St. Cloud State’s 2015 Comprehensive Facilities Plan includes plans to remodel and upgrade some facilities while decommissioning under-used facilities, including demolishing some buildings.
The university updates its Comprehensive Facilities Plan every three to five years. The last plan was published in 2010.
This facilities plan is designed to meet the evolving expectations of students and changes in technology and teaching methods. It takes into consideration the physical condition of campus buildings and usage, said Tammy McGee, vice president for Finance and Administration.
The 2015 Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan includes renovations to transform Eastman Hall into a new health sciences facility.
The more than 10-year comprehensive plan will ensure a reduction of the overall campus footprint to a more manageable level, improved utilization of classroom space and the right-sizing of faculty and staff spaces.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system office has approved the plan and the state legislature, MnSCU and the university will use the document as they plan for funding projects.
Major elements of the plan include the remodel and renovation of some buildings and demolition and replacement of others.
In the short-term, the plan includes the demolition of Holes Hall and the South Office Building by fall 2016. The next five years will call for a remodel of Garvey Commons, the renovation of Eastman Hall into a new health sciences facility and Herb Brooks National Hockey Center ice rink replacement.
Long-term plans include the decommissioning of under-utilized facilities along with those on the edge of campus as well as renovations to Halenbeck Hall, the Engineering and Computing Center and Husky Stadium and other field updates.
Holes Hall
Holes Hall opened in 1965 and is scheduled for removal in 2016.
W.W. Holes Residence Hall was named for businessman Wilbur Warren Holes, who represented St. Cloud State on the former State University Board.
Opened in 1965, the nine-story residence hall for men and women was last used during the 2013-14 school year after it was deemed by students as the “least desirable” housing option in student surveys.
Removal of the building will be completed during fall semester. The university will then open up the vacant space to make it available for outdoor recreation in the north end of campus, a need identified by students during the planning process for the Comprehensive Facilities Plan.
The St. Cloud State Alumni Foundation is planning alumni events to celebrate past residents of Holes Hall in fall.
On the residential side, long-term plans include the removal and replacement of Mitchell Hall with a suite-style residence hall, remodel of Sherburne Hall, renovations to Lawrence Hall and demolition of Stearns and Benton halls and Stateview Apartments.
Other plans include roof replacements and HVAC upgrades throughout the life of the plan.
This is the most comprehensive plan for facilities the university has ever developed, McGee said.
To prepare for the plan, the university studied classroom and facilities utilization. The plan was developed through a transparent process that involved a large steering committee, several focus groups and gallery walks. The planning team and its consultants facilitated more than 120 meetings regarding the plan. It was developed concurrently with the city of St. Cloud’s comprehensive plan.
This data was used to inform the plan, along with information about student enrollment and demographics and academic programming.
St. Cloud State is a campus of 15,500 students — close to enrollment numbers in 2000 when 14,700 students studied on campus.
Since January 2000 campus has expanded by 350,000 square feet with the addition of the Miller Center, ISELF and the expansion of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
The plan is broken down into what will be accomplished in the first five years, the first 10 years and during the next 20 years. It will be updated every three-five years.
The Comprehensive Facilities Plan is a forward-thinking document that helps university leaders understand the changing needs of students. The document’s highest priority is a look inside classrooms to renovate these spaces to best suit the academic needs of students, McGee said.
The plan is informed by other campus plans including the Safety and Security Plan, Wayfinding Study and Landscaping Plan among others, she said.
