Ridges Advisory committee receives project update

Members serving on Ohio University’s Ridges Advisory committee met Tuesday, Feb. 3, to hear next steps as presented by The Ridges Master Plan committee. The advisory committee meets quarterly to review progress and provide feedback about the project, which is designed to update the planning document for the lands and buildings at The Ridges.

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s meeting, Ridges Master Plan co-chairs Shawna Bolin and Joseph Shields sent a message to advisory committee members to update them on a revision made to the project’s timeline. During Tuesday’s meeting, they reiterated the need to adjust The Ridges Master Plan timeline so it could more closely correspond to another planning project underway, the Comprehensive Master Plan for Ohio University’s campuses.

Shields explained there has been a tendency over the years to consider The Ridges in isolation, but folding it in as an integral part of the Comprehensive Master Plan will put scenarios for implementation on a more robust footing, and will help ensure that a plan is produced for The Ridges that will be successfully carried out.

The Comprehensive Master Plan process provides a framework for decision making as it relates to campus needs in terms of academic, research, student activities and community connection. The Comprehensive Master Plan will also address near-term planning that needs to take place for projects that will have a transformational effect on the overall Athens Campus comprehensive master plan.

The advisory committee also received an update on:

• A recap of work that has taken place since their last meeting. Members of The Ridges Master Plan team have been working with consulting group Schooley Caldwell Associates team to review funding opportunities.
• An update on the stabilization package which will provide intermediary protection from environmental elements while master planning efforts continue. The package will aid in slowing the deterioration taking place at some of the buildings. Work is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
• Process and vision for collaboration and integration with the Comprehensive Master Plan team.

In the coming months, Schooley Caldwell Associates will finalize The Ridges Master Plan guiding principles and planning concepts into a Ridges Framework Plan. This work is expected to take place between February and April, and will summarize the work The Ridges teams have done together with the committees and community as well as provide foundation of opportunities.

During the summer months and heading into fall, The Ridges teams will collaborate with the Comprehensive Master Plan team as a part of the campus master plan effort. This includes work on the Ridges Precinct which will refine and build upon the work of the Ridges Framework Plan. The Comprehensive Master Plan is expected to conclude in winter 2016 with finalized recommendations.

Bolin noted the importance of continuing to include the University community and Athens area community in the conversation. Community touch points will be held during the remainder of the year, she said, allowing for review of the work that has taken place and inviting feedback and reactions. The public meetings will be announced in Compass.

Long time Athens historian Marjorie Stone, who serves as a member of The Ridges Advisory committee, was happy with the progress of the planning effort. She said she understood the need to adjust the timeline and continues to urge the University to protect the buildings. "I am pleased with how plans for developing The Ridges are progressing," said Stone.