Master Plan, University of Massachusetts Amherst
The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) seeks proposals for professional campus master planning services from qualified firms for the development of a Campus Master Plan for the UMass Amherst Campus. This new planning initiative is being undertaken to update the 1993 Campus Master Plan, to address the deteriorated condition of existing campus facilities, and to incorporate the goals of the new Framework for Excellence developed under the leadership of the new Chancellor. The Campus Master Plan will provide a framework for sustainable future development that reinforces the Framework for Excellence and articulates a clear vision and identity for the campus, with planning principles, goals and recommendations to guide all future growth. This will be an intensive 24 month long process working closely with the campus leadership, campus community and numerous stakeholders. The area of study includes over 1,400 acres on the main campus as well as the 150 acre Hadley Farm and the 32 acre North Village Residential Area. This request for proposals provides a preliminary overview of the UMass Amherst campus, a detailed description of the University's expectations for the Campus Master Plan, and a description of the qualifications being sought in the consultant team. BACKGROUND: The University of Massachusetts Amherst was established under the Morrill Land Grant act as the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1863 on 310 acres with four buildings, four faculty and 56 students. In 1931, it became Massachusetts State College. Campus landscape planning and design at that time reflected the rural and picturesque, with shade trees lining central roadways. In 1947, the College expanded to become the University of Massachusetts and entered into an era of expanded scope, broader curriculum, and a larger physical plant. In 1953, the firm of Shurcliff, Shurcliff and Merrill was hired to develop the University's first modern campus plan, which was soon outdated due to rising campus enrollment. In 1961, Sasaki, Dawson and DeMay was hired to develop a new campus plan. This plan moved the campus away from its agricultural, rural roots to its current, distinctly more urban, character. During the 1960's and 70's, there was a major building boom on campus. By 1967, campus enrollment was 15,000 students. Approximately ten million square feet of space was built in these two decades, including numerous large buildings and complexes that altered the scale and spatial organization of the campus, transforming it once and for all from its picturesque rural character. The most recent Campus Physical Master Plan was developed in 1993 by an internal team of UMass Amherst administrators, faculty, and students. It was supplemented in the following years by additional planning studies for several precincts of the campus. The 80's were a period of almost no investment in the University's facilities. In the 90's, new construction was focused on science and engineering facilities.
