 1960’s to serve the campus. The equipment was in need of replacement due to age, condition and use of banned refrigerants. The separate plants were inefficient to operate and maintain. LAN recommended the phase-out of the smallest and oldest plant and the interconnection of the entire campus to the remaining two plants through a common chilled water distribution system. New high efficiency chillers were recommended to replace the old equipment, and upgrades to building chilled water circulation were suggested to further improve efficiency.
CAMPUS MASTER PLAN UPDATE 2004
The purpose of the 2004 Master Plan Update is to bring the plan up to date and refocused in the direction the University is currently moving, to guide the continuing physical evolution of the Lamar University campus, to enable the University to manage change in an orderly fashion, and to enhance the functional effectiveness and image of the campus.
Since 1999, considerable progress on the Master Plan recommendations have been made on campus. Older buildings have been demolished. A campus color palette has been established and applied to existing buildings. The original plan identified a need to establish a stronger campus identity and image, which has been very successfully addressed with a system of iron fencing and brick columns that create identified campus entries and define the edges of the campus. Since 1999, Lamar University has experienced a reversal in growth trends. The student population has shown continuous growth for a number of years and the current enrollment is over 10,500. The current atmosphere at the campus is very positive and the Master Plan focuses, in large part, on the challenges of growth rather than replacement. The current study involves updating the 1999 Master Plan with all the interim changes, a facility usage plan that responds to the current academic plan, enrollment growth, academic space usage, building usage and department locations.
The plan also addresses:
- continued parking issues
- pedestrian circulation
- future use of vacated areas
- adjacent property being obtained by the University
- future building needs
- open spaces and green spaces
- landscape
- quality of public spaces
LAN/Leo A Daly also completed a study of the Athletic, Health and Physical Education, and Recreational facilities on campus. A review was done of each existing facility and recommendations have been made regarding their future use including code compliance and general cost budgets. Included in this Master Plan Update is planning for and expanded recreational sports and athletic fields for new and expanding sports programs.
Methodology and Planning Process
- Update of campus and community changes since 1999
- Comparison of campus goals and status with last Master Plan
- Long Range Planning Committee meetings and work sessions
- Subcommittee meetings and work sessions
- Campus Tours
- Selected Building Analysis
- Faculty and Staff Interviews
- University Institutional Research data analysis
- Physical Plant Department
Goals of the Master Plan
- Support the Academic Mission and Plan
- Manage change and growth
- Assist in creating cohesiveness of various campus components
- Improve efficient use of facilities
- Provide guidelines for future aesthetic considerations
- Help manage land use and green space
- Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation
- Strengthen athletic/PE/recreational functions
- Provide direction for future land acquisition
