Dean Blevins (take it with a grain of salt) says OU is expanding the stadium by bowling it in and replacing the press box to the tune of $350-400 million (!!!!!): EXCLUSIVE: OU Set To Announce Football Stadium Expansion - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/25426132/exclusive-ou-set-to-announce-football-stadium-expansion)

^

Nothing on the Regent's agenda about the stadium -- it was just released.


They did add the following to the list of capital projects:


29 Student Housing Expansion, Residential Colleges: The proposed project implements the first phase of a master plan to upgrade the University’s aging housing facilities. The proposed new facilities will house approximately 600 students in a mix of room, suite, and semi-suite configurations. The project will include dining, faculty housing, student lounge areas, and other organizational and academic amenities utilizing the “Residential College” community model. The project will expand OU's existing housing options and attract more upperclassmen to on-campus housing by offering unique and highly attractive academic and social opportunities. Further, expansion of student housing facilities will help meet current market demand by reducing density in existing residence halls and adding resident advisor rooms and community spaces; and will address the significant demand for on-campus apartment beds among single upper-division and graduate students. The budget for the project is $100,000,000 with funding identified from private sources and bond proceeds.

30 Physics and Astronomy Facilities: The proposed project will provide new research facilities for the Department of Physics and Astronomy to replace obsolete laboratories and laboratory support spaces within Nielsen Hall. The project will include state-of-the-art National Institute of Standards and Technology standard research laboratories to support further current and future research efforts. The facility will also provide new office space and may include spaces for science display and classrooms. The preliminary budget is $20,000,000 with funding from private sources and bond proceeds.

31 Kaufman Hall and Gittinger Hall Improvements: The academic buildings that house the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics and the Department English need exterior improvements to complement the established University of Oklahoma architectural vernacular. In addition, interior renovations are needed to create and improve student and faculty common areas for both departments. Construction projects may be developed utilizing a phased approach. The estimated total project cost is approximately $10,000,000, with funding from private sources and bond proceeds.

32 Cate Center #2 Renovation: The Cate Center #2 project will convert this facility from residential to academic use. The renovated facility will house classrooms, faculty and staff offices, conference rooms, and other support spaces. The project will address life safety and code issues including accessibility, emergency egress, and replacement of HVAC and plumbing systems. An elevator will be added, new energy-efficient windows will be installed, and the building’s roof will be replaced. The estimated project cost is $8,000,000, with funding from bond proceeds.

34 Stubbeman Place Improvements: This two-story, multi-tenant building located on the west edge of OU’s main campus near the residence halls is currently occupied predominantly by retail enterprises. Planned improvements include roof replacement with removal of the lower slope of the mansard roof, reconfiguring and landscaping the parking lot, installation of an irrigation system, burying utilities, and moving lower level storefronts on the east side to the front edge of the building. The estimated total project budget is $3,500,000, with funding from bond proceeds.

36 Parking Expansion (Garages): New structured parking will be constructed to replace parking spaces lost to expansion of student housing. It is anticipated that approximately 1,000 spaces could be constructed. The estimated total project cost is $17,000,000, to be funded from bond proceeds.

50 Bizzell Memorial Library Master Plan Project(s): The Bizzell Memorial Library Master Plan Study has developed a series of phased projects to bring the library to the forefront as a crossroads leader for intellectual and research study at the University of Oklahoma and the world community at large. A phased renovation of the entire 336,000 square foot facility will be required to achieve the desired mix of collaborative, research, reading, seminar, technology and collection storage spaces, with special attention given to preserve the National Historic Landmark status of the original 1928 building. The project will replace and update the facility’s major mechanical, electrical and data systems to support the new and expanded programs and to address the some deferred maintenance issues with the building’s envelope. The estimated total project cost is $70,000,000.

