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Wayfinding Subgroup, January 20, 2012

Campus Master Plan Wayfinding Subgroup Meeting Minutes

1/20/12, 9:00-10:30 am, Highsmith 223

In attendance:

Rob Nelson, consultant and Working Group chair; Melissa Acker, Landscape Architect; Eric Boyce, Dir., Public Safety/Chief of Police; Kevan Frazier, Dir., Alumni Relations/University Events; Don Gordon, Dir., Design & Construction; Dr. Mark Harvey, faculty; Ben Judge, student; Dr. Gregg Kormanik, faculty; Garrett Male, Transportation Coordinator; Patrice Mitchell, Dean of Admissions; Christine Riley, Chief of Staff; Aaron Sanders, Facilities Manager; and, David Todd, Dir., Physical Plant.

Also present:

Eric Seeger, University Writer and Editor, attended in Debbie Griffith’s absence.

Rob Nelson called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

Mr. Nelson gave the new members of the subgroup a background history on the planning process to date.

Subgroup members introduced themselves and their roles on campus.

Mr. Nelson described the Wayfinding process moving forward. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP), approved by state procedures, will be finalized for design firms to bid on. A smaller group from the Wayfinding subgroup will evaluate the bids and narrow the list to the top 3 or 4 firms, and then the larger group will participate in the design firm presentations and provide feedback. The full process should take between 4-6 weeks to complete. The RFP will be posted by the end of January or beginning of February.

Some key issues that will be addressed in the RFP include:

  • Arrival experience
  • Assessing existing conditions and needs
  • Recommendation for signage types and placement
  • Lighting recommendations
  • Address temporary and special signage needs

Mr. Nelson asked for feedback and thoughts on the RFP and process:

  • Wayfinding is a controversial and emotional process. We need to keep that in mind as we move forward.
  • Reminder of the beautiful landscaping we currently have on campus.
  • What specifically have been the negatives about the campus:
    1. Broken cement on sidewalks
    2. Rebar on the steps
    3. Facades and style of buildings are not cohesive
    4. Approach and the way around campus is not intuitive
    5. “Parking lot feel,” and lack of guidance/signage
    6. The Bermuda Triangle (Y between Edgewood and University Heights)
  • A desire to get cars off the center part of campus
  • How many visitors do we have on campus any given day, and what type of visitors are they?
  • We need differently crafted experiences for each type of visitor.
  • Continued confusion about signage related to finding the Sherrill Center vs Kimmel Arena
  • Fix the Admissions parking issue.
  • Better handholding for guests; create a visitor desk/kiosk. To make a true UNC Asheville experience, it should be staffed by students.
  • Parking issues; cultural changes needed.
  • Have an updated ADA survey on campus; WNC Alliance will perform it at a nominal cost.
  • Layered level of wayfinding options. We should consider different cost options about what will have the most impact on campus.
  • Better wayfinding technology (GIS info, GPS updates, and uniformity in our directions verbiage online).
  • Integration with the City of Asheville signage.
  • Implementation of the wayfinding/signage, and administration/upkeep after the fact.
  • Think about 24-hour wayfinding, not just 8-5, Monday-Friday.
  • Add University signage on Broadway/Merrimon.
  • Add University signage at the newly acquired MAHEC building on W.T. Weaver.

Mr. Nelson thanked the group for their excellent feedback. He adjourned the meeting at 10:25 am.

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