Overview of framework plan presented at Ridges Advisory Committee meeting
Members of the Ridges Advisory Committee met earlier this month to provide feedback on content that will be part of the Ridges framework plan developed by consultants Schooley Caldwell Associates and MKSK.
The framework plan will outline information on the land, buildings, history and feedback from the community collected during public workshops. In addition, it includes recommendations on the adaptability of the buildings and grounds.
Working together, SCA and MKSK summarized key findings after extensive research into the possible ways in which the Ridges may be used by Ohio University and the Athens community.
The property’s topography strongly limits potential development, and adoption of conservation development practices can further preserve open space while allowing introduction of some new structures, according to Sarah Richardson, senior associate at MKSK.
While the more than 700 acres of land, including the Ridges Land Lab, are a large consideration, the buildings on the property – many of significant historic value – were also assessed to help determine possible future uses.
Robert Loversidge, CEO of SCA, discussed the multi-use opportunities of the main Kirkbride Building with its nearly 700,000 square feet of space.
Because of its design, the building lends itself well to vertical segmentation rather than horizontal, Loversidge said, noting that there is flexibility in how the building can be adapted for a range of future programmatic uses.
The Ridges framework plan will be completed by June, at which time it will be presented to the University’s Board of Trustees.
Once the framework plan is finalized, it will be referenced as the Ohio University Comprehensive Master Plan 2016 team works to provide programmatic direction. MKSK and SCA will work with Comprehensive Master Plan 2016 consultant Ayers Saint Gross to ensure the opportunities identified for the Ridges are integrated into the overall space planning considerations for the entire Athens campus.