29 Student Housing Expansion, Residential Colleges: The proposed project implements the first phase of a master plan to upgrade the University’s aging housing facilities. The proposed new facilities will house approximately 600 students in a mix of room, suite, and semi-suite configurations. The project will include dining, faculty housing, student lounge areas, and other organizational and academic amenities utilizing the “Residential College” community model. The project will expand OU's existing housing options and attract more upperclassmen to on-campus housing by offering unique and highly attractive academic and social opportunities. Further, expansion of student housing facilities will help meet current market demand by reducing density in existing residence halls and adding resident advisor rooms and community spaces; and will address the significant demand for on-campus apartment beds among single upper-division and graduate students. The budget for the project is $100,000,000 with funding identified from private sources and bond proceeds.


I wonder if the parking lots west of Headington Hall would be where they would start with this expansion, in the same style? I've always thought they should eventually just replace Cate, and that the current upgrades and conversion to offices/classrooms are more of a temporary fix until they have the funding to build additional residence halls in their place.

^

I'm pretty sure that's where the new housing will go.

^

I'm pretty sure that's where the new housing will go.

Article about the residential housing: Boren wants "residential college" housing options for OU students » New and Developing » The Norman Transcript (http://www.normantranscript.com/new/x1396897886/Boren-wants-residential-college-housing-options-for-OU-students)

Planning For OU Tornado Shelters Nears Completion - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/25847297/planning-for-ou-tornado-shelters-nears-completion)

Glad to see Kauffman and Gittinger getting something. They've sort of been left out of the renovation wagon for far too long.

Pete, in regards to the new housing fronting Lindsey St, have you heard about a timeline for those residential colleges? Since the funding has been identified, does that mean work will start on those within a year?

Pete, in regards to the new housing fronting Lindsey St, have you heard about a timeline for those residential colleges? Since the funding has been identified, does that mean work will start on those within a year?

I don't know.

The university issued an official press release about this just 3 days ago so you would think they would be getting started soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing the renderings. I'm sure it/they will be similar to Headinton Hall, but probably not as tall.

I don't know.

The university issued an official press release about this just 3 days ago so you would think they would be getting started soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing the renderings. I'm sure it/they will be similar to Headinton Hall, but probably not as tall.

It seems odd to me that they were obviously considering this site on Lindsey long before now, yet they built that new steam and chilled water plant right behind where these new colleges will go. That will be a lame view.

^

It had to go somewhere close so it can efficiently distribute to all the big buildings on campus.

It's really in the middle of that block and I'm sure it will eventually be surrounded on all sides by new development.

In the near future, it will be far less noticeable.

The aquatics center expansion at the Huffman included the energy plant in its plans. I don't know the current status of that project but it was proposed as an outdoor pool with lazy river and water slides on the north side of Huffman and immediately east of the CUP to Jenkins with an indoor pool built just to the south onto the east side of Huffman. So these new residence halls will basically surround the Huffman and future aquatics center.

Ugh, these apartment style residential spaces are so inefficient! I realize that's what everyone is going with these days, but I wish more people would build UP instead of out. You can still have the apartment style and not be stuck with a 3 story building....BLEH! In an area where land is a premium, and access to campus is a HUGE deal, I just don't understand the sprawling complex methodology.

OCU's newest residential hall was a great example on a smaller scale (although it had the benefit of being built into a hill). parking garage below, residential above. It's only 4 floors, but they chose to build that way instead of the way Cokesbury was built across the street in the now-common suburban apartment complex style.

Sometimes I feel like OU suffers from having too much open space on its hands...but it always seems to be in the wrong place.

Ugh, these apartment style residential spaces are so inefficient! I realize that's what everyone is going with these days, but I wish more people would build UP instead of out. You can still have the apartment style and not be stuck with a 3 story building....BLEH! In an area where land is a premium, and access to campus is a HUGE deal, I just don't understand the sprawling complex methodology.

OCU's newest residential hall was a great example on a smaller scale (although it had the benefit of being built into a hill). parking garage below, residential above. It's only 4 floors, but they chose to build that way instead of the way Cokesbury was built across the street in the now-common suburban apartment complex style.

Sometimes I feel like OU suffers from having too much open space on its hands...but it always seems to be in the wrong place.

Just out of curiosity, have you seen renderings or anything that shows it will be 3 stories?

