Existing Conditions:
The problem site we selected is a piece of land housing two sand volleyball courts. These courts are located on West Woodruff Avenue between Curl Market and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; it’s a large piece of land that is under-used and could be revitalized to improve its appearance and usability. Students rarely use the volleyball courts during the academic year (largely due to the overwhelming cold), and during fall semester, many students spend their weekends at the football games/parties cheering on the Buckeyes. Free time during the winter months is largely spent indoors. More importantly, there are two other sets of sand volleyball courts located within walking distance. The North Recreation Center and the RPAC both have a set of courts. Removal of the courts on Woodruff Avenue will not be an imposition to students. Improved planning and design could eliminate these problems by creating a weather-friendly, visually appealing space for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Our proposed changes will also improve the sight line for this stretch of road.
Plan A:
One option for revitalization is expanding the current Curl Market seating area and creating a large green space. Curl Market has some outdoor seating available, but it is not sufficient to accommodate the steady flow of students who frequent the dining location; some of the outdoor seating is not weather friendly which limits its usability (a limited number of tables have attached umbrellas to block out the sun and rain). This project would increase the number of seats available while maintaining continuity. The added seats will match the red chairs on Curl Market’s west patio. The green space perimeter will be walled in on the north and east sides. The use of a wall will improve the ambiance by blocking the unappealing view of the parking lot. The barrier will block the wind from both directions and will allow for a roof to be installed over the seating area. The interior of the walls can be comprised of decorative stone with shelving for plants. The patio area will have an upscale appearance, as well as, a natural casual atmosphere. The greenspace will have a row of grills for dorm residents to utilize and will be landscaped with decorative bushes. Students will be able to use the grassy areas surrounding the patio to lay out picnic blankets, study, play frisbee, or a host of other outdoor activities.
Getting the funding needed for this patio space could be difficult because of the limited monetary return on investment for expensive equipment such as grills and roofing. The project may find an ally in the university itself as it seeks for a better Curl that is more attractive to students on dining plans or otherwise. The university may also find that the space that is so convenient to north campus dorms could boost demand for higher rate on-campus for students even beyond their sophomore year. With the space open on the walls that partially enclose the space funding could also be raised by selling the rights to what kind of art or greenery could be placed on those walls.
Plan B:
Another option for revitalization is transforming the space into a greenhouse complex. Ohio State has been pushing for a greener campus, and creating a greenhouse is a great way to engage students in environmental activism. There is a greenhouse on campus, but it is buried by the RPAC and medical facility. Using this prime location will put the environment at the center of campus life. The greenhouse can be equipped with solar panels to help power surrounding buildings. The attractive design of the greenhouse makes it a unique campus landmark for generations to come. Students and alumni can purchase plants to grow in the garden, giving an opportunity for a thoughtful graduation, birthday, or wedding gift. In addition to supporting an array of environmental efforts, the greenhouse will also have an event or exhibition space to host speakers, presentations, art, or other educational materials to encourage environmental consciousness. The greenhouse project would turn an underused space on campus into a hub for innovation and create a recognizable building that meets needs that the Union and Thompson Library can’t accommodate.
Securing funding and implementing the greenhouse project is extremely feasible. The university is likely to support this revitalization plan because it coincides with the national movement that promotes growing fresh foods in neighborhood gardens. Low income residents tend to have less healthy diets due in part to their limited access to fresh foods. Some of the food grown in the greenhouse can be donated to local food banks. The greenhouse revitalization project benefits the environment and the larger campus community. There are a number of avenues to pursue in order to secure funding. The University may provide financial assistance given their past support for agricultural projects such as Com Til. There are an abundance of garden grants available at the private and public level that may be tapped for funds. Lastly, the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences may want to participate in the revitalization project. The College may be willing to donate materials, labor and/or financial support for the project.