Bobcat Attack - General Ohio University Discussion/Alumni Events

General Ohio University Discussion/Alumni Events Topic

Topic: Pedestrian Park Place

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The Optimist

8/22/2015 6:42 AM

In a recent A-News article, they again mentioned the idea of making Park Place a pedestrian walkway. I know we've discussed converting various roads to pedestrian-only on here before. In general, I think doing so would really improve the (already amazing) "feel" of campus. I recognize its a very tough process though as traffic is already not amazing..

http://www.athensnews.com/news/local/town-gown-meet-in-th...

"McDavis said that changes to traffic around OU’s campus are also being evaluated through the master plan process; he said OU desires more green space and pedestrian walkways, and that rerouting traffic to a “loop” around campus could be desirable while removing roadways in the interior. OU has previously discussed plans to make Park Place (in front of Alden Library) a pedestrian walkway."

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Alan Swank

8/22/2015 6:23 PM

It will be interesting to see what happens with at least two new members on council and a new mayor next year. Park Place is a city street so any discussion of making it a pedestrian thoroughfare will involve both the city and university. I still think making the one block of Union St. from Congress to Court pedestrian and dining on the north half and vehicle and parking on the south half is the easiest and first thing that should be tried.

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mcbin

8/23/2015 2:45 PM

Maybe things have changed lots since I was in school, but Park Place didn't seem like a heavily traveled area, and at the time probably wouldn't have gained much by being pedestrian only. Maybe the new Baker has changed all that.

The section of Union Alan mentioned, absolutely. But seems like that's probably the most heavily used area (or top few) in the city. Not saying it can't be done though... Here in CBUS, they closed a high traffic section of High St for a party/concert yesterday. And they do that sort of thing - seems like twice a month for hours at a time for 5k's, etc.

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Alan Swank

8/23/2015 6:43 PM

mcbin wrote:expand_more

With the new Baker and the four new dorms just north and east of Ping, there will be lots of pedestrian traffic on Park Place. As for Union, because of the construction, it's currently configured the way that I suggested (parking on the south side, one lane of traffic and the north parking and north lane of traffic closed because of fencing around the construction zone). It's been that way since the fire and I've noticed very few if any traffic problems. Most folks have learned to reroute their travels.

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TWT

8/23/2015 7:01 PM

Usually when an attempt is made to make a pedestrian mall its because the traffic flow is such that its limiting pedestrian traffic. Charlottesville is a good example of this. I have never noticed a huge traffic issue on any of the university streets to the point of where it is constricting pedestrian access. If the school closes off park place its going to force more traffic onto East Union St. As its configured the street system around the university is set up so there is a road to take you to any point in campus that you would need to possibly go.

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The Optimist

8/23/2015 8:54 PM

mcbin wrote:expand_more

It has definitely changed and your thinking on why is correct. New Baker has caused that area to become one of the heaviest walkways on campus. Particularly between class changes.

Those escalators in Baker are hard to pass up over walking the Richland Ave hill and heading up/down there is actually a more direct route from West-East/South plus from college green down to those couple academic buildings right below Baker.

Last Edited: 8/23/2015 8:58:45 PM by The Optimist

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SBH

8/24/2015 3:04 PM

I know a few folks who lived in Lincoln Hall in the early 1980s who would have walked around to the present-day Baker Center to use the escalators to reach a class in RTV Building. Anything but Jeff Hill.

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bobcatsquared

8/24/2015 4:27 PM

Or walk half-way up Jeff Hill, turn around, and head back to bed.

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Mike Johnson

8/24/2015 8:43 PM

Geez, what softies! I lived in Gam. When running late for a class in Ellis, I scampered up those steps behind Bryan. Good cardio-vascular!

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Mark Lembright '85

8/24/2015 9:11 PM

SBH wrote:expand_more

Or, as in my case, lived in Crawford Hall freshman year and used the rickety elevator in Siegfried to get uptown and back. Yes, anything but Jeff Hill, at least in a drunken stupor. ;)

Edit: And yes, the new Baker has really changed the pedestrian dynamic around campus. After having had a child recently go to and graduate from Ohio, I saw firsthand what the new Baker has done for the campus! That place is beyond fantastic. There is sooo much more foot traffic in that part of campus now.

Last Edited: 8/24/2015 9:16:50 PM by Mark Lembright '85

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The Optimist

8/25/2015 8:02 AM

In addition to Baker, I would imagine Walter being built down across from Peden in addition to the existing Grover & Porter increased the number of students with classes in that area of campus. Grover is a pretty massive building. And Baker is the easiest way to get there from anywhere that isn't West Green.

I would imagine those new dorms over by Ping may increase the usage of the walkways by Emeriti Park. I like that area of campus.

Last Edited: 8/25/2015 8:04:01 AM by The Optimist

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rpbobcat

8/25/2015 1:25 PM

Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more

Geez, what softies! I lived in Gam. When running late for a class in Ellis, I scampered up those steps behind Bryan. Good cardio-vascular!

I agree,"softees".

My second week at O.U.,back in 1971, I fractured my ankle skydiving.

They put it in a cast at the Hudson Health Center.

To get back to GAM I had to go down the Jeff Hill stairs,on crutches,carrying my dirty clothes in a plastic bag.
Nobody even offered to help when I was going down the stairs.

From then on,until I got the cast off, I had to do Jeff Hill a couple of times a day.
At least after the cast hardened I didn't have to use crutches.

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Ohio69

8/28/2015 9:08 AM

The Optimist wrote:expand_more

Man, if I won a billion $ I'd pay to clear out that space. Knock down the residence and the house next door. Clean up the hillside behind. Make a big part of it a nice grassy park-ish area. Our campus does not have a nice wide open area like that.

Nobody agrees with me on that idea however....

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DelBobcat

8/31/2015 12:33 PM

Ohio69 wrote:expand_more

The Optimist wrote:expand_more

Doesn't Emeriti Park at the bottom of the hill accomplish that? The hillside is pretty steep so I'm not sure it works as a "grassy park-ish area."