I don't mean that the OU ones will be 3 floors, but 5 or 6 is still too short for me. When they're building things to replace the units at the towers, anything short of a new tower is going to make use of the land more poorly. It's the out vs. up thing that bugs me. OSU did the same thing when they dozed Kerr/Drummon and Willham. The sheer extra cost of exteriors is HUGE for that many small structures in comparison. Think about the number of roofs to shingle compared to a single tower's. There's no reason an apartment floor deck can't be put into a tower. Heck, it's done every day with residential towers all over the world. But it does mean they have to raise a lot more money for a larger grand project. These dinky little ones can go in more cheaply for sure. But the long-term costs don't seem good to me.

Norman is in no short supply of this same type of structure, so I also don't see the point in OU getting in the game. Places like Traditions have been around for 20 years as student-oriented living with shuttle busses and the like. With converting some of the oldest residential halls to classroom space with this new plan is great (had a cousin in one of those about 5 years ago...BLEH!...way worse than the towers), but right now those butts are just going out to those sprawled apartments further away from campus. I really just wish they were doing more to compact the campus down more to make it more walkable. The closer you live to the class, the easier it is to walk. Instead, OU seems to be supporting the idea of a localized commuter with all those dang shuttles.

I think the long term vision for OU is to have more student housing along Lindsey across from campus. Headington Hall set the standard for future developments in this area, and they will likely be 5-6 stories each. I doubt we'll see any more Traditions-like apartments built by OU. Though there are private developers still building them in Norman.

Hopefully they all go at least like Headington. It's still a bit shorter than I'd prefer, but at least it's closer than some of the options students had. And I will say, as OU bought up some of those properties that were actual complexes, at least they've worked to remove them in lieu of better structures like Headington.

Very true on the private development thing. It's unfortunate, to me, that there are so many already. But there really isn't anything OU can do about those. I just hope, as you say, that OU won't build any more like it.

University of Oklahoma to build residential colleges | News OK (http://newsok.com/university-of-oklahoma-to-build-residential-colleges/article/4985543)

2 new parking garages planned. Any idea where these will be located? The article says north and south of Lindsey and the only places I can think of are the surface lots by Dale Hall on Elm and somewhere by the dorms.

New parking garage funded by permit increases - - Mobile (http://m.oudaily.com/news/article_b49903c4-270a-11e4-bbf1-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm)

That's nice. I really wish they would build a parking garage for UCO.

That's nice. I really wish they would build a parking garage for UCO.

Why would OU build a parking garage for UCO?

Why would OU build a parking garage for UCO?
They wouldn't. That wasn't what I meant. I was just speaking in general saying I'm glad OU is building structured parking and I wish UCO would do the same.

2 new parking garages planned. Any idea where these will be located? The article says north and south of Lindsey and the only places I can think of are the surface lots by Dale Hall on Elm and somewhere by the dorms.

New parking garage funded by permit increases - - Mobile (http://m.oudaily.com/news/article_b49903c4-270a-11e4-bbf1-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm)

I think I read something awhile back that said one of the new garages was going on the surface lot just north of the swim complex, but I don't know if that's still the plan.

I think I read something awhile back that said one of the new garages was going on the surface lot just north of the swim complex, but I don't know if that's still the plan.

I believe the long term plan is to have the garage north of the swim complex and have that area wrapped around with new dorms similar to headington hall.

Looks like the Schloar's Walk -- basically closing off the remaining street on the South Oval -- is complete:


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvqGHQmIgAAtk95.jpg:large

Looks like the Schloar's Walk -- basically closing off the remaining street on the South Oval -- is complete:


Love this! One of my very favorite things about OU's Norman campus is the walkability. It is really nice and fairly rare (even among East Coast universities) to be able walk from the dorms and only cross one street in order to get to nearly any building on campus. As a pedestrian, you can easily go from Boyd to Lindsey without having to cross traffic. They have done an outstanding job keeping/moving vehicular traffic and parking largely to the periphery of the campus (outside of Asp Ave, which isn't even a full thoroughfare).

The changes they have made at OU since I was there in the late 70's are really wonderful. The main campus is truly beautiful. Now if we can just get the town of Norman to start allowing some urbanish multi-unit housing projects to be built, Norman will really start to stand out.

The changes they have made at OU since I was there in the late 70's are really wonderful. The main campus is truly beautiful. Now if we can just get the town of Norman to start allowing some urbanish multi-unit housing projects to be built, Norman will really start to stand out.

Agree 100%. Hopefully that change starts in Campus Corner as that area north of campus to downtown is ripe for higher density, and more varied retail and restaurant options.

The changes they have made at OU since I was there in the late 70's are really wonderful. The main campus is truly beautiful. Now if we can just get the town of Norman to start allowing some urbanish multi-unit housing projects to be built, Norman will really start to stand out.

Now, saying Norman needs 'to start' seems a bit of an unfair suggestion. There are a few built here and there, some dating back a few years.

$500 million fundraising campaign launched part of which will fund the construction of the two new residential colleges that will be similar in size and appearance to Headington Hall, along Lindsey between Jenkins and Asp. The article mentions that this will include an attached parking garage behind.

OU sets 'Live On, University' fundraising goal at $500 million | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/ou-sets-live-on-university-fundraising-goal-at-500-million/article/5341586)

I'm curious how this will interact with proposed improvements to the Huffmam Center to the south, especially the outdoor pool that was planned for the north side. That could be a really cool complex for students with the residence halls surrounding the pool and Huffman, right across the street from campus.

^

When I saw the big price tag for the stadium improvements, I knew Boren would launch something similar for academics.

Between these two campaigns, looks like they'll be trying to raise about a billion dollars.

... Between these two campaigns, looks like they'll be trying to raise about a billion dollars.

No problems there. President Boren and his development folk definitely know how to get wallets cracked open,

No problems there. President Boren and his development folk definitely know how to get wallets cracked open,

And there's been some shake ups in Development to get things rolling.

The 25 most beautiful college campuses in America (http://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-25-most-beautiful-college-campuses-in-america)

Ha!

Both my alma maters are on that list. :)


Any such ranking is highly subjective but hard to leave out UCLA or Stanford, two of my absolute favorites and I've seen a ton of campuses.

Where's Faber?

There's a rendering of the proposed residential colleges in the most recent OU Foundation newsletter. I'll see if I can find a digital copy and post it. Looks amazing, just like Headington Hall along Lindsey between Jenkins and Asp on the parking lot there north of the Huffman Center and South Energy Plant .

There's a rendering of the proposed residential colleges in the most recent OU Foundation newsletter. I'll see if I can find a digital copy and post it. Looks amazing, just like Headington Hall along Lindsey between Jenkins and Asp on the parking lot there north of the Huffman Center and South Energy Plant .

This?

https://www.oufoundation.org/pn2/PublicationImages/38_417_Photo1.jpg

https://www.oufoundation.org/pn2/

Wow!! Amazing.

This?

https://www.oufoundation.org/pn2/PublicationImages/38_417_Photo1.jpg

https://www.oufoundation.org/pn2/

That's the one, thanks. This will be a great project. The next step will be to eventually replace Cate Center to the west with something similar.

You can see there is still some of the parking lot still visible next to the Huffman in the rendering. That is where the aquatics center will be located.

Whoa! Nice!

Wow!

Has anyone heard a start date?

Has anyone heard a start date?

OU is currently raising money for this project. Just like the stadium they will start once they have sufficient funds and the design is finalized. More on the project:

The residential college concept was created at Oxford University and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and has proven successful at colleges and universities in the United States. OU is the first university in the state and Big 12 and one of the first public universities to adopt this model. The colleges will have their own dining rooms, study areas and intramural teams, crests and mottos. Ten faculty fellows will have offices in the colleges and seminar rooms will also be included. Parking will be located nearby.

The proposed new housing facilities will accommodate approximately 600 students in a mix of room, suite and semi-suite configurations. The facilities will including dining, faculty housing, student lounge areas and other organizational and academic amenities.

Hopefully soon, so the Landscape Dept. can move out of its mouse infested, asbestos building.

Interesting move by OU to pair up with the History Channel for what is essentially a MOOC. Thoughts? https://historychannel.ou.edu/

Norman City Council approves high density apartment complex despite protests | News OK (http://newsok.com/norman-city-council-approves-high-density-apartment-complex-despite-protests/article/5392676)

Norman City Council approves high density apartment complex despite protests | News OK (http://newsok.com/norman-city-council-approves-high-density-apartment-complex-despite-protests/article/5392676)

thats great news. Bishop Landing is garbage.

^Does anyone have the plans for that development?

^Does anyone have the plans for that development?

http://www.normanok.gov/filebrowser_download/681/Planning%20and%20Development/Planning%20and%20Zoning/Pre-Development%20Meetings/Archive/2014%20Cases/PD14-30%20Inland%20American.pdf

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1395978_10102910768343797_3648420724014068095_n.jp g?oh=438d5865660f0160afe29650d49ead0d&oe=5550152B

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10868154_10102910770264947_7489866201268789848_n.j pg?oh=33302f588d93f9a5ce1e03b811e528cd&oe=55925348&__gda__=1430958942_b96111e1dd7a3e01a357e8f56fc6f67 a

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10947331_10102910771756957_8816380024840346377_n.j pg?oh=65a98246c6ae078b26a18e0e48dfbca6&oe=554CFAF3&__gda__=1430826213_02ed67ddf6a542c49e3ab058a63e986 6

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s261x260/10991277_10102910772136197_2629337992099501214_n.j pg?oh=497d40384f531d5e7effa1733b3e56fa&oe=5595C921

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10990825_10102910772255957_521679984227683911_n.jp g?oh=f95776555d490a49f9ac4fb02ece2707&oe=55958A78

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10986845_10102910772390687_5798233978589693353_n.j pg?oh=ef7af9b17847ccb875a930cbc406877a&oe=558CDB92&__gda__=1431586807_87b047cc7a5b5c6251520aa84f16d8e 7

Nice!

Will lessen need for parking on OU campus and bring much more life to Campus Corner.

I'm surprised someone hasn't done something like this to the north of Campus Corner.

pssshhhhhh. How dare they building that ugly thing next to those low density houses. Next thing you know, Norman will become like Tokyo.

So awesome, overdue, and needed. Absolute home run.

I'd really like to see the east and north side of the campus get developed because at some point the train station near Main will be within walking distance of many, which will hasten the commuter rail from Norman to downtown OKC.

It would benefit the university and City greatly to have a much stronger link, and the rail line would go a long way towards that.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/normantrain.jpg

That's great to hear that they approved it despite "protests". Those objecting about this simply don't know what they're talking about. Bishop's Landing is a ####-hole that needs to go, and this high quality development will be a huge improvement to the area. So maybe there will be a handful more cars, but that's going to keep happening anyway as the area and university grows. People nearby are just freaking out about the words "high-density" being used with this project. If the developers had been more careful with their wording and presentation I think they would have been spared some headaches.

Hopefully once this project gets off the ground and is successful, we can see more of the same to the north and near campus corner.

Pete,

The City and OU/IQC are in the process of working on a "Central City Norman" vision for this area you are talking about, so I would think development would shortly follow.

It's great to see that nasty complex getting demolished!

Pete,

The City and OU/IQC are in the process of working on a "Central City Norman" vision for this area you are talking about, so I would think development would shortly follow.

It's great to see that nasty complex getting demolished!

Geographer, are you still in Norman or did you move to Dallas?

Geographer, are you still in Norman or did you move to Dallas?

I moved down to DFW last summer for a job.

Perhaps the next folk proposing such a project might highlight it as being optimally accessible rather than being high density.

I wish it was a different style design rather than the typical suburban stucco thing, but what are ya gonna do? It's geared to college kids but it would have been neat to meld with the neighborhood design a little better....brick or something. whatev