December 10, 1999

At the fall's second town hall meeting, Heather Hood, Associate Planner for Physical and Environmental Planning, gave an overview of the Lower Sproul Revitalization Project and how it links to the campus' New Century Plan. She then introduced Eric Osth, a graduate student in Professor Peter Bosselmann's LA241/CP241 Research Methods in Environmental Design class. This fall the class has been looking at the Lower Sproul area, and Eric summarized the class's findings: (1) people use the area more as a pass-through (to get from one place to another) than as a destination; (2) Lower Sproul is heavily traversed (more so than previously believed); and (3) the quiet of Lower Sproul makes a good contrast to the bustling Upper Sproul.

Discussion

In a discussion of the programming aspects of the project, participants made the following points:

• there is a dichotomy between the need for event space and what to do with event space when there is no scheduled activity there
• the area needs a cohesive concept like New York's Lincoln Center
• the student union and Eshleman relate poorly to Bancroft
• changes to Lower Sproul should keep the nature and functions of Upper Sproul in mind
• the area shouldn't lose its student services/student organizations focus
• Housing and Parking offices could be put in the Stiles parking lot area
• there are problems with Chavez having just one point of access
• the fence around the Bears' Lair doesn't work
• the presence of food services is important
• the buildings in the area need a better interrelationship
• Lower Sproul is "passive" in relation to Upper Sproul, but a good space for gatherings
• student services/functions need to be visible/accessible rather than hidden
• the area needs maps and multiple points of access
• the area should include the Career Center and the Visitors' Center

The next step for the Lower Sproul project is a programming study to take place in December and January. By the end of spring 2000 the pieces of the project–financing, design, and programming–should come together.

There followed a discussion of what works and what doesn't work about the Lower Sproul area. Participants made the following comments:

WHAT WORKS:

• open space
• special events space
• student services
• drumming
• Zellerbach/event congregation
• openness
• good building ensemble
• good for afternoon bands
• good location for transfer center
• nature/greenspace
• good for wheelchairs
• lot of potential
• good acoustics
• good for SUPERB events
• can hide yourself in seating areas
• contrasts with Upper Sproul
• good passive space/protected area
• shortcut to Sather Gate
• good elements

DOESN'T WORK:

• no nearby wheelchair repair shop
• Chavez claustrophobic
• commercial area needs to move out to Bancroft
• MLK terraces underutilized
• more student group spaces
• student union doesn't function well
• seating areas aren't well designed
• too much hardscape; need more greenery like creek area near VLSB
• more amenities like lighting and rest rooms
• something's missing
• fence and picnic tables in Bear's Lair don't work
• accessibility issues
• school kids who come to Zellerbach: public safety and rest room issues
• "what is where"; functions are placed for historic reasons; take a new look, bring services in
• lack of visibility for programs; one central entrance to Chavez doesn't work
• use Haas inner courtyard as a model
• lack of cohesion
• acoustics; sound for bands is pointed toward Chavez; is it possible to point sound toward Zellerbach?
• sound reaches classes on campus
• Eshleman cuts off space
• no reason to come to Lower Sproul
• bad for congregating groups such as tour groups
• bad views/ambiance on Chavez terrace
• hard to find things in Chavez
• Chavez breezeway dark; safety concern
• buildings together don't work; inflexible space; lacks cohesion
• Eshleman dead–doesn't contribute to life on Bancroft; dead space
• bus stop on Bancroft needs shelter
• benches/potted plants don't work; "stand or sit?"
• enclosure limits numbers of students who can congregate
• not fully used
• would like more access to the Transfer Center
• too much concrete
• nothing welcoming or inviting for visitors; need visitors' center
• be able to see visitors' center from street; "something that says hello"
• Chavez bad: elevators, stairs, access to Disabled Students' Program
• need one unified center

The next town hall meeting will be Thursday, December 2, 4-6pm in MLK's Stephens Lounge.